DERBY v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY - RAMS RELISH A RARE WIN?
The rock bottom Rams take a break from the woes of Premier League football this weekend as they at last play someone beneath them in League football in the shape of Sheffield Wednesday. Paul Jewell’s side have looked a far better outfit in recent weeks but unfortunately they are still losing all the time. One draw is the only positive result they’ve enjoyed since late October, yet it’s not all doom and gloom Derby fans, the Owls aren’t exactly flying themselves!
Sheffield Wednesday are down in 19th place in the Championship and have won just once in their last 7 matches. Only a point separates them from the relegation zone so they are hardly full of New Year joy themselves. Brian Laws’ side haven’t won away from Hillsborough since early November (6 matches ago) so could be just the opposition for Paul Jewell to use to kick-start the Rams season.
Derby did beat the Owls home and away last season and boast a record of 1 defeat in their last 8 home games with Wednesday. However, the Rams only FA Cup success against the Owls was way back in 1923. Since then Sheffield Wednesday have knocked them out of the cup on 3 occasions but all those 3 wins came courtesy of matches at Hillsborough.
Paul Jewell’s side deserved at least a point from their last match at Bolton but again they conceded a heartbreaking stoppage time goal. This has become a regular feature of the Rams festive season. Three late goals have stopped them gaining an unlikely 5 points in the last 4 matches alone. A late Mark Viduka goal stopped them winning at Newcastle and a late Steven Gerrard goal stopped them drawing at home to Liverpool. With Premier League survival hopes almost over back the home side to win their first match since September. After all they will be playing against inferior opposition for a change and should have something to smile about…at last!
Pundit’s Pick: Jewell jumping for joy (home win)
Tags: 05/01/08, Derby, Owls, Paul Jewell, Rams, Sheffield Wednesday
