............just how good is this "marvellous home record" of Derby? Just been having a look. Apart from taking apart Zola's newly formed foreign legion early in the season, what have we got to be so afraid about at Pride Park? Beating Brum(unlucky), Barnsley(poor), Blackpool(on the slide) and Charlton(strugglers at the time) is hardly a brilliant CV. They only managed draws with Sheff Wed, Brighton and Blackburn, and got beat there by Burnley - a side we thrashed the other week 4-0. Going there tonight fearing them would be a mistake. Respect by all means, but fear - no! Even with our depleted defence, we've got too much for them if Malky uses it. (waits for egg on face. ) p.s........ Glad Jamie Ward won't figure tonight. He's an aggressive little sod who I seem to remember did cause us some problems last year.
If Mc Nugget and Taylor are fit or defence might be better than at Barnsley, and we still have ralls. I don't think the defence willl be a problem, specially if Bellamy plays and tracks bavk to cover LB and the midfield play it tight. No worries.
I see Nuggs and Taylor unlikely, so back 4, assuming Connolly is fit, (and they don't sat he isn't) Connolly Nugent Hudson and either Gunnarson or Ralls, midfield any of Whittingham noone Mutch Bellamy Kim Conway Cowie and gunnarson or Ralls whichever isn't at RB. HH up front and with Veronica and Gestede available, I think we might squeexe inI'd love to see Veronica playing just off HH but perhaps its an experiment best left on the training ground or only tried out when we are 3 - 0 up one day.
In all our away games we lost, quoting MM its been down to" individual errors", we have scored in every game except Brighton.So I think its time to move on to the next level and play with the confidence being top of the league brings, and hopefully get a big win and cut out the silly mistakes. We are top of the league, without this list of players Mutch,Maynard,Smith,Bellamy,Cowie,Turner,Taylor,McNaughton , apologies if I missed anyone.There's are eight players there at least six are first choice. All will be back, some are ready now. So I think its time for others to worry about us.No other team in this division could have lost the calibre of player listed.We have had really bad luck with injury's and we are top. We just need believe how good we are, when we do we will walk this league IMHO.
I would have thought Declan John will make his debut at left back tonight. Bellamy instead of Kim maybe? Top with all these injuries is an incredible achievemnet.
Declan John would be my choice - he could have played at Barnsley as far as I'm concerned, but Malky will always go for experience unless his hand is forced. Nugent has shown these development lads can step it up. Don't think Bellamy is really fit or maybe still carrying something that's holding him back. Kim is getting better apart from his finishing. If he does get one in the net, just watch his confidence grow.
Derby have that young player Hill.....looked very sharp at 17. I was sharp at 17 mind and just take a peek now!
