Can The Ram's keep their promotion hopes alive when they host Barnsley on Saturday.
Derby v Barnsley - Saturday 15:00
Steve McClaren is refusing to throw in the towel on Derby’s promotion hopes, despite them collecting just two points from the last available 18, and creating very little in the process. The 1-0 defeat at Blackburn in midweek was almost a carbon copy of the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa last weekend - late flourishes when chasing the game proving too little, too late.
It leaves the Rams ten points adrift of the top six and two points behind Paul Heckingbottom’s men, who will fancy their chances of frustrating the Pride Park faithful here, just as Burton (0-0) did ten days ago. For Barnsley, the challenge is no greater than any other they have faced since losing Sam Winnall and Conor Hourihane in the transfer window.
Those departures have led to a change in strategy with the Tykes more cautious than previously, playing out draws with Reading (0-0), Preston (0-0) and Huddersfield (1-1) - all of whom reside above Derby in the table - while coming up short against Brighton two weeks ago. However, the 3-1 success at Aston Villa is an indicator of the standards to which they can still aspire.
In many respects, this is a similar challenge where the mental strength of the visitors can prevail against hosts low on confidence in front of frustrated supporters. Back the away win at 4/1 and stick a point on the Barnsley 1-0 correct score at 14/1. This might be the watershed for McClaren, the moment when he is forced to face the reality of rebuilding for next season.
