Derby County’s Under-23s will be looking for a return to winning ways when they lock horns with the reigning Premier League 2 champions Everton at Pride Park Stadium on Monday night.
The Rams face the Toffees with the aim of bouncing back from their defeat to Swansea City (kick-off: 7pm) and ahead of the meeting, dcfc.co.uk has pulled together all the information you are going to need to know ahead of kick-off…
WHAT’S THE LATEST TEAM NEWS
After making their senior debuts earlier this week, Darren Wassall should be in a position to call upon both Max Bird and Callum Guy against Everton.
The pair featured in the Rams’ Carabao Cup Second Round meeting with Barnsley at Oakwell – the former from the start, before he was replaced by the latter.
That aside, Wassall will have a similar squad to choose from once again.
Kyle McAllister has suffered an injury setback and will not be available to face Everton at Pride Park on Monday evening.
SETTING THE SCENE
Derby County’s Under-23s will be looking for a return to winning ways when they face the Toffees.
The Rams fell to a harsh 5-2 defeat to Swansea City last time – meaning they have now lost three of their first four Premier League 2 Division 1 fixtures this campaign.
That, however, does not tell the whole story.
All four of the Rams’ matches have been close fought and fine margins have been the difference.
Now, Wassall, Derby’s academy director, is hoping to turn those defining moments in his side’s favour; starting on Monday against the reigning Premier League 2 champions, who have won two and drawn one of their first four matches.
He told RamsTV ahead of the game: ““It doesn’t get any easier for us because we’ve got Everton and Manchester United coming up next week,” Wassall added.
“Every game in this league is tough but they are great challenges and ones that we want our young players to experience.
“There’s no point lulling our players into a false sense of security. By having the best challenges at Under-23 level, it will help to equip them in the next step of their careers.
“When you win games, it breeds confidence.
“We go out and we try to win games all the time, we’re not here just to make the numbers up.
“At the moment, the players are in great shape in terms of their attitude, their desire and their work rate in training.
“We just need to make sure that we get ahead by fine margins and we actually come out on top in battles that matter in both penalty areas because that’s the only thing that’s defining us winning and losing at the moment.”
Read Darren Wassall’s and Alex Babos’ full pre-match interviews now on dcfc.co.uk.
HOW CAN I ATTEND?
Supporters will be able to back Darren Wassall’s Under-23s side FREE OF CHARGE once again next Monday evening when they take on the reigning Premier League 2 champions, Everton, at Pride Park Stadium.
As was the case with the Sunderland match last month, there will be no reserved seating and tickets will not be required for this Premier League 2 Division 1 fixture.
Supporters are advised to head straight to the lower section of the East Stand upon their arrival on the night.
The club will also open up Car Park A, which is located on the same side as the East Stand, and this will be available on a first come, first served basis.
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME?
DERBY COUNTY U23s 2-3 EVERTON U23s
Monday 13th March, 2017
Derby County’s Under 23s took the Premier League 2 Division 1 leaders right down to the wire but were undone by two quick fire goals as Everton secured a 3-2 victory at Pride Park Stadium.
Bassala Sambou opened the scoring after a dominant start to the contest by the visitors, before Emil Riis Jakobsen struck twice in as many minutes to send the Rams into the interval a goal to the good.
Darren Wassall’s men had chances to extend their lead, notably through Ikechi Anya, but the Toffees hit back, levelling matters through Liam Walsh’s penalty, before David Henen stepped off the substitutes bench to seal the victory.
Derby County U23s: Mitchell, Santos, Bateman, Macdonald, Lowe; Bird (Gordon, 64), Elsnik, Babos; Anya (L. Thomas, 87), Bennett, Jakobsen
Substitutes not used: Cover, Ravas, Karic
Everton U23s: Hewelt, Kenny, Robinson, Walsh, Holgate, Pennington, Dowell, Williams (Banningme, 66), Duffus (Henen, 75), Sambou (Fenney, 86), Charsley
Substitutes not used: Hunt, Broadhead
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