OPINION: Barnsley are a massive banana skin for Derby County

A valuable point at Aston Villa on Saturday sees The Rams needing a point against Barnsley on Sunday to guarantee a play off spot!

Derby took an early lead at Villa Park through Cameron Jerome, who is beginning to find some form just at the right time

It’s fair to say that we came under the cosh for much of the game, but we did have chances ourselves to extend our lead. Jerome, Andreas Weimann, and Tom Lawrence all had opportunities.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

To take four points off Aston Villa with all of their big money signings is very good. Steve Bruce has spent what managers like Gary Rowett can only dream about! Rowett has had to wheel and deal in the transfer market and to be perfectly honest he’s achieved what past managers couldn’t when they’ve had a large purse to spend from.

Three key players recently have been a trio that have in the very recent past come in for a lot of flak! Cameron Jerome has had the fans on his back since his arrival from Norwich City, but in the last two games against Cardiff and Villa has bean very important to our attack. Tom Lawrence has been hit and miss since his £5m move from Leicester, but recently has shown the form that we’ve expected from him all season, and Andreas Weimann has to be our most improved player this season.

For me Weimann looks a player that has grown in confidence! He’s certainly shown his worth in the two games against his old team! A goal and an assist have proven to be very valuable against them.

So we go on to Sunday in a game that will not be easy despite what the statistics may indicate. A single point will see us into the play offs against a struggling Barnsley side, but beware! Barnsley are fighting for their Championship survival and this is one very big potential banana skin!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

We all remember what happened against Reading a few years ago and a repeat of that is unpalatable for the Rams faithful!

We must play with both ambition and caution and ensure that we don’t slip up! Regardless of what the so called experts think. All sides entering the play offs have a good chance to make progress and as last year proves, their are no certainties and the favoured sides often fall short!

Let’s just get on with Sundays game and finish the job before we even dare to dream about play off glory!