Derby County v West Brom preview – Pride Park could provide perfect preparation for the play-offs

An away tie at a fellow top six contender desperate to win will go some way to matching the atmosphere and intensity of the play-offs.

There will be no half-measures at Pride Park tomorrow, no end-of-season jaunt. Jimmy Shan’s team won’t be able to coast through this one.

And the caretaker reckons it could be the perfect test.

“I think so,” he said. “We’re not taking it as an out and out rehearsal but the atmosphere generated in a must-win game for them is a win-win for us.

“It’s the perfect occasion to give us a little taste of what we can expect to see over the two games in the play-offs.

“We’ve faced that at some level last weekend against Rotherham, who were fighting for their lives, so we probably couldn’t have wished for two better games.”

There is still an outside chance Albion could finish third and avoid in-form rivals Aston Villa in the play-offs, although that requires Leeds losing to bottom club Ipswich.

Shan is not thinking too much about permutations, but does want to get the away form back on track after three games on the road without a win.

“Our last two away performances have been very indifferent,” he admitted. “This is an opportunity to give visiting fans something to cheer about and to give us some momentum in that sense.

“Until this game finishes on Sunday, we won’t have our opposition (in the play-offs) confirmed.

“We won’t know what time or day we’re playing the second leg. Everything has to be on Derby County. We’ll make the appropriate plans after that.”

With Shan treating this as a dry run before the play-offs, he is likely to name as strong a side as possible.

The Baggies are ‘pretty much at full strength’ but Shan admitted: “At this stage of the season it would be foolish to risk people with niggles.”

Jake Livermore and James Morrison will be assessed beforehand, as will Matt Phillips, who continues to be drip-fed minutes carefully.

The line-up will look similar to recent weeks, particularly after a successful switch to a 3-5-2 formation has yielded 10 points out of a possible 12.

“We were 3-0 down at Bristol City, we changed mid-game, and I know we lost 3-2 but we won 2-0 with that formation,” said Shan.

“I’m not saying we’re going to always play that way, but we’re unbeaten with that formation.”

Victory over Derby will give Shan 22 points from his 10 games in charge, giving him the highest points-per-game ratio and winning percentage of any manager in the Championship this season.

“If that was the case it would be a fantastic achievement and one that in many years I’d look back with on a huge amount of pride,” said Shan. “I’d be over the moon.”

Likely line-up

Subs: Bond, Adarabioyo, Townsend, Livermore, Phillips, Murphy, Robson-Kanu

The opposition - Derby County desperate to seal sixth spot

There are still three teams who can sneak into the final play-off spot on the last day of the season, but Derby County are in the driving seat.

Beat Albion at home and they will be guaranteed sixth place, regardless of what Middlesbrough or Bristol City do.

For rookie Rams boss Frank Lampard, being in the mix in his first season in management represents success.

“Of course, the play-offs are where we want to be,” said Lampard this week. “Yet, when I came in the talk with (owner) Mel Morris, it was not ‘we must make the play-offs’.

“It was ‘this is a difficult moment for the club, transition and we need to change the way we are playing’.

“We all knew we wanted to stay competitive. We have stayed competitive and I think it would be an achievement if we can get that sixth spot.

“I am excited that we are in it. It is time now for us to stay focused and calm behind the scenes. We know what our job is, and it is in our hands.

“If you had offered me that seven or eight months ago or whatever, I would have taken it.”

Lampard has built a young and hungry team at Pride Park, capable of ripping through opposition teams when they’re on song.

They have lacked the consistency necessary to trouble the automatic spots but have been on the cusp of the top six all season.

Albion fell victim to their pace and energy at The Hawthorns back in October, when they were brushed aside 4-1.

The Rams are also in a rich vein of form, having lost just one of their last 11 games. They are unbeaten in their last six at home.

On Wednesday, they had a chance to secure their play-off place at Swansea City but after taking the lead through an early Richard Keogh goal, a second-half Wayne Routledge equaliser took the issue to the final day.

“It’s not good for the nerves,” Lampard said. “We would have all loved it to have been done, but it doesn’t always go that way. Now it’s all on the last day.”

The nerves will be jangling, that’s a given, especially with Boro playing relegated Rotherham.

But Lampard’s men are still favourites to clinch that final spot and set up a semi-final with the third place team.

That could be Albion, but it’s more likely to be Leeds, and definitely will be if Derby don’t lose.

Following the 'spygate' saga earlier in the season, a two-legged affair between Lampard and Marcelo Bielsa is just as mouthwatering as a West Midlands derby between Albion and Villa.

But Derby have got to make sure they get there first.

Pie and Pint

The Brunswick Inn 200 yards from the railway station is a 'Camra' award-winning pub with a brewery on site, 16 cask ales, and 16 ciders to try. Well worth a visit.

Memory Lane

In February 1978, Cyrille Regis scored twice in a 3-2 win away at Derby in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Willie Johnston grabbed the other goal.

Albion key man - Rekeem Harper

Harper is expected to keep his place after last week’s match-winning goal and second half performance, but can the teenager cement his spot in Shan’s play-off team with Jake Livermore and others providing competition?

Derby dangerman - Harry Wilson

The Liverpool loanee has enjoyed a stellar season at Derby, scoring 16 goals and laying on five assists from midfield. A versatile attacker capable of playing on either wing or in behind the striker, his free-kicks are lethal.