Preview: Coventry City vs. Derby County

The Rams are on the box again with a televised clash against Coventry City. The Rams have enjoyed good results against The Sky Blues in recent years and are unbeaten in six games against their Midlands rivals. Nigel Clough will be hoping that the television cameras will once again inspire his side to an excellent away display, as they did on the opening day of the season against Leeds United. Early on in the season, Coventry sit a point above Derby in the table but were similarly dumped out of the Carling Cup to League Two opposition.

Nigel Clough has highlighted defence as the key area to improve on for the short trip to the West Midlands: 'Three of the four goals scored against us have been given away in all honesty, without being disrespectful to the teams we've played against.

'We need to cut the errors out, because we could have had an even better start to the season.

'What we've been to drive home to the players is to be careful in possession, especially in certain areas, and as simple as it sounds not to make mistakes.

'It is hard enough at this level without gifting teams goals.'

Clough's opposite number Aidy Boothroyd is looking to keep Robbie Savage quiet and avoid getting wound up by the former Leicester man: 'I was listening to his phone-in on Saturday when he was saying that he`s a marked man.

'He`s been a marked man for about 20 years, hasn`t he, and that`s because he`s good at what he does.'

Aidy Boothroyd could hand Clive Platt and Aron Gunnarsson starts after they came off the bench in the 2-2 draw with Watford, but they will have to displace Freddy Eastwood and Gary McSheffrey to play.

Striker Jutkiewicz had an impressive season at Motherwell last year, scoring twelve times in 33 appearances. He scored a stunning volley in his former side's 6-6 draw with Hibs, and last week netted a last-minute penalty against Watford.

Nigel CLough's main headache is who will play in the lone striker role at The Ricoh. Rob Hulse has been struggling with an Achillies injury but has an excellent record against Coventry, and Chris Porter has been having problems with his hip but they are both looking increasingly likely to battle it out for a starting place. Conor Doyle looks set to come in for Tomasz Cywka, who sustained a fractured cheekbone during the Cardiff defeat.

Hulse has a great scoring record against Coventry, but missed a penalty when on a hat trick last year in a 2-1 victory. Nonetheless, it would be a blow if he were to miss out.

Last matches:

Derby County:

Leeds United (a) 2-1

Crewe Alexandra (a) 0-1

Cardiff City (h) 1-2

Coventry City:

Portsmouth (h) 2-0

Morecambe (a) 0-2

Watford (a) 2-2

Coventry City vs. Derby County, Sat 28st August, 15:00pm, The Championship

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