Ahead of Saturday’s match against Derby, we caught up with Ian of Vital Rams, who better to look at the game from a Derby point of view?
How have things changed this season under Frank Lampard?
The change is very marked, the pace and energy we now play with was lacking under Rowett. We played a counter-attacking game but now we get at teams. The firepower of Harry Wilson and Mason Mount also adds to our set pieces as well.
How do you expect to set up? Could there be a hangover after beating Manchester United midweek?
Hopefully, we will be playing the same players who beat Brentford last weekend and Manchester United in midweek. We may have to rest the older players, David Nugent, Bradley Johnson and Richard Keogh, as I feel three games in a week will not be possible, although they haven’t flagged once in the two previous games. After beating United the city and surrounding area has been buzzing, if you set aside the possibility of fatigue I don’t think we will have a Carabao Cup hangover.
Who are your players to watch?
Obviously, Wilson and Mount are on fire at the moment and you will need to watch out for them with free kicks outside the box, as they showed against Brentford and United. We also have Tom Lawrence available after a three-match lay-off for his red card and he can also be dangerous in and around the box.
Finally, a score prediction?
Think I will go for a 2-1 Derby win, hopefully we will cut out going behind within three minutes, which has happened against the last two teams we have faced.