Sunday brings around the game that everybody has been waiting for; the most important Derby game in English Football!
This must be the best chance in a number of seasons for the Reds to inflict some much needed payback over Derby and gain a long overdue victory.
Gary Rowett is in a defiant mood despite Derby County 's growing injury list.
Midfielders Joe Ledley and George Thorne are both out of Sunday's Championship clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
There are doubts over Tom Huddlestone , Cameron Jerome and David Nugent while Chris Baird serves the third game of his three-match ban for being sent off at Reading.
Russell has been sold after turning down another contract to play in the MLS. He must have been on big money that Derby decided they could no longer afford?
Derby are without a win in six and a run of one win in nine has dented promotion hopes. They have fallen from second to fifth in the Championship and injuries have come at just the wrong time.
Derby may have a couple of their youngsters on the bench on Sunday, due to their injury crisis; we shall have to wait and see.
Matej Vydra, Derby's pocket [5'10" & 11 stone] midfield goal scoring dynamo, only played the last 13 minutes last time out against Reading. He should be fit and raring to go on Sunday, he has scored 17 goals so far this season and is joint top Championship Striker with Bobby Reid of Bristol City who has more assists.
Unfortunately their next highest marksman has 6, so a lot of responsibility falls to Vydra.
I don't think he has scored since Derby's 3-0 win over Brentford, if I'm wrong someone is sure to correct me I expect.
Paul Taylor expects Forest to field an unchanged team apart from Lee Tomlin replacing Dowell. This of course presents Gary Rowett with the opportunity to attack our flanks, can messrs Watson & Colback snuff out the threat?
I expect Benny Osborn to start, either on the wing or as a wingback, the Forest youngsters [Cash, Osborn & Brereton] will all be busting a gut to get on the score sheet.
The first goal could be crucial for Forest if we're to go on to win.
Sky have the Wally and Mark Warburton commentating so might be better to turn the sound down if you're watching on Sky!
Live @ http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/386501
One match ban enabled
Forest V Rams Derby Match THread
posted on 11/3/18
comment by reddave (U8660)
posted about a minute ago
I see what you are saying last, but losing in the play offs especially if you finish third really does take a lot of getting over. More often than not the team that hits the play offs in form has the best chance. From your position unfortunately Only promotion will do, but that’s what happens
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How would you know, you have to be innit to win it.
Not the dogs style.
posted on 11/3/18
comment by reddave (U8660)
posted less than a minute ago
Night Igor and good luck in the play offs 👍
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Ta Dave.
It's only bantz bud.
posted on 11/3/18
Assist........
posted on 11/3/18
I will make a prediction now, if Karanka stays, we will make the play offs, or better within the next two seasons.
posted on 11/3/18
Losing in the play-offs only wounds if you think you really should have finished top two in the first place. This season I think many Derby fans think that promotion would be too big a step up to survive. I don’t particularly agree with that but I reckon when the dust settles a semi-final defeat would feel like a stepping stone to something better.
posted on 11/3/18
I and many Rams fans would have taken a play off place.
This point could be crucial.
We will fear nobody.
posted on 12/3/18
Rowett had clearly instructed the midfield that no Forest player was to get passed them. It was a high stakes tactic and it almost worked. I agree it was the lesser of Huddlestone’s fouls but Derby kept tempting the ref all game and he eventually bit.
posted on 12/3/18
It clearly didn’t effect the outcome as Forest weren’t able to take advantage in terms of creating a chance even with an extra man. Two upfront should have been an easy call for Karanka to make but he played it too safe IMO.
posted on 12/3/18
He didn't want to lose and can we really blame him?
posted on 12/3/18
Considering Forest are going to end up mid-table I think he could have afforded to be a little more expansive, especially when the opposition were reduced to ten men. It’s all ifs and buts but I think if Forest could have nicked it 1-0, he could have earned a lot of brownie points.