Another visitor from the South for Nigel Clough’s men. Another visitor with promotion ambitions. 

Derby County v Bristol City

Coca Cola Championship

1 pm, Saturday 7th March 2009

Pride Park, Derby

At least the manager has promotion ambitions. Gary Johnson is questioning whether his players have however. Speaking after the defeat at Birmingham on Wednesday, Johnson said;

“Not enough players produced their best football and that's what I was angry with because the prize was so big.”

Johnson was referring to the fact that a win would have taken them 4th. He went on;

"We had the one opportunity, we played some neat football on a poor pitch on occasions but we weren't effective enough to create enough chances to win the game and that's why I was disappointed.”

A run of five wins lifted the Robins to within touching distance of the play offs – but then with only 1 win in 4 of the last games, the Robins look to be faltering.

Before the game, Ex-Ram and scapegoat Stern John had urged the team to be positive in their approach to Birmingham saying; “But we need to stay positive, go to Birmingham, roll our sleeves up and get a result,"

No doubt he’ll be hoping to start against Derby and no doubt the Boo boys will give him a hard time again. Michael McIndoe should escape the boo’s unless he adds to his 5 goal tally.

Gary Johnson is hoping to rally the troops for the visit to Pride Park;

“We've watched Derby and know exactly what they do and what they've got and we've got to be up for that and ready for it. If we can play our football and get our game going there's no reason why we can't come away with three points.”

Johnson still sees the play offs as a realistic target adding;

"There's 10 games to go and points to play for and a couple of results and we'll all be buzzing again." 

At the time of writing, there are no reported injury concerns for Johnson

Robins Facts

The Rams

Derby Boss Nigel Clough speaking after Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Swansea;

"In some ways it is points thrown away because we were 2-0 up, but I don't think we could have done much more to get a victory. The performance was as good as anything we have had in the last seven or eight weeks I have been at the club.

"It was against a quality team and that is the encouraging thing. We have played teams in and around us but Swansea, positionally in the league, are probably one of the best teams we have faced."

Clough is right in that Swansea are a good team. Someone in front of me at the game commented that Swansea were playing all of the football but we were creating more chances.

I can’t remember a game when we spurned so many chances. Davies and Hulse in particular could have done better in front of goal.

In a way it’s a sign of the progress under Clough that’s been made. A few weeks ago a draw against Swansea would have been considered progress. Now it’s a disappointment. Particularly on the performance.

Another sign of progress is the form of Jay McEveley whose overall play has improved dramatically under Clough. He just needs to learn to stop giving away silly fouls in dangerous positions and he’d be first on the team sheet.

Nacer Barazite is likely to be fit for this and I’d play him in the Kris Commons role. It seems harsh to drop Porter after midweek – but Hulse is a better target man.

In midfield, I’d be tempted to start with Jordan Stewart on the left. He’s good at getting forward and he’s capable of defending down the left – a place where we’re often exposed.

Mick’s team: Bywater, Connolly, Albrechtsen, Todd, McEveley, Teale, Savage, Green, Stewart, Barazite, Hulse

What the Bookies think

The Rams are 6/5 favourites for this one while the Robins rate 9/5/The draw is at 11/5.

Hulse is the favourite to score while Chris Porters two midweek goals have moved him up to 15/8. Dele Adebola and Nicky Maynard also rate 15/8. 

Information for travelling fans

Driving: It's nearly 130 miles to Derby from Bristol and you will need an early start for a 1pm kick off. It's M32, M4, M5 and M40/42 to the M6 where the best route is the toll road to JT4 junction with the A38. Take the A38 north past Burton on Trent and on reaching Derby follow the signs for the football traffic. The best route is to stay on the A38 until you reach the A61 Junction then turn right until you pick up the A52 Brian Clough Way. The ground is on the right along here.

Parking: It used to be at the old Wilmorten College site however that is now a housing estate so away fans should park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don’t be tempted to park at Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park for a £5 at the hospital further up London Rd near the hospital and the Railway station. Another alternative if you follow the above route is to head around Pentagon Island to the Cattle Market Car Park. It’s about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here.

Drinking: if you have time and if you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Rd always seems to be full of away supporters. The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you’re not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good. The Waterfall opposite the station is okay as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Around the ground there's a Frankie & Bennie's, Harvester and the Pride Park but these tend to be very busy.

Mick’s prediction

Not going to predict the score today. My scores seem to have gone back to coming true in bitterly ironic fashion so I’ll just hope for a repeat of Tuesday’s performance without the let offs and a bit tighter at the back.  

Photo: Action Images

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