Rams fans will not want reminding that the last time we met was also in the cup. A 4-1 thrashing at the hands of struggling Preston side? This is a better Preston side and they’re at home.

Preston North End v Derby County
Carling Cup round 2
7:45pm 26th August 2008
Deepdale, Preston

Preston are back. Despite a quiet summer on the transfer front, the Lilywhites are among the Championship’s early leaders.

Unbeaten so far, they finally seem to have got over Billy Davies and now look ready for another attempt on the Premier League. Victories over Ipswich & Crystal Palace and a draw away at the Wendy‘s; it looks like the bookies prediction of mid-table obscurity is wide of the mark - plus my prediction that they might struggle!

Barry Nicholson (Aberdeen) and Ross Wallace (on loan from Sunderland) were the only summer arrivals however Alan Irvine has been quick to praise Nicholson. Speaking on BBC Radio Lancashire he said;

“I was delighted with his first game in English football, He's got a goal threat, but that was something we were aware of when we signed him.”

The Lilywhites were run close on Saturday, having to come from behind to get a draw against Sheffield Wednesday. Irvine again;

"We didn't work well enough in the first half and Wednesday deserved their lead. But after the break we were a lot better. We definitely finished the game stronger and could have won it.”

And something that Paul Jewell may want to consider;

"Everyone would probably like to think I went in at half-time and went ballistic but I didn't. I kept a calm head."

Callum Davidson missed the game against the Wendy’s with an injury but may be back in contention for this game. Chris Brown will almost certainly be missing with Sciatica.

Lilywhites statistics

Current team

Leading scorer

Neil Mellor (2 Cup)
Richard Chaplow (2 League)

The Rams

Well the two game 'unbeaten' streak is over. A large number of Rams fans let the players know in no uncertain terms what they thought of the performance against Cash-Strapped Saints.

"you're not fit to wear the shirt" and "what a load of rubbish" ringing in their ears; what did the players think as they left the Pitch?

This from Tyrone Mears in The Derby Evening Telegraph;

"No disrespect to our fans because they just want to see us do well and that's totally understandable but playing away from home in our next two might take a little bit of pressure off us, the players can concentrate on their game and not go out feeling nervous. We shouldn't be going out every game feeling nervous because we've got good players, players who should be doing better in this division."

So what happened to us being the best fans in the country? Now we're a liability that stops them playing! Perhaps there's a reason the fans get on those 'good' players backs? Could it be as he said himself;

"On Saturday, it was a bit like last season because we gave in a little bit and that's why the fans were getting on our backs and quite rightly."

Gave in a little bit? You capitulated completely. And for your information Tye - Yes that is why the fans got on your backs.

To be fair to Tye, this is another rent a quote statement from the poor PR department at DCFC trying to put a positive spin on continued failure. Okay we're only a couple of games into the season but the same errors and lack of foresight and planning are already on show.

Many fans expected Tito Villa to be playing on Saturday - what they didn't expect was our top scorer to be dropped. Rob Hulse has been a good striker but he's yards off the pace at the moment - yet Jewell stuck with him. Nobody else in the crowd would and Hulse was utterly ineffectual.

Jay McEveley - Why? How bad must Jordan Stewart be? This is what Paul Jewell said about the player ; 

"He is a great acquisition for us and someone who will have a big part to play in our promotion push next season.He has lightning pace and loves to get forward and attack. I want us to be more positive next season and get at teams. Jordan fits the bill for what I'm looking for and having met the lad he is hungry to perform and do well for Derby."

Similar for Paul Connolly;

"He is keen to come and fits the bill as he is six feet one, athletic and hungry. Paul is a fighter, and that is what I want to bring, as well as quality which he has got."

So where are they? What's gone wrong?

Paul Jewell was motionless in the dugout for most of the second half. He didn't appear for the press conference. The papers are suggesting he will be gone if we lose next weekend (rumours suggest we are eyeing Darren Fergusson). He asked for patience last week and Derby fans would be patient if we could see something developing on the pitch. We can't. Some of the players seem to have lost even the most basic of ball skills (think Claude Davis) and others spend all their time bickering with each other. We have eleven individuals on the pitch and not a team - hence why hard working units like Doncaster & Southampton have beaten us.

We need a team performance tonight at Deepdale or even our loyal away support will turn on Jewell.

Mick's team: To be honest, it's hard to pick a team that would inspire me, However I'd go with:

Carroll, Stewart, Albrechtson, Leacock, Connolly, Commons, Kaz, Green, Savage, Davies, Ellington  In a 4-5-1.

Though breaking news is that Miles Addison may take the holding midfield role.

What the Bookies think

It's 11/10 on Preston to go through to the next round. the draw and a Rams win are at 12/5. Neil Mellor is favourite to score at 5/1 while our best hope is Rob Hulse at 7/1. You can get 33/1 on Preston to win 4-1 while  a Rams 1-0 will get you 7/1.

I know where my money would go.

Information for travelling fans

Driving: It's just over 100 miles to Preston. Take the A50 to Stoke and at the Victoria ground either go left for J15 of the M6, or right for J16. I'd go for J16 as J15-16 is often congested.  Leave M6 at Junction 31 and follow signs for Preston. Go up a the hill to a mini roundabout.  At the roundabout with the Hesketh Arms turn right into Blackpool Road. Go straight on past three sets of  traffic lights and the ground is ahead on the left. Note this route is heavily forested with speed cameras and footballgroundguide.com warns that the police often set up a mobile camera so take care.

Parking: It's usually fairly easy to park in the streets around the ground. Footballgroundguide.com warns against parking on the grass verges near the ground unless you want a ticket. Moorfields Special School has a £3 charge.

Drinking: If you arrive early enough for a drink the recommended away pub is Sumners although the Garrison on the opposite side of the road is good as well.  They are on  Tom Finney Way which used to be Deepdale road.

Mick's prediction

Just in case my predictions are jinxing the team I'll forego calling this one. I suspect that our interest in the draw will be academic unless Paul Jewell has performed a miracle since Saturday. The team simply don't seem to have any pride or fight and I fear for the future at the moment. Prove me wrong.

Photo: Action Images

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