D.J's Match Preview: Rams Will Win Well Over Wednesday
Saturday, 21st Feb 2015 07:15 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams welcome an out of form Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon for a match that is important for both teams in very different ways.

Derby need to get another win on the board and stop relying on other teams to stumble as they try to solidify a top 2 spot. All of the top 3, Boro, Bournemouth and Derby drew their last fixture which kept the 3 tight and within a point.

Behind them the chasing pack can smell blood with only 4 points between 1st and 5th. Someone will have to break away eventually and the Rams will be hoping they can be that team. That will only come with consistent performances and the eradication of suicidal periods in matches like the one of display at Rotherham midweek.

Wednesday in contrast are slipping further and further from the pack with only 3 points from their last 6 fixtures which came from 3 separate draws and no wins.

Derby will need to be clinical and make sure they find there form against a team down on form and confidence. They will need to play football early and use their pace and passing to tie Wednesday in knots from the outset.

If they allow the visitors to stifle them early — the Rams may instead play them back into form and give them hope they could cause an upset. Once that happens then anything can happen and McClaren will be aware of this and keen to avoid it.

McClaren’s team selection will be interesting as Hendrick, Ward and Mascarell did themselves no favours against Rotherham while Bryson, Dawkins and Lingard all looked lively after replacing them.

I would not be surprised to see Bryson and Lingard given the nod as I think Bryson assists in releasing Hughes while Lingard has been so good in his last two appearances; that he deserves to be rewarded with his first league start.

Omar Mascarell may also have his neck on the chopping block if either George Thorne is deemed fit enough to start or even more adventurous, McClaren starts with the diamond that finished the game so effectively for the Rams on Tuesday night.

Personally I would love to see the Rams begin to play a more attacking formation now that they have such a strong line up at the tip. Bent, Ince and Lingard will scare the life out of any team in this division and it may be time to unleash that power as the club attempts to pull clear at the top of the table.

Wednesday have a few danger men to watch with Bus and Nuhiu capable of scoring goals while Westwood in goals may prove tough to get past, despite his teams average form of late, he has been in great form between the sticks.

In the last two matches I have predicted comfortable wins and been proven wrong with a loss in the cup (thanks Stephen!!) and a draw in Rotherham.

Some may waver and go for the safety of a draw but I am going to continue with my belief that Derby will rise and finally start to power away from the pack. If the Rams start hard and fast and attack the out of form and out of confidence owls then I think they have a chance to get back to winning ways and at the same time keep the pressure on the teams around them on the table.

Derby 3 v 0 Wednesday — Bent with a brace and Ince with the other.

Now boys it’s up to you to justify my faith in you!

COYR!!

League Form / Match Stats:

Derby — 3rd (L, W, W, D, D):

The Rams have only lost 1 of their last 10 in the Championship and won 3 of their 4 most recent matches on the road.

Derby have the third highest goal tally in the Championship with 61, only marginally behind Watford (63) and Bournemouth (65).

Sheffield Wednesday — 11th (D,L,D,L,D):

Wednesday have been sliding of late having not won a match in their last 6 league fixtures, only managing 3 draws and 3 losses.

The Owls poor run of form hit a new low on Saturday, after a 0-0 draw at home against struggling Brighton put more pressure on Manager Stuart Gray to turn things around. They are only 6 points off the top 6 but look more likely to slide than climb at the moment.