In his recent column, Gary Rowett shares insights on the upcoming match between Stoke City and Derby County, a fixture close to his heart as he has deep connections with both clubs. He’ll be covering the game for Sky Sports and has been closely analyzing both teams. Derby has seen an improvement in their away form with a couple of draws, which should boost confidence, but they need to start converting these games into wins. Stoke’s home performance, meanwhile, hasn’t been remarkable. Early-season expectations were high under their young coach, Steven Schumacher, but consistency has been elusive, and they’re now looking to steady their form. For Derby, missing a key player like David Ozoh leaves a gap in their lineup, which could impact their midfield against Stoke’s central-heavy play style under Narcis Pelach.
Rowett notes that Paul Warne’s Derby team excels in using wide wingers, with players like Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Kayden Jackson contributing significantly. This tactic reduces their reliance on the central midfield, which is timely given Ozoh’s absence. Stoke, however, prefers to play through the middle, though they haven’t yet achieved the fluid style Pelach aims for. Despite this, Derby has shown they can handle midfield-heavy setups, as seen in their performances against Oxford and Sunderland. Rowett believes the match will be competitive, with both teams eager to claim a valuable result that could spur a good run of form.
Discussing team tactics, Rowett points out that Stoke may struggle with set-pieces—a potential advantage for Derby. He references their recent set-piece lapse against Southampton, which led to a simple goal. Set-pieces are integral to Derby’s approach, allowing them to create scoring opportunities through diverse means like build-up play, counterattacks, and dead-ball situations. Rowett highlights the importance of set-pieces in modern football, especially in the Championship, where up to 45% of goals can come from these plays. Citing teams like Arsenal as pioneers in set-piece innovation, he explains that effective set-piece preparation can set clubs apart, especially when competing against well-funded teams.
Rowett further examines key players who could impact the game. For Stoke, Tom Cannon is a dangerous forward who will require close marking from Derby’s defense. Rowett believes that Derby’s Eiran Cashin will be crucial in this matchup; the young defender has been impressive this season, displaying strong game awareness and ball control, which previously drew interest from Brighton. Cashin’s versatility as a former midfielder adds to his defensive abilities, and his precision with long passes makes him a valuable asset. Rowett expresses confidence in Cashin’s growth and hopes he will be instrumental in helping Derby eventually reach the Premier League.
Leave a Reply