Super Saturday: Derby County V Charlton Athletic Preview

Article by e-Derby County Correspondent Chris Harrison

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This match would indicate a straightforward victory for the Rams but with the Addicks fighting for their lives and winning 2 games on the bounce it might not be so easy. Derby beat this weekend’s visitors at the Valley back in mid December as part of their 10 match winning run. This Charlton side will be a different beast since the departure of Chris Powell in the last few weeks. New manager Jose Riga seems to have brought a new life into Charlton, having only lost to Burnley in their last 4 games.
Derby in contrast will be looking to finishing the season on a high and winning the remaining 8 games, which now look likely to be set for a playoff spot. Derby only had slim hopes of automatic promotion before the Ipswich loss but with Burnley’s lead growing to 13 points; it looks a stretch too far.

The Rams have injury doubts for Simon Dawkins, Jamie Ward and Will Hughes. Hughes will be boosted with his recent nomination for Championship player of the year. Derby will likely be unchanged from the side that started the Ipswich game with Johny Russell and Patrick Bamford, providing the support to the lone front man, Chris Martin. John Eustace will return from suspension but will have to settle for a place on the bench after the impressive introduction of George Thorne.

Derby’s back 5 will likely be unchanged for successive games since Richard Keogh’s return to the side at the end of January. Derby’s only concern is that, Left Back, Craig Forsyth is only one booking away from a 2 match suspension which will concern Steve Mclaren going into the final matches of the season. Forsyth has been far from a “fans favourite” this season but he has improved over the course of the season and was nominated recently for player of the month.

Derby’s recent record against Charlton would suggest that Derby are assured victory but the opposition shouldn’t be taken lightly. Derby are unbeaten in 76% of the 43 matches played to date, winning over 50 of them. With former Rams loanee Johnny Jackson captaining the Addicks and scoring consistently for his current team, Derby will need to perform well to get the result they want from this match.

Derby should win this game and the remaining 8 matches. Momentum is key for winning the play-offs and with Derby only having bottom half opposition to finish the season; they have a great chance to do so. These games should not be taken for granted but if we have a realistic chance of being promoted we have to win matches like these.

Come on you Rams!

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