Lincoln City are a bit rubbish when it comes to cup competitions recently. It's almost three years to the day since we progressed in one of the three cups and it's a depressing run. Ironically, that last win in a cup competition came in the 1st Round of the Carling Cup, entertaining Crewe Alexandra and beating the Alex 5-1. Infact, if you include the Playoffs then the Imps haven't won a single game in a knockout competition in fifteen attempts.

The Imps will go into the game at Pride Park with the feeling that they could actually cause a shock, but how much of a shock beating a team who haven't won in nearly a year is is anyone's guess.

Much like The Rams, City go into the game on the back of a demoralising defeat. The Imps dominated the game at the Don Valley Stadium but just couldn't find the net. Any other day of the week and we would have won that game by a country mile. However, there were signs that we could do well this season. The game certainly improved when Dany N'Guessan and Lee Frecklington came on and if we can produce a similar attacking stance to the one adopted at Rotherham then we're laughing really.

City will more than likely line up with Frecklington and N'Guessan starting, replacing Lenell John-Lewis and Gary King respectively. Midfield terrier Scott Kerr and Stefan Oakes are the other likely lads for the midfield places. Despite not scoring, Kevin Gall looked like he could offer a few things when he gets properly into the swing of it and I'd be surprised if he didn't start up front with Ben Wright again, although the latter will certainly have to improve his game in order to stay in the side.

As for the defence, the only real change you can see happening is Danny Hone coming in for Lee Beevers. Other than that you'd expect Kovacs, Green and Brown to all be at the back, protecting the net of Rob Burch.

September 17th in 2007 was the last time Derby won a competitive match of football. It was little surprise when they were relegated, even less surprising when their fans booed off the team in their home defeat to Doncaster Rovers. Paul Jewell has yet to taste victory as manager of Derby County, losing 75% of the games he has taken charge of and he desperately needs to improve that stat if he is to avoid becoming the first manager to be sacked.

The strange thing about Derby County is that they don't actually have a bad squad. Kris Commons, Robbie Savage, Rob Hulse and Roy Carroll could easily change a game and the rest of the squad isn't half bad. Here's a little tidbit for you, if Derby's number four plays then there will be two Paul Green's on the pitch tomorrow night. Ironcially, Derby's Paul Green joined them from Doncaster Rovers, losing to his former side on the first day.

Either way tomorrow night will bring to an end one depressing run, either City progress in a cup or Derby finally win a match. It's not going to be a thriller.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS