DERBY COUNTY BLOG: Will Steve McClaren rest some of the Rams’ regulars, asks Andy Buckley-Taylor

This weekend sees the final fixtures of the regular season with a few loose ends to tie up.
Derby CountyDerby County
Derby County

Leicester and Burnley we know will finish the season occupying the top two places in the Championship and Derby will finish third.

We travel to Elland Road looking to make it 11 straight wins against Leeds.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The question many Rams fans will be asking is, does Steve McClaren field a full strength side and attempt to keep our run going or does he rest a few players and give others a run out.

I’d be tempted to give some game time to Zak Whitbread, Simon Dawkins and Patrick Bamford.

With the exception of Whitbread they have had plenty of time on the field, but are not currently automatic starters.

Whitbread could do with some playing time just to make sure that he’s up to speed for the play offs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

John Eustace has found George Thorne occupying the holding role in midfield lately and could probably do with a few minutes too.

We do have the luxury of quite a few different permutations and I’m sure Steve McClaren knows his first choice 11, but it’s wise to have your back ups ready for action!

Off the field, Craig Bryson has become only the third player after Mark Wright and Steve Buckley to claim the Supporters’ Player of the Season award for a second time.

Bryson has been nothing short of sensational this season. Seventeen goals from midfield is superb and that total included a pair of hat-tricks. His box to box running has been one of the keys to our success.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

So we wind down the regular season and listen in on Saturday afternoon to find out who has snatched the sixth place and final play off spot with interest. They are the side we will then meet in our quest for another Wembley final.