Derby County, just the mention of the club's name last season would have brought snigger's and unapologetic laughter, as the East Midlands club failed to provide meaningful opposition at Premier League level. Yet the club's supporters filled their allocation home and away, accepting each defeat as a learning exercise believing they would come back stronger next season.
After changing their manager from Billy Davies to Paul Jewell, a change that yielded no wins and no surprises Derby County finished their Premier League season on a measly 11 points. Perhaps the Championship play-off winners of 2007 have shown Bristol City what a nightmare the dream of winning at Wembley could have turned into?
So, with the fans ready to forget about the gluttony of punishment that was the Premier League, another full house at Pride Park greeted Championship newcomers Doncaster Rovers last week for the opening game of a new season, and a new Derby County. Twelve new signings have been brought in, and the club is widely seen as a force in The Championship, having been made sixth favourites to win the league outright.
Doncaster Rovers, with their side from League One relatively intact, minus Paul Green, with the hard working midfielder joining - you've guessed it - Derby County. With the game goalless at half time and new striker Rob Hulse missing some great openings, the Pride Park crowd now full of expectancy, not despondency, is growing restless.
Cue Lewis Guy, a Newcastle United youth team player that never made the grade who has since plugged away at Doncaster Rovers... he shoots, he scores. Derby, stunned and dismayed, do little else as Doncaster confidently pass the ball, keeping possession like a team that has been together for years as Derby incoherently attack in pressurised hurries like a team that have been together, well, never. As the full time whistle blows, boos and jeers fill the modern stadium. New Derby County, same outcome.
They arrive at Ashton Gate tomorrow, having beaten League Two side Lincoln City 3-1 in midweek, albeit in extra time, with Nathan Ellington scoring a hat-trick. The striker, who has never really settled at one club is on a season long loan from Championship rivals Watford, whom after paying a record £3.25 million to West Bromwich Albion for his services just last year will be wondering how he has hit form - having scored just 4 goals in 34 appearances for The Hornets.
So what can Gary Johnson and his men expect from Derby County? The match sees the newly constructed side away from the expectant Pride Park crowd, which could allow them to play with more freedom, and having finally won his first match at the 29th ask, Paul Jewell will be giving his players confidence and belief, two characteristics his side had little of last season.
The Rams will be without captain Alan Stubbs, and Welsh international Lewin Nyatanga who both have knee problems so the team should look like this:
In goal will be Roy Carroll, the former Manchester United goalkeeper who infamously 'saved' a Pedro Mendes shot from the halfway line, despite dropping the ball over the line and being entangled in the net. He is experienced and will be looking to keep out 'dangerman' Dele Adebola.
In defence, Tyrone Mears will play at right back, the attacking former West Ham player has previously played Championship football with Preston and will have to keep an eye on Michael McIndoe. At left back, Jay McEveley who last season was tormented by some Premier League right wingers will hope for an easier ride against either Ivan Sproule or Gavin Williams on Bristol City's right midfield. Replacing Alan Stubbs at centre back will be Claude Davis, a player singled out by some Derby fans last season for his erratic defending. Alongside him, Martin Albrechtsen will be looking to use his experience of promotion with West Bromwich Albion last season to stop Nicky Maynard from scoring his first goal for Bristol City.
A new look midfield will see Steve Davies a young winger signed from Tranmere on the right, pantomime villain Robbie Savage and Paul Green in centre midfield, with Kris Commons, who controversially signed from rivals Nottingham Forest in the summer, and has received his first call up to the Scotland squad this week on the left.
The two strikers will probably be the newly signed pair of in-form Nathan Ellington, who will get a tasty reception from the Ashton Gate crowd, having made a name for himself at Bristol Rovers. Alongside 'The Duke' will be Rob Hulse, who since breaking his leg whilst at Sheffield United has failed to get back to the form that saw him finish the club's top scorer two season's ago.
Carroll
Mears Albrechtsen Davis McEveley
Davies Savage Green Commons
Ellington Hulse
CITY NEWS
Bristol City boss Gary Johnson is fully aware of the Derby County situation, " They are like wounded animals, and we are aware of that. We have to make sure it's not this weekend they begin their turnaround."
After two games and two wins, Bristol City have shown no signs of a Wembley hangover following the bitter pill that was losing the Championship play-off final. An opening game victory away to Blackpool thanks to an injury time winner from Steve Brooker was followed by a 2-1 Carling Cup win at home against Peterborough, with a Louis Carey equaliser and another late Steve Brooker winner. Despite these good results, performances have not been the standard set by last season's efforts, perhaps showing promotion form.
The Reds must play better on Saturday however, as Derby County provide Bristol City with their toughest challenge yet. Adriano Basso has been declared fit again following his thigh injury that forced him off at half time against Blackpool, but his place is not guaranteed. The charismatic Brazilian has been deputised by Chris Weale who produced magnificent match winning saves against Blackpool and was not at fault against Peterborough. Young Welsh full-back Christian Ribiero, who was making his first team debut against Peterborough suffered a bad knee injury just twenty minutes in and has suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage, which could mean he misses up to a year of football. 'Marvellous' Marvin Elliott is unlikely to be fit as he rehabilitates the foot injury that has seen him not compete in either match thus far.
I believe Chris Weale will start in goal, as he is in great form (and on the front of tomorrow's match programme) and Adriano Basso will come back stronger after a week in training.
At right back, Bradley Orr will be looking to keep Kris Commons quiet who is hoping to impress the Rams fans that saw him as a Forest player just last season and the Scottish boss George Burley. Jamie McCombe will have an aerial battle with Rob Hulse and Louis Carey will man mark Nathan Ellington in centre defence. Jamie McAllister will link with Michael McIndoe on the left hand side hoping to neutralise the threat of young Steve Davies.
The midfield will see Gavin Williams on the right, tucking in and playing through the middle at times with short, crisp passing. In the middle, Lee Johnson will look to come short for defenders and run the game with his wide range of passing and intelligent set pieces, alongside Cole Skuse who will run his socks off intercepting Derby passes and keeping his passing simple. Michael McIndoe is the most creative and clever of the midfield four, roaming from left to right, running at full-backs and tracking back well too.
Steve Brooker has caused a selection headache for Gary Johnson, by scoring two in two he will potentially take Dele Adebola's place in the side. However, I think he will replace Dele in the second half, as he has a knack for scoring late goals. Adebola will be looking for the ball into his feet or his chest with his back to goal, where he has the attributes to lay it off or turn and run with power frightening defenders with the presence of the proverbial brick shithouse. Alongside him will be record signing Nicky Maynard, a £2.25 million pound capture from Crewe Alexandra. He plays on the shoulders of defences, looking to use his pace to run onto through balls and he is a goalscorer, capable of putting chances away.
My prediction for the game is a back and forth score draw, I hope we play better than in previous games and get back to the passing football I know we can create. The match is live on Sky Sports tomorrow, kick-off 5.20PM. Tune in, don't take it from me, take it from Gary Johnson... "It's another event at Ashton Gate with the Sky cameras, and another chance to enhance our reputation."
GARY JOHNSON QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
On potential signings between now and the end of the season...
"We're getting phone calls from agents, telling us Roy of The Rovers is available, if we agree with them, we'll follow it up."
BRISTOL CITY ARCHIVE OF THE WEEK:
IVAN TISTIMETANU SCORES A STUNNER - 2000
Ross Verbals
Ross Verbals
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