Derby County (H) Preview
Brady Frost, Feature Writer
Twitter: @brady0894
Source for image above: HTAFC
Derby County head to Huddersfield with just one win in five, while The Terriers are unbeaten in three. Who will come out on top? Derby fan podcast The Rams Review preview the midweek match for And He Takes That Chance.
What a much-needed win to lift the fanbase, eh? Following the sale of last season’s top scorer Karlan Grant and the failure to bring in any replacements, the 2-1 win in South Wales against Swansea brought positivity to the end of a disappointing week for Town fans. Twitter has been particularly divisive recently with supporters angry about the running of the club and those who just care about the results on the pitch.
As my fellow podcast colleague Dan Porritt summed up rather perfectly: “It’s actually possible to want the club you support to win football matches, while actively questioning how your football club is being run.”
So, let’s look at the positives for now. Carlos Corberán and Harry Toffolo both feature in the EFL’s Championship team of the weekend and the team have a chance to build on that great result with a home match against Derby County.
Derby will be lining up without Wayne Rooney, following his negative COVID test that still means he has to self isolate and they’re not in great form. Phillip Cocu’s side has only won one match in the league against Norwich and rumours about the manager’s future have started to surface. To find out more about what’s been going on at the club, we spoke to Jason Straw and Cory Hancock, the co-hosts of Derby fan podcast, The Rams Review.
Phillip Cocu’s side has only won one match in the league against Norwich and rumours about the manager’s future have started to surface. Photo source: Derby County
What have you made to Derby’s slow start this season, is it just an early-season blip or is it a worrying sign?
Jason Straw: We are still without four or five first-teamers and mainly forward-thinking players, 25 goals from two of those alone last seasons, is hurting us now. Plus, a couple of new signings short of match fitness. Some of those should be back in the fold and should help over the next couple of weeks. It must be said performances have not been the greatest so far opinions could change if things do not improve soon.
Cory Hancock: I still believe that it is an early-season blip. Most teams in the division go through a rough patch at some point in the season and I hope this is Derby’s. However, the performances have been poor and that for me is very concerning. Not getting results and playing well at least gives some reason for optimism, however when you get poor results coupled with poor performances it really becomes worrying.
What are your general expectations for the season?
JS: Now the transfer window has closed for now I would say on paper we have a solid squad with a nice depth and balance. Of course, it is on the pitch where it counts and hopefully, things start to click, if they can we could well be up there challenging for the playoffs but the realistic answer hopefully is pushing top ten and above.
CH: For the first time in several years, I feel the expectations have dropped. Derby have been a perennially playoff challenging team, but this season feels like a “rebuild” season, so I’d be very happy with a top-half finish. Although with the recent poor results, that seems a difficult task, but I still believe the team can finish in the top ten.
What’s your opinion on manager Phillip Cocu? Have you been impressed with the style of play he’s brought to Derby so far?
JS: I think it’s fair to say he splits opinion amongst the fan base and I think you have to accept he has been brought in to do a certain job with restrictions in budgets and youth expectations. I’m not sure we have seen the right playing squad available up until now for his style, if it works from now on then great. It does seem fans are losing faith a little with him, the performances overall since he came in have not been outstanding, he has a big couple of months ahead of him.
CH: I still like Phillip Cocu. How he dealt with everything on and off the pitch last season was very important for the club. However, two league wins out of the last 10 is not good. He has a long-term contract at Derby so I would be hard-pressed to see him get the sack (mainly due to finances) however it is a results business, and he has not been getting results. The performances have not been good either. This transfer window, the club backed him with six or seven signings, so this is now his team. I think the leash s getting shorter. The pressure is on.
Huddersfield have picked up seven points in their last three games going into the match against Derby. Photo source: HTAFC
We’ve seen with Derby that you’ve brought a lot of promising youngsters into the first team such as Jason Knight, Max Bird and Louie Sibley. What’s the secret behind Derby’s academy and which player out of those three will make the most impact this season?
JS: We have been blessed with homegrown talent over the years, a lot of money has been put into the academy. It is great to see them coming through and making a mostly positive impact on the team. Which will be best is a tricky question as they all have different qualities, I think this season Jason Knight seems to be leading the way holding down a first team spot so far, I think he has featured in every game and not always in his favoured position when all players are fit it will be interesting to see if any of the three can get regular starts.
CH: The secret to Derby’s academy success is patience and money. A lot of time and effort has gone into rebuilding the academy over the past decade and the money has been spent on facilities and coaches to help the young players break through. Derby has been blessed with great talent over the years, including Will Hughes and Jeff Hendrick. This recent wave of youngsters which you have mentioned is very highly rated. Of the three, Jason Knight seems to be the most underrated but for me, he has the greatest potential. He scored six goals last season and played the most first-team games of the youngsters and he seems to be firmly in the plans this season. A central midfielder by trade, he’s played out wide most of the time as Derby had such a lack of wingers’ last season. He has tremendous energy and is the type of box to box player that can make a real impact in this division. He’s fresh off his first senior Ireland appearance as well!
Which player from your current squad do you think will be one to watch this season?
JS: Without seeing him pull a shirt on yet due to fitness I think Jordan Ibe could be a very smart signing, we had him in 2014-2015 on loan and was excellent, he did lose his way a little in the game but if he can get anywhere near that he will be a strong member of the squad.
CH: Tom Lawrence. The Welshman is Derby’s most important attacking threat. He picked up a nasty shoulder injury in the penultimate game of last season and just returned for Watford game on Friday. Despite coming on late in the second half, he was head and shoulders (no pun intended) the best attacking threat Derby had. He divides the fan base but without doubt the most important Derby player.
You’ve done a lot of transfer business this window, have you been impressed with your business? Any players you think will do well?
JS: Overall I think this has been a strong window, certainly one of the best in recent years for ins and outs. We had to reduce wages and bring in certain positions. If there is one possible position, I’m slightly concerned about is up top we did try to strengthen but seems like we couldn’t get the targets we were after. We did pick up Colin Kazim-Richards on a free but at 34 and a bit of a journeyman not sure if he will achieve what we need.
CH: Yes. The transfer window was very successful. A lot of the high earners were shifted off the wage bill and lower-cost alternatives were brought in. Bringing David Marshall in from Wigan has solidified the goalkeeping position which was poor last season. The marquee signing is Polish winger Kamil Jóźwiak from Lech Poznan. He has got pace and is very direct, something the team has been crying out for. A lot of the optimism surrounding the window has diminished slightly as the club failed to bring in a target man striker. Colin Kazim-Richards was brought in but I think that move was more for cover.
Tom Lawrence scored twice when Derby visited Huddersfield last season and is expected to play following an injury. Photo source: Derby County
Is there anything Huddersfield need to be on the lookout for in this game?
JS: It still looks like we will be a few bodies short of full strength so it will be interesting to see what team takes to the field. Our midfield is certainly the strongest part of our team I think, we like to play a passing style with pace out wide, that can cause problems and Wayne Rooney currently rolling back the years as our No 9 can cause problems for defences. The problem is Rooney is currently out of the game as he is self-isolating from being in contact with a COVID positive individual.
CH: It’ll be interesting to see how Derby approach the game. The past two games they have set up very defensive. I would anticipate that Tom Lawrence will start the game, especially now that Wayne Rooney is not available. The big question, who starts up front? I wouldn’t be surprised to see a false 9 with Lawrence as the main attacking threat but also I could see either Jahmal Hector-Ingram or Bobby Duncan leading the line.
What are Derby’s weaknesses, is there anything Huddersfield can take advantage of?
JS: We have shipped too many goals so far this season, we have shuffled the pack at the back a bit the last two games, which has made us look a bit more solid. Still crosses into the box can be an area you look to exploit.
CH: Although rebuilding the entire defence in the transfer window, conceding goals is still a concern. Also, Derby have struggled to score goals this season, so if Huddersfield can get one, I can not see Derby getting back into the game.
What are your expectations for Huddersfield Town this season?
JS: After a less than convincing season last year it is hard to say, as Derby fans are aware a relegation can be difficult to shake off, especially with things going on off the pitch. Maybe a season of stability is what the Terriers need, I think a lower mid-table away from a relegation fight would be good.
CH: I think a nice lower to mid-table finish is just what the Terriers need this season. With so much rotation and change in the manager’s office over the past few years, continuity there is key. There should be money available from the Karlan Grant sale, but I cannot see that being spent until summer.
What’s your score prediction for the game?
JS: Tough one to call this I am going to go for a draw, we desperately need to start getting some points on the board and performances have been better the last two games but I’m not expecting a classic. 1-1.
CH: At some point, Derby need to get a win and I’m hopeful that this is game to do it. It won’t be a classic, but it’ll finish 1-0 to the Rams!
How do you think Huddersfield will get on against Derby? Let us know in the comments!
Our Predictions:
Brady: 2-2.
Kosi: 2-0 win for Huddersfield.
Matt: 1-0 win for Derby.
Neil: 1-1.
Pozza: 1-1.
Si: 2-1 win for Huddersfield.
Scoring system: A correct score wins three points, a correct result wins a point.
