When the time comes for us as fans to reflect on this season (regardless of how it culminates) we’ll undoubtedly debate the issue of season defining games. Thus far, I’d highlight our victory over Bournemouth in Alex Neil’s first match at the helm, our morale elevating wins over our county rivals on both occasions – and I’d put money on the fact that this Saturday’s clash with the rams will feature on this list come the end of our campaign.
Derby County; considered by many (including myself) to be one of the best sides in this division, and one of the most likely candidates for promotion as a result of this will travel south to face the high flying Canaries this weekend in a clash that promises to display some of the best football the Championship has to offer. The side are perched just one point above us in the league table at this point, but the Canaries will surely be looking to claim that 2nd place perch for themselves with a win that’ll be their 7th in eight games were it to materialise. It is of course (results permitting) still possible for our boys to top the table this weekend with all four of the teams above them being just one point ahead on 66 points.
As times go to face a team of Derby’s blatant quality it couldn’t be much better. While they’re still a force to be reckoned with, they’ve struggled in recent games – achieving only one point in their last three games. Conflictingly however, this is testament to just how dominant they were earlier in their season to still be right up there in contention for promotion. From our perspective, the only real negatives of the last few weeks have been our loss to Wigan, the likely season ending injury to striker, Lewis Grabban and arguably the news which emerged last night that Michael Turner was being loaned out to Millwall – a decision which, while making moderate sense, seems unnecessary and potentially damaging to the spirit in the camp.
Injury wise, the side has almost a completely clean bill of health with long term absentees Gary O’Neil and the royally esteemed Lord Vadis-Odjidja Ofoe, high protector of centre backs and revered marshal of the midfield, both being back to full fitness. Moreover, Tettey will return from his two game suspension and so in light of this, I’d opt for a starting XI along these lines:
Preferred line up:
Verdict:
We’re getting to a point now where the teams we’re starting are more or less in line with the starting XI’s I’ve been suggesting all season, and you could argue that this is our strongest side overall. What can I say? This is one of those game which I’m fairly confident in the midfield, and with the greatest of respect to our opposition, ours is superior. The Rams will also be without ex-Canary, Chris Martin for this game, whilst also lacking the phenomenal prospect of Jordan Ibe who’s returned to his parent club Liverpool for the remainder of this season. It’s for these two reasons primarily that I think we’ll edge a win I this match. There’ll be chances for both sides, some excellent passages of passing play and undoubtedly some truly awful cagey, tentative sections to accompany it. Regardless, I’m going for 1-0 to the home side at the hands of a Cameron Jerome rocket.
