Stevenage welcome Derby County to The Lamex Stadium for the first ever competitive fixture between the pair…
Saturday’s contest is sure to be an entertaining one, with both sides looking for a huge result in front of a lively crowd. Boro sit level on points with the play-off places after Tuesday’s draw with Bristol Rovers. It was a good performance away from home, but Steve Evans’ men were harshly forced to take home a point.
This Saturday, Stevenage will be faced with one of the biggest clubs in the league, Derby County, who sit just two points behind the Hertfordshire side.
The Opposition
There are few teams in the Championship whose history compares with Derby County, so in League One they are simply known as giants. Two top-tier titles and an FA Cup are among their impressive accolades.
Derby would have gone into the 2023/24 campaign very hopeful of promotion to the Championship, but so far it has been a mixed start. The Rams have earned six wins from their opening thirteen games, drawing three and losing four.
The Derbyshire outfit possess an experienced side with Conor Hourihane wearing the captain’s armband, having previously featured in the Premier League with Aston Villa.
Veteran strikers, James Collins and Martyn Waghorn are the typical centre-forward options, with the pair netting a total of eleven already this season, but there is also a mix of youth in the squad. Academy graduates, Louie Sibley, Max Bird and Eiran Cashin all add some freshness to the side.
The Rams come into Saturday’s game off the back of a 2-0 home victory over Exeter City in mid-week. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing opened the scoring before Conor Washington ensured the victory with over ten minutes to go.
The Manager
Paul Warne was handed the role of Head Coach in September 2022 and impressed in his first few months. His first campaign with the club ended poorly though, as his side missed out on the play-off places by a point. Warne previously spent six years in charge of Rotherham United, winning three promotions but suffering three relegations in that time.
The Officials
Thomas Kirk has been appointed Match Referee for Saturday’s fixture, with Stuart Butler and Adrian Tranter as his Assistants, and Stephen Brown as Fourth Official. Kirk has dished out forty-seven yellows and one red card in ten games so far this campaign.
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