Theo says the Rams intend to make a last ditch charge for the play-offs! Can the Rams turn two good performances into a sustained run of form or will the Hornets sting the Rams and end Robinson’s top six dreams.

Derby County vs. Watford

Pride Park Stadium

10:00pm – Saturday March 10th

Derby: 15th – L, L, L, D, W

Watford: 16th – W, L, L, W, D

The Teams:

Derby

Jason Shackell will continue to play carrying a hamstring injury until season’s end as long as it can be managed match to match. He is only attempting light training between fixtures and Jake ‘super sub’ Buxton is ready and waiting to give him a break if he does not come up for the visit of Watford.

Jamie Ward’s supposed ‘minor’ thigh injury seems to be growing into a more frustrating absence as he is not only likely to miss the today’s game but also Forest during the week.

Nathan Tyson could be in line for a starting position after shaking off a minor injury to appear as a sub against Blackpool and Callum Ball could return after being rested but it is unlikely Clough will change a winning line up for the clash.

The Word From Pride Park:

Theo Robinson thinks the Rams are set to make a charge for the top 6:

“We have got a few home games coming up. They are tough games but we need to keep working hard and doing what we are doing. We need to kick on from the Blackpool game. Hopefully we can beat Watford and Nottingham Forest, but that will be a hard task for us. If we can get three points in one game and in the other game get a draw, that would be great because every point helps."

"We have got to get into the top half, that will be a lot better than where we are now. We just need to win as many games as possible and work hard to get as high as possible. We started the season flying but then we have had injuries and suspensions and that has hit us hard, especially as we have a young squad.”

"Last season we finished with 49 points and we have already got 46 points now, so that's progress from last season."

"I have just come back from injury for the Birmingham game, so it's been a bit frustrating for me. I have been injured a few times this season, but hopefully I can put that behind me now and stay injury-free. I want to get a few more goals and put in some good performances."

"I will take any goals when they come. But I want to get a few more and get into double figures for the season. That is a personal goal but it will help the team as well and make sure we finish in the top half."

Watford:

Dale Bennett is out after suffering concussion during the Hornet’s clash at West Ham during the week when he collided with his Captain John Eustace who in turn only required stitches.

Defender Nyron Nosworthy will return after missing the West Ham match while Ross Jenkins and Gavin Massey and Stephen McGinn are all still unavailable for the trip to Pride Park.

Martin Taylor returned from long term injury as a substitute mid-week and will probably be used in a similar way again today.

Word Out Of Watford:

Watford Manager Sean Dyche insists his team has not become complacent:

"I don't think we have a group that get complacent. There is a good demand about the group and a good feel about it. We reinforce all the positives that are there for everyone and part of that is the fact people wrote us off all season.”

"We are also showing ourselves that we believe in what we do and that we have some good players who can perform to a good level and can win games.”

"It is important to finish this season well to develop a mentality and physical shape, and a belief system, to go forward next season."

"No one has a divine right to get the shirt or to keep the shirt in the future so it is important they keep delivering performances."

Hornets Player To Watch:

John Eustace – The Rams wanted him but didn’t get him - this usually means a player will turn in a blinder against us. He hasn’t been able to lead the Hornets higher than Derby at this stage but as the Rams still require an experienced head in midfield, in the wash up something may have been better than nothing.

Now you can make up your own mind about John this afternoon.

Daniel. J’s Match Preview:

The Rams have dug in and played 3 halves of good football but would be complacent if they believed they had turned the corner. The consistent halves of poor to average football that came before could return if they drop their guard for a moment.

There is no doubt that the return to the first team of double Davies and Robinson has made a massive difference, with their pace and tenacity in the last two games troubling opposition.

The main question is if after such a long lay off with injury, will Steve Davies experience a down turn in form, which is common after a significant time out. The same could be asked about Ben Davies who has shown class before only to be unable to deliver it on a regular basis. The remaining games of the season will be vital for Ben in proving to Nigel that he is a required first team player.

Clough needs to continue with the same set up from recent matches and allow Robinson and the Davies’s to hopefully continue on their merry way. Benching any of them for the likes of Tyson - who seems destined to be the Rams flop of the season – could be the best way to quell the fire for the contest the trio are displaying.

Carroll is the other concern for the Rams, who although was slightly better against Blackpool, continues to look out of his depth at this level. Fans have not taken to the young fellow and if rumours are correct, that his loan was dependant on him starting, it is the Achilles heel that the team will just have to work around.

It is a terrible shame that players like Bailey are toiling in the reserves (what did he do wrong????) and Miles Addison is being loaned out, when it is highly unlikely either player could put in a shift as poor as Carroll recent efforts.

I sincerely hope Theo is right and the Rams are on the way back but we have had two resurrections already this season when we looked capable of storming the play-offs.

That is one more resurrection than last season and as we have already matched last season’s points tally, a decent run that at the least puts us into the top ten would display the continual improvement that fans are beginning to demand a little louder each week.

A win over Watford and then chopping down Forest would give fans a glimmer of hope that this season may end with some sort of positive pointer to the future.

Daniel. J’s Score Prediction:

Rams fans will start getting their hopes up again and why not?

It’s more fun than moaning!

Derby 3 vs. 1 Watford

Photo: Action Images via Reuters

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