Derby 0-3 Blackburn (FA Cup 4th Round)

Nigel Clough named an unchanged line up from last weeks game with Nottingham Forest. In fact the only change in the squad was Conor Doyle replacing Theo Robinson on the bench. Robinson suffering tonsillitis.

Blackburn had the first real chance of the game in the seventh minute, but Dann failed to get a good connection on Pedersen's free kick and headed wide.

Dann was again involved in the twelfth minute when he blocked a volley by Jamie Ward.

There were very few chances created in the first twenty five minutes, however in the twenty sixth minute a superbly taken free kick by Morten Gamst Pedersen was heading for the top corner of the net until Legzdins pulled off a brilliant save.

On the half hour Will Hughes saw an attempt take a deflection safely back to Jake Kean in the Rovers goal.

Neither side created much until the 44th minute when Kazim-Richards beat the Derby defence to put the visitors 1-0 up. Brayford nearly equalised a minute later, but Kean pulled off a good save.

Derby had the first chance of the second half when Ward's free kick found the head of John Brayford, but Kean had no problem dealing with it.

Blackburn went further ahead in the sixty-sixth minute when Dann shot into the top corner giving Legzdins no chance.

Five minutes later things went from bad to worse when Rhodes chipped Legzdins to make it 3-0 and therefore confirm Derby's exit from the cup.

All in all a lacklustre performance from Derby and yet again a hoped for run in the cup comes to an early halt!

Next up are Huddersfield and a better performance than those of the last three games will be required.

Derby - Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, O'Brien, Roberts, Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes, Bryson, Ward, Sammon. Substitutes - Fielding, O'Connor, Freeman, Davies, Jacobs, Bennett, Doyle

Blackburn - Kean, Lowe, Dann, Hanley, Martin Olsson, King (Rochina 10), Murphy, Pedersen, Markus Olsson, Kazim-Richards, Rhodes. substitutes - Usai, Givet, Fabio Nunes, Dunn, Nuno Gomes, Goodwillie.

Man of the match - Scott Dann.

Attendance - 14,013 (1,287 away fans)

Hazardous Job!

As Swansea celebrated their Capital One Cup win over Chelsea the other night, it was an incident off the pitch making all the headlines.

Eden Hazard trying to retrieve the ball from the ball boy was prevented from getting possession of it and the ball boy then laid on top of the ball presumably to waste time and make Chelsea's slim chance of a comeback impossible. Hazard then kicked the ball which was under the young lad who then complained that he had been injured in the process.

Hazard received a red card for his action and deservedly so! He should have complained to the referee rather than take the matter into his own hands. The referee does have discretion to add further time onto the game.

Hazard will now faces the prospect of a lengthy ban. All for a moment of madness in what appeared to be a lost cause. Chelsea were never going to come back at that point.

For the young man involved. I won't name him, he's had his fifteen minutes of fame, it was a pathetic act and blatantly obvious that he was time wasting. He even bragged on twitter that he was going to time waste.

Hazard will be fined and banned, but this silly young lad will most likely get a slap on the wrist. Perhaps he too should be served with a ban for his foolish actions! I think it's Swansea's duty to make an example of him and show the footballing world that cheating by any member of a clubs staff will not be tolerated!

Transfer Speculation

Well the window hasn't seen much activity at Pride Park which is probably what most fans were expecting.

There was speculation that Cardiff City were after John Brayford, however that rumour appears to have died down for now.

Will Hughes is still making the news in the back pages of many red tops. One recently reporting that Manchester City are ready to offer £10m plus players for the young midfielder. The message from the club seems to be that he's not for sale at any price during this transfer window.

Nathan Tyson has made the loan switch to Millwall, but that really doesn't give Nigel Clough a lot of room to bring in another striker. It would appear that Mason Bennett will be a regular fixture in match day squads and therefore both he and Theo Robinson may well become permanent fixtures on the Subs bench so long as Jamie Ward and Conor Sammon stay fit.

Many fans are of the opinion that we could do with another centre half, left back and striker. Barring injuries I see Keogh being partnered by O'Brien for the rest of the season in central defence. The left back position I believe will continue to be filled by Gareth Roberts for the remainder of the season.

I think that the only possible incoming would be a loan. A large squad we haven't got, but continuity and good team spirit is what we have. Both of these are important for a top half finish.

LATEST

It has been reported that Nigel Clough watched Dundee United Striker Johnny Russell on Tuesday night.

Derby 1-1 Forest

Another sell out crowd for the East Midlands Derby saw honours even in a tight contest that saw both sides earning a point.

Nigel Clough brought back Craig Bryson after recovering from a knee injury and Jamie Ward for his first start since the corresponding fixture at the City Ground.

The early minutes saw Derby setting off quickly and keeping the ball in their opponents half. Bryson saw an early effort go wide and Ward saw a free kick deflected out.

Forest seem to wake up after the quarter hour mark when Simon Cox saw his effort tipped onto the crossbar by Adam Legzdins. There after they started to take the game to Derby and began to get on top.

Their persistence paid off in the 31st minute when Billy Sharp beat Gareth Roberts to cross in from the right, the ball found Cohen who slotted the ball in at the second attempt after his first effort was miss hit.

The visitors went in at the break having had the better half, showing more in midfield. Sammon looked isolated up front on his own as Ward was playing a wide left position and not getting much change out of Jara.

The second half saw the Rams looking more determined and in the 52nd minute Sammon robbed an indecisive Gillett for the ball, the Forest defence seeming a little confused in what to do with Ward and Collins failing to get a decisive tackle in and Sammon knocked the ball to his right letting Ward shoot from close range and equalise.

Minutes later Darlow pulled off a good save to deny Hendrick and both Roberts and O'Brien saw chances easily denied by the young keeper.

The second half was more even, but Billy Sharp wasted a chance to seal the game six minutes from the end when his close range effort was blasted wide.

Neither side can grumble too much at the end result. Possession was evenly split, Derby had more shots, but Forest probably had the better chances.

Unlike previous meetings, there was little need for the referee, Mark Clattenburg to do! He officiated well and there was no major controversy.

The lesson for Derby is that 4-5-1 is not a formation that they play with great effect, especially with teams that utilise a defensive midfielder in front of the back four!



Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O'Brien, Roberts; Coutts, Hughes, Hendrick, Bryson (Jacobs 75); Ward (Robinson 66), Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding, O'Connor, Freeman, Bennett, Davies.

Nottingham Forest: Darlow, Jara, E. Ward, Collins, Halford; Lansbury, Gillett (Moussi 63), Cohen, Majewski (Blackstock 62); Sharp, Cox.

Subs Not Used: Etimov, Maloney, Greening, McGugan, Harding.

Man of the match - Jeff Hendrick Derby / Chris Cohen Forest

Attendance: 33,010 (4,228 visiting supporters).

Screen shots of www.seatpitch.com

Seat Pitch

I was invited to submit my opinions to the Forest Fans site www.seatpitch.co.uk

It's a very good well written blog and I urge you to check them out!

Big Game Preview - Derby v Forest

I don't normally preview games, but for this one I will make an exception.

First of all we need to take a look at possible/probable line-ups for the two teams and I will start with our visitors Nottingham Forest!

Karl Darlow will start in goal and is a young promising keeper who has graduated through 'The Nigel Doughty Academy'. He replaced Lee Camp last weekend and really is being thrown into the Lions den. One can only imagine how nervous a young inexperienced goalkeeper may be prior to this game. He is rated highly by the Forest management and is seen as the first choice goalkeeper for the remainder of this season at least.

There are many different permutations available for the defence. The Right Back spot should be filled by Chilean Gonzales Jara Reyes. He's known to be a tough tackling, enthusiastic player and will provide Derby's attack down the left with a challenge!

Greg Halford and Elliot Ward are likely to fill the centre half positions unless Alex McLeish recalls Daniel Ayala. Halford can be beaten in the air as proved by Paul Green in the Leeds game, but is experienced at this level and should he be on his game, will not be easy meat for the Derby attack. Ward has had a mixed response from reds supporters, but McLeish has seen enough in him to extend his loan from Norwich.

Left Back is a position that Forest have struggled to fill with great effect for many years. Dan Harding has started in the position for the majority of games and has not enjoyed a great start to his career at the club. Forest people I speak to point him out as a weak link. Halford has covered the position, but will they play a square peg in a round hole. Weakness at this position could be costly against a Coutts, Brayford attack. Danny Collins could also come into the equation and has in the past played effectively for West Ham at this level.

In Midfield Forest possess some real weapons despite Andy Reid being out injured. Gillett will probably start in front of the back four in a holding role. He's done this with great effect this season. Majewski, Lansbury and Cohen appear to be favourites to start in front of Gillett. Rams fans need no introduction to Majewski who scored a wonder goal against them a few seasons ago. Cohen is a player who is very highly regarded amongst the Reds faithfull. Consistent and energetic and versatile as well. Lansbury is a player with undoubted talent, but can be inconsistent. The key to the game could be Derby cutting off Majewski and Cohen. The job will be so much easier if they can.

Guy Moussi and Lewis McGugan are other options. Moussi though, appears to have gone off the boil recently and McGugan is very much a Jeckyll and Hyde player. Brilliant in one game and missing in another. He is deadly from free kicks though! Could McLeish be tempted to start him?

In attrack it's likely to be two from Dexter Blackstock, Simon Cox and Billy Sharp. Blackstock needs no introduction to the Rams. He played a dozen or so games on loan to Derby a few seasons ago and found the net three times. Sharp is a striker who has been admired by the Rams faithful for years. Indeed he is usually very impressive when he plays against Derby. Simon Cox was a £2-2.5m signing from West Brom. Gifted and skilful and will be looking to hit double figures in the scoring charts.

It's fairly certain that Nigel Clough will start Adam Legzdins in goal. He has played well since deputising for Frank a fielding and is now keeping him out of the side.

The best available back four should see John Brayford start on the right with Gareth Roberts on the left. Richard Keogh and Mark O'Brien should take position in the middle.

It's at midfield that Nigel Clough will have a headache! That's because there are so many options. Paul Coutts will no doubt start on the right, but the other positions are difficult to predict. A fully fit Craig Bryson is an automatic choice in the middle. Will Hughes and Jeff Hendrick also have a strong claim to start alongside Bryson (If he does indeed start). Hughes in a massively talented youngster and Hendrick has been in good form too lately. Hughes has played out on the left, but is far more effective in the middle. Michael Jacobs is the clubs best left sided player. The make up of midfield could prove vital and I'm glad that I'm not making the decision!

Up front I fully expect Jamie Ward to partner Conor Sammon. Sammon and Ward compliment each other with their different styles and attributes. Ward is the sort of player that will give his namesake the runaround. Robinson and Bennett are a must on the bench though. They bring pace that will test tired legs in the last twenty minutes or so.

It's important that in addition to two strikers on the bench that defence is covered too! James O'Connor and Keiron Freeman should be on stand by. Ben Davies is also a useful midfielder to have ready if needed.

For me the key to the game will be dominating midfield and exploiting a defence and goalkeeper that is experienced. At their best Coutts and Brayford down that right flank is enough to give any left back a nightmare. The left will be more difficult, Jara is no mug and is hard in the tackle. Our centre halves will need to stick to Sharp like glue too!

All in all it's a mouthwatering prospect of a game. Two sides who know where the net us and also leak plenty of goals!

Lets hope for a great game and one that does the championship credit!

YOU RAMS!

Nathan Tyson goes out on loan

Nathan Tyson is to join Millwall on loan for the rest of the season.

Despite scoring five goals in very limited playing time, Tyson has seen himself slip down the pecking order at Pride Park behind, Conor Sammon, Jamie Ward, Michael Jacobs Theo Robinson and Mason Bennett.

Many Rams fans were surprised at his signing from Nottingham Forest and his first season was a bit of a disaster with Tyson getting injured in a pre season game against Aston Villa. He spent most of it injured,

This season he has performed well when called upon. His return of five goals is fair when you scrutinise how many minutes he's spent on the field. He scored a belter of a goal against Barnsley.

With first team starts passing him by, the club has loaned him to Millwall.

I wish him well, he is a truly nice guy and deserves better luck.

Time for Keyboard Warriors to Get a Grip with Reality!

In an age where many people rely on Social Media as a means to keep in touch with what's going on the world, Facebook and Twitter have proved to be very valuable. Apart from being first in the know for many stories as they break, they also offer access to politicians, celebrities and sports personalities.

People like Stan Collymore, Robbie Savage, Steve Walsh and Darren Huckerby regularly interact with fans via tweeting.

Radio shows such as 606, Call Collymore and local Radio phone ins read out tweets. It has enabled millions to get engaged with topics and issues of the day.

There is however those who choose to use it as a weapon! Tweeting obscene messages to people they don't like and over the top comments to supporters of rival football clubs.

Some have found themselves making an appearance in court for their actions. The level of racial and downright disgusting tweets made to Stan Collymore beggars belief! A former player, now co-commentator who engages with fans is, on a daily basis subjected to not just racist tweets, but also people taunting him about past problems in his life.

The big East Midlands Derby is due to take place this Saturday at 1pm. The majority of fans are exchanging some good banter and having a laugh. There are those though who take things to a different level with abusive, twisted and down right inexcusable filth!

This so called poor excuse for banter is coming from morons (I won't call them fans) from both Derby and Nottingham! The chants about Nigel Doughty, the Phillpott children or any other event shows that these people are those who find tragedy humorous! It is quite sickening!

Those who have in the past made sick references to Robbie Savage's late father or a Billy Sharp's deceased son are really down there amongst the lowest in society. Those of us who are in touch with the real world will know the hurt that these guys went through!

I as much as any Rams fan want a victory on Saturday, but if we do win, let's be classy about it without the unnecessary bile coming out of the minorities mouths!

Latest Gossip!

Well despite the rumours John Brayford remains at Derby as does Will Hughes. Latest press reports suggest that Manchester City are prepared to offer £6m plus a couple of players for Hughes.

Hughes himself is fighting to be fit for Saturdays visit of Nottingham Forest along with Craig Bryson.

Other rumours has seen Derby linked with young Liverpool defender Jack Robinson, however there is very little coming out of the club.

Jamie Ward is expected to be fit for Saturdays East Midlands Derby.

Finally, Seat Pitch a Forest fan site will in the next few days include a preview on Saturdays game. I was only too happy to submit a short piece for inclusion. Find them at www.seatpitch.co.uk

Brighton 2-1 Derby

Derby manager made one change from the side that beat Tranmere in the FA Cup last week. He brought in Keiron Freeman at the expense of Michael Jacobs.

Freeman started at right back with Brayford moving into an unusual midfield role.

It didn't take long for Gus Poyet's side to state their intentions. With less than two minutes gone on the clock, a cross from Davids found Barnes who nipped the ball in past Legzdins.

Derby had their first real attack after eight minutes when some good play from Sammon saw him find Davies who's shot was blocked.

Will Buckley denied Sammon a shot after twenty four minutes when the Derby striker had nipped in behind the Brighton defence.

Just a minute later, Orlandi met a Calderon cross to make it 2-0.

From there on it was obvious that the Rams would face an uphill struggle to get back in the game and things weren't to get any easier when Hughes limped off after forty five minutes to be replaced by Jamie Ward.

The second half started pretty much as the first finished with the home side setting the pace!

Derby's first real chance coming after fifty two minutes when Ward's longe range effort just went over the bar.

Brighton might have gone 3-0 up minutes later but no one was there to meet Buckley's cross.

Just before the hour mark, Buckley found himself with only Legzdins to beat, but the Derby keeper made a fine save to deny him.

Minutes later Orlandi had a chance denied first by Legzdins and then Coutts who cleared off the line.

Derby improved as the second half progressed having plenty of possession but yet again were unable to capitalise.

They did however manage to pull a goal back when in the seventieth minute Jeff Hendrick managed to find the net after a Jamie Ward free kick.

Despite this an equaliser never came and Brighton deservedly took all three points.


Derby County: Legzdins; Freeman (Jacobs 61), Keogh, O'Brien (Robinson 86), Roberts; Brayford, Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes (Ward 44), Davies; Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding, O'Connor, Tyson, Bennett.

Brighton: Kuszczak, Calderon Greer, El-Abd, Bridge; Bridcutt, Hammond, Lopez (Crofts 87); Orlandi (Dicker 76), Buckley (LuaLua 76), Barnes.

Subs Not Used: Ankergren, Dunk, Vicente, Hoskins.


Man of the match - Will Buckley

Attendance - 25,464 ( 1,173 Away fans)

Transfer Window latest!

Kane Richards and Stefan Galinski have been released by Derby.

There's much speculation that John Brayford could be on the move to either Cardiff or West Ham.

Several Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on £10m rated Will Hughes.

WesThomas of Bournemouth has been linked with the club along with Billy McKay of Inverness.

Rumours that Nathan Tyson and/or Theo Robinson could depart to allow funds for signings.

Nigel Clough - Four Years on!

Just over four years ago, Derby County decided to take a gamble and appoint a manager who had no experience of league football.

Nigel Clough was a successful player and a legend at rival Nottingham Forest under the management of his Father Brian and had been capped by England whilst at the City Ground. He had a big money move to Liverpool and then moved on to Manchester City before cutting his teeth as a manager at Burton Albion initially as a player/ manager. This was back in 1998 and four years later Burton won the Northern Premier League and for the first time entered the Conference, footballs fifth tier.

Careful development of the side saw gradual improvement in what is a very competitive division. In 2006 Albion travelled to Manchester United and got a goalless draw in what was one of the biggest FA Cup upsets in years. Although losing the replay, Nigel continued to help in the development of the club both on and off the field.

The club left Eton Park for a brand new Ground, the Pirelli Stadium Stadium. The club was enjoying its best years ever and most of this down to careful considered planning, a forward looking strategy and commitment from Clough and his staff.

Nigel was apparently being looked at by many league clubs in 2008. He had led Burton to the top of the Conference and destined for promotion into the league. It's been claimed by many that he applied for the Nottingham Forest job (Without any evidence being shown to back this up) by various people claiming to be in the know. His friend Garry Birtles did suggest that Forest give him a chance during one of their many management change periods.

It was however Derby County who came knocking at Nigel Clough's door. Relegated in humiliating style under Paul Jewell, who had tried to patch up a poor Billy Davies side that saw at he Rams, the butt of all jokes, Clough was appointed to stop the rot.

After speaking to his Family first, being a real family man, he accepted the position and all of a sudden there was a buzz about Pride Park. Supporters were both nervous and excited that Derby had avoided picking up a manager from the usual 'Merry-go-round' and tried a different approach in appointing one with no league experience. It's obvious that the name Clough would also ensure that he would enjoy a good honeymoon period.

Nigel had to sort out an over large, expensive playing squad, keep the club up and reduce the wage bill drastically. He had took over a club that were living beyond its means and slipping towards third tier football.

Piece by piece, players were offloaded, younger players with potential were signed from lower divisions and Nigel started to show his skills in wheeling and dealing. Of course not all signings were successful, but the majority have been. Players such as John Brayford, Paul Coutts, Craig Bryson, Richard Keogh and many others prove that he knows talent when he sees it.

I often wonder if he employs the same method as his father, Brian did during his fantastic management reign in the 70's.

So in the four years that Nigel Clough has occupied the managers chair he has -

Gotten rid of dead wood,

Massively reduced the wage bill

Kept the club away from League One football

Proved to be very shrewd in the transfer market

Shown to be very good in spotting young talent

Brought stability to the club

Developed a side that has more than one playing style

Overseen the development of many great home grown players such as Mark O'Brien, Jeff Hendrick, Will Hughes, Mason Bennett etc.

We are all human beings and like at any other club, we all at times question managers and their decisions. But be in no doubt of the following, Nigel has operated very well and continues to handle what was a thankless task when appointed, all on a shoestring!

Thank you Nigel!

Family at War! Derby v Forest

I'm sure that our family isn't unique in having members who support both Derby and Forest.

Eleven days away from the East Midlands biggest game, the pre match banter has started already.

My brother in law is a Red that used to be a Ram! Incredible! But true! When Cloughie took over at the City Ground, Frank followed him. Deny it he might, but other members of the family are quick to remind him that one of his sons is named after Colin Todd and Roy McFarland.

His eldest son is a red and resides in Chaddesden! His youngest son lives just outside Nottingham and is a Ram. Imagine the reaction from their neighbours when being on the losing side. Obviously their kids have in turn followed in the footsteps of their fathers.

Various other members of the family are supporters of one side or the other. Not a Pie in sight!

Living in Lincoln I miss out on a lot of the pre game banter enjoyed by those living in the heart of the East Midlands. There are a few Rams and Reds living in this neck of the woods though. I often spot the stickers in the cars on my way to the game.

I think personally that we all can get over excited before the game and there are a minority of fans that do take the rivalry too far. However, I'm sure that if you look carefully down Derwent Parade on matchday, you will see the odd group or too with the colours of both sides amongst them. Whether they are family or friends it's good to see that a rivalry can be enjoyed without resorting to silliness.

Getting back to the family, I'm sure my Red nephew is praying for a Forest win due to us being victorious in the previous three encounters. I myself will not be satisfied until the 5-2 drubbing from a couple of seasons ago is finally laid to rest. The only way that will be properly avenged in my opinion will be a hefty Rams win.

Looking ahead to the game on the 19th, I think that it's the hardest to predict in years. Both sides are neck and neck in the Championship table and have leapfrogged each other many times so far this season. I hate predicting these games and I'm not going to predict this one.

All I have to say is COME ON YOU RAMS!

Derby 5-0 Tranmere (FA Cup 3rd Round)

The third round of the FA Cup provided Derby with a short break from League action, however The Rams declined to use it as a rest and instead completed a five goal demolition on high flying League one Outfit Tranmere Rovers.

Gareth Roberts returned to the starting eleven at the expense of Keiron Freeman, but other than that Nigel Clough retained the starting line up from last weeks win over Middlesbrough.

The visitors certainly gave a good account of themselves in the opening half. Often when the Rams broke forward, the Rovers defence were equal to their efforts.

Coutts proved to be a nuisance down the right with John Brayford often providing the overlap, but for the majority of the opening half, Derby were left frustrated.

The deadlock was broken after 43 minutes when Fon Williams failed to hold an attempt by Coutts and as the ball trickled towards the goal line under his body, Ben Davies prodded the ball over the line.

Nine minutes into the restart, Connor Sammon doubled the Derby lead when he fired in from close range just to the right of the box.

John Brayford made it 3-0 after 63 minutes when he latched on to a loose ball whilst sat down in the box.

Jeff Hendrick added a fourth when he struck one in from the edge of the box and the game was over as a contest.

History was made in the 87th minute when 16 year old Mason Bennett became Derby's youngest ever goal scorer when he struck from twenty yards out.

Earlier Tranmere fans gave former Rovers player, Gareth Roberts a standing ovation when he was substituted.


Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O'Brien, Roberts (Freeman 74); Coutts (Doyle 79), Hughes, Hendrick, Davies (Bennett 86); Jacobs, Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding, O'Connor, Robinson, Tyson.

Tranmere Rovers: Fon Williams; Holmes, Taylor, Palmer, Robinson (Black 74), McGurk, Bakayogo, Stockton, Power, O'Halloran, Daniels.

Subs Not Used: Mooney, Kay, Kirby, Harrison, Thompson, Goodison.

Man of the Match - Jeff Hendrick

Attendance: 11,740 (Approx 1,800 away fans)

Derby 3-1 Middlesbrough

The Rams finally got themselves a victory in the holiday period with a professional display against Middlesbrough.

Roberts, Ward and Bryson were missing due to injury so manager Nigel Clough brought in Davies, moved Jacobs to forward and gave a full debut to Keiron Freeman.

Right from kick-off it was Derby who took the initiative and put the visitors under pressure. Davies looked a threat on the left and Coutts and Brayford proved to be a handful attacking down the right wing.

It took Derby 19 minutes to break the deadlock. Jacobs met a Davies free kick to hit a low shot past Steele.

Jeff Hendrick, who for me was outstanding all afternoon added a second goal with a superbly struck volley from 20 yards and the Rams had made their intentions clear that they were determined to secure three points to 'Boro.

Sammon almost made it 3-0 in the second half. He saw one close range effort blocked by Steele and his headed follow up cleared off the line.

Sammon did make it game, set and match for the Rams in the 65th minute. Jacobs shot from 12 yards which was stopped by Steele, but Sammon made no mistake in blasting the loose ball in from close range to seal the victory.

The visitors did grab a consolation when Jutkiewicz netted, but Derby manager Nigel Clough claimed a foul on John Brayford during the build up should have seen play stopped.

A good three points earned, a good team effort and Derby are now 3 points from the Top 6.

Next up are Tranmere in the FA Cup. Beware of a potential 'Banana Skin'!

Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O’Brien, Freeman; Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes, Davies; Jacobs (Tyson 77), Sammon (Hoganson 87).

Subs Not Used: Fielding, Doyle, Gjokaj, Robinson, O’Connor.

Middlesbrough: Steele; Parnaby, R. Williams, Woodgate (Thomson 36), Halliday; Bailey, Smallwood, Leadbitter (Miller 65), Reach; McDonald (L. Williams 46), Jutkiewicz.

Subs Not Used: Leutwiler, Zemmama, Burgess, Weldon.

Man of the match - Jeff Hendrick

Attendance: 22,523 (1,581 Visiting Supporters).

After the game, for the second time this season, I was invited on to BBC Radio Derby's Sportscene Final to discuss the game with Ed Dawes.

I would like to thank Ed and the match day team for the opportunity. Once again it was very enjoyable.