January Preview: First Team, Under-21s, Under-18s And Ewe Rams

New year, same Derby County - hopefully.

The Rams rounded off 2022 with a 1-0 win over Cambridge United on Friday - a result that made it 14 unbeaten in all competitions for Paul Warne’s ever-improving side.

Two wins and three draws across December saw Derby move up to fifth in Sky Bet League One and that momentum clearly needs to keep rolling as we enter the new year.

As it stands, there are another five league fixtures pencilled in the calendar in January as well as an Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie against Barnsley on home turf sandwiched in between.

Here’s a look at what’s to come for the First Team, Under-21s, Under-18s and Ewe Rams over the course of January.

02/01 - Derby County Vs Accrington Stanley (Sky Bet League One) 3pm kick-off

2023 kicks off back at home for the Rams when Accrington Stanley visit Pride Park Stadium in league action.

The Rams will hope for a similar result to the one they picked up at the Wham Stadium earlier in the campaign, after recording a 3-0 win in October, but without the added stress of two penalties against them this time around.

08/01 – Derby County Vs Barnsley (Emirates FA Cup Third Round) 12:30pm kick-off

In recent times Derby have been very much used to entering the FA Cup at this stage, but this year they’ve had to work for it.

Victories over National League side Torquay United and Sky Bet League Two outfit Newport County respectively in the First and Second Rounds set up an all-League One tie against Barnsley on home territory.

Derby have already beaten the Reds at Pride Park this term, after claiming a 2-1 league win back in August.

14/01 – Cheltenham Town Vs Derby County (Sky Bet League One) 3pm kick-off

The first away trip of January will see the Rams travel to Gloucestershire to face Cheltenham Town.

The sides are yet to meet this term after the meeting at Pride Park Stadium in September was postponed owing to international call-ups in the Derby squad.

When they do go head-to-head, it will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs.

21/01 – Derby County Vs Bolton Wanderers (Sky Bet League One) – 3pm kick-off

It’s a re-match of the festive fixture at the midpoint of January when the Rams take on Bolton Wanderers, this time at Pride Park Stadium.

The two sides played out a 0-0 draw at the University of Bolton Stadium on 27th December, with Derby backed by 5,000 away supporters in their final away day of 2022.

As it stands, it will be another top-six head-to-head with both sides vying to establish themselves in the promotion race.

24/01 – Port Vale Vs Derby County (Sky Bet League One) 7:45pm kick-off

Two away trips round off the month, with the first coming against Port Vale.

The Rams will feel they owe the Valiants one after they picked up a 2-1 victory at Pride Park Stadium earlier in the campaign in Paul Warne’s first home fixture in charge of the Rams.

It will also be Derby’s first trip to Vale Park since a 1-1 draw in their 1995/96 promotion season under Jim Smith.

28/01 – Plymouth Argyle Vs Derby County (Sky Bet League One) 3pm kick-off

And speaking of owing teams one, it will be the same feeling when they travel to the south coast just a few days later.

Plymouth Argyle were the first team to pick up points at Pride Park Stadium back in September when they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

The Pilgrims have gone from strength to strength since that day and are still fighting for automatic promotion and, going into 2023, they occupied top spot.

* This game could be re-arranged should Derby progress to the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Under-21s Fixtures

It’s a hectic month for Pat Lyons’ Under-21s who take part in five fixtures over the course of the month, including a derby clash with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground to round off January.

After a strong end to 2022, they’ll be looking to fly out of the traps in 2023.

06/01 – Southampton Under-21s Vs Derby County Under-21s (7pm kick-off) Premier League 2 – Division 2

10/01 – Alfreton Town Vs Derby County Under-21s (7:45pm kick-off) Derbyshire Senior Cup Fourth Round

16/01 – Derby County Under-21s Vs Middlesbrough Under-21s (7pm kick-off) Premier League 2 – Division 2

23/01 – Derby County Under-21s Vs Southampton Under-21s (7pm kick-off) Premier League 2 – Division 2

27/01 – Nottingham Forest Under-21s Vs Derby County Under-21s (7pm kick-off) Premier League 2 – Division 2

Under-18s Fixtures

It’s a trio of Premier League Under-18 - North fixtures for Jake Buxton’s Under-18s across January, with back-to-back away days followed up by a home meeting with Everton at Moor Farm to conclude the month.

07/01 – Stoke City Under-18s Vs Derby County Under-18s (11am kick-off)

14/01 – Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-18s Vs Derby County Under-18s (11am kick-off)

28/01 – Derby County Under-18s Vs Everton Under-18s (11:30am kick-off)