Down at the Den

Derby have a very tricky looking run-in as we finally get the chance to finish off our season. Saturday afternoon a trip to The New Den against a very awkward Millwall side rejuvenated by Gary Rowett.

Our last half dozen games against The Lions haven't been very productive winning only once in the last six meetings.

Millwall are very strong in the air and very good from set pieces. They can counter attack very well which is something we often struggle with.

It will need an effort with great resilience too! They defend set pieces very well and are very strong in the opposition half!

Whether playing behind closed doors will make much difference to either side is anyones guess. What we need to do is carry on from where we left off!

Team selection will be key and my own preferred line-up is as follows.

Ben Hamer takes the goalkeeper spot. I believe he is marginally better than Kelle Roos. Its a department that needs to be seriously looked at once the transfer window opens again.

Jayden Bogle for the Right Back spot. His runs forward could be very vital if we are to gatecrash the top six.

Andre Wisdom and Matt Clarke get the two central positions. Wisdom's form has been a revelation since he returned to the first team and Matt Clarke has improved as the season has gone on. They look very comfortable playing together as well.

Selecting Left Back is where I will be interested in Philip Cocu's pick. Both Craig Forsyth and Max Lowe have merit and It really wouldn't worry me who gets the nod! Personally I'd maybe just go for Forsyth, but I'm splitting hairs. Scott Malone is another option, but I think he's not in our top two at the moment.

In front of the back four Wayne Rooney and Max Bird is a no brainer! Bird has made fantastic progress since Rooney joined the team and looks a star in the making. Looking vey comfortable on the ball and with some classy touches too!

I think the wide positions pick themselves. Martyn Waghorn and the back in form Tom Lawrence should start! Playing behind the striker we have several options, but I'd give a start to Louie Sibley! An absolute star last time out and boy! This lad is going to be some player.

Chris Martin I'd expect to keep the striker role. Written off by more than a few Derby fans, he's been a big plus this season.

We now have a bench of nine players with permission to use five during the game. Pretty much all first team squad members will be involved unless of course youngsters like Joe Bateman, Jordan Brown and Jamal Hector-Ingram edge them out of the nineteen. I'd be very surprised if Hector-Ingram at least doesn't get a slot!