3/1 To Win
Derby County’s Under-23s will get their 2021/22 Premier League 2 - Division 1 season started on Monday evening with a home fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Under-23s will face the Seagulls at Pride Park Stadium (7pm kick-off) and here’s a quick look at all you need to know ahead of the game.
Team News
Pat Lyons’ squad includes three new signings from the close season in the form of goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes, midfielder Courtney Clarke and forward Luke Plange.
The trio could make their debuts for the Under-23s in a competitive game under the Pride Park floodlights.
In addition, several players have made the step-up from the Under-18s to add a fresh look to the Under-23s squad.
Ozasee Aghatise, Max Bardell, William Grewal-Pollard, Andres Perez De Gracia, Harrison Solomon, Seb Thompson, Bartosz Cybulski and Alex Matthews are now permanent members of the Under-23s squad after two years in the Under-18s squad.
Pre-Match Views
Speaking to RamsTV, Senior Professional Development Phase Coach Pat Lyons said: “We’re looking forward to getting the season started. We’ve got a completely new squad, really, with several Under-18s making the step-up as first-year professionals and others moving on.
“It is a big opportunity for them to keep developing and we have faith in this group to maintain their progress.
“We had a good season last time around and we want to carry on with that this year too.”
He added: “Brighton are a good, technical team and pass the ball really well. We drew with them at Loughborough last season and lost away from home, so we know we’re in for a tough game.
“The Under-23s haven’t played at Pride Park for quite a while, so everyone is excited about that too.”
Also talking to RamsTV, centre-back Eiran Cashin, who spent part of pre-season with the first-team squad, said: “I’m looking forward to it and Monday’s game should be a good game against Brighton.
“We want to get the first game started and get a win if we can.
“It will be great to play at the club’s main stadium as
well. A lot of our games were at Loughborough last season, which is a really good
venue, but nothing compares with Pride Park Stadium.”
He added: “I think we have the right characteristics in the team to do well in this league, against some very big teams, once again.
“I feel I’m a more senior figure in the Under-23s this year, as quite a few players have moved on, and I’m prepared to take on that challenge.”
Last Season
The 2020/21 season saw Pat Lyons’ side finish the season in sixth place in the Premier League 2 - Division 1 table.
From their 24 matches in the league, the Rams recorded 11 wins, three draws and 10 defeats along the way.
Finishing in sixth spot, ahead of several Premier League clubs in the form of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool, was an impressive feat.
Live Stream
RamsTV will be streaming the game live for supporters to watch.
In a change to the previous offering to supporters, this is available to Derby County Membership Holders and RamsTV subscribers.
Membership Holders will be sent a code to redeem to watch this season’s matches, while RamsTV subscribers simply need to log-in to their account.
Derby County Membership packages can be found here: membership.dcfc.co.uk/home and any queries should be sent to [email protected].
RamsTV subscription options can be found here: dcfc.co.uk/page/ramstv-live-streaming and any queries should be sent to [email protected].
Ticket Information
Supporters can attend the game for FREE, but all tickets MUST be obtained and processed online no later than midnight on Sunday 15th August.
Print at Home and Mobile Tickets are the only delivery options available for this fixture. Tickets will not be available on the day of the game and supporters wanting to attend should not turn up without a ticket.
Entry will be via the East Stand turnstiles, which will open at 6pm. There will be a kiosk open on the East Stand concourse area selling pies, alcohol, hot and cold drinks, crisps and confectionary.
In line with NHS Test & Trace guidelines, when applying for a ticket, supporters must ensure their personal and contact details are correct and must provide a current telephone/mobile phone number.
The club is required to secure details of supporters attending the match. The club will retain and, if necessary, process data relating to the supporter which may include personal information for administrative, legal, and health and safety purposes (including without limitation to assist with NHS Test & Trace requirements). Personal data will be stored and, if necessary, processed in accordance with the club’s privacy policy.
Contact
The Ticket Office counters and phone lines will remain closed. Supporters with any match ticket related enquiries are advised to email [email protected]. Disabled supporters with any enquires are recommended to email [email protected].
