Derby County are closing in on a return to the Championship and there is one huge factor behind their success this season.
Derby County are edging closer to the finish line in League One. Bolton Wanderers dropping two points at home to Shrewsbury Town has left the Rams requiring just four points from their final two matches to seal their Championship return.
Paul Warne and his players will know that there is still hard work to be done before they can celebrate playing second-tier football next season. They have been in a prominent position in the past and failed to get over the line, so they’ll want to avoid any final-day drama by putting Cambridge United and Carlisle United to the sword.
Derby County’s away record
Derby travel to Cambridge this weekend while Bolton Wanderers host Port Vale.
The Rams have an excellent record on their travels, ranking third in the division with 42 points and 12 wins from a possible 22 matches.
Warne’s men play with freedom away and enjoy hitting teams on the counterattack. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Corey Blackett-Taylor are two individuals who are perfect for breaking fast.
Derby have utilised their pace to catch teams out who have committed bodies forward, with Warne’s men finding joy against some of the lesser sides in the division.
In 14 matches against sides 10th or below in League One, Derby have conceded just five goals, kept nine clean sheets and claimed victory on nine occasions.
As they embark on a trip to 19th place Cambridge, who still need a win to guarantee their safety, journalist Sam Parkin believes the above statistics should give the Rams every confidence to wrap up promotion.
“I’ve taken a look at Derby away from home against the lesser lights in League One and they have been incredible in terms of their solidity,” Parkin said on the What the EFL?! podcast.
“Against sides 10th or below; they’ve had 14 away games, conceded 5 goals and kept nine clean sheets. This is the kind of match they’ve gone away to and ground it out; 1-0, 2-0, take the points, see you later. And that’s what they need to do here, it’s what they’ve been doing all season. I think they can go there, get a clean sheet and win it.”
Derby County’s defensive record
Derby’s defence matches their ability to go on the road and claim victory against sides lower down the table.
Facilitated by the partnership of Eiran Cashin and Curtis Nelson, Warne’s side have conceded the joint fewest goals in League One (37).
Their defensive solidity has given them the confidence to showcase their attacking freedom, and that is why they’re on the brink of sealing promotion.
If the Rams can replicate their recent performances, drawing against Portsmouth at Fratton Park and putting Leyton Orient to the sword, automatic promotion should be signed, sealed and delivered.