please log in to view this image DERBY COUNTY v WATFORD please log in to view this image Pride Park Stadium Saturday 18th January 2025 Kick Off : 1500 GMT please log in to view this image After the grim display Tuesday night, it is difficult to imagine what our visit to the Midlands this Saturday will produce. In Cardiff we faced a team that was desperate to haul themselves out of a relegation spot, so chased and harried us from the kick-off. It has been noticeable for sometime that we do not play well against teams that employ such tactics. Here we are facing another team who are looking over their shoulder, being only four points above the bottom three. Another poor display this week, and even the loyal band of travelling Horns might query what they are spending their money on. please log in to view this image Derby's most recent league victory took place on Boxing Day when they edged out West Bromwich Albion via a 2-1 scoreline. Since that result, the Rams have gone on to lose three consecutive league matches against Leeds United, Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City. Paul Warne's side experienced more disappointment in midweek, losing on penalties to Leyton Orient after playing out a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup third-round tie. Not only did they miss out on a fourth-round clash with Manchester City, but the result also extended Derby's winless away run to seven competitive matches.With that in mind, they will be looking forward to returning to Pride Park, where they have recorded six of their seven league victories this season, including two wins in their previous three home outings. please log in to view this image Like their hosts, Watford are still searching for their first win since claiming a 2-1 home victory over Portsmouth on Boxing Day. The Hornets followed that result with three consecutive league defeats against Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers and Sheffield United, before they slumped to a 4-1 loss in last Saturday's FA Cup away clash against Premier League Fulham. Watford at least managed to halt their losing run in Tuesday's Championship clash against Cardiff City, with Vakoun Bayo netting an 87th-minute equalizer to salvage a 1-1 draw in the Welsh capital, moving them up one spot to eighth position in the league table. However, Tom Cleverley will know his side need to start picking up wins sooner rather than later if they are to get their playoff bid back on track, with the Hornets currently sitting three points adrift of sixth-placed Middlesbrough. Team News Warne has confirmed that Liverpool loanee Nat Phillips will struggle to be ready after picking up a groin problem in Tuesday's FA Cup clash with Leyton Orient. David Ozoh and Ryan Nyambe are expected to miss out, while Joe Ward is facing a race against time to prove his fitness As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann and midfielder Pierre Dwomoh due to injury. Kevin Keben is making progress on his injury recovery, but the centre-back will not be ready to play a role against the Rams. Defender James Abankwah will be available for selection after arriving on loan from Watford's sister club, Udinese, until the end of the season. Our Officials Adam Herczeg please log in to view this image Robert Hyde and Matthew McGrath Fourth Official : Andy Davies
Unable to join you tomorrow as will be on a plane to Italy for a weeks skiing in the Dolomites, probably miss next weeks matches too. Hopefully whatever is served up may be entertaining. Sacking TC would not go down well and would be pointless, none of the managers we have had under the Pozzo's has really been successful and one wonders why.
Gracia did well for a while but it went wrong after the cup final . Getting promoted is success too but obviously Slav or Munoz didn’t last long either !
TC: “Giorgi has a slight hamstring issue. There will be some tests to show the extent of it, but early signs look good. He’s a player who has started every game for his club and country this season, and showed signs of fatigue. We’re hoping he’ll be back with us as soon as possible.”
Hospital won't allow laptops but I thought for a minute I'd get to watch this on my phone - buffering has put paid to that idea...
