Derby v Plymouth Preview
Posted on | October 17, 2008 | No Comments
Both of these sides had dreadful starts to the season yet recent form has propelled them right up the league. Both were sat firmly in the relegation places in the opening stages yet a few weeks on and Derby are sat in 15th position while The Pilgrims have risen all the way up to 5th.
The transformation at Pride Park couldn’t have been any more radical as at the end of August, Paul Jewell’s days as manager looked severely numbered. A defeat against Barnsley meant that they were still looking for their first league win, yet that game has proved a turning point. The Rams are unbeaten in six and having beaten the likes of Sheffield United, QPR and Norwich, they must feel as though their new look team has finally gelled and they’re in for a prosperous campaign. They’re now just two points off the play offs and with Jewell having such quality available to him, you can only believe it’ll be a matter of time before they reach the top half.
As for Plymouth, you could say that Paul Sturrock has worked miracles with this side. A couple of years ago The Pilgrims had a very strong squad – one that was always flirting with the play offs. However, the club was forced to sell nearly all of their prized assets and as they started this season, not many people were optimistic. However, after a miserable start their form has sparked amazingly, with the Home Park side dropping just two points in their last five games. Despite not yet scoring, the arrival of former Manchester City man Emile Mpenza has seemed to breed confidence into this Plymouth side and his presence looks to have benefited other strikers, with Rory Fallon in good form having hit two goals in his last three games.
Paul Jewell will be without Roy Carroll through suspension and Martin Albrechsten with a hernia, but the Derby boss will welcome back two players. Kris Commons looks set to return after a knee injury while Claude Davis is expected to make his first start since August. Plymouth don’t have many problems either and Paul Sturrock is likely to name the same side that beat Sheffield Wednesday a couple of weeks ago. Although defender David McNamee should be fit to play, Sturrock is likely to stick with the same squad that romped past The Owls.
Even though Derby probably have the best team on paper, both of these teams are in good form and it’s hard to choose between them. We don’t think Plymouth will maintain their current top six position but they’re playing well enough at the moment to get a point out of this one. 1-1 draw.
Related posts:
- Plymouth v Derby Preview
- Sheffield Wednesday v Plymouth Preview
- Plymouth v Blackpool Preview
- Coventry v Plymouth Preview
- Preston v Plymouth Preview
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