DERBY COUNTY PREVIEW

2 March 2022

The Reds are back on the road this weekend, heading to the East Midlands in a crunch Sky Bet Championship clash with the Rams.

We head to Pride Park this Saturday 5 March in a 3pm kick-off, with Barnsley looking to record a third consecutive league victory.

It's a huge fixture amidst the ongoing battle to escape the clutches of relegation, a task that seemed enormous only 10 days ago now feels more achievable following some impressive recent performances.

Last weekend's 3-2 success on home soil against an in-form Middlesbrough side backed up the midweek win away at Hull City.

Racing into a 3-0 lead at Oakwell after what was a particularly outstanding first half display, Poya Asbaghi's side were reined in somewhat after the break but held on for a massive three points, reducing the deficit to safety down to six points, with the Reds having games in-hand on their immediate rivals.

There were a number if standout performances from those in red shirts, but the game probably belonged to Moroccan loan-star Amine Bassi.

The gifted midfielder scored twice and set up Mads Andersen's opening goal in an individual display that took the game away from our high-flying visitors.

Ignoring the 94th minute defeat at Coventry a couple of weekends back, the Reds have now won three of their last four league fixtures and you can see a growing belief and confidence throughout the team.

Saturday sees us travel just over an hour down the road to tackle a Derby County outfit who have lost their last three games.

They were beaten 1-0 away at Cardiff City in midweek, and they're now two points behind Barnsley having played two games more at this stage.

At Pride Park, however, they've a strong record, having lost just three home games all season, and just the one in 2022.

Their captain and star performer, Tom Lawrence returns from suspension for this match, which is ideal timing in what looks a must-win game for the club who are led by former England legend Wayne Rooney.

In the reverse fixture back at Oakwell in November, the Reds saw off the Rams 2-1. After falling behind to a Sam Baldock strike, Barnsley fought back to win with goals from Victor Adeboyejo and Aaron Leya Iseka.

Last season when visiting the Rams, we put in a sterling performance to take all three points. A 2-0 victory with Conor Chaplin and Adeboyejo again on the scoresheet.

In terms of our other relegation rivals, Peterborough United (now bottom, two points behind us) take on Huddersfield Town away from home on Friday evening, whilst Reading, who've also improved of late host in-form Millwall on Saturday at 3pm.

A positive result for Asbaghi's side would take us nicely into a three-game run of home fixtures, and with the remaining injured players all getting back onto the training ground, it seems our fortunes might well be changing in our favour.

The man in the middle at Pride Park will be Robert Jones. Operating mainly in the Premier League this season, the Merseyside-based referee, took charge of that reverse fixture with the Rams back in November at Oakwell.

In terms of domestic streaming, a reminder that the EFL returned to the position held pre-pandemic, where any games kicking off between 2.45pm and 5.15pm on Saturday afternoons are prohibited.

However, supporters in the UK are able to buy audio passes via iFollow Barnsley.

Our overseas fans can enjoy live streaming of the game, with a match pass priced at £10.

For further information on iFollow for this season, and how to activate seasonal subscriptions, please click the link below.

iFollow

Match Reports

REDS SLUMP TO RAMS DEFEAT

5 March 2022

A goal in either half from Ravel Morrison saw off Barnsley this afternoon.

The Rams deservedly got the better of a disappointing Reds at Pride Park, with Ravel Morrison at the double.

The visitors struggled from the outset, second best and unable to stamp their authority on the contest, unlike their recent fast starts in victories over Hull City and Middlesbrough.

Young midfielder Matty Wolfe was booked after just seven minutes for a reckless slide tackle and was very lucky not to receive a second caution soon afterwards from referee Rob Jones.

Rams loanee Luke Plange somehow shot wide from eight yards out inside 10 minutes, as he looked to capitalise on a lucky bounce; an early let-off for Barnsley, but on 22 minutes it was 1-0 and the opening goal came about in dubious circumstances.

Morrison was on-hand to dink over Brad Collins a few yards out as Plange teed him up but the initial ball into the box from Tom Lawrence found Plange in what looked an offside position. The striker immediately looked to the official but no flag was raised and the home side went in front.

On 26 minutes, the ever-willing Carlton Morris was denied after a trademark charge into the box with his low shot saved well by Derby 'keeper, Ryan Allsop with his feet.

Morrison rattled the Reds' crossbar as we approached the end of a half in which Barnsley barely got going, looking lacklustre throughout, and probably relieved to only be one goal behind.

HALF-TIME: Derby 1-0 Barnsley

The second half, however started disastrously for the Reds as the Rams doubled their lead with that man Morrison sticking home a rebound after the first shot, from Lawrence had cannoned back off the bar.

Morris tested Allsop again, this time with a free-kick from the edge of the box, Amine Bassi sent his own set-piece a foot wide of goal, Claudio Gomes drilled just wide and in the latter stages, Bassi again screwed wide from just inside the box.

But whilst the effort wasn't particularly lacking on the day, the quality was. Nervous in possession, too slow in transition and unable to cope with Derby's incessant pressing. The second Rams goal really deflated the Reds who, as we've seen all season, don't seem to be able to mount a comeback.

The hosts were happy with what they held, and hold they did, seeing out the game in the final stages, limiting Barnsley to safe possession and repelling any balls into the box with ease.

After good recent form, this match and performance was reminscent of many previous displays, particularly away from home.

Barnsley now head back to Oakwell for three successive home fixtures knowing they've got it all to do to lift themselves after another disappointing defeat.

FULL-TIME: Derby 2-0 Barnsley

Collins, Brittain (Kitching), Helik, Andersen, Vita, Styles, Bassi, Quina, Morris, Gomes (Oduor), Wolfe (Benson).

Unused: Walton, Halme, Palmer, Cole.

Ticket News

TICKETS | DERBY COUNTY (A)

20 February 2022

The Reds kick-off the month of March with a trip to take on the Rams, and tickets go on-sale this coming week.

We have received an initial allocation of 1,402 tickets in the South East Corner for our game at Pride Park on Saturday 5 March, kick-off 3pm. A further, similar allocation, is available upon request.

Tickets will be made available for sale in the following order:

Monday 21 February – Reds Reserved Plus+ Members
Wednesday 23 February – Reds Reserved Members
Thursday 24 February – Oakwell Centenary Society Members
Friday 25 February – General Sale

All categories are one ticket per qualifying criteria. Seasonal memberships cannot be up/downgraded.

Prices:

Adult £28
Senior Over 65 £21
Young Adult (18-21 years) £21
Juvenile (13-17 years) £14
Juvenile (6-12 years)* £7
Infant (2-5 years)* £0

*Infants must be purchased as part of a pair with a parent/guardian aged 18 or above. Any child aged 13 and under must be accompanied by someone aged 18 or above and children aged under 2 years will not be permitted entry to the stadium.

Wheelchair users and ambulant disabled supporters will pay their relevant age-relatedcategory with a carer’s ticket free of charge for those in receipt of the middle or higher rate of DLA.

Derby County has a dedicated car parking area for away disabled supporters (blue badge holders) and for supporters who have temporary mobility restrictions. Spaces are allocated at a cost of £8.50 and must be booked no later than 24 hours before the match by emailing emma.drury@dcfc.co.uk

Official Club Coach Travel departs at 12.30pm priced at £18 per seat. We have a strict no alcohol policy. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18+

The postage deadline for this game is 3pm Wednesday 2 March. Tickets will remain on sale from the Box Office until 12 noon on Friday 4 March, subject to availability.

If you are purchasing away game and cup tickets for other people we strongly advise you to correctly assign the ticket to each individual for every game. This will enable us to offer the correct privileges to supporters on occasions when tickets are on restricted sales in a category system.