Ahead of Sunderland’s match tonight, we spoke to Derby fan to find out how they’re handling Championship life under Paul Warne. Who should we be wary of?
Derby have enjoyed a mixed start to the season – have things begun how you expected?
Mostly. If anything they have exceeded expectations at home, but the away form is a concern. Middlesbrough saw a real backs-to-the-wall display, which will be needed in a fight for survival. This was the type of performance many expected from Derby throughout the season.
But the Bristol City game was Derby’s best performance in years, with the Rams playing some exciting football in a dominant 3-0 win. The were the better side against Cardiff too, and were hard done by to finish empty-handed against Norwich on Saturday after some poor officiating.
Away from home, they were too open against Blackburn, but have since been competitive in tough trips to Vicarage Road and Bramall Lane, showing some grit.
Paul Warne was a bit of a yo-yo manager at this level with Rotherham, are fans feeling confident that after achieving promotion he can take the club further at this level?
There was certainly concern around this from sections of the Derby fan base going into the season, but it must be considered that even Derby’s relatively modest Championship budget is much more than Paul Warne ever had to work with in Yorkshire.
With the god home form and talk of external investment, a sense of cautious optimism is slowly building.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25652703/1242871541.jpg)
In terms of expectations, is it a case of simply surviving or do Derby fans believe you can kick off towards mid-table/the playoffs?
The bottom line is that after an incredibly turbulent few years, the most important thing for David Clowes’ Derby is stability.
This season simply means survival, and then they will hope to push on. If they can get a mid-table finish this season, great. But I’d take survival.
Derby signed a range of new players this summer both on loan and permanent – who has impressed you the most?
Probably the new number one, Jacob Widell Zetterström.
The Rams had to wait most of the summer for the Sweden International’s signature, but so far the most expensive signing of the Clowes era has been more than worth it. At 6’6”, he’s a commanding presence in the box, but has a remarkable level of agility for his height.
Fans of his former club Djurgården said that he’d be in the Premier League within a year, and so far I’ve seen little to suggest otherwise.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25652708/2169613275.jpg)
Out of the players you had in League One, who do think has stepped up at Championship level the best?
The most improved player has definitely been Callum Elder. He may now be out injured, but the Australian left back has looked a completely different player after a difficult first season at Pride Park in which he only made six starts.
A mention must also go to right back Ryan Nyambe, who is Mr Consistent. The Namibian is the best one-v-one defender at the club and a solid seven out of ten every week. He is very much a full back and not a wing back, though, hence why Warne has been operating with a back four, not his favoured three.
Derby have lost all three of their matches on the road so far this season, what has been going wrong?
On the opening night against Blackburn, Derby were too open in midfield playing what looked like a 4-1-5 at times.
Since then, they’ve simply been punished for mistakes in a couple of key moments, but have battled well against much more established sides.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25652716/940241604.jpg)
How do you think Warne will approach the match tactically?
Warne has opted to start in a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 so far this season, rather than his traditionally favoured back three, which Derby have dropped into later on in games.
However, against a dangerous Sunderland side, and with a couple of midfielders out, he could opt for the solidity of the back three and give Nat Phillips his first start.
Whatever shape he chooses, I’d expect Derby to sit deep and try to hit Sunderland on the counter.
Which eleven players do you think he will start?
As I say, a few questions remain over shape, and I’m not great at this, but I’ll cover both bases, and offer up elevens for the more likely 4-3-3 and a 3-4-2-1.
4-3-3: Zetterström (GK); Nyambe, Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth; Adams, Goudmijn, Osborn; Jackson, Yates, Blackett-Taylor.
3-4-2-1: Zetterström (GK); Nyambe, Phillips, Cashin; Wilson, Goudmijn, Adams, Forsyth; Jackson, Blackett-Taylor; Yates.
Derby’s last victory against Sunderland came back in 2001 – what is your prediction for the final score?
This will be far from easy for the Rams against a Sunderland side who are flying. While Derby will be looking to end their away day hoo-doo, I think it will continue. They might nick a goal though. I’ll go 3-1 Sunderland.
Leave a Reply