Derby County travel to Barnsley in a clash that is huge in the race for promotion, and Paul Warne has some key decisions to make with his team selection.
Paul Warne described Derby’s 1-0 win over Stevenage last weekend as his favourite since taking charge of the club as Louie Sibley’s 90th-minute goal sparked scenes of jubilation from the sidelines.
Derby must now use this result as momentum to continue their assault on the automatic promotion places as a trip to Barnsley poses their next challenge.
The Tykes are fourth in the table and six points behind the Rams with a game in hand, which emphasises the magnitude of this contest.
Unfortunately, Warne was dealt with the bitter blow that James Collins will be out till April, although his replacement, Dwight Gayle, is in line to start this weekend.
While the 34-year-old isn’t fit enough just yet to play ninety minutes, he will likely play some role, whether that is starting or coming off the bench.
That is one decision facing Warne, and another is whether to change formation having played a three-at-the-back system against Stevenage.
After showing a lack of goal threat in that match, the Derby boss should revert to the 4-2-3-1 system with Max Bird in an advanced midfield role.
Bird in that position against Exeter worked a treat as the Rams ran out 3-0 winners and the 23-year-old scored and assisted.
Why Max Bird should play in an advanced midfield role v Barnsley
In last weekend’s victory, Warne was forced into using Bird as a double pivot in midfield alongside Ebou Adams as Conor Hourihane was nursing a knock and was left on the bench.
The Republic of Ireland star is now back to full fitness and can take his place next to Adams once more, allowing Bird to move back to his role as number 10, where he’s flourished this season.
In six appearances as an attacking midfielder, he’s scored three goals and supplied one assist.
It demonstrates to Warne that Bird is most effective in picking up the ball between the lines as opposed to playing deeper.
He’s showcased his creativity this term by averaging 1.3 key passes per game, creating five big chances for his teammates and assisting seven times.
By contrast, he ranks sixth in the Derby squad for tackles won per game (1.4), sixth for interceptions won (0.6) and 16th for clearances (0.6).
This shows that he’s a liability defensively and is much better at marauding forward into dangerous areas of the pitch where he can unleash his wand of a right foot.
In a difficult test against Barnsley, Warne will need to use all the tools in his box and one of those is Bird as an attacking force.