Derby County predicted XI vs Northampton Town as pressure mounts on Rams boss
Paul Warne’s side are now five points off the playoff places in ninth and looking to bounce back from Saturday.
Tonight, the Rams return to Pride Park to face Northampton Town.
The newly-promoted side are currently just above the relegation zone and desperate to earn some more points to help towards safety.
Derby come off the back of a dissapointing 3-1 away loss at Stevenage which led to boos coming from the travelling Rams fans.
Paul Warne’s side are now five points off the playoff places in ninth and looking to bounce back from Saturday.
With improvement needed and fast, it could prompt Warne to make a number of changes ahead of tonights clash, here is the predicted starting XI.
Formation: 3-5-2
Goalkeeper: Joe Wildsmith
Joe Wildsmith didn’t play his best in the 3-1 loss at the weekend. Many would argue it was his worst performance in a Derby shirt, however that is credit to how well he has played since he joined a year and a half ago.
Warne will be expecting better from the Rams number one tonight.
Defender: Ryan Nyambe
Nyambe is a must start at the moment. With his versatility, he can play at right back in a back four or a centre back in a back three like he is here.
Last week against Exeter he worked well with wing back Kane Wilson down the right side and so he should be up for starting again today.
Defender: Sonny Bradley
The first major change comes in the form of an absence of star youngster Eiran Cashin. The Irish centre back has picked up five yellow cards this season and so faces a one-match ban.
It will give Bradley the chance to show what he can do for the Rams as he hasn’t really shown it yet.
Defender: Curtis Nelson
Curtis Nelson also had a worse game on Saturday, but he by no means deserve to get dropped. He’s been really solid since joining and so will expect to be an every week starter unless his form really drops off.
Right wing back: Kane Wilson
Kane Wilson has become more of a permanent member of the starting XI in recent weeks. His blend of pace and footballing IQ has really helped the Rams going forward.
There is more competition for Wilson now that Ward has returned, but its unlikely that Paul Warne will put Joe Ward straight back into the starting lineup. He’ll most likely come on as a sub.
Left wing back: Craig Forsyth
Craig Forsyth has been solid again over the past couple of games. Not making mistakes and providing some extra leadership in defence.
He should be comfortably starting again this evening.
Centre midfield: Conor Hourihane
Derby County’s captain will be desperate for a better outing as he has struggled in recent weeks to put in Hourihan-like performances.
It would be a bold call to leave him out, but his starting XI spot could be on the chopping block.
Centre midfield: Max Bird
Max Bird was one of the better players in Saturday’s loss to Stevenage.
On his day, Bird is the Rams’ best player, he’ll start again tonight for sure.
Centre midfield: Korey Smith
Korey Smith has been left out of the starting XI in the last two games and so expect him to return as Paul Warne looks to make some well needed changes.
If he doesn’t opt for Smith, then Tyrese Fornah could also start in this spot.
Striker: Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Mendez-Laing has been Derby’s best player over the past couple of weeks. With two goals in two games, he’ll be looking to add to his tally as he plays in a more freed-up role all over the attack of the Rams’ line up.
Striker: James Collins
Collins has been poor so far this year despite scoring five goals. However, Conor Washington was really poor on Saturday and Martyn Waghorn didn’t feature due to a knock. So Paul Warne almost has no choice.
Expect to see Waghorn come off the bench tonight though, likely a straight swap for Collins.