Leeds are just latest in list of form teams to face Clough's men in tough run of games
DERBY County's tough run of fixtures continues tomorrow when a rejuvenated Leeds United visit Pride Park Stadium (1pm).
Four of the Rams' last five opponents occupy places in the top seven of the Championship.
Cardiff City, Crystal Place and Leicester City fill the top three places. Millwall, unbeaten in 13, are seventh.
Three wins in a row have lifted Leeds from 18th to 11th and only four points adrift of the play-off places.
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Derby, who are 16th, have collected four points from the last 15.
"In any context, it is a tough run of games, especially when we cannot win away from home," said manager Nigel Clough, whose team lost at Millwall, Palace and Leicester.
"The Millwall game was significant," added Clough.
"Losing 2-1 having played so well was a blow.
"If we had got a point then we might have gone into the Palace and Leicester games in a different frame of mind.
"We seem to be copping for teams in form and that can be a factor.
"Leeds had not won in seven, I think, and now they have won three on the spin.
"They have beaten Palace and Leicester at home and won at Huddersfield.
"They will come here as confident as at any time this season.
"But we don't fear any team at home."
Derby have the fifth-best home record in the division after Cardiff, Leicester, Palace and Middlesbrough.
The Rams' only defeat at Pride Park in 10 league matches was against Burnley in September. They have won five and drawn four.
Clough is pleased with the home form.
"Performances, including the games we have not won, have been of a high standard and that is what we are looking for against Leeds this weekend," said Clough.
Former Rams midfielder Paul Green makes his first return to Pride Park tomorrow since he joined Leeds as a free agent in the summer.
The 29-year-old Republic of Ireland international spent four years at Derby and made 143 appearances.
His versatility saw him play central midfield, right midfield and at right-back.
"Greenie has done that for Leeds this season," said Clough. "Neil Warnock has used him in a similar way to what we did.
"He was a very good signing for Derby on a free from Doncaster and a very good servant to the club."
Michael Tonge is also in Leeds' midfield.
The 29-year-old made 19 appearances for Derby during a loan spell from Stoke City in 2010.
Comments
by Tadley-Rams
Friday, December 07 2012, 8:33PM
“I go with Coutts over Green, Tongue was good on the ball, but didn't give us any bite that is not his game.
Come on beat dirty Leeds, Warnock called Diouf every name under the sun and said he shouldn't be playing football, then signs him!! A measure of the man.
Derby 2 Leeds 1”
by ibelieveido
Friday, December 07 2012, 5:38PM
“Ahhhhh,but only if they can get the ball off of us...
Ahem.”
by PeteDerby1
Friday, December 07 2012, 7:35AM
“Not bothered about Green. Coutts for me has been a more than adequate replacement. Tongue is a different matter. He added the bite and drive to our midfield that we do desperately need and it hacks me off that we couldn't afford to get him and Leeds can.
I fear a tough game with this lot on Saturday.”