Derby County host Bolton Wanderers at Pride Park on Saturday.
Derby County host struggling Bolton Wanderers on Saturday in a game they simply must win if they wish to keep their Championship playoff hopes alive following a disappointing past week.
The Rams drew 3-3 at Brentford last weekend, before following that up with a terrible performance in the 2-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers – a side who had lost nine of their last 11 league games.
Derby host a Bolton side who are on the verge of relegation to League One. The Trotters have lost seven of their last nine games. It’s a huge opportunity for Rams manager Frank Lampard, and he may ring the changes.
Martyn Waghorn, a £5m summer signing from Ipswich Town, has been poor in the past two matches and could make way. Jack Marriott should come in, despite recent reservations over his effort in training.
Duane Holmes has been one of Derby’s best players since the turn of the New Year. He was unlucky to lose his place at Blackburn, and Craig Bryson’s poor display will only have highlighted his absence further.
The former Scunthorpe man provides pace, guile and creativity in midfield which could be important against a Bolton side who will likely sit deep, soak up possession and try and hit the hosts on the break.
The biggest change, though, could come at holding midfield. Bradley Johnson isn’t a natural there, and he was another who was poor at Ewood Park. The £6 million 2015 signing is out of contract this summer, and he is running out of chances to earn a new deal.
Tom Huddlestone has also been overlooked recently, therefore Lampard may give a surprise start to academy star Max Bird who conveniently headlines the matchday programme.
Here is how we believe Derby will line-up:
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