3-1 Derby, home advantage. I don't think Barnsley will see us as a cup final like some will.
Opinions on this one? Super Rams versus a meat and potatoes 'good in League 1' side
Not sure I get this 'knitting together' thing (after eight games), I'm expecting to see the real Derby. A bit previous?
Anyone?
3-1 Derby, home advantage. I don't think Barnsley will see us as a cup final like some will.
Rumours on the return of Waghorn before the game, but no don't expect this side to be up to speed before 6 weeks into the season - given how its been assembled virtually from scratch with players still being added, got to take a while to gell?
Anyway a 2-1 win here for me.
Waghorn - I hope not, well past his sell by date.
Barnsley - L1 is their bread and butter. This will be a tough test, 2 - 2.
Waghorn might be decent esp at this level and we cant be choosey, plus hes an honest pro type we cant deny that after his time here previously
As for Barnsley theyre none fussed about being in L1 and just get on with it, for that I resoect them for it
Theyre still in the shadow of Sheff Weds and Huddersfield though
Looking forward to this, sunshine, football, whats not to love? Oh and a 4-0 win for the Rams. Super stuff.
For whatever reason, some sides "gel" "just like that. Five and a half weeks ago we had 5 players and many L1 sides were already 2 weeks into pre season so we are playing catch up. Over that time, a dozen or more new ones have arrived and new Academy products have appeared as well. From what I've seen thus far, we haven't fully "gelled" yet. Football is a game of partnerships and trios, up and down the pitch. The ideal situation is that you have 3, maybe 4, changes from last season and knitting those into a squad isn't, usually that difficult or time consuming. In our case we have new situations all over the park. Where does a player make his runs. Early or late, Steadily or does he suddenly spring into space. Where does he like the ball to come to him? High, low, fast, slow, right, left.....
When Chester and McG are fit, they will need to "gel" too.... if they get straight in, that is. It's probably going to be mid September or thereabouts before we see the "automatic" actions where passes get spread without even looking because you know player X is either there, ready and waiting or he's about to start the run which will get him there simultaneously with the ball. Usually players are only having to get used to a couple of newbies. Our players currently have a newbie left of them, right of them, in front and behind. A lot of assimilation to be done. We've also got Knight out of position with the extra handicap of "learning a new role".
There is talk of more incoming as well. Even Waggy, if the rumours are true, will have to bed in as the current starting line up only contains 4 players he played with at Derby and one of those, an attacking MF is currently at right back.....
Barnsley will do what Barnsley do when we play them. They'll run and run. They'll harry. They'll press. They'll be physical and try to ruffle feathers. They'll play direct route 1 football and we don't do well against that.
They've sold around 900 tickets. We still have 4 and a bit K to sell. It's holiday time and folk are away. I expect a crowd of between 26K and 27K. They'll spur the lads on as usual. 1-0 Collins.
I like Waghorn, if its true great (though i think we over paid last time).