Derby County have encountered a recent slump in form and they’ll be looking to change that at home to Queens Park Rangers this weekend.
Derby were beaten 2-0 by Sunderland on Tuesday night, who handed the Rams their fifth defeat of the Championship season while their fourth away from home.
Paul Warne’s men return to their fortress this weekend as Queens Park Rangers travel to Pride Park. Derby won their first three games at home without conceding but were beaten 3-2 by Norwich City last weekend.
QPR are in a similar rough patch of form as they’re winless in five matches across all competitions, including a 3-1 defeat to Hull City last time out.
Derby must target this game as a realistic chance to return to winning ways, and there are three players Warne should start after being left on the bench against the Black Cats.
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Nathaniel Mendez-Laing
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing was left on the Derby bench for their trip to the Stadium of Light.
Warne rested the 32-year-old as he tweaked his formation to a five man defence, with Tawanda Chirewa and Marcus Harness starting down the wings instead.
Chirewa was pretty anonymous on his full Derby debut, as he made just 18 touches in his 65 minutes on the pitch and should be dropped for Mendez-Laing this weekend.
The winger – who was previously called ‘magnificent’ – has failed to replicate last season’s form, though the Rams do look more of a threat with him on the pitch.
Kayden Jackson
Kayden Jackson was another who was rested for their midweek game with Marcus Harness starting in his usual role on the right wing.
The 30-year-old offers electric pace and finishing ability down the right flank and is currently the club’s joint-top scorer with just two goals, both coming in home wins over Bristol City and Middlesbrough.
Jackson has previously been told he’ll be a crucial player in Derby’s fight for survival and after being rested in midweek, he should return to the starting XI this weekend.
Corey Blackett-Taylor
It’s been a difficult time for Corey Blackett-Taylor since arriving from Charlton in January, with the 27-year-old suffering from injuries and a subsequent loss in form.
In recent weeks, though, Blackett-Taylor has shown his talent from the bench, scoring in the defeat to Norwich City and impressing in a 24-minute cameo against Sunderland.
The fleet-footed winger has had to be patient for starts and luck hasn’t been on his side however, Blackett-Taylor’s recent form warrants a place in the side over Harness or Chirewa against QPR.
That is one change many supporters are crying out for Warne to make, and hopefully he listens to the calls.