Derby County will round off another busy week of Sky Bet Championship action with a home fixture against Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Phillip Cocu’s side have been in fine form on home turf this season and will be looking to record an impressive sixth straight home victory this weekend, but they will certainly face a tough test against Danny Cowley's Huddersfield outfif.
Here, dcfc.co.uk has gathered all the information you will need ahead of the clash with the Terriers.
TEAM NEWS…
Goalkeeper Ben Hamer will miss this weekend's clash with Huddersfield as he is not able to face his parent club under the terms of his season-long loan agreement.
The 32-year-old has started 14 straight league games for the Rams after breaking into the side towards the end of November, but he will have to watch from the sidelines on Saturday.
Kelle Roos is set to replace Hamer between the posts, with Henrich Ravas expected to action as the back-up goalkeeper on the bench.
Tom Huddlestone is still out with a calf injury which has kept him out of action for the last few weeks. The midfielder's progress is slower than expected and the Rams are having to remain patient as the experienced former England international works his way back to full fitness.
Otherwise, manager Phillip Cocu has no fresh injury concerns ahead of this weekend's fixture.
Midfielder George Evans is edging towards a return after resuming full training following almost two months out of action with a calf injury, while Krytsian Bielik remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury sustained last month.
PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS…
Speaking to RamsTV ahead of Saturday's home fixture, manager Phillip Cocu said: “The support of the fans makes a difference and the players look forward to playing at Pride Park.
“The players look forward to playing in front of their home fans and even the influence they have on the opponent is big. I am looking forward to playing another game at Pride Park.”
He added: “It is another tough match but an important game at home for us to try and bounce back from the defeat against Bristol City.”
More pre-match thoughts from the Derby boss in the lead-up to this weekend's match can be found across dcfc.co.uk and RamsTV.
HOW TO SECURE YOUR SEAT…
Tickets are still available for Saturday's game at Pride Park Stadium.
Match Tickets for Home Members start at:
* £8.00 Child (Age 2-12)
* £13.60 Youth (Age 13-17)
* £17.60 Young Adult (Age 18-21)
* £24.80 Adult (Age 22-64)
* £16.80 Senior (Age 65+)
Important! Home Membership benefits include: 20% Discount on General Public Match Ticket pricing; free ticket to a club selected match; early access to tickets prior to general public on-sale; and zero online booking fees. Click here for more information.
Match Tickets for General Public start at:
* £10.00 Child (Age 2-12)
* £17.00 Youth (Age 13-17)
* £22.00 Young Adult (Age 18-21)
* £31.00 Adult (Age 22-64)
* £21.00 Senior (Age 65+)
Tickets can be purchased without a booking fee from the Derby County Ticket Office, presented by SeatGeek, but are subject to £1 per ticket booking fee if purchased online or via phone 0871 472 1884 (calls cost 13p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge); and an additional £1 per transaction delivery fee is applicable for tickets posted. Buy your match tickets here.
And have you tried this season’s brand new matchday experience, the Captain's Club?
Offering one of the best views in the stadium from only £60 (+ VAT) including match ticket and unlimited chef’s buffet table, the Captain’s Club is a relaxed informal matchday hospitality experience in contemporary surroundings with regular visits from captains, past and present. Book the Captain’s Club here.
For more matchday hospitality options, please email [email protected] or call 01332 821073.
Match Tickets and Matchday Hospitality subject to availability. Terms & Conditions apply.
WHO’S THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE…
Craig Pawson will be the man in the middle for Derby's clash with the Terriers.
Pawson is a Premier League official and the game will be his second Championship fixture of the campaign.
He has overseen 22 matches so far this season, in all competitions, producing 100 yellows and three reds.
His last Derby fixture was the Play-Off Semi-Final First Leg against Leeds United at Pride Park Stadium back in May.
Pawson will be assisted by Adrian Holmes and Peter Kirkup on the lines, whilst Christopher Sarginson has been appointed as the fourth official.
HOW TO FOLLOW THE ACTION…
Fans
based outside the UK & Ireland can watch the full game LIVE on
RamsTV.
RamsTV’s Matchday Live show will begin from 2:30pm with Owen Bradley and former Ram Shane Nicholson building up to kick-off with full team news, exclusive interviews, features, stats, match clips, analysis and lively discussion.
There’ll then be LIVE HD multi-camera coverage, with instant replays and full match commentary from Owen and Shane for all the action at Pride Park.
Fans based outside of the UK and Ireland will be able to stream the game as part of their RamsTV subscription or for the one-off pay-per-view price of £5, whilst a live audio stream of the game will be available for fans based inside the UK and Ireland.
Full streaming options can be found here.
As usual, all of RamsTV’s content
building up to the game, as well as all post-match reaction, will be
available to watch for FREE across Derby County’s website, official app
and YouTube Channel.
game will also be entered into RamsTV’s February prize draw for the chance to win a signed Wayne Rooney shirt and full details can be found here.
PICK UP A PROGRAMME…
In the latest edition of the club's matchday programme for 2019/20 season, The Ram sat down with Derby County midfielder Max Bird.
Spanning across six pages, we spoke to the youngster about his impressive performances in his return to the first-team fold, a difficult year off the pitch and playing alongside his childhood idol, Wayne Rooney.
As ever, The Ram will be jam-packed with news and features and retails at just £3 from around Pride Park Stadium.
Here’s a brief review of what else you can expect from our #DCFCvHTAFC edition of The Ram…
Exclusive Columns: Back in the Pride Park dugout, Phillip Cocu pens his exclusive column, whilst Match of the Day commentator Martin Fisher discusses his optimistic view for the remainder of the season.
Introducing… Huddersfield Town: Want to know more about Danny Cowley’s side? We have you covered with an extensive opposition guide and we take a look at a historic meeting between the clubs.
Back in the Big Time: Our season-long historical feature takes us back 50 years as we look back on Brian Clough and Peter Taylor’s first season in Division One.
Academy In Focus: We look over Derby County Under-19s’ historic victory over Borussia Dortmund to progress to the UEFA Youth League Round of 16, including match statistics and post-game reactions.
Ewe Rams: With the Derby County Ladies without a fixture last weekend, we breakdown their season so far.
Around The League: We conclude the programme with a look at all the weekend’s action from around the Sky Bet Championship.
With all that in mind, written and designed in-house, in partnership with Ignition Sports media, The Ram, our award-winning official programme, really is the essential matchday purchase.
Alternatively, Ignition Sports Media offer a subscription service to ensure you receive every copy of your programme delivered directly to your door. Click here for further details of how you can order your copy now.
TACKLING DISCRIMINATION…
Derby County and fellow EFL clubs
are united in tackling discrimination and prejudiced behaviour in all
its forms and are reminding supporters that no forms of abuse will be
tolerated.
Everyone attending or taking part in a football match has the right to feel safe, valued and included and supporters are therefore being reminded of the positive steps that can be taken on matchdays.
Work is continuing with the Premier League and the Football Association to improve processes and procedures in place to address discrimination in stadiums, with commitments made to review how clubs sanction and educate offenders, tackle under-representation across all levels of the game and improve training provisions for stewards to ensure they are best equipped to recognise and respond to issues as they arise.
However, there is no room for complacency and the EFL and its clubs are reinforcing the collective approach to be taken under the header ‘Not today or any day’, if anyone experiences, or is subject to, discriminatory behaviour.
The EFL recommends the following methods:
1. Report it to a steward or Police Officer. Reporting incidents early helps Clubs to take immediate action.
2. Confidentially report it via the Kick It Out App, available on iPhone and Android
3. Report it to Kick it Out on Social media (@KickItOut), phone (0800 169 9414) or email ([email protected])
4. Via the Kick It Out website form at kickitout.org/forms/online-reporting-form.
In addition, clubs, players, managers and officials were also reminded of a matchday protocol introduced to domestic football ahead of the 2019/20 season, alongside The Football Association and the Premier League, in an attempt to ensure the matchday environment provides a positive experience for all.
The protocol is designed to ensure that incidents of abuse are effectively addressed, perpetrators are identified and dealt with, while at the same time make sure that the match is not unduly interrupted with a step by step guide mapped out to support participants take the right course of action in such a scenario.
Further details regarding the matchday protocol are available here: efl.com/news/2019/october/matchday-protocol---abusive-behaviour.
