Kazim-Richards starts: How we expect Derby County to line up against Blackburn on Tuesday night

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·14 March 2022

Kazim-Richards starts: How we expect Derby County to line up against Blackburn on Tuesday night

At one point they looked to be on the verge of breaking free of the relegation zone, but Derby County have slumped back into a bad patch of form that could end up costing them their place in next season’s Championship.

The Rams had a spell in December and January where they looked invincible, but in their last 11 matches, Wayne Rooney’s side have picked up just 10 points out of a possible 33.

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A loss against promotion-chasing AFC Bournemouth at the weekend made it four defeats in their last five matches, but they face another top six side perhaps at the right time as struggling Blackburn Rovers host County on Tuesday evening.

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Is Rooney going to make any changes to the 11 that started against the Cherries though? Let’s take a look.

With the games coming thick and fast with three in the space of a week, Rooney may opt to make a few alterations to his side at Ewood Park.

There’s not much in the way of depth in the defensive part of the pitch, with young Eiran Cashin stepping in in recent weeks following the departure of Phil Jagielka.

He has performed well enough to keep his place in the starting 11 but Rooney may be contemplating more experience at this stage of the season with both Craig Forsyth and Richard Stearman on the bench.

There could be alterations at the top end of the pitch as well, with Luke Plange and Malcolm Ebiowei dropping out potentially.

One of the stars of the season in Festy Ebosele will be clamouring for another start in the place of Ebiowei on the right flank, whilst Colin Kazim-Richards, who rarely starts matches anymore, could be the ideal player to rough up the Rovers defence.

It would be harsh on Plange to be dropped but since his permanent move to Crystal Palace in January, the teenager has not scored and is on a nine-match scoring drought.