Some would say I am biased towards him (and let’s face it I very often will be) but after his performance midweek, Mile Sterjovski must start this Saturday for Derby.

Having battled an early season injury Mile got his first significant hit out in Australia’s international friendly against South Africa on Wednesday. The game ended 2-2 but Sterjovski was instrumental in seeing his team fight back from 1-0 down to 2-1 up at the break.

Not only did he provide probing runs and fantastic crosses from right midfield, he produced creative passes that consistently unlocked the defense. While he was on fire he also produced an amazing goal to tie up proceedings lobbing the keeper on a near impossible angle and even had another seemingly good goal ruled offside.

If nothing else the Rams are getting large amounts of free advertising in Australia from their two down under Rams. Between Zadkovich and Sterjovski scoring for Australia in recent weeks, Derby County has been mentioned very frequently on commentary and on all major news services. Maybe one day we will see Rams shirt in every sport store in Oz like the halcyon days of Kewell and Viduka at Leeds. One can only dream (and I do, constantly!!).

When Mile arrived at the club I was quick to proclaim the ability and talent he will bring to the Rams and I stand by these statements. He showed in many games last season what he was capable of and I think would have done even more if there had not been such a lengthy break between his signing and finally getting on the pitch. There is no doubt match fitness was an issue but when he fired, Sterjovski showed he has much to offer.
Against Manchester United alone on any other day he would have had a treble as he tore one of the best in the world to pieces.

There is no doubt that Mile is ready to go after lasting well over an hour during the friendly and producing some fantastic football which had many Aussie pundits choosing him as the man of the match. Since the game was played just around the corner at Loftus Road, the trip back to Pride Park will not be a factor as he looks for his first appearance for Derby this season. Hopefully Paul Jewell was looking on and thinking the same as me in that after Pereplotkins performance last week against Bristol, how much better would Mile look on the right

After his goal scoring heroics during the week, Villa should also make the starting line up with Sterjovski. Both could genuinely transform the team into a unit more likely to threaten goal. They are two players who seem happy to just roll up their sleeves and get the job done, which is exactly what the Rams need to build on last weeks good second half performance. The foundation was laid and it is imperative that the team builds on it from the first minute this week. The return to Pride Park will hopefully also signal a return to winning ways and begin to wash away the awful memories of recent times.

The club is heavily promoting the beach party theme of this week’s game for fans. The party is being sponsored by Fosters beer so it is only appropriate to make sure there is an Aussie in the starting line up. That said…. I don’t know many Australians who would actually be caught dead drinking the stuff… but you lot seem to like it and that’s all that matters!!

C’mon Ewe Rams…. C’mon Aussie C’mon!! :0)

** If you would like to see Sterjovski and his fabulous goal for the Socceroos check out this link to youtube, 50 seconds in!!**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pecq-nUEQvM

Photo: Action Images

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