Derby have started their season in similar fashion to us. A 1-0 win at home to Oxford was cancelled out by a 1-0 defeat at Charlton last weekend. They've also edged their way through in the cup, with a 2-1 victory over Mansfield, and go into the game on Saturday with an extra day's rest. A lot has been made over the signings Derby have made over the summer. Whilst they've assembled a very experienced side, they could begin to struggle with depth as the season goes on. Both of Derby's goals vs Mansfield started off with Joe Wildsmith in goal. They like to build from the back. A criticism of them in their first two league games, has been their lack of killer instinct in front of goal. They've created the chances, but failed to capitalise on them. They do have James Collins in attack, who has a history of scoring against us, however our back line has started the season strongly, and the two consecutive clean sheets will breed confidence. Evidently then, we need to put them under pressure high up the pitch. The season before last, they deployed a similar build up style under Rooney, and Conor Chaplain capitalised on an error at the back. That was our last victory at Pride Park, and came 11 years after our first and only other victory there. At Derby, we've actually only won twice in our last 19 visits dating back to the early 80s. I've read very mixed reports about Derby so far this season. They've got a lot of new players who'll take time to gel, and I think it's a good time for us to visit there. I'm going for 1-1 with a James Norwood goal being cancelled out in the 2nd half (by James Collins probably).
I agree with your summary and think it'll be a tight low scoring game. It's difficult to call and can see it ending scoreless - 0-0.
0-1 I'm hardly alone in thinking this, it seems to be the consensus view: on paper the squad looks solid enough, but may struggle for goals. In pre-season the team looked solid enough, but struggled for goals. In our first three games the team looks solid enough, but has struggled for goals. And if you don't score, particularly away from home, the pressure often builds and you concede. Having said all that, it's early days, we might not be solid at all and get properly stuffed!
I'm going 1-2 and got a feeling Cole will come good tomorrow and get at least one! 'Course it could just be the heat!
Probably a defeat, I've only ever seen us win at Derby once (excluding the pandemic win on iFollow) and King Ronnie scored in that game. We'll score one less than Derby, 1-2.
Im going for an honest one, 3-1 to Derby. Hope that’s wrong and we nick something, but I think they’ll have too much for us with their backing too. It’s early days, so who knows.
Aitchison hasn't had the most prolific career, but I do think he's got something about him. His movement is very good off the ball.
I'll go 1-1.A hard fought draw in the blazing heat. 30k attendance 1500 from Barnsley.Ice creams all round at full time.