A bit of tiredness may have hampered Saints’ performance on Saturday, but even going into our fourth games in eleven days on Tuesday, Wotte’s side at least have the benefit of a mostly fit squad to choose from. The in-form Derby, however, are in no such position.

“We’ll try and scramble together a sixteen to go down to Southampton,” Rams boss Nigel Clough told the BBC.

“Four points from Swansea and Bristol City at home is a superb return considering the problems we’ve had this week.”

After successful runs in both domestic cup competitions, Derby have played fifteen games this calendar year, compared to Southampton’s eleven. And these matches have taken their toll on Clough’s squad.

By his own admission, Derby have been “grinding” results out recently, without playing particularly well. However, despite the absence of key players, Clough’s side have been well organised and will no doubt pose a serious threat to Saints. And Mark Wotte knows it.

“We gave three matches everything, 100 per cent, and I think you need to keep it as simple as possible. We will have to make a quick switch to two home games and we have to be as good as the matches against Cardiff and Preston North End to beat both Derby and QPR and it’s a big challenge for us,” he told the club’s official site.

Derby’s recent run of form means that this game should not really count as a six-pointer, although the three points available are more important than ever at this stage of the season, with all of Saints’ relegation rivals in action on Tuesday too.

Wotte will therefore be particularly keen to see all of his players show for Monday training eager and willing to fight for a third consecutive home win, preferably free from any fatigue.

Is this the right time to play Derby? 

Discuss this in our forum. It's quick and easy to register or comment directly here