Opposition View: Derby County
01/17/2025 11:50 AM
We spoke to Jake Barker of the RamsTalk podcast to get the inside track on Derby County ahead of Watford's Sky Bet Championship clash at Pride Park tomorrow (January 18, 3pm KO).
How would you assess how the season has gone so far?
Looking at league position only, it’s been quite a successful season for Derby so far.
However, our run of just four wins in our last 21 league games has made it quite unenjoyable for the most part.
When we’re on it we can compete with anyone at home, but we’ve been abysmal on our travels with only one win away from Pride Park all season.
In conclusion, we’re probably doing about as expected.
What is the target for the rest of the campaign?
Still unchanged from the start of the season really; stay in the Championship!
Relegation would be a disaster, so the most important thing is just to make sure we remain here.
What did you make of the game between the two sides earlier this season?
Quite frustrating. We scored a really good early goal, but then did what we’ve done all season away and just tried to sit in and hold on.
The pressure built, and after a magical overhead kick and an unfortunate deflection straight to Moussa Sissoko, we went home empty-handed.
Who are the best team you have seen in the Championship so far?
Leeds are an obvious one, although you’d expect that given the cost of their squad.
Bizarrely, Hull absolutely battered us when they came to Pride Park, and we were very lucky to escape with a draw.
How does the Championship compare to League One last season?
Much tougher. Last season we could afford to score an early goal, then defend for the next 80 minutes and win 1-0.
In the Championship you just can’t do that, and it’s been reflected in our results.
How has the January transfer window gone so far – and what are you hoping for before it closes?
Pretty well. We’ve managed to shift some of our fringe players who weren’t getting much game time, whilst bringing in what seems like the big striker we’ve been crying out for for years for in Lars-Jorgen Salvesen.
Besides that, we desperately need a new attacking midfielder as we’ve been shoehorning Marcus Harness into that role all season.
However, the best gift we could get this January would be the return of David Ozoh from injury, he’s just that good.
What do you think the score will be?
I’m really hoping we go for it, and if we do I think it’ll be 2-0 Derby.
If not, I can see a 1-1 draw with frustrations growing at Pride Park.
