| The Rams travel up north for their second away match in just four days. Their opponents are Gareth Southgate`s recently relegated Middlesbrough side, who have lost three on the bounce at home, without netting a single goal. History, however, does not favour Nigel Clough`s Derby side, as The Rams have lost all of the last five games between the sides, scoring only once in the process. Derby`s defence has kept three clean sheets in the last four games, something overlooked as a result of the 1-6 hammering away against Cardiff City (in which the defence was decimated by injuries), and they will be looking to keep that going against a Boro team who are hot stuff on the road, but who have suffered in recent weeks in their perennially half empty stadium. |
Vital Quotes: |
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate is disappointed with what his side are serving up at the Riverside 'We've seen what emotions we've sent our away support home with and we want to do that for our home supporters we're scratching our heads after a performance like that because we want it to happen here (at the Riverside). We want to get both things right and Tuesday (game at home to Derby County) is crucial for us.'
Rams boss Nigel Clough is frustrated by the injury list that he has to deal with whilst making his team selection, but the situation is becoming better. Speaking on the decision to take Lee Hendrie off against Leicester, the manager said, 'It was precautionary to take him off because we could not risk him doing more damage. If the hamstring had gone he would be out four to six weeks and we couldn't afford that.' |
Middlesbrough Team News: |
| Argentinian midfielder Julio Arce is unavailable for Gareth Southgate's Boro side, having picked up a one match ban for the collection of 5 yellow cards already this season. Ex-Ram (although he didn't make a first team appearance on loan from Boro last season) and defender Seb Hines will also be missing following an injury picked up whilst training. Influential captain Emanuel Pogatetz after being on the bench at the weekend following surgery on a troublesome knee. |
Player to watch: David Wheater |
| England U21 international centre-back Wheater was one of the players linked with a move away from The Riverside following the club's relegation, but the northern club managed to keep hold of him. Still only 22, he has the potential to be a good Premier League centre back. |
Derby County Team News: |
| Fredrik Stoor is out of the clash on Tuesday having been taken off with an ankle injury in the Leicester stalemate. Defenders Dean Leacock and Paul Connolly, who is expected to deputise for the injured Stoor, are both available for the Boro game after coming through the Leicester derby unscathed. Miles Addison, Chris Porter, Paul Green, Steven Davies, Giles Barnes, Stephen Pearson, Ben Pringle and James Vaughan all remain on the treatment table, a long list, but it has been worse in recent weeks, so Nigel Clough is in a slightly better position to mount a challenge against Middlesbrough. Paul Dickov is eligible to line up against Boro, having not been able to face his parent club, Leicester City, in the game on Saturday. Lee Hendrie, who came on as a sub against Leicester, was taken off in the same game with an injury, and will not be fit enough to play against Middlesbrough. |
Player to watch: Rob Hulse |
| Having turned down a £5 million switch to Boro in the summer, The Ram's top scorer from last season will be looking to justify that prospective price tag against the club who were most keep to sign him during the transfer window. |
Match Facts & Stats |
Last 5: Derby County
Leicester City (a) 0-0
Sheffield Wednesday (h) 3-0
Cardiff City (a) 1-6
Bristol City (h) 1-0
Crystal Palace (a) 0-1
Last 5: Middlesbrough
Watford (h) 0-1
Reading (a) 2-0
Leicester City (h) 0-1
Coventry City (a) 2-2
West Brom (h) 0-5 |
Next Fixtures: |
| Derby County vs. Queens Park Rangers, Saturday 24 October 2009 17:30, The Coco-Cola Football League Championship |
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Writer: RobB
Date: Monday October 19 2009
Time: 3:13PM |
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