Preview: Brentford (A)

Derby County kick off a run of three games in the space of week with a trip to the Capital to take on Brentford at Griffin Park…

Leading up to the match, and during the game itself against Dean Smith’s side, we will be using the hashtag #BFCvDCFC across all of our social media networks throughout the course of the fixture.

We want the Derby County supporters to get involved in the build-up to the game, by sending us your pictures, videos (Vines) and comments including the aforementioned hashtag.

Darren Wassall has confirmed that George Thorne is a closing in on a return to fitness, but revealed that this weekend has come too soon for the midfielder.

The 23-year-old has missed Derby’s last two fixtures against Fulham and MK Dons with a calf problem.

Although it was thought he could be fit for the trip to Griffin Park tomorrow, he is now set to miss the next two games with the hope of returning against Wolves in a week’s time.

Wassall, the Derby Head Coach, is not prepared to put any pressure on the holding midfielder.

He told Rams Player HD: “George won’t be involved this weekend, however he will re-join training next week and may be in contention for the Wolves game.

“We don’t want to put any pressure on his rehabilitation, we want him to be ready.”

That aside, Wassall will have a near fully fit squad to call upon once again this weekend and added: “We’ve got a team in mind for Saturday.

“Everybody is in contention but we need to find that winning formula and until we do, we’ll keep talking about the team because it’s important that we blend right.

“The players that played on Tuesday have put themselves in contention for Saturday.”

Speaking to Rams Player HD ahead of the game, Darren Wassall said: “It’s a big week for us beginning on Saturday against Brentford.

“We also play on Wednesday against Blackburn and then Wolves, which is the TV game at Molineux.

“We are all really excited about the week ahead. It is going to be tough and we know that but we’d like to start the week off with a very positive result on Saturday.

“This squad has already shown that it’s capable of being one of the best in this league. This squad also got to the top of the league just before Christmas.

“Everyone knows ability wise what we are capable of.

“Now is about sticking together, remaining positive and working hard against the opposition.

“Usually, when you out-work the opposition week in, week out, the luckier you get and with the ability that we have, that can only be positive.

“Nobody at this football club is negative about the next 15 games.

“We are all really positive, players and staff alike, that we can turn this bad run of form around.”

He added: “The players have to keep believing and they have to have that self-belief that when they go over that white line on a Saturday that they’re better than the opposition.

“If their training over the last 10 days is anything to go by, all the players really are raring to go on Saturday.

“Everyone here really wants to be successful. You see it every day in training and round the training ground.”

In a midfield that oozed quality for large periods of last season, Alan Judge was and still is, seen as a key player within Brentford’s engine room.

The attacking midfielder has the remit to go through the middle or out wide and the wideman has notched 12 goals so far this campaign – his most prolific campaign to date.

Renowned for his passing ability the 27-year-old still creates plenty of chances for the Bees’ forward lines.

As the game ticks on it is the key passers and added quality that comes to the fore-front. With space opening up as legs tire, Judge will see his opportunities to affect the game increase.

The former Blackburn Rovers man, signed for Brentford on a free transfer from Blackburn in 2014. He has since made 66(6) appearances for the Bees.

Over January, Brentford had to fight over plenty of interest in their talisman, who opted to stay for the remainder of the 2015/16 season.

Derby County’s entire allocation of tickets for their Sky Bet Championship visit to Brentford later this month has sold out.

Derby will travel to Griffin Park on Saturday 20 February 2016 (3pm kick-off).

The last remaining tickets from Derby’s allocation of 1,672 were snapped up on Monday morning, less than 24 hours after going on General Sale.

Tickets were previously on sale to Away Members and Season Ticket Holders.

No further tickets will be made available for the game at Brentford and supporters without a ticket are advised not to travel to Griffin Park, as they will be unable to gain entry to the stadium.

To become an Away Membership Holder for the 2015/16 campaign and ensure you’re in line to purchase away tickets first, visit WeAreDerby.com.

DERBY COUNTY 2-0 BRENTFORD

Two first half goals saw Derby County record their first home win of the 2015/16 season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Brentford.

Chris Martin got proceedings underway with his fifth strike of the season before Tom Ince netted on the brink of half time at the iPro Stadium.

The Rams had several opportunities to add to the scoreline in the second 45 minutes, but although they find the elusive third they comfortably held Lee Carsley’s side at bay to record their fourth win in five games.

Lively from the start, Derby instantly took the game – both with and without the ball – to Brentford at a high intensity and carved out openings.

Cyrus Christie tried his luck early on, tamely shooting straight at David Button, the Bees’ goalkeeper, after cutting inside from the right.

Bar two half chances from Lasse Vibe, the Danish forward, the Rams bossed the opening 45 minutes at the iPro Stadium and duly took the lead after 20 minutes.

Threaded down the right, Christie whipped a dangerous low centre into the six-yard area for Martin to crash into the back of the net via Button’s far post.

Later, Hendrick saw a shot from the edge of the area charged down, whilst Tom Ince and Bradley Johnson both wasted further good opportunities.

Before the latter two chances, Akaki Gogia saw a volley at the far post superbly blocked by a flying Craig Forsyth challenge, but with the first half coming to its conclusion, the Rams struck once again to double their lead.

Starting with the returning George Thorne, the ball was played in between the line into the feet of the impressive Hendrick, who slipped a pass into the lurking Ince to finish low beyond Button for his third goal in three games.

Into the second half, Ince tested Button again with a free kick, but saw his curling attempt tipped over the crossbar, before the Bees’ ‘keeper denied Bradley Johnson’s header at his near post.

Just past the hour mark, Thorne unleashed a fierce drive that was deflected for a corner, from which Ryan Shotton, the substitute, headed wide.

The visitors’ best opportunity came, on 67 minutes as two substitutes combined.

After Sergi Canos picked the ball up on the right, the Liverpool clipped a delicate ball into the six-yard area, but, stretching, Hofmann could divert the ball straight into the grateful arms of Scott Carson.

With time ticking down, Johnny Russell, making his 100th appearance for the Rams, fired over when well placed on the right, whilst Andreas Weimann shot into the side netting after Cyrus Christie had cleared an effort off the line in a frantic last 10 minutes to the contest.

The damage, though, had already been done as Derby signed off for the international break with their fourth win in five games.

Derby County: Carson, Christie, Keogh, Shackell (Shotton, 55), Forsyth; Thorne (Hanson, 73), Hendrick, Johnson (Weimann, 80); Ince, Russell, Martin

Substitutes not used: Grant, Baird, Butterfield, Warnock

Brentford: Button, Bidwell (C), Dean, Djuricin, Woods, Judge, Diagouraga (Swift, 70), Vibe (Hofmann, 63), Gogia (Canos, 46), Tarkowski, Yennaris

Substitutes not used: Bonham (GK), Kerschbaumer, O'Connell, Barbet

Attendance: 29,467 (808 Brentford supporters)

Darren Drysdale will take charge of Derby County's Sky Bet Championship fixture away to Brentford on Saturday (3pm).

The official has overseen 23 games so far this season, where he has produced a total of 53 yellow cards and two reds.

His last Derby fixture was earlier this season, when the Rams drew 0-0 at Blackburn Rovers.

He will be assisted by Sam Purkiss and Rob Smith on the lines, whilst Dean Whitestone has been appointed as the Fourth Official.

Derby County have been priced as slight favourites to return to winning ways when they face Brentford tomorrow.

Sky Bet, the official betting partner of the Rams, have backed Darren Wassall’s side at 7/5 to claim all three points at Griffin Park.

Dean Smith’s Brentford have been priced a little further out at 19/10, whilst a draw can be backed at 12/5.

To view that, and more odds on the game as well as all the other matches that are coming up in the Football League this weekend, visit: http://www.skybet.com/derby.

Remember, you can follow Darren Wassall’s men every step of the way throughout the season with dcfc.co.uk and Rams Player HD.

Rams Player HD is Derby County's official online TV station and has been designed for you, the fans, with a cutting edge user-friendly design to give the ultimate online fan experience.

Fully Apple MAC compatible, Rams Player HD allows fans to sit back and enjoy the benefits of being a subscriber in crystal clear clarity and is available at the bargain price of just 10p per day, with various packages and special offers available throughout the season.

Don't forget that Derby County supporters can also now access Rams Player on their iPhone, iPad and Android mobile device.

So Rams fans can listen to live match commentary and watch video highlights and interviews wherever they are.

Rams Player is the first place for Derby County news, views and exclusive interviews, as well as the ability to watch match highlights and games in full.

Follow this link to sign up to Rams Player HD: http://www.player.dcfc.co.uk

Here's what you get as part of the Rams Player package:

INTERVIEWS: Exclusive interviews with Head Coach Darren Wassall and his playing squad, both pre-match and post-match, from every Rams game – home or away!

THE FULL 90: Rams Player HD strives to have the full 90 minutes from every single first-team game online within 48 hours of the final whistle, providing the perfect opportunity for fans who can’t get to the game or live abroad not to miss a minute!

CLASSIC MATCHES: Rams Player HD regularly takes a trip down memory lane to look back at the classic matches involving Derby County from days gone by, including a number of memorable European nights at the Baseball Ground.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Highlights from each and every first-team game appear on Rams Player within 24 hours after every match, ensuring you don't miss out on the goals and talking points from the latest game.

FULL MATCH COMMENTARY: Rams Player HD is the ONLY place supporters can listen to Derby County's first-team matches online, with commentary is provided by BBC Radio Derby and provides near-DAB quality sound of every match.

EXTENDED MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Rams Player HD will provide supporters with extended match highlights of every first-team game.

The revised price for Rams Player HD in 2015/16 is £37.99 (direct debit) and £42.99 (credit card) just £4.49 per month (10p per day).

To take full advantage of the video and audio service, and to get access to plenty more exclusive behind-the-scenes footage from the iPro Stadium and the Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby, sign up now.