Back to the scene of our last win

Lee Grant - playing at Pride Park for the first time with Burnley

That win left us in with what looked to be a very good chance of reaching the play offs but we went on to pick up only two more points from the remaining three games. As it happened, it didn't matter and three wins wouldn't have been enough to have got us into the top six.

Two points from three games is how we ended 2010/11 and that's exactly how we've started the 2011/12 season so the search goes on for that first win that will surely kick start the season.

Manager Eddie Howe is not having things easy. Martin Paterson was lost to injury in the opening game of the season. Since then we've signed Danny Ings and he's fallen victim to knee surgery without kicking a ball for us.

To add to that, Marvin Bartley is still paying the price for his wayward elbow at Crystal Palace two weeks ago and just to put the tin hat on it we'll also be without Michael Duff who suffered medial ligament damage in the win over Barnet in the Carling Cup.

Everything is pointing towards defensive failings at the moment. Lee Grant had an absolute blinder at Hull back in early March when we won 1-0 with an early goal from debutant Nathan Delfouneso. Grant's performance, particularly in the second half when he made some outstanding saves, ensured the win and a clean sheet.

'Clean sheet' - they are two words we haven't heard since in 17 league and cup games in which we've conceded no less than 32 goals. We've used any number of central defensive combinations and both Grant and Brian Jensen have played in goal. Yet, no matter which players have been selected we've continued to give goals away.

Interestingly, none of the last back four to keep a clean sheet will be on view at Derby. Former Ram Tyrone Mears was at right-back whilst Danny Fox was in the left-back position. Between them were Clarke Carlisle and Duff.

Robbie Blake celebrates his first Burnley goal

One of the central defensive positions is up for grabs again tomorrow with Duff out and surely that will signal a return for Andre Amougou. I thought he had a decent game at Crystal Palace but he hasn't featured since. However, I expect him to get the call ahead of David Edgar who had a difficult time in the cup game against Barnet after replacing Duff.

Amougou for Duff could be the only change from the team that started last Saturday against Cardiff and if so we'll line up: Lee Grant, Kieran Trippier, Andre Amougou, Ben Mee, Brian Easton, Ross Wallace, Dean Marney, Chris McCann, Keith Treacy ,Charlie Austin, Jay Rodriguez. Subs from: Brian Jensen, David Edgar, Wade Elliott, Dominic Knowles, Alex MacDonald, Zavon Hines.

For goalkeeper Grant it will be a first appearance at Pride Park for Burnley against his old club. It was in this fixture in the 2002/03 season that he made his Football League debut. coming on as a substitute for former Claret Andy Oakes in a game that Burnley won 2-1 with a Robbie Blake penalty (his first Burnley goal) and a Warren Barton own goal. Grant came on with the score already at 2-1.

Our Opponents - Derby County

I think it's fair to say there's been something of a change in fortune for Derby so far this season. That defeat to the Clarets last April was the first of four successive defeats that brought the season to an end.

At that point it was time for a bit of rebuilding. Manager Nigel Clough firstly signed Frank Fielding, Jamie Ward and Theo Robinson, three players he'd had on loan and then went on to make another seven summer signings with reports from Derby suggesting the most significant so far is that of central defender Jason Shackell, a Burnley target, from Barnsley.

Having ended a season in such poor form you worry about any hangover when the next season starts. At home to Birmingham on the opening day of the season they went 1-0 down to a Curtis Davies goal but they haven't conceded a single league goal since and, so far, haven't dropped a point.

Shackell got the equaliser against Brum, before Steve Davies got their winner and then goals from Steve Davies and Craig Bryson gave them 1-0 away wins at Watford and Blackpool. Most recently, last Saturday, Steve Davies was on the mark for a third time whilst Kevin Kilbane and Ben Davies were also on target as Doncaster we beaten 3-0.

Their football, apparently, is nowhere near as fluent as it was last season but their success in the first few weeks is based on their defence and ability to keep clean sheets, just the opposite of us.

That start has enabled Derby to prepare to equal a club record tomorrow. Should they beat us and record a fifth successive league win it will equal their best ever start to a season. The previous occasion they won the first five was over a century ago in the 1905/06 season when they winners against Bury, Middlesbrough, Preston, Newcastle and Aston Villa.

Derby have got this good start whilst dealing with a number of injury worries. Again tomorrow they will be without Shaun Barker (knee), Chris Riggott (Achilles), Nathan Tyson (groin), former Claret Russell Anderson (groin), Conor Doyle (ankle), Paul Green (knee), Dean Leacock (knee), Stephen Pearson (stomach), Saul Deeney (shoulder) and Dave Martin (ankle).

Clough is hoping that Jamie Ward will be fit. He suffered a hamstring injury last week in the win against Doncaster but they remain hopeful he'll be OK. If not, Lee Croft is expected to take his place.

One other bit of positive news is that Jake Buxton played an hour in a reserve game in midweek and could make the bench.

Derby are expected to line up: Frank Fielding, John Brayford, Kevin Kilbane, Mark O'Brien, Jason Shackell, James Bailey, Jeff Hendrick, Craig Bryson, Ben Davies, Jamie Ward, Steve Davies. Subs: Adam Legzdins, Gareth Roberts, Chris Maguire, Lee Croft, Theo Robinson, Jake Buxton.

Last Time We Were There

Burnley had finally got back to winning ways in the week leading up to the away game against Derby with home wins against both Swansea and Middlesbrough.

On a sweltering hot day there was a surprise ahead of kick off with the team news. We knew Dean Marney was likely to be ruled out with injury but I don't think anyone expected Chris McCann to be his replacement.

Chris McCann returned with a goal

Chris had been back playing in the reserves after his long lay off but manager Eddie Howe was convinced he was ready and put him straight into the starting eleven.

We didn't make a good start and Derby were in front after just six minutes. An attack down their left led to the ball being played into our box and Theo Robinson getting there ahead of Danny Fox and Brian Jensen to convert.

It didn't take us long to equalise and what a good goal it was when it came on the quarter hour. Wade Elliott crossed from the right. It was headed down by Jay Rodriguez to Chris Iwelumo who found Chris Eagles. Eagles took one touch before placing a shot into the top corner.

Burnley got on top at this point but were shocked when Derby regained the lead. A corner was half cleared but Jamie Ward's shot from the edge of the box was deflected in by McCann. It shouldn't have counted, referee Russell missing the clearest of fouls on Iwelumo.

A goal down at half time it could have been 3-1 in the first minute of the second half. Jensen denied them and from that point on it was all Burnley.

Eagles was brought down by Robbie Savage in the box but incredibly no penalty was awarded. Soon after the referee was pointing to the spot when Ward brought down Tyrone Mears. Ward was sent off against us in the play off final and again here he received a red card.

Eagles missed the spot kick but was quick to react to convert the rebound and soon after we were in front when Elliott headed home. All it needed now was the fourth goal and it fell to McCann on his comeback with a strike from distance that saw everyone of his team mates go to celebrate with him.

The second half performance had been as good as anything all season away from home and brought Burnley's last victory of the 2010/11 season.

The teams were;

Derby: Brad Jones, John Brayford, Daniel Ayala, Shaun Barker, Russell Anderson (Miles Addison 82), Robbie Savage (Jeff Hendrick 80), James Bailey, Stephen Pearson, Jamie Ward, Steve Davies (Callum Ball 77), Theo Robinson. Subs not used: Ross Atkins, Conor Doyle, Ben Davies, Alberto Bueno.

Burnley: Brian Jensen, Tyrone Mears, Michael Duff, Andre Bikey, Danny Fox, Jack Cork, Chris McCann (Graham Alexander 78), Wade Elliott, Chris Eagles (Ross Wallace 82), Jay Rodriguez, Chris Iwelumo (Steven Thompson 71). Subs not used: Lee Grant, David Edgar, Clarke Carlisle, Nathan Delfouneso.

Previous Games against Derby County

Click HERE to see all previous results against Derby County