Mick's MatchDay Preview: Bristol vs. Derby Friday, 10th Dec 2010 10:46 by Mick McDermott The Rams head to Bristol needing to stop the rot and attempt to win their way back into the top six.
Bristol City vs. Derby CountySaturday 11th December 2010 15:00 Ashton Gate - Bristol
Bristol City v Derby - Historical: P 29 W 9 D 10 L 10 F 41 A 41
Last game at Ashton Gate: 24/04/10 Bristol City 2 - 1 Derby County; Pearson
Recent Form: Bristol City: 18/24 P 19 W 6 D 5 L 8 F 22 A 28 Leading scorers: Stead (5) Derby: 7/24 P 20 W 9 D 3 L 8 F 38 A 21 Leading scorers: Commons (11)
The Rams: I think most of us, including Nigel Clough, would have preferred a snow day last week. Norwich came and caught us cold with two goals in the opening fifteen. We were always chasing after that. With a bit of luck we might have got a draw or a win - hopefully some of our team have been working on their sharpness in front of goal this week - but that doesn't take away from the fact we've lost 3 of the last 4 games. We've conceded 2 goals per game in those 4 games and not kept a clean sheet since we played Ipswich. That's got to be a source of concern. Part of the problem is the lack of a stable back four. With injuries and suspension playing a part, we've not had the same back four for successive games for an age - and a different back four for the last four games. It's probable that with fielding going we will be back to Stephen Bywater in goals with maybe another change if Moxey is fit to replace Roberts. Stability is important at the back and players need to be used to those playing around them. Both of Norwich's goals had defenders looking around at each other afterwards. It's a quandary for Clough but most fans would say that our current best four are Brayford, Barker, Leacock and Moxey with Brayford as centre half cover and Green as full back. Saturday should see the return of Alberto Bueno to add some much needed creativity. I would think about dropping Green back to midfield and dropping Savage - who looked weary against Norwich. I suspect Clough will start with Moore up front but I'd like to see Kuqi start against the Robins. He only has one game left and Tom Glick said to BBC Radio Derby: "He's played an important role, but we will take a 'wait and see' with him. It's one that we'll evaluate in January as to whether we'll extend."
Probable Team: Bywater Brayford, Barker, Leacock, Moxey Bailey, Green Cywka, Bueno, Commons Moore Substitutes Cywka, Pringle, Savage, Deeney, Porter, Doyle, Kuqi
Rams Squad: No. Position Player 1 Keeper Stephen Bywater 2 Defender John Brayford 3 Defender Gareth Roberts 4 Midfield Paul Green 5 Defender Shaun Barker (vice-captain) 6 Defender Dean Leacock 7 Striker Steve Davies 8 Midfield Robbie Savage 9 Striker Shefki Kuqi (on loan from Swansea City) 10 Midfield Kris Commons 11 Midfield Stephen Pearson 12 Striker Chris Porter 13 Keeper Saul Deeney 14 Defender Russell Anderson 15 Midfield David Martin 16 Midfield James Bailey 17 Defender Jake Buxton 18 Midfield Ben Pringle 19 Striker Tomasz Cywka 20 Defender Miles Addison 21 Defender Dean Moxey 23 Striker Conor Doyle 25 Defender Mark O'Brien 26 Striker Callum Ball 27 Striker Alberto Bueno (on loan from Real Valladolid) 28 Striker Luke Moore (on loan from West Bromwich Albion) 30 Keeper Ross Atkins 34 Keeper Frank Fielding (on loan from Blackburn Rovers) 35 Midfield Jeff Hendrick 36 Defender Kallum Keane 37 Midfield Ryan Connolly 38 Midfield Medi Abalimba 39 Defender Mitchell Hanson
Bristol City: The Robins are moving out of the relegation places and up the division - so much of a turnaround that Keith Millen has been awarded the n-Power Championship manager of the month award for November. Three wins, a draw and a defeat were enough to pick up the award and move the Robins up to 17th. Not bad for a man who was second choice to Steve Coppell. The Robins have a couple of familiar names in the squad including Jon Stead, Lewin Nyatanga and former England keeper David James. Lewin is just back from a loan at Peterborough. Jon Stead could return from injury though Millen has Captain Louis Carey and Christian Ribeiro sidelined.
Current Bristol Squad: No. Position Player 1 Keeper David James 2 Defender Nicky Hunt 3 Defender Jamie McAllister 4 Defender Liam Fontaine 5 Defender Damion Stewart 6 Defender Louis Carey (captain) 7 Midfield Marvin Elliott 8 Midfield Lee Johnson 9 Striker David Clarkson 10 Striker Nicky Maynard 11 Striker Danny Haynes 12 Keeper Dean Gerken 13 Keeper Stephen Henderson 14 Midfield Cole Skuse 15 Midfield Gavin Williams 18 Defender James Wilson 19 Defender Christian Ribeiro 20 Midfield Jamal Campbell-Ryce 21 Defender Kalifa Cissé 22 Defender Lewin Nyatanga 23 Defender Joe Edwards 24 Striker Marlon Jackson 25 Defender Danny Ball 26 Defender Joe Lennox 27 Midfield Albert Adomah 30 Striker Jon Stead 33 Striker Sam Vokes (on loan from Wolverhampton) 34 Striker Brett Pitman 35 Midfield Danny Rose (on loan from Tottenham) 36 Defender Steven Caulker (on loan from Tottenham)
What the bookies think: The Robins are favourites for this one at 7/5 while the Rams are at 15/8. The draw is at 23/10. John Stead and Kris Commons are favourites for the first goal at11/2 while Danny Haynes, Brett Pitman, Luke Moore and Alberto Bueno are all at 6/1. Grant Holt is at 5/1 for the Canaries.
Information For Travelling Fans: Driving It’s another long journey south. Take A38 to M6 toll and then head South to the M5. Leave the M5 at J18 and take the A4 following signs for the Bristol Airport/Taunton. Once over the swing bridge (Brunel Way) taking the left into Winterstoke Road, and you will see the ground on your left. Parking The on street parking around Ashton Gate has been severely curtailed by double yellow lines in the side streets. There's a car park in Ashton Vale (right off Winterstoke Rd) and another ten minutes away at Bedminster Cricket club otherwise arrive early and find street parking. Drinking The Pumphouse and the Nova Scotia by the waterfront are recommended for away supporters though other recommendations are the Tobacco Factory and the Orchard although these and other pubs near the ground may have home fan only rules now. The Robins near the ground for example has. Note that no alcohol is on sale in the ground.
Mick's prediction: We need to get back to winning ways and surely we are better than a team struggling at the wrong end of the table? As long as the team don't think that we can win - and the curse of the manager of the month might work in our favour. Bristol City 0 - 1 Derby County
Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
You need to login in order to post your comments |
Derby County Polls[ Vote here ] |