Usually do this 2 days before the game, but I'm going to be very busy tomorrow at work, so here we are. Derby's defeat to Blackburn at the weekend was only their 4th in the league this season. Their other 3 have been away from home. In fact, Derby have only beaten Hull away, and have only won twice at home in the league. They're draw specialists, and that defeat to Blackburn ended a run of 4 consecutive league draws. Derby have found goals difficult to come by this season, finding the net just one more time than us, and just twice more than Hull, the leagues most goal shy team. Defensively however, Derby only trail Bournemouth for fewest goals conceded, even without star man Krystian Bielik at centre half. In recent history, our record at Oakwell vs Derby has been mixed, with 4 wins, 5 draws and 3 defeats in the 21st century, although we haven't won any of the last 3 meetings. I feel a low scoring game is probably the most likely outcome, probably even a goalless draw, which I suppose will represent progress. That being said, whoever takes charge of the next game won't have much preparation time, meaning the players might be able to have a bit more freedom. According to Devante Cole, the two goals against Sheffield United were a result of the players playing their own game, so hopefully that's a sign of what to come on Wednesday. I'm going for 1-0 with Iseka on the scoresheet for the 3rd consecutive game.
If Schopp is gone we'll batter them 16 trillion to nowt. If by some freakish way Schopp is still in charge, 1 nowt to Derby.
If Oulare emptied his guts and feels good go, then I'm going 2-1 with the big lad scoring and having a major impact. I also don't think we'll be seeing our back 3 going wondering up field or doing owt like overlapping. They sit in and clear their lines. Also expect to see Palmer start.
I hope we haven't wasted some decent performances with the defeats. We're due another shocker. That said if we play how we have been with the correct personnel I fancy a win. 3-2.
Do people's opinions change now its been confirmed that Laumann will be in the hot seat as opposed to Schopp?
I don’t really have an opinion tbh. Don’t know anything about Laumann’s credentials as a coach. He might be a breath of fresh air. He might have been part of the problem. Could go either way on Wednesday.