Match Preview: Wednesday Vs Derby
By Nicholas Rigg
November 4 2005
Phil Browns Derby County are the next side to travel to up the M1 to Hillsborough. Both sides are at the wrong end of the table and will be desperate for a win. Derby have made a poor start to the season, while Wednesdays five game unbeaten run only came to an end against high-flying Reading.
Wednesday Vs Derby
Date: Saturday 5th November
Venue: Hillsborough, Sheffield
Wednesday go in to the game with the Rams looking to return to winning ways following the defeat at Reading on Tuesday night.
Wednesday begin a run of four games in the next five games and will look to build on a decent October in the league and collect more points to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
I'm writing this before Derby's midweek fixture with Ipswich Town at Pride Park, but so far Derby fans have been dissapointed with their start to the season.
Phil Brown led them to the championship play-offs last season but failed to reach the final. County managed to hold on to their best players in the summer and built on that with some shrewd signings. Having got off to a good start drawing two games and winning two, they were looking to revive the standards of last season performances. Since those first four games though, Derby haven't won a game in 11 games as we speak, including a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town in the league cup.
Their poor run of form seems to co-incide with the departure of key man Grzegorz Raziak. The Polish international moved to Tottenham Hotspur just minutes before the end of the transfer window, having played over 40 games for the club and scoring 18 goals in the process.
Despite that, Derby have better players on paper than their league position suggests. Their key man is Spanish midfielder Inigo Idiakez. The Spaniard has player over 50 games for the Rams, neeting 15 goals. Morten Bisgaard is also a key player for Derby after signing for the club in the summer of 2004.
Manager Phil Brown has also suceeded where Paul Sturrock has failed - in the loan-market. Brown has made some shrewd loan signings including Stern John, Pablo Mills, Peter Whittingham, Johnni Jackson, and more recently Dexter Blackstock and Wednesday old-boy Emerson Thome - who is sure to get a good reception from the Hillsborough faithful. Andrew Davies has been the crowd favourite at Pride Park though. The defender was signed from Middlesbrough on loan.
Paul Peschisolido is still at Pride Park and has scored three goals this season - a tally which has prompted Derby fans to call for a new striker at the club - who arrived in the shape of Southampton youngster Dexter Blackstock recently - a rumoured target for Paul Sturrock a few weeks ago.
Rams fans were also please to see Seth Johnson return to his form club following a nightmare spell at Leeds United.
Goalkeeper Lee Camp may regain his place in the side at the cost of Kevin Poole. Writing before Derby's home game with Ipswich, Phil Brown is likely to stick with the same 16 that faced QPR at the weekend. Andrew Davies is likely to miss out - Emerson Thome will deputise. Striker Tommy Smith is also likely to miss out through injury. Apart from that Derby have no fresh injury concerns going in to the game.
Paul Sturrock changed a winning side at Reading on Tuesday night and brought Richie Partridge in to replace Chris Eagles on the right side of midfield. Eagles is likely to regain his place in the team though after his run of fine performances recently. Graham Coughlan is likely to be out until christmas and so Richard Wood will carry on partnering Graeme Lee in defence. Gaby Agbonlahor is also likely to continue alongside Lee Peacock in attack. John Hills is the only other doubt for the Owls and will face a late fitness test. Paul Heckingbottom completed the midweek reserve game and is likely to deputise should Hills miss out.
The last time Derby travelled up the M1 to Hillsborough they ran out 3-1 winners thanks to two goals from ex-blade Lee Morris and an Izale Mcleod goal. Matt Hamshaw scored the Owls consolation goal.
Wednesday will be hoping to reverse that fixture this time around, although both sides will be desperate for three points which will left them clear of the relegation zone. A decent crowd will be at Hillsborough to see what is sure to be an interesting clash.
Previous Line-Ups:
Wednesday: Lucas, Hills (Graham 89), Wood, Peacock (O'Brien 81), Brunt, Whelan, Partridge (Eagles 63), Rocastle, Lee, Agbonlahor, Simek.
Subs Not Used: Bullen, Heckingbottom.
Derby: Poole, Kenna (Thirlwell 58), Michael Johnson, Thome, Johnnie Jackson, Bisgaard, Idiakez, Seth Johnson, Whittingham, John (Blackstock 59), Peschisolido (Tudgay 81).
Subs Not Used: Camp, Doyle.
Last Time Out:
15th February 2003
Derby County 2-2 Wednesday
Derby County: Grant, Jackson, Barton (Sent Off 27), Elliott, Zavagno, Bolder, Lee, Kinkladze, Boertien, Morris, McLeod. Subs: Tudgay, Oakes, Murray, Mills, Ravanelli.
Goals: Bolder 53', Bolder 70'.
Wednesday
: Evans, Westwood, Maddix, Barry-Murphy, Monk, Powell, Robinson, Quinn, Johnston, Owusu, Reddy. Subs: Stringer, McLaren, Kuqi, Haslam, Crane.Goals: Barton 16' (OG), Crane 81'
Head-To-Head:
Wednesday Wins: 39
Draws: 31
Derby County Wins: 39
Current Form (last 5):
Draw (Plymouth A 1-1), Draw (Watford H 1-1), Draw (Brighton H 1-1), Won (Norwich A 0-1), Lost (Reading A 0-2)
Drew (Leicester City H 1-1), Won (Stoke City H 2-1), Draw (Wolves A 1-1), Lost (Hull City A 1-2), Lost (QPR H 1-2)
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