Derby?s game against Palace on Saturday is played against the backdrop of another week of yet more uncertainty at Pride Park.
With no new signings made before Thursdays deadline and the deal for Geoff Horsefield falling through adds to the disruption that director of football Murdo MacKay departing mid week caused. Derby could really do without playing one of the divisions? in-form sides.
The Eagles pulled off a fantastic 1 ? 0 win against Leeds on Tuesday, which puts Palace only 8 points away from Sheffield United in second place. They will be looking for a similar outcome to the match at Selhurst park when they ran out 2 ? 0 winners in December.
The Rams need to concentrate on on the pitch matters and look to get what seems to be an unlikely result against high flying Palace. This will settle nerves and to reduce the talk about relegation.
Vital Quotes:
Speaking to the clubs official website Rams boss Terry Westley was upbeat about Derby?s home form ?We are better off at home and seem more comfortable, more able to cope with the surroundings and the opposition? But he was still wary of the threat that an in form Crystal Palace could pose ?We are in for a tough game? he told DCFC.co.uk
Ian Dowie seems more concerned with the quality of The Eagles performances of late, citing the brilliant win away from home on Tuesday as a particular highlight ?We were superb at Leeds? he told palaces official website. Dowie is hoping his men can put pressure on Watford and Sheffield United ?Second place is there to go, so it?s feasible (they could get automatic promotion)?
Derby County Team News:
Derby have the same group of players available this week as last, with no fresh injury worries
Derby From: Camp, Edworthy, Nyatanga, Moore, Wright, Smith, Bolder, Barnes, Idiakez, McIndoe, Holmes, Peshisolido, Jackson, Thirwell, Poole (gk)
Player to watch: Darren Moore
So will ‘big Dave’ turn in another solid and dependable performance or, as he has been picked as my man to watch, have a shocker??
Crystal Palace Team News:
No injuries to reprt in the Palace camp they are expected to field the same squad as played on Tuesday
Palace From: Kiraly, Boyce, Ward, Fitz Hall, Leigertwood, Riihilahti, Watson, Hughes, McAnuff, Reich, Jonson, Morrison, Soares, Popovic, Freedman, Speroni
Player to watch: Marco Reich
He played for us.
He is my pick of the Palace players.
After the Luton match prediction, he’s bound to score.
Wouldn’t you think?
Match Facts & Stats
Palace lost 1 of the last 8 on travels, scored 16 goals in last 10 matches, conceeding 10. also only lost 1 of last 8 in total.
Rams lost 4 of last 10 but only lost 1 of last 10 at home. scored 8 goals in last 9.
Last meeting 28th December 2005 Palace 2 Rams 0
Ref Watch:
Alan Wiley from Staffordshire is the man in Black this Saturday. N. Bannister and K. Evans are the assistants, G Sutton is the 4th Official. Lets have a good game gentlemen!
Next Fixtures:
Reading v Derby County
Madjeski Stadium
saturday April 1st 2006
KO 3 PM