Clough says Derby County relishing the challenge against high-flying Leicester City
FACING promotion chasers Leicester City tomorrow holds no fears for Derby County, says Nigel Clough.
The Rams manager points to recent performances against Cardiff City, Crystal Palace and Watford as proof that his team can go toe-to-toe with the leading sides in the Championship.
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Derby County manager Nigel Clough.
Derby drew at Cardiff and lost by the odd goal to Palace and Watford.
All three clubs are above Leicester in the table.
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"Leicester doesn't hold any fears for us," said Clough.
"We went to Cardiff last week, the leaders, and put on a great performance and we were unfortunate to lose against Palace and Watford.
"Our performance at Birmingham last Saturday was not a bad one in lots of ways despite the 3-1 defeat, so we are looking forward to the challenge."
Leicester, like Derby, are not in good form in terms of results.
Derby are without a win since February 2 when they beat Huddersfield Town.
The Foxes have won only one of their last eight matches.
"It's a big game for both teams, Leicester are in their own sticky patch of results," said Clough, who admits the Rams are finding it tough to cope without five of their most influential players.
Clough added: "If you look at our squad and pick six players you wouldn't want to lose, you would say Shaun Barker, John Brayford, Richard Keogh, Jamie Ward, Craig Bryson and Will Hughes – and that is no disrespect to the others.
"You would say those six are the most influential players in our squad.
"To be without five of them is a big, big strain on everybody else."
None of the five have been available for the last two games and there is no indication that Brayford and Hughes will be back any time soon, while Barker has been out for the past year and is not likely to return until October, at the earliest.
"Take five of the most influential players out of any team and it would be tough for that team," said Clough.
"We are having to put young lads in like Valentin Gjokaj and Michael Hoganson, who haven't played before.
"We are not dipping into a squad of experienced professionals here.
"When we have to do it next season, the young players will be that much better for it."
16 Comments
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by timc3489
Saturday, March 16 2013, 4:36AM
“LEICESTER MAY NOT BE GOOD FORM BUT THEN NEITHER WERE BIRMINGHAM UNTIL LAST WEEK,THEIR FIRST HOME WIN SINCE NOVEMBER, AND IT WAS A SIMILAR STORY AT PETERBOROUGH,THEIR FIRST WIN IN TEN OR SO GAMES.WE MET WATFORD AT HOME AT THE RIGHT TIME BEFORE ZOLA HAD SORTED HIS SIDE OUT SO I WOULD NOT LOOK AT THAT GAME AS A TRUE REFLECTION.THE SCUNTHORPE GAME WAS A TASTER OF THINGS TO COME THIS SEASON AND I AM SURE PEARSON WILL HAVE HIS SIDE FULLY WOUND UP FOR SATURDAY.IF OTHER RESULTS GO AGAINST US AND WE GET STUFFED N/C SHOULD REALISE THAT THE GAME IS LITERALLY UP AND FALL ON HIS OWN SWORD OR GSE SHOULD HAVE THE GUTS TO GIVE HIM HIS P45 ESPECIALLY IF THEY WANT TO IMPROVE SEASON TICKET SALES FOR NEXT SEASON.GOOD LUCK ANYWAY,I THINK WE WILL NEED IT.”
by timc3489
Saturday, March 16 2013, 4:36AM
“LEICESTER MAY NOT BE GOOD FORM BUT THEN NEITHER WERE BIRMINGHAM UNTIL LAST WEEK,THEIR FIRST HOME WIN SINCE NOVEMBER, AND IT WAS A SIMILAR STORY AT PETERBOROUGH,THEIR FIRST WIN IN TEN OR SO GAMES.WE MET WATFORD AT HOME AT THE RIGHT TIME BEFORE ZOLA HAD SORTED HIS SIDE OUT SO I WOULD NOT LOOK AT THAT GAME AS A TRUE REFLECTION.THE SCUNTHORPE GAME WAS A TASTER OF THINGS TO COME THIS SEASON AND I AM SURE PEARSON WILL HAVE HIS SIDE FULLY WOUND UP FOR SATURDAY.IF OTHER RESULTS GO AGAINST US AND WE GET STUFFED N/C SHOULD REALISE THAT THE GAME IS LITERALLY UP AND FALL ON HIS OWN SWORD OR GSE SHOULD HAVE THE GUTS TO GIVE HIM HIS P45 ESPECIALLY IF THEY WANT TO IMPROVE SEASON TICKET SALES FOR NEXT SEASON.GOOD LUCK ANYWAY,I THINK WE WILL NEED IT.”
by timc3489
Saturday, March 16 2013, 4:36AM
“LEICESTER MAY NOT BE GOOD FORM BUT THEN NEITHER WERE BIRMINGHAM UNTIL LAST WEEK,THEIR FIRST HOME WIN SINCE NOVEMBER, AND IT WAS A SIMILAR STORY AT PETERBOROUGH,THEIR FIRST WIN IN TEN OR SO GAMES.WE MET WATFORD AT HOME AT THE RIGHT TIME BEFORE ZOLA HAD SORTED HIS SIDE OUT SO I WOULD NOT LOOK AT THAT GAME AS A TRUE REFLECTION.THE SCUNTHORPE GAME WAS A TASTER OF THINGS TO COME THIS SEASON AND I AM SURE PEARSON WILL HAVE HIS SIDE FULLY WOUND UP FOR SATURDAY.IF OTHER RESULTS GO AGAINST US AND WE GET STUFFED N/C SHOULD REALISE THAT THE GAME IS LITERALLY UP AND FALL ON HIS OWN SWORD OR GSE SHOULD HAVE THE GUTS TO GIVE HIM HIS P45 ESPECIALLY IF THEY WANT TO IMPROVE SEASON TICKET SALES FOR NEXT SEASON.GOOD LUCK ANYWAY,I THINK WE WILL NEED IT.”
by B4_lives
Friday, March 15 2013, 9:38PM
“Poor, poor, pathetic, unloved and loney Silly Carol. Such a waste of a life. I hope RND has a spare bucket for your lost cause :-(
Night, night. Now, back under your little bridge...”
by Russell2011
Friday, March 15 2013, 9:24PM
“I find it a little amusing that we are not performing so the axe men are out we do well and the goody goody people come out. Our opposition lose and the pages are reserved for home fans they win and the banter starts. Tomorrow sees another local derby and the only thing that truly matters is that yet again we have a great local rivalry and a game that is beyond the norm. At the end of the day wouldn't it be great if we were like the north London mob and fighting for champions league spots. I genuinely would love to see all our clubs in the top flight the banter would be great. I hope that both fester and the trees can take advantage of their positions in the league. I also hope that after next season we can join them!”
by jillycarol
Friday, March 15 2013, 7:59PM
“Come along sheepies there is no trace of trolling from moi. I merely express a refreshing point of view. There is no malice, abuse, threats or suchlike in my comments. Maybe some of you could improve your humour though as sneering sarcasm and envy are so unattractive and may even be regarded as shabby by some.....Keep The Faith..... Get behind NLN and take some points of fester!....COYR”
by Peeps
Friday, March 15 2013, 6:37PM
“Taxi for jilly carol on so much medication I get my days mixed up like forests owners don't get the hump lllllooooollll”
by B4_lives
Friday, March 15 2013, 5:38PM
“What's happening tonight Jill?
Besides your inevitable trolling and inability to post a decent comment.
You're so uneducated that it would be best if you got stuck into your homework instead of doodling on the Internet.”
by jillycarol
Friday, March 15 2013, 5:09PM
“Good luck to the sheep tonight! I would be happy with your lot spanking the bin robbers. The bigger the defeat you hand them the better. I do think that if they and yourselves are at your best tonight they will hammer you but they are struggling with form whereas the sheep have been unlucky on a few occasions so you have a fair chance....KTF!.....COYR!”
by lcfcmikecrisp
Friday, March 15 2013, 4:53PM
“A bit of banter lads as we are playing you tomorro, im not ****ging or abusing anybody.
And stivian if you win tomorro i will gladly come and give you little lambs a pat on your backs.
Like i said a easy 3 points, the odd goal wont matter though will it lads?”