Preview: Crawley Town vs. Derby County

The television cameras chose Crawley vs. Derby as their featured match for one reason and one reason only: they expect a cup upset. The Rams have so often been the subject of a beating against lower league opposition in the world´s oldest cup competition so they will be keen to bean a non-league side, as they did two seasons ago in a 4-3 thriller against Forest Green Rovers.

Nigel Clough is hoping his stars will show their class to overcome non-league Crawley: 'I think we'll get chances and they'll create chances,' said Clough.

'We just hope the likes of Chris Porter, Alberto Bueno and Kris Commons will give us that extra bit of quality.

'We expect them to close us down and give us as little time as possible.

'If they do give us time, we've proved we can play.'

Crawley magager Steve Evans claims Nigel Clough said that the best thing about landing the Derby job was 'not having to go back to places like Crawley'.

Evans said: 'Certain things sit in your mind.

'It was the most demeaning statement I have heard from a manager who has got a job at Championship level.

'I had not had a bad word to say about Nigel, but when he came out with that statement, he was sending out the message to the people of Crawley.

'I think it is poetic justice that he got us in the Cup. It is on public record what he said, but now he has to come back.'

Perhaps Evans remembers the time he labelled Burton Albion a ´pub team´ when Clough was in charge of The Brewers. Respect goes both ways.

Winger James Dance and defender John Dempster may come into the Crawley side after signing from Kettering in the transfer window. but Josh Simpson is cup-tied after appearing for Southend in the 1st round of the competition.

Striker Tubbs has netted 21 goals this term and is reportedly attracting interest from a number of higher league teams, Leeds United being one of them.

Miles Addison and Stephen Davies are not ready for a start, according to Rams boss Nigel Clough. Stephen Pearson is yet again a doubt with his crocked knees. Gareth Roberts may feature but Dean Moxey looks set to continue at left-back.

Rams defender Moxey visited Crawley as an Exeter player and battled to a draw after being 0-2 down so hopefully that experience will help him to battle through the game and let his teammates know what it will be like.

Last Matches:

Derby County:

Bristol City (a) 0-2

Reading (h) 1-2

Nottingham Forest (a) 2-5

Preston North End (a) 2-1

Millwall (h) 0-0

Crawley Town:

Swindon Town (a) 3-2 (aet)

Dartford (h) 3-3

Dartford (a) 0-1

Eastbourne Borough (h) 3-1

Forest Green Rovers (a) 3-0

Watford vs. Derby County, Sat 15th January, 15:00pm, The Championship

Use your social login to comment on front page articles. Login using you Facebook, Twitter, Google or LinkedIn accounts and have your say!