3/1 To Win
Gary Rowett has suggested that he will be ringing the changes for tonight’s re-arranged Carabao Cup First Round tie at Sky Bet League 2 side Grimsby Town (7:45pm kick-off).
The Rams will make the journey to Blundell Park for the second time inside two weeks after the original meeting between the sides was abandoned.
Heavy rain in the Cleethorpes area left the Mariners’ playing surface waterlogged and unplayable after just 19 minutes a fortnight ago, with Derby a goal to the good at that stage courtesy of Richard Keogh’s early header.
Rowett made eight changes to his starting XI that night following the 1-1 draw at Sunderland on the opening day of the campaign and the Derby boss has indicated that he will make a similar number, perhaps even more, this evening.
He feels that a number of players deserve match time after waiting patiently in the wings in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Despite being set to shuffle his pack, Rowett insists it won’t in any way reduce the quality of the side he will name to fight it out for a place in the Second Round, with a trip to fellow Championship side Barnsley awaiting the winners.
He told RamsTV: “We made eight changes for the original game at Grimsby and we might make more this time; it depends really.
“If you make eight changes and you bring in Under-23 players that is one thing, but we aren’t doing that.
“We are in a position where we can make changes and name a team which looks very much like a Championship starting line-up. Therefore, it would be wrong not to give some of the players needing game time an opportunity.
“We would expect that the quality wouldn’t be compromised; if anything it would be better because those players will be highly motivated to go and put a performance in.
“The lads that haven’t been in the team have been brilliant around the place, just like those that weren’t in for the first two games but have started since, like Marcus Olsson and David Nugent.
“I have been really impressed and pleased with the mentality of all of the players and, as a result, I would expect a performance from them regardless of who starts.”
He added: “They have to be mentally strong. I defy any player of a good standing to not feel slightly disappointed to be doing runs on the pitch after games and training on a Wednesday without the main group.
“I get that and it is impossible to avoid it. Look at successful teams from the past; those players are ready when needed and perform. This is a really good opportunity for them.”
The Rams’ start to the campaign has been action-packed throughout August, particularly with midweek games thrown into the mix.
For Rowett, the return trip to Blundell Park is not an unwelcome addition to the fixture calendar as he feels it’s an ideal opportunity for whoever starts to get more game time.
On top of that, he is of the opinion that Grimsby will provide an ideal test and is also convinced Russell Slade’s men will be fired up after coming in for some criticism following their 3-1 loss at Stevenage on Saturday.
He said: “It’s not that big an issue to be playing this game now. Of course, it’s not ideal to have to go back and play the game again but we will get on with it.
“I am sure if we didn’t have a game this week we would be organising one for those that needed game time anyway.
“Rather than playing a behind-closed-doors friendly we have a really competitive game with a crowd there and a meaning on the match.
“I have read some of Russell Slade’s recent comments he wasn’t happy with their performance on Saturday and they will be pretty strong and motivated.
“It will be good test and, again, we need to go and do the right things.
“This time, though, we hopefully won’t need our speedos and armbands to play the game!”
