Derby County return to League One action for the first time since they beat Northampton Town 4-0 ten days ago, with arguably their biggest game of the season so far.
Barnsley make the trip down the M1 following an unbeaten October which sees them fifth in the third-tier standings after fifteen games.
Paul Warne will be looking to ease some of the pressure on him that was intensified following last Sunday’s FA Cup result at Crewe Alexandra. Derby needed goals from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and skipper Conor Hourihane to salvage a replay against their lower-ranked opposition.
Wednesday evening’s 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers U21s did secure the Rams top spot in their EFL Trophy group, but Warne has plenty to do to improve his relationship with supporters.
The gaffer faces a number of dilemmas ahead of tomorrow, so here is a potential side he could field tomorrow:
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Goalkeeper – Joe Wildsmith
Josh Vickers took the goalkeeping position in midweek in the EFL Trophy but Wildsmith has been Derby’s number ‘1’ so far this season. He kept a clean sheet in his last league outing against Northampton, his sixth of the season. The Tykes though will be expected to pose a much greater attacking threat.
Left-Back – Craig Forsyth
‘Fozzy’ celebrated ten years at Pride Park in the summer with his testimonial, and despite being 34 years old, he continues to start in the Rams’ backline. He will face one of his toughest tests of the season against the free-scoring Tykes, meaning his countless years of experience in the game will help some of the younger defenders.
Centre-Back – Curtis Nelson
Arguably Derby’s signing of the summer, Nelson will almost certainly regain his spot in the side after being rested against Wolves’ U21s. He will need to be on top form against Barnsley though, with the Tykes outscoring every other third-tier side this campaign.
Centre-Back – Eiran Cashin
After missing the Northampton win through suspension, Cashin should come back into partner Nelson against the Tykes. Sonny Bradley was preferred to the Irish youth international against Crewe after he stepped up in Cashin’s absence when Derby cruised past the Cobblers. But two less-than-impressive performances in Chesire and against Wolves’ youth side mean that Cashin is in line to regain his starting spot.
Right-Back – Ryan Nyambe
Nyambe has played every league game since his arrival as a free agent in mid-September. He has hardly put a foot wrong so far, making the right-back position his own, a spot he will more than likely keep for the visit of Neill Collins’ side.
Central Defensive Midfielder – Conor Hourihane
The Rams skipper stepped up when it mattered most against the Railwaymen, netting the equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time to take the game to a replay at Pride Park next Tuesday. He will face a different job this afternoon against Barnsley though.
Central Defensive Midfielder – Korey Smith
Smith has played every game for Derby County this term, so will be expected to keep his spot, pairing with his captain as a holding midfielder. The pair will be hoping to nullify some of Barnsley’s threat in forward areas as they look to secure a win that would take them level with the Yorkshire outfit.
Left-Attacking Midfielder – Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
The Guatemalan international is in a rich vein of scoring at present, hitting four goals in as many games. He scored the first of the comeback against the Railwaymen at the weekend, off the back of netting in three consecutive league games. Having previously come under criticism for his tracking back, Mendez-Laing looks back to his best with his tricky wide play terrorising defences.
Central Attacking Midfielder – Max Bird
It was imperative that Derby didn’t lose their two best young talents in the summer. While Jason Knight is impressing for Bristol City, Bird continues to be one of Derby’s best performers. He will be given license to roam given the backing he has behind him from Smith and Hourihane, although he will face a tough test breaking down one of the division’s best defences.
Right Attacking Midfielder – Joe Ward
A number of players are in contention for this starting spot on the right side of midfield. Tom Barkhuizen had previously held the position for the last few games but failed to provide a spark that leaves his place under threat. Kane Wilson played the full ninety in midweek, meaning he is likely to be a substitute so Joe Ward could be given the chance from the start after recovering from injury.
Striker – Conor Washington
Injuries to both Tyreece-John Jules and Martyn Waghorn have kept the pair out of action in recent weeks and both will be absent again this afternoon. That leaves a tussle between Conor Washington and James Collins for the sole forward position. The former may just get the nod after two goals in his last three league outings, but there is reason to believe Collins could start following his midweek hat-trick.
