On Saturday Derby County entertain Millwall at Pride Park Stadium and I hope it’s not going to a case of after the Lord Mayor’s Show.
After giving our arch-rivals Nottingham Forest a one goal head start, plus a man advantage, and still winning away from home, the Rams will be full of confidence for the visit of the Lions.
Derby County are 4th in the npower Championship with 15 points from seven games. Millwall sit 16th with seven points from seven games. Away from home the Lions have won none, drawn one, and lost two.
The game represents a great chance for the Rams to consolidate their position in the Championship playoff positions. It’s not going to be easy, no game in this division is easy, but if Derby County can produce the character and spirit they’ve demonstrated for most of this season, character and spirit that was there for all to see at the City Ground, then I’m confident the Rams can win again.
Score Forecast: Derby County 2-1 Millwall.
Millwall’s danger man: Well I’m not going to say ex-Ram Jordan Stewart that’s for sure.
For me it has to be striker Jay Simpson. He’s currently on loan from Hull City and has Premiership experience from his time at W.B.A. Simpson scored six goals for the Tigers last season.
Previous encounters: I’m afraid I can’t recall too many standout games against Millwall and, with apologies to the majority of Lions fans, the memories I have of past encounters are not good. I remember Millwall fans ripping the seats out of the Normanton End at the Baseeball Ground and hurling them at other supporters. I also remember the playoff 2nd Leg at the Den when Rams goalkeeper Martin Taylor had to run the gauntlet to get off the pitch unscathed. Let’s just hope it’s a good and trouble free game on Saturday, remembered for all the right reasons...
Stuart Hughes http://stuarthughes.webs.com/