QTwo big wins in a row – fair to say Derby will head to Norfolk in confident mood?
AWe’ve picked up over the past few games and Gary Rowett seems to have found his favoured squad after chopping and changing a lot earlier in the season. If the players aren’t buzzing after beating Forest then there’s something seriously wrong!
QYou’re just outside the top six, but do you expect Derby to be in the play-offs – or better – come next May?
AI’m going to be optimistic and say we’ll make the play-offs! Under Steve McClaren we played attractive football but our defence was shocking. We rarely get more than 50pc possession under Rowett but in the last few games we seem to be grinding out results, and after seeing us fall away after Christmas the last few seasons I think most Rams fans would take substance over style.
QNorwich old boy Bradley Johnson has been heavily involved and has been along the goals - is he as popular at Derby as he was here?
AI think the jury is still out on Bradley. He came to Derby for a huge sum for by Championship standards, and he didn’t endear himself to the fans by calling the club “Derby City” in his first interview after signing! His strength on the ball is impressive and he’s got a great shot on him at times, but his form has been patchy and there’s a feeling that he’s on a big contract with little to prove.
QDerby’s away form isn’t great – one win on the road this season. Can you see that changing today?
AThere are definitely still question marks over our away form this season – last month we beat Hull 5-0 at home and then travelled to Brentford the next Saturday and lost 4-1! I like to think we’ve turned a corner since then and recently we’ve gone unbeaten in five, but I’m not sure our travelling fans will be 100pc confident of a result.
QGary Rowett says Matej Vydra can be the best number 10 in the Championship – do you agree?
AHe certainly has the ability - he’s proven himself at this level with Watford and he’s starting to find the net again for Derby. He scored a peach against Forest the other week and you get the impression he’s up for it
QIs Vydra the man City will fear most today?
ARowett hasn’t always played him away from home because he doesn’t contribute a lot defensively. Having said that, he’s scored a few recently and I’d expect him to figure for at least part of the game. His partnership with David Nugent looks promising.
QAs far as City players are concerned, who do you rate?
AWes Hoolahan is always the first name that springs to mind as a player who can make things happen. Nelson Oliveira bagged a hat-trick against us last season and he scored against us for Forest so we need to keep him quiet.
QAnd a prediction, please?
AI’m going to say 1-1. Rowett has set the team out quite cautiously away from home recently because we got a couple of shocking results, so I don’t expect a goalfest. Norwich are obviously on a fantastic run of form, but they played 120 minutes in the week and there might be a few tired legs towards the end of the game. A point to continue our unbeaten run would be a good result for us.
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