Derby County hopes that their trip to Stoke City on Saturday will provide them the opportunity to start the season off well. They are still searching for their first away win of the year.
Jerry Yates and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored their first goals of the season in their previous two away games, drawing 1-1 against Millwall and Oxford United, however they did earn their first two points of the season.
Nevertheless, this weekend will be viewed as a fantastic chance for Paul Warne’s team to earn their first three away points in 2024–2025 given the Potters’ inconsistent play at the bet365 Stadium and the Rams’ four league victories.
With Derby winning both of their previous meetings, they have a respectable record against Stoke. They will be looking to replicate their December 2021 exploits, in which goals from Luke Plange and Colin Kazim-Richards gave the Rams their second of three away wins of the season.
Warne is advised to switch to midfield.
Last Saturday, the Rams overcame a goal behind to complete a hat-trick of 1-1 draws against Hull City. Dajaune Brown scored his first goal as a player, but the team’s performance was subpar, and Warne should consider making changes.
At times, the midfield found it difficult to break through the lines, possibly out of fear of the Tigers’ high line of attack. The former Rotherham United manager may target this area when making adjustments.
Shaun Woodward, the Derby Fan Pundit for Football League World, was asked what one alteration he would make to the starting lineup against Stoke.
Given that it’s away from home, I would be tempted to make multiple changes, but if I could only make one, I would probably consider Ben Osborn moving into the midfield and Marcus Harness leaving the side.
“I believe that being away from home simply gives us a little more strength and expertise. Away from home, I believe you need two of the three midfield players who are a little more focused and have a little more know-how to sit on the draw or, if we’re lucky, a 1-0 lead. If it were at home, I think it would be a different story.”
Shaun went on: “I would be tempted to start Corey Blackett-Taylor as well, but I believe that because he is away from home, he can come off the bench as an impact player, similar to what Brown did the other day. So, Osborn in for Harness.”
“I believe every one of our substitutes who entered the game performed admirably and could all defend their right to start. However, because I’m not at home, I would simply substitute Osborn for Harness.”
If Derby gains a lead, they must not give it up.
Derby’s away performance has been a major problem this season and has contributed to their decline in league standing. They have already scored 13 of their 15 points at Pride Park, and they would have moved up three spots in the standings if they had scored merely three more points away from home.
They have occasionally lost leads due to careless errors, and this cannot occur again. Additionally, they must begin games with the same goal in mind as they finish them. The Rams’ terrible start against Oxford last Tuesday cost them two points, and even though they managed to equalize, they still had too much work to do to win.
The Rams must apply equal pressure on Stoke to break their poor home record, as they have lost four of their last six games at the bet365 Stadium.
Regardless of whether Osborn is selected over Harness or not, there will need to be a high level of focus on the field, including in midfield. If the Potters don’t put their high standards into practice on Saturday, they might destroy Derby. They can defeat teams that aren’t playing at their best.
