Andy Buckley-Taylor’s Derby County blog: Sterner tests ahead

Eight goals were scored over the two games without conceding, but before we get too excited we are likely to have much sterner tests coming up over the next few weeks.

It’s good to see Chris Martin to start to emerge as a player who just might get them 15-20 goals that could assist a play off push. The last two times we’ve succeeded in attaining a top six position, we had Grzegorz Rasiak and Steve Howard playing up front. Hopefully Martin can play that role.

Nigel Clough is left with a headache at the right back position. Keiron Freeman has deservedly held the spot in the League games, but Adam Smith has given Rams fans a taster of his own ability during the Cup games.

I would appear that Jeff Hendrick is ruled out of Saturday’s game with an ankle injury. Hopefully it’s not too serious as Jeff has proved himself to be an important part of the team since he forced his way in from the academy.

On to Saturday itself, we host Burnley.

This is a club that we’ve had very little success in beating over recent years. I do feel though that we can finally get a good result this weekend. We need to keep the momentum going as this season the Championship looks like being tighter than ever.

I suspect there’s going to be very little in it from finishing top six to mid table.

Some clubs sacrifice cup competitions in an attempt concentrate on the league.

Thankfully this season Derby County haven’t. Apart from the chance of drawing one of the Premier League big guns, it also allows new players extra games to get acquainted with their new team mates. At the end of the day I want any team wearing our shirt to win!