Well the injury list is still huge, Davis is out for a while now, Pearson's still a doubt, so looks like it will still have to be Edworthy left back up against Lennon...oh dear.

Ghaly also can't play. We could be scraping a team together at is rate, think we have 10 players out on international duty as well.

 

Can we make it 3 games unbeaten???

 

If we can score a couple of goals we might get a draw...because I can see Spurs getting at least a couple of goals.

 

We've got some good news, David Jones is fit again, and with no Ghaly or Pearson, he could be in line for a start

 

I think it would be a good time to give Dave Jones a run in the side, to possibly give him some match fitness while, also jus gettin some form back... because he could be a key player in getting us back up again from the Championship :thumbsup:

 

PREVIEW: DERBY v TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Posted on: Thu 07 Feb 2008

Two games unbeaten - it might only be a modest run, but after a difficult campaign it is Derby's best of the season.

Everything has to start somewhere and following contrasting draws with Manchester City and Birmingham, the Rams face an improving Tottenham Hotspur side on Saturday.

It was about time Derby changed the course of a game in the last minute and they did so at Birmingham last week thanks to Tito Villa's first goal for the club.

Now Derby face Spurs - fifth in the Premier League in each of the last two seasons but recovering after a difficult start this time around.

Juande Ramos is making his impact felt already having guided Spurs to the Carling Cup final thanks to a memorable 5-1 victory over Arsenal.

His challenge is to transfer his record as a successful manager in Spain to the English game.

TEAM NEWS

Hossam Ghaly is ruled out on Saturday as he is unable to play against the team that holds his registration under Premier League regulations.

The Egyptian international midfielder is on loan to Derby from Spurs until the end of the season.

Claude Davis has this week seen a specialist over his persistent knee injury while Stephen Pearson has had problems with his groin and hamstring.

David Jones is fit again after a hernia operation and could come back into the equation.

Tyrone Mears remains on the sidelines with a shin injury, while Jay McEveley is making progress after a knee problem but isn't ready yet.

Mile Sterjovski is available for selection after receiving international clearance earlier this week.

No Spurs team news available at the time of writing.

MATCH FACTS

Derby's last six-year spell in the Premier League saw them earn four victories over Tottenham Hotspur - in 1996/97, 1997/98, 2000/01 and 2001/02.

Spurs, for their part, enjoyed 1-0 successes in 1998/99 and 1999/2000.

Lee Morris scores the winner in the 2002 game. Picture by Action Images Digital
Lee Morris scores the winner in the 2002 game. Picture by Action Images Digital

The Rams' record attendance came in a match against Spurs on September 20 1969 when 41,826 packed in at the Baseball Ground.

That game ended in a 5-0 win for Brian Clough's side.

If Laurent Robert appears for the Rams it will be his 150th game in English league football, including spells with Newcastle and Portsmouth.

Eddie Lewis also sits one shy of a 200th start in this country.

THE REFEREE

Experienced official Martin Atkinson is the man in the middle on Saturday afternoon for his first visit to Pride Park Stadium this season.

The West Yorkshire whistle-blower was however in charge of the Rams' visit to Arsenal on September 22.

In his 26 games this season he has issued 67 yellow cards and a further five reds.

 

OK here's the match squad.

Derby (from): Carroll, Leacock, Moore, Todd, Stubbs, Edworthy, Teale, Savage, Fagan, Pearson, Jones, Miller, Earnshaw, Villa, Robert, Price, Barnes, Sterjovski.

Pearsons as good as out, and now they reckon Moore and Todd are both struggling with their hamstring, so that's down to 15 players straight away. Jones is only just back from injury, and Sterjovski has been sat on his arse in Oz waiting for workpermits and clearance for the last couple of weeks, so you don't really want to rush either of them into a start. now we're down to 13. You can only play 1 Keeper, down to 12.

My guess is one of Miller, Villa or Earnshaw sits on the bench, which leaves us with

Carroll

Edworthy - Leacock - Stubbs - Savage??

Teale - Fagan?? - Barnes - Robert

Miller/Earnshaw/Villa

Oh dear, things go from bad to worse. Think this one could be a real struggle, think we will just have to try and attack and hope for the best :howler:

 

I've got a plan for today, get very pissed before the game and take a full pack of cigarettes, i have a bad feeling i will need them :howler:

 

COOOMEEE ON YOOOUUUU RAAAAMSSSSSSS!!!!!

 

Savage at LB?

 

first 25 minutes and Derby are the better team, Barnes though just missed a one on one chance, poor effort :wallbang:

 

possible PK for Spurs there, though play on..

 

the defense is falling apart now, Carroll with a good save

 

HT: 0:0

Derby were really good the opening 20-25 minutes, three good chances on goal and some nice passing into open space for guys like Miller, Barnes and Villa. Though the last 20 minutes we lacked ideas, started the long ball. Although Spurs have had most of the possession, they have made some bonehead passes and really only had one good chance which Carroll did well to save

 

Savage needs to deliver better corners and set pieces....

 

Spurs are inching towards goal, two offsides but good opportunities

 

Spurs take the lead
Keane slots in a goal after Carroll fumbles a save

 

now Spurs with all the momentum, we are starting to panic and are unorganized at the back

Sterjovski comes on the make his Derby debut

 

2:0 now, poorly defended corner and Kaboul strikes from inside the box

the match had so much promise, especially after the Barnes one on one but Spurs dominated the second half

 

pk for Spurs in the extratime of the second half...

3:0, Berbatov

disasterous second half for Derby

 

Hard luck lads. Score flattered us a bit but I guess that won't help you guys

 

also what was up with the referee today? he is not to blame for the loss of course but still, some decisions were odd :googly:

 

A bit gutted really, because thats one of the best performances of the season and we still lost 3-0.

Don't get me started on the referee, he was worse than awful,