I know Bill already said it in his column yesterday — but there is no doubt that Saturdays game at home to Brighton is the biggest Rams match of the season so far.

Unfortunately a victory won’t take Derby top of the table but it would end the Seagulls’ unbeaten start to the campaign and could prove to be significant in the promotion picture.

Top of the table Brighton have an impressive record this season, surprising everyone. Other clubs are still expecting a moment when it might fizzle out but you need look no further than previous seasons when Bournemouth and Burnley stormed ahead and stood firm.

Saturday’s match will be a very good test for both clubs and it’s not difficult to see a tight match ahead with few goals in it especially as the Rams have conceded the fewest league goals in the division.

It’s not unusual to see teams come to the iPro and try the typical tactic of stopping the hosts from playing, get behind the ball and hit the opponents on the break. Will Brighton play that kind of game? Maybe, maybe not but they have an organised side in a 4-4-2 with hardworking midfielders — an area where the Rams struggled to gain traction in the 0-0 against Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend.

Derby are getting better at combating away sides coming to town with the intention of sticking to their negative game plan while wearing them down hoping for that crucial chance or two being taken. It does require patience occasionally as we well know.

Speaking of taking chances in front of goal, Chris Martin is without a goal in his last six matches now. However, I don’t think that will last long — his record against Brighton is brilliant. Two last season against Brighton and four in the 2013/14 season (with the two additional play-off fixtures between the two clubs).

How will the Rams line up? I think I’d go for an unchanged side, unless Carson was completely available with no slight doubts. I would give Ince a chance to impress, as I don’t think Russell has done enough to earn a place. Grant; Christie, Keogh, Shackell, Warnock; Thorne, Butterfield, Johnson; Ince, Martin, Weimann. So, an unchanged side with ideally a bit more of the sharpness expected in home games!

It’s no time to be experimenting with the side, go with what we know works when all the players do their job.

I’m tempted to predict a 1-0 Rams win but in reality I think a 1-1 draw. Either way, a close match but it would be great to see anything near to a repeat of that astonishing atmosphere that greeted the players back on that wet (but wonderful) Sunday back in 2014 when Derby booked their ticket to Wembley.

Great memories.

COYR!!

For more of Nathan's articles you can read his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him via @ramscorner on Twitter.

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