G.M's MatchDay Preview: Rams Should Be Too Professional To Slip On Southport
Saturday, 3rd Jan 2015 12:45 by George Martin

Derby look set to make changes to the starting eleven to face conference side Southport this afternoon in the 3rd round of the F.A. Cup.

New signing Darren Bent will not be available until the Ipswich match but Dawkins, Mascarell, Bryson, Ward and Roos may all be given starts as Derby will use the opportunity to utilise the squad after a number of tough home and away fixtures in the past 3 weeks.

Quite whether the likes of Best, Calero and Naylor also feature is anyone's guess, but I hope Derby stick to the nucleus of the back four with Martin leading the attack.

In their last outing Derby did enough in the first half to take the lead against Leeds with Ibe a constant threat down the Derby left. Some intricate play by Ibe and Hughes was rewarded with a slightly fortunate own goal and after Buxton scored the second at the start of half time, there was only ever going to be one winner.

Southport will be backed by 2,700 travelling fans and are in the third round for the first time since 1999. They sit 20th in the conference but have a 3 games in hand on the teams around them due to their success in the cup

They beat Eastleigh, who are in the play off places in the same division, in the last round and they also beat league two side Dagenham and Redbridge at home in round one. They have recently had good away victories against Kidderminster and Woking in the Conference.

Southport could be without winger Micah Evans and defender Joe Connor who both hamstring problems, but midfielder Scott Kay is back after serving a suspension. Goalkeeper Raya is in good form and Brodie is the top scorer with nine goals.

Southport have nothing to lose and should play with freedom and without fear. It is a potential banana skin for Derby but their attitude and application needs to be right from the beginning. If the likes of Bryson, Dawkins, Ward and Mascarell do start, the Derby fans would hope they are too professional and talented to weaken the team as all have started games this season.

Hughes may also get the nod in front of Hendrick due to his ability to retain possession. Hendrick has also had a couple of knocks recently. Derby will hopefully include Kwame Thomas in the squad, as they look to bring in and develop more youth.

This is the F.A. cup and Derby often like to do things the hard way, but hopefully Derby will have too much for the non league outfit and win reasonably comfortably.

League Form / Match Stats:

Derby — 5th Championship (W, L, D, W, W):

The Rams have only won 2 of their last 6 home ties in their recent FA Cup clashes.

Derby has won 15 of their 17 matches at the iPro in all competitions this season, including 12 of their 13 home games in the Championship and 3 of their 4 home ties in the League Cup.

Southport — 20th Conference (L, D, W, D, W):

On their way to the iPro stadium - Southport defeated Dagenham & Redbridge which puts them into the 3rd round of the FA Cup for the first time since 1999.

It has been a poor season to date for the Sandgrounders who currently sit 20th in the Conference. In recent weeks things have improved slightly, having managed to win 2 of their last 3 games, which has helped them pull 7 points clear of the relegation zone.