Derby County v Ipswich Town
Saturday 30th August 2014 – 15:00
Pride Park
Opening Thought - Jamma
If a week is a long time in football, the fortnight that has passed since our opening day win over Fulham seems an eternity. The Tractor Boys and Girls were still full of pre-season optimism as they watched their team dispatch one of the promotion favourites and, on the back of Norwich’s defeat 24 hours later, we were eagerly anticipating the return of the East Anglian derby. Fast forward to the present and that victory is looking rather hollow, in more ways than one. While our Norfolk neighbours have built up momentum with three successive wins, Town have gone the other way, with only a last-minute equaliser against Birmingham preventing what would have been three league defeats on the bounce after the first day success. Even that impressive result has since lost some of its lustre, with the Cottagers going on to taste defeat in their following three league fixtures, including a 5-1 battering at the hands of Saturday’s opponents Derby that has seen them sink to the bottom of the Championship.
While our results are near-identical to this time last year, actually yielding a point more from a similarly tricky run of opening fixtures, the same can’t be said about the mood around Portman Road at the moment. The Blues gained plaudits for their plucky displays against the relegated trio of Reading, QPR and Wigan early last season, and could count themselves unlucky not to pick up the points that their performances deserved. This time around, two narrow defeats to Reading and Norwich have been overshadowed by criticism of Mick McCarthy’s negative approach and the lack of adventure from his players. It seems strange to say it given the vast improvements that we have witnessed under Mick but I came away from Portman Road on Saturday feeling almost as dejected as I had after the 5-1 mauling three years ago. On that day, our defensive deficiencies were painfully evident. While Norwich’s winner this time came from another uncharacteristic error in our box, it was the lack of creativity and goal threat that was most disappointing. Daryl Murphy’s headed chance was the only real opportunity that we created and, although we enjoyed spells of possession, we were again very one-dimensional in attack and didn’t really look like getting back into the game. McCarthy has hinted that there will be changes ahead of another testing match in prospect against the rapidly improving Rams…
The Opposition
Derby County F.C. was formed in 1884 as an offshoot of Derbyshire County Cricket Club in an attempt to give players and supporters a winter interest as well as secure the cricket club extra revenue, playing their home matches at the cricket club’s Racecourse Ground.
Arguably the most important game in the club's history came in the 1886 FA Cup, when a 2–0 victory over Aston Villa, already an emerging force in English football, helped establish Derby County F.C. on the English football map, helping the club to attract and an invitation into the inaugural Football League. In 1895 the club moved to a new stadium, The Baseball Ground (so called because it was previously used for baseball), which became their home for the next 102 years and adopted their traditional colours of black and white.
Although Derby were inconsistent in the league, they were a strong force in the FA Cup, appearing in three finals in six years around the turn of the 20th Century but lost all three.
Between 1906 and 1925 Derby had some inconsistent years, with a number of relegations and promotions between the First and Second Divisions of the Football League. However, the appointment of George Jobey in 1925 kick-started a successful period for the Rams and, after promotion in 1926, the club became a formidable force, with high finishes from the late 1920s and all through the 1930s, including finishing runners up twice.
Derby were one of several clubs to close down during the Second World War but restarted in the early 1940s. Derby were one step ahead of the opposition when competitive football resumed with the 1946 FA Cup and won their first major trophy with a 4–1 victory over Charlton Athletic. The League restarted the following season after a break due to World War II and, under the management of Stuart McMillan, finished fourth and third in the 1948 and 1949 seasons respectively, before a steady decline set in and the club was relegated in 1953 after nearly 30 years in the top flight, and again in 1955 to drop to the third tier of English football for the first time in their history.
In 1967, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor took over and led them to their greatest glory. Derby were promoted to the First Division in 1969, finished fourth in 1970, but got banned from competing in Europe due to financial irregularities in 1971 and won their first ever Football League Championship in 1972. Though Derby did not retain their title the following season, they did reach the semi-finals of the European Cup. They lost to Juventus in a controversial match which was subject to subsequent allegations that the Italian club had bribed the match officials, leading Clough, to call the Italians "cheating bastards". Clough's frequent outspoken comments against football's establishment eventually led to him falling out with the board of directors at the club, and Clough and Taylor left in 1973. Such was their impact on the club that, 37 years later, a 9'0 high bronze statue of the pair was erected outside the Pride Park Stadium in commemoration of their legacy.
Despite the departure of Clough and Taylor, Derby's League success was repeated in the 1974–75 season when they won the title. However, Derby's form declined towards the end of the 1970s and they went down to the Second Division in 1980. Though they challenged well in their first season, Derby's stay in the Second Division was not a happy one and they were relegated to the Third Division for only the second time in their history in 1984.
After the relegation, the club appointed Arthur Cox who turned the club around with successive promotions in the mid-1980s to get the club back into the old First Division in 1987.
The club was relegated back to the Second Division in 1991 due to lack of investment. At this time, local newspaper businessman Lionel Pickering became the majority shareholder of the club. In 1995 Jim Smith became the new manager and, although the new season started slowly, throwing his brief of 'a top-half finish' out of the window, Smith guided the Rams to a second-place finish and the Premier League, now the top flight of English football. After finishing an admirable 12th in their first season back into the top flight, the club left the Baseball Ground, its home of 102 years, to move into the new 33,597-seat Pride Park Stadium for the 1997–98 season.
The club settled well into its new home as it recorded back-to-back top 10 finishes for the first time since their 1970s peak, before a sudden decline at the turn of the millennium saw three years of struggle,before the Rams were relegated after a six-year stay in the top flight. in 2002. Former Ipswich Town boss George Burley was brought in as manager, but the club was put into receivership then sold in October 2003 for £3 to a group led by Jeremy Keith.
After finishing 20th in the 2003–04 season, a dramatic improvement in the 2004–05 season saw Derby finish 4th in the Football League Championship, qualifying for a promotion play-off spot, though they lost in the semi-finals to Preston North End. Soon afterwards, Burley resigned citing differences between himself and the board.
In April 2006 a consortium of local businessmen led by former vice-chairman Peter Gadsby bought the club, reducing its debt and returning Pride Park Stadium to the club's ownership in the process. In June 2006, former Preston North End boss Billy Davies was appointed Derby County's new permanent manager. In his first season, Davies took Derby to the Premier League via the playoffs. After a poor start to the season, manager Billy Davies left by mutual consent in November.
He was succeeded by Paul Jewell, who failed to save the club as Derby suffered the Premier League's earliest ever relegation, in March,and recorded the Premier League's lowest-ever points total.
Derby's match at home to Sheffield United on 13 September 2008 generated much media coverage as it was approaching a year since Derby's last league win, a run which saw the club break the English league record for most matches without a win.
Just four days short of the anniversary, Derby finally won earning Paul Jewell his first league win as Derby boss at his 27th attempt. Jewell resigned as manager in December 2008 after a run of just 2 wins in 11 matches. He was replaced by Nigel Clough, son of former manager Brian.
He led the club to 18th place and safety. After two disappointing seasons that saw the club finish in the bottom half of the table, Derby finished the two subsequent seasons in 12th and 10th place. Clough was sacked 9 games into the 2013–14 season, and was replaced by former Derby player and assistant manager Steve McClaren.
Under McClaren the club finished third in the Championship and reached the final of the play-offs, where they lost to Queens Park Rangers.
One To Watch - Will Hughes
Disillusioned Ipswich Town supporters could do worse than look to Derby County for an example of how continuity and managerial expertise can trump big money spending in the Championship. A few seasons ago, not too many of the names on the Rams’ teamsheet would have been familiar to the average football fan. It is to the credit of Steve McClaren, and Nigel Clough before him, that a number of these same players have since gone on to make a name for themselves in a successful side. One player who has been touted for big things for a while now is starlet Will Hughes. The 19-year-old academy graduate has progressed quickly through the ranks after initially arriving from local rivals Nottingham Forest as a 12-year-old. His early promise resulted in him making his first team debut as a 16-year-old, at Peterborough in November 2011, with his first start coming against the same opposition on the final day of that season.
As well as being an integral member of the Rams’ squad at the age of just 19, the England U21 international has also won a whole host of individual awards, including Derby’s Scholar of the Year in 2011/12 and the prestigious Football League Player of the Year for 2014, and was named in last year's PFA Championship Team of the Season. He has attracted a lot of interest for his intelligent performances beyond his years but calmed the speculation by signing a new four-year contract in the summer. As a creative midfielder with an eye for a pass, Will Hughes is ironically just the kind of player we could do with in the side!
The Gaffer – Steve McClaren
As a player, McClaren was a midfielder who spent most of his career in the lower leagues of English football. The bulk of his playing career was with Hull City, who he joined in 1979 at the age of 18 after leaving school, before leaving in 1985. He then played for Derby County between 1985 and 1988. During 1987 he joined Lincoln City (on loan) making only 8 appearances and in 1988, he moved to Bristol City. He joined his final club, Oxford United, in 1989.
He was Sir Alex Ferguson’s Assistant Manager at Manchester United between 1999 and 2001, a very successful period in the club’s history. Also between 2000 and 2006 he featured as a coach for the National side in two separate spells.
His managerial career began at Middlesbrough in the Premier League, who won the League Cup in 2004 and were runners up in the 2006 UEFA Cup final.
McClaren then served as manager of England from August 2006 to December 2007. He was sacked after England failed to qualify for the 2008 European Championship.
In 2008, McClaren became manager of FC Twente, with whom he won the club's first Eredivisie championship in the 2009–10 season.
He then worked as manager of VfL Wolfsburg in Germany between May 2010 and February 2011 but was sacked after poor League results.
After a short spell as manager of Nottingham Forest in 2011 where he resigned after a poor start to the season, he returned to Twente in January 2012.
His return to FC Twente was initially greeted with enthusiasm, but after a period of unsuccessful results, McClaren resigned his position on 26 February 2013.
On 2 July 2013, McClaren became part of Harry Redknapp's coaching staff at Queens Park Rangers in the Championship after agreeing a short-term three month deal.
In September 2013, less than three months after being appointed at QPR, McClaren returned to Derby County when he was appointed head coach to replace the sacked Nigel Clough, signing a two and a half year deal. After a strong December where Derby picked up 19 points from a possible 21, McClaren was awarded the Championship Manager of the month award, and he lead Derby to third place on last seasons Championship table.
Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev
This was one of Edwards best strikes, he always seemed to score screamers but this one won the match for town in stoppage time.
Trev's Trivia
Players & Managers who have featured with both Clubs
Nathan Ellington Ipswich 2011-2013 & Derby 2008-2009 loan
Conor Sammon Ipswich 2014-2015 & loan from Derby 2012-present
Paul Jewell Ipswich Manager 2011-2012 & Derby Manager 2007-2008
George Burley Ipswich Manager 1994-2002 & Derby Manager 2003-2005
Media Watch - K L Blue
Couple of 'finds' this week from KLB, firstly, this interesting piece from 'Sportsmole' regarding triallist Jack Collison.
Report: Jack Collison starts Ipswich Town talks
Ipswich Town have reportedly entered contract negotiations with Jack Collison.
The free agent, who was released by West Ham United at the end of last season, has been training with Championship side Ipswich for around two weeks.
Talks have now started over a permanent deal, but manager Mick McCarthy will not sanction it until he has seen the midfielder turn out for the club's Under-21 side, according to the East Anglian Daily Times.
Wales international Collison made over 100 appearances for West Ham.
Also this piece from the 'Derby Telegraph' on Steve McLaren who seems to be happy with where his squad is at.
DERBY County head coach Steve McClaren admits he has some tricky decisions to make when picking a team to tackle Ipswich Town on Saturday.
The Rams thrashed Fulham 5-1 in their last Championship outing before McClaren made six changes for the 1-0 victory over Charlton Athletic in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup tie.
New loan signing Ryan Shotton impressed on his debut at right-back, as did Zak Whitbread in only his second start of the season at centre-back.
McClaren says Shotton can fit in anywhere across the back four or as a controlling midfielder.
Steve McClaren says Ryan Shotton's versatility will be a boost for Rams
Derby County's Jamie Ward named in Northern Ireland squad
Derby County midfielder Will Hughes in England U21 squad for Euro qualifiers in Lithuania and Moldova
“Ryan is a great addition to the squad,” McClaren added.
Spaniard Omar Mascarell made his first start in the holding role in midfield on Tuesday night and Will Hughes staked his claim to face Ipswich, having lost his midfield place at the weekend.
McClaren says the performance of individuals against Charlton has given him food for thought and he was impressed with the way the squad coped with changes.
“That was the key thing because you make changes and sometimes it looks a bit disjointed and you don’t get the performance,” McClaren added.
“That is what worried me making that many changes against Charlton but then you see the quality of the players coming in.
“I thought Ryan Shotton never put a foot wrong and Zak Whitbread was magnificent in the way he stepped in.
“Omar Mascarell settled us down in midfield and made sure Charlton did not get any chances and you can see Leon Best being a nuisance for defenders.
“We have got a good squad.”
Derby play their seventh game in 22 days when they meet Ipswich at the iPro Stadium.
They will have another seven fixtures in 22 days after the September international break.
“We have got lots of games coming up and we will need the squad,” said McClaren.
Stat Time - Ricco
Head to Head
Derby Wins....................24.....32.00%
Ipswich Wins..................32.....42.67%
Draws..........................18.....25.33%
Derby Goals...................98 (ave. 1.31 per match)
Ipswich Goals................112 (ave. 1.49 per match)
Head to Head at Derby
Derby Wins....................14.....37.84%
Ipswich Wins..................11.....29.73%
Draws..........................12.....32.43..%
Derby Goals....................56 (ave. 1.51 per match)
Ipswich Goals..................50 (ave. 1.35 per match)
The Predicted Teams
Derby County
01 Grant
02 Christie
03 Forsyth
14 Eustace
06 Keogh
05 Buxton
08 Hendrick
4 Bryson
09 Martin
10 Ward
11 Russell
Ipswich Town
01 Gerken
04 Chambers
03 Mings
06 Berra
05 Smith
19 Hyam
08 Skuse
18 Tabb
11 Anderson
10 McGoldrick
09 Murphy
Match Referee – Eddie Ilderton
Final Thought - Frosty
Like many on here, I guess I was hoping for a fast run out of the blocks this year as we finished last season both strongly and promisingly.
As a Town fan its never going to be the most delightful week following a loss to the budgies, however when I reflect back on the opening fixtures, not only were they a tough string of opponents, but we also faced them over in a short period of time. None of the losses were embarrassing and maybe we have just not had that bit of 'luck' go our way this season which can be the difference between zero and three points.
Funnily enough I think this is just the type of fixture where in recent years we have thrown the 'form book' out the window and given someone a real towelling.
What will be interesting over the next few days is the looming closure of the transfer window, I just wonder if we may see a few new faces appearing in the September fixtures?
Speaking of which, I know there's no such thing as an 'easy' fixture in the 'Championship', however the September fixtures would appear a great opportunity get the season right back on track.
Thanks to the lads that contributed to this weeks Preview, and if you are going to the match I hope you have a great day.
ps ........ I really enjoyed looking at all the sheep pictures
DERBY COUNTY 1 IPSWICH TOWN 2
) in just over a week. 
!
) and thereby their approach to games , i feel we are in for a really hard season with a safe but bottom half finish.
