The Clough Factor

Derby defied the odds to beat Man Utd 1-0 at Pride Park last night; widely available at 10-1, that was a missed trick. In all probability Utd will still qualify, with the second leg at Old Trafford; and will most likely meet Spurs, who beat Burnley 4-1 the night before.

Was it the Clough factor? The second coming, the second Clough; following in his famous father’s footsteps, Derby’s favourite son (literally). Despite sitting in the stands and letting academy coach David Low take charge, his aura, reputation, name and family legend had a stirring effect on a previously poor Derby side.

They were invigorated and inspired; and it was far from a lucky victory, the home side having the better chances, and (an admittedly lethargic) United failing to seriously test Roy Carroll all game.

Can they keep it up, that is the question? After keeping the nucleus of the side that cruised into the Premiership the season before last, and despite their annus horriblis last season, many expected them to be there or thereabouts this year. But perhaps it was always too much to ask of Paul Jewell – after presiding over the worst run in the club’s history, and suffering the terrible ignominy of finishing on just 11 points, was he ever really the man to inspire them back into the top flight?

Clough may be. We saw a couple of seasons back (admittedly with more time) how a legendary name can inspire a side when Roy Keane took Sunderland from the bottom to the top of the Championship – can Clough perform a similar miracle?

Wolves, Reading and Birmingham seem a little far away, but there is only a 12 point gap to the play-offs, a margin that can be made up with a concerted run of results.

It’s a long shot; but worth a point or two…

Derby to be promoted from the Championship @ 40/1 (Bet365) – 1 point

And for a more conservative option, BlueSq are currently running a ‘Derby Specials’ market – which includes the standout Derby to finish in the top half @ 11/4 – 4 points