If we’re serious about being mid table in this division we need to be beating teams like Derby, whether home or away.
Another tough one to call, Morris is firing for them, another game probably who scores first may well go on to win. Having said that, a draw would be welcome.
Derby on a roll. I'd take a point now.. Early in the week, I know, but can we expect any returners for Pompey on Saturday?
I think a draw away from home is nothing to be sniffed at. They’re in good form, we’re in good form and we have a silly amount of injuries to key players.
The same Derby who are 5 points behind us and in, slightly, worse form than us? Yeah we're getting battered.
So, do we stick with five at the back? If so then start the same five that started the second half at Norwich. Slater currently walks into the midfield but Crooks was playing like a man carrying an injury on Saturday. It's brave of him to persevere but 2 games in 4 days is a big ask. Gelhardt obviously, and with current injuries I'll add Joseph obviously too. Not impressed with Ndala on Saturday but if not him, then who? Does Gyabi deserve a start? Does Destan merit a start?
We played more of a 3-4-3 in the second half with wingers still ahead of the full backs. With that in mind I'd expect Crooks to be benched and Slater and Hadziahmetovic in the middle. Joseph left, Destan central, Gelhardt right. Also going off previous ritual, Coyle should be dropped for Drameh. If Drameh played that first half he'd have been dragged off at half time, so I see no reason why he shouldn't come back in.
both teams doing well I'd take a draw ,not often I get to a midweek away game so will be making the trip to Derby
Think 5 at the back suits the players we have available. Neither Ndelap nor Akintola are in any kind of form or deserving of a place in the starting 11 currently, so it makes no sense to play a system utilising wingers, but without any wingers. Thats the kind of thing our previous few managers would have done.
Don't suppose there are many on here who remember the old Baseball Ground? Remember going there in 1968 maybe 69? to see City play then in the old League Cup, midweek game. The old place was absolutely rocking, I still remember the terrific atmosphere to this day. Derby were near the top of the old First Division, we were in Division Two and they had just beaten Spurs seven something on the previous Saturday and we played them on the following Tuesday night, foggy night from memory, and Chris Chilton put City 1-0 up, the couple of hundred City fans there, some in the Derby home section too, were shouting ourselves hoarse and praying for a Cup shock. But the Derby fans lifted there team to greater heights with a roar of Derby!, Derby! for the last ten minutes, the stands actually shook, I'd never experienced an atmosphere like it before in my life. We lost 3-1. THE best atmospheric grounds/matches I remember... Derby v Hull City 68/69 Leeds v Sunderland FA Cup replay at Boothferry Park, 1969? Sheffield Wednesday v Hull City 2004? close fourth, Sheffield United v Hull City, Battle of Bramall Lane, 1971. ... Take a draw tomorrow. ... UTT.
