Thursday 17 January 2013

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!

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