Derby Preview
By: Paul Holmes
Date: 15/08/2002
TWO games gone, one point. Quite simply not good enough. Groves ‘threatens to quit’ - fans reaction is not clear. Next comes John Gregory’s Derby County hoping to bounce straight back into the Premiership. Not to mention that it's live on SKY.
Home > 2002-2003 Season > Previews > Derby (h) |
Blundell Park was supposed to be made into a fortress on Tuesday night. It's fair to say it wasn't and even the Swiss army would fancy their chances against it. But let's put that behind us and really make a fortress of BP, starting with Ravenelli and co. Derby’s big earners won't fancy the cramped away changing room giving Town a big advantage over them. Either way a draw is at least required before the table starts to take shape. Derby started in the best possible manner. A convincing 3-0 win over Reading with goals from Ravenelli, Lee and Christie and The Rams were looking like they could storm the league. However Tuesday night and Gillingham threw a spanner in the works and won 1-0. The Gills hard-work ethic was too much for Derby’s high earners. What that does say for Town is that a workmanlike performance is required. Lots of chasing down balls etc. Whilst Derby won't fancy coming here they won't be happy with anything less than 3 points, and with quality throughout the team they have a good claim.
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Scout Reports | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dan H went to see Derby at the end of last season, on a scouting mission, and was particularly impressed with their young centre back pairing of Chris Riggott and Danny Higginbotham, both of whom have been linked with Top 5 Premiership clubs. County also possess a great deal of quality up front, with former Sheffield United striker Lee Morris particularly pacey, and Strupar and Ravanelli both very physical, not to mention England U21 star Malcolm Christie.
Perhaps if John Gregory had arrived earlier in the season, they may have stayed up?.
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Expected Line Ups | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Last Time Out | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
03-02-96 Grimsby Town 1 Derby County 1 Town managed by Brian Laws and led by Ivano earned a point from Derby. Bonetti grabbed Town’s goal whilst Daryll Powell got The Rams. The Bonetti/Laws incident had already happened and from here it was downhill for Town. Derby Head-to-Head (23rd on The Opposition Ladder).
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Danger Man | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Whilst it would be so easy to go for Ravenlli or Christie I have opted for the veteran Rob Lee. After spells with Newcastle and Charlton the former England man is now in charge of the engine room at Pride Park and still a class above this division. Capable of popping up with a goal here and there and will prove a handful for Town’s midfield.
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Prediction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Directions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).
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Admission Prices | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.
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