Someone please tell me, what is it like to go away from home and win a match? To leave a ground knowing your journey home will be that little bit sweeter as you have all three points in the bag? I can?t remember, with Derby?s last away win being at Stoke in the late 19th century I have forgotten all those heady feelings of joy. The best we have had is the odd point here and there and some horrible results where defeat has been snatched from the jaws of victory.
Anyway, this weekend we go to take on the mighty QPR, now QPR have a particular soft spot for me. Firstly they were the first team I saw Derby play at the Baseball Ground in a league fixture back in 1987 and secondly they were involved in one of my favourite results ever a 5 all draw yes FIVE ALL. We?d be lucky to score that many goals away from home in a season.
We?re also laced with injuries Allan Wright has gone back to The Blades and won?t play again for us with a hamstring injury, on the plus side Michael Johnson looks like he will play at full back. Seth Johnson will also be in contention having come through most of Saturdays match against Millwall. Striker Kevin Lisbie also is struggling with a hamstring injury. ElHamdaoui, who played his part in the 1 ? 0 win over Millwall is also short of match fitness, will sit our the clash.
QPR have no real concerns going into this fixture, but will be looking to improve the standard of football that they managed to produce against Burnley last weekend. Playing uninspiring football is a problem especially in the lower reaches of the division and is seems that fans of the R?s have been exposed to their fare share (NO comments about pots and kettles please!) Hopefully though both teams can generate a decent game of football and improve on the enough-points-to-not-get-banned-driving status of our positions.
Vital Quotes:
On the current mini injury crisis at Derby manager terry westly said that striker El Hamdaoui will not take part in the easter fixtures “Mounir didn’t train on Thursday so he is out for the weekend” he told the official website. Westley also saifd that lisbie will only play in one match this weekend “The nature of his injury is such that he needs a rest and to get the problem sorted in the summer” he told dcfc.co.uk
QPR Team News:
QPR while desperately short of a decent striker, which may have helped their season, will probably stick with the same 11 that failed to beat Burnley last weekend
Player to watch: Kevin Gallen
A useful striker and a product of the QPR academy, scored at Pride Park, Will he be adding to his tally on saturday?
Derby County Team News:
Michael Jonson expected to make his return to defence. Alan Wright out for the rest of the season, Elham daoui out, Lisbie dobutful. other than That Derby expected to play same group of players that turned out in the turgid 1 ? 0 win over Millwall.
Player to watch: Tommy Smith
Who always plays his heart out for Derby, has looked a cut above all season, will be making more of his penetrating runs on Saturday me thinks.
Match Facts & Stats
QPR won 1 of last 6 at home.
QPR scored 4 in the last 5 at home. conceeded 8 in last 6 at home.
QPR won 1 of last 9 in total
DCFC not won away since Stoke
DCFC scored 4 in last 7 away matches conceeding 18 goals.
DCFC only 3 defeats in last 11 in total
Ref Watch:
Mr Kettle is our man in black on saturday, He’s from the UK’s smallest vcounty of Rutland. He’ll be ably assisted by Mr Artis and McCoy. Mr Chittenden is our 4th Official. Lets hope he’s on the boil! Lets have a good game gentlemen!!
Next Fixtures:
MONDAY 17TH APRIL
DERBY COUNTY V HULL CITY
THE PRIDE PARK STADIUM
KICK OFF 3PM