"More defensive-minded" - Derby County: Paul Warne told to make double change ahead of Oxford clash | OneFootball

The Rams picked up their first away point of the season on Saturday against Millwall, and will be hoping for more on Tuesday against The U's.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Derby County picked up their first away point of the season on Saturday against Millwall, as the Rams were held to a 1-1 draw at The Den.

Jerry Yates' first goal since joining on loan from Swansea City in the summer was cancelled out by a late Mihailo Ivanovic equaliser for the Lions, following an unlucky bounce from an attempted Curtis Nelson pass on the halfway line.

Nevertheless, Paul Warne's side now have the opportunity to grab their first win on the road in 2024/25 on Tuesday evening against fellow promoted side Oxford United, but it is not an easy task for the East Midlands outfit.

The U's are yet to lose at the Kassam Stadium, and left it very late on the weekend to take a point from their home clash against West Bromwich Albion, with Dane Scarlett's 92nd minute strike extending their unbeaten streak on their own patch to five.

Derby will have to be at their very best to take something back to DE24, and it seems likely that Warne will be forced into at least one change from the team that drew 1-1 with Millwall.

Derby County urged to make double line-up change for Oxford United clash

While there were positives to take from Saturday for the Rams, Ryan Nyambe was forced off the pitch in the first-half with an injury, and was replaced by Kane Wilson at right-back.

It seems likely that this is a change that will be made to the starting XI for Tuesday's match as well, with fixtures in the Championship now coming thick and fast.

However, this could also lead Warne to switching up his starting XI further, with Wilson perhaps needing more protection defensively compared to his fellow full-back.

Football League World asked their Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, what changes he would make to the Rams' team against Oxford, and why he would make them.

"I'd make a couple of tweaks midweek," Shaun told FLW.

"I think with Nyambe being out, it means Wilson will come in at right-back, so it weakens us defensively, especially away from home, although it will help us going forward.

"You would probably need to bring in someone a bit more defensive-minded in midfield, just to support us if Wilson does get caught further forward.

So, I'd bring in Osborn, and take Harness out of the team, maybe playing Osborn with Adams as a two in front of the back four, and then put Goudmijn in front of them."

Derby will be hoping for a repeat of last season's Kassam Stadium heroics

Although the Kassam Stadium has been an incredibly tough place to visit for Championship teams so far in 2024/25, the Rams do have a history of getting victories at the ground.

In their two seasons in League One, Derby won both of their games on the road at Oxford, with their most recent victory one that will live long in the memories of the supporters that filled the away end on that cold December evening.

Despite going 2-0 down early on, thanks in part to some bizarre decision-making from former goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith, a Craig Forsyth goal on the stroke of half-time gave Warne's team something to work from.

Liam Thompson headed in at the back post with less than 10 minutes to go to level the game, before a late Eiran Cashin winner saw the Rams take all three points back to Pride Park in the most dramatic of circumstances.

Derby will be hoping that their heroics can be recreated on Tuesday evening, and take their first away victory of the season from a team that are extremely solid at home.