G.M's Match Preview: Rams Showing Signs But Midfield Dominance A Must
Sunday, 18th Oct 2015 08:02 by George Martin

Derby once again front up in front of the Sky cameras as they welcome Wolves for the first game back after an international break.

The last time Derby played on Sky, they put on a very poor show against MK Dons. It wasn't until Bent and Hendrick came on that the game swung in their favour to somehow win 3-1.

Since then the last performance at home to Brentford rounded off what was a good six game run after a poor start to the season.

Derby should be unchanged with Carson continuing in goal behind a back four of Christie, Keogh, Shackell and Forsyth.

Thorne has recovered from a knock and will play the holding midfield role behind Johnson and the in form Hendrick. Ince should start on the right and Russell on the left, with Captain Chris Martin up front.

That should leave Derby with a strong bench of Bent, Butterfield, Hanson, Weimann and possibly Dawkins. How Bent will feel and react having been not included in the match day squad against Brentford, due to him being late, only he will know.

Buxton and the forgotten man Bryson have started training again and if they have no further set backs, they will be competing for places in the squad over the coming weeks.

Wolves are in form having beaten Huddersfield at home and Fulham away in recent weeks, both with score lines of 3-0. Adobe, the Wolves top goalscorer with six, has the pace and power to trouble any defender in this division and in Le Fondre, they have an experienced poacher and scorer of quality goals.

Kenny Jacket is an experienced manager and has done well since take over at Wolves. They will be well organised and will look to counter attack through winger Henry and full back Iorfa.

Wolves will be motivated by last year's drubbing when they were torn apart at the iPro. Derby are not playing in the same vain or same style this season, but showed signs of this against Brentford, however, Wolves are likely to be far tougher opposition.

Prediction:

Derby's midfield three need to dominate. Martin will look to hold the ball up. Hendrick, Johnson and the wide players must get close to Martin for the system and style of play to work.

If all of this happens, and the boys ensure they don't get caught out by the pace of Afobie, then Derby have a good chance of winning the game.

Wolves will be determined and in a confident mood having won their past two league games 3-0 so they too will consider themselves a good chance.

The decisions made by both benches in the final third of the second half could be key to the end result.

A 2-2 score draw with Martin to bag.