G.M's Match Preview: Can Derby Get Back To Barn(sley)storming ways?
Sunday, 29th Dec 2013 02:52 by George Martin

Derby will hope to get back to winning ways at Barnsley after a point at Huddersfield on Boxing Day. Fans may have been satisfied with a point, but Derby should have set up a win during their first half domination.

In the first 45, The Rams created numerous chances, missed a penalty (and the follow up!) and hit the inside of the post.

Derby were also very unfortunate to have a goal disallowed when an over eager referee's assistant raised his flag against Keane who scored, while clearly starting his run onside after Bryson swung in a sublime free kick. Buxton was probably offside but he did not touch the ball. At two nil it would have been game over.

Huddersfield saw that as a let off, made a couple of substitutions and decided to go for broke. It eventually worked when Cisse 'dilly dallied' on the ball near the edge of the box for far too long and was robbed cheaply. Five seconds later the ball was hit well by Paterson via the tiniest of deflections off Forsyth, to lift the ball agonisingly over Grant. The Derby shot stopper had to be at his best again in the dying moments to tip a pile driver over the bar.

Six thousand Rams fans will travel to Oakwell against a struggling Barnsley team. All neutrals will surely look back with fondness when Barnsley not only got promoted to the Premier League, but managed to stay up too. Recent campaigns have not been as kind.

Ex - manager Flitcroft performed miracles last season, doing very well to keep them in the division, but they have not progressed this season and find themselves at the in the bottom three. This usually results in the sacking of the manager and unfortunately for Flitcroft with his team rooted to the bottom of the table, he was moved on recently.

Barnsley, a little like Derby, have turned to someone who knows the club and has experience. Danny Wilson, who seems to have been manager at various clubs for years, has been give the task of trying to guide Barnsley out of yet another relegation battle.

Barnsley midfielder Jacob Mellis is available after suspension while Luke Steele is set to continue in goal. Defender Lewin Nyatanga and winger Paddy McCourt are both pushing for a starting place. Marcus Tudgay's loan has expired and not been renewed while Nigel Clough's old friend Tomas Cywka, will be pushing for a start against his old club.

For Derby, Will Hughes and Jeff Hendrick will hopefully be passed fit after suffering from a groin problem and concussion respectively. The form, stats and betting odds favour an away win after Barnsley has only won one in the last twelve. Speaking to a Barnsley supporting friend, they have stopped conceding as many goals and tightened up at the back. However, despite the pace and power of O' Grady and Scotland up front, they still struggle to score.

Any tired Derby legs will be lifted by such a huge following. Barnsley has won one of their last ten games and not won at home in the last five. Having passed the ball around so well at Huddersfield, it is likely Derby will remain unchanged.

Who knows what will happen if we get a penalty. We have missed a ridiculous amount in the past 18 months and we probably need yet another penalty taker. Maybe Bryson should have a go. Maybe we should rotate the penalty takers. Suggestions on the back of a postcard C/- DCFC.

Barnsley will stay tight on our midfield and front three, hoping to not give us time on the ball. However Derby has proved they have the control, calmness and quality to make the right decisions, making superb one and two touch passes. If Derby does this, I simply can't see Barnsley stopping us from scoring.

As long as we keep it tight at the back and do not make mistakes (e.g.: Cisse), I believe we will win the game comfortably and get back on track for a top 2 tilt.

A victory would provide a happy end to 2013 and suggest a bright future for 2014. It’s quite amazing that only four months ago, we most likely looking at another season of mid to low table mediocrity under Clough.

Up the Rams vs. Barnsley, then Wigan at home on the first day of 2014.

Then it’s big one - bring on Chelsea!!

Happy New Year to all RamZone readers.

Current Form — Last 5 League Matches:

Barnsley (24th): W, L , D, D, L

Derby (4th): W, W, W, W, D

The Stats That Matter:

The Rams are proven quick starters this season with 23 of their goal tally coming in the first 45 minutes of matches.

Barnsley has not won at home in their last 5 matches and only once in their last 10 League matches. You have to go back to the 19th of October when they triumphed 2 — 1 over Boro for their last home win.

Steve McClaren has collected 29 of a possible 34 points since taking over at Derby. Go Macca!

The Rams have the highest goals ‘for’ in the Championship with 46, as well as the best conversion rate per shots on goal.

Derby has 23 away points, having lost just 3 of 13 in their travels, the best of any team in the Championship.

The Rams will be looking to make it 9 games unbeaten having won 7 and drawn 1 of the last 8. Derby were unable to beat Burnley’s early season winning run of 7 but still equalled the effort before drawing with Huddersfield mid-week.