NIGEL Clough hopes his in-form Derby County side have learnt the lessons of a late defeat at Burnley last season ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Turf Moor.
The Rams were leading 1-0 through Luke Moore’s early goal and heading for three points which would have taken them third in the Championship.
However, the Clarets hit them with two late goals to snatch the win — with ex- Derby defender Tyrone Mears scoring on 82 minutes and Jack Cork winning it with seconds left.
The result of November 27, 2010, was a watershed in the season and the Rams plunged down the table after a cracking start to the season.
Now, Clough, whose outfit sit eighth in the Championship, have won five on the spin but face a stiff test at Turf Moor, kick-off 3pm.
“I would hope we won’t make the mistakes now that we made in the last 10 minutes at Burnley last season,” said the Rams boss.
“I would hope we are a bit more mature as a team now and that we’d have learned from that.
“It might change and I’m sure we’ll give some goals away at some point but, at the moment, we’re not making mistakes that are leading to goals.
“So teams are having to work very, very hard off their own backs, without us contributing to them.
“That’s how it should be, defensively.”
Clough rates Eddie Howe’s Burnley highly, with the Clarets beating Derby 2-1 at Pride Park in August to end their winning start to the season.
“Burnley beat us at Pride Park earlier this season but we felt a bit unfortunate because we played well and didn’t deserve to lose,” said the Rams boss.
“There’s no reason why we can’t go there and win, especially with the current run we’re on.
“This is as good an opportunity as any.
“It’s nice having a settled squad and a settled side.
“Hopefully, we’ll have no injury worries this weekend and that’s another key factor as well.
“Burnley are very strong at home and have got plenty of attacking options.
“They like to attack and take the game to their opponents.”
Clough, who includes Sunderland forward Ryan Noble in his squad after completing a loan deal this week, rates Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez highly.
The beanpole target man has netted 14 times this season, including four in the League Cup destruction of Burton Albion.
“They’ve got one of the outstanding players in the Championship in Jay Rodriguez,” said the Rams boss.
“We feel he’s as good as there is at this level.
“And Eddie’s just added the two lads from Manchester City — Kieran Trippier and Ben Mee — so I think he’s now assembling the sort of squad he wants.
“They’ve picked up of late and are right back in the mix, too, so they will be full of confidence, especially after winning at Middlesbrough.”
Clough: Cywka free to go
DERBY County striker Tomasz Cywka has been made available on a free transfer by manager Nigel Clough.
The Polish 23-year-old has not played since the Rams’ 2-0 home defeat to Hull City in November and Clough says it makes sense to let him go as he will not be offered a contract when his deal expires in the summer.
“He is on a free so he can get sorted out now and get settled in somewhere,” Clough said.
A move back to Poland fell through last week.
ST JOHNSTONE have confirmed the signing of Rams midfielder Lee Croft on loan to the end of the season.
“Getting Lee is a bit of a coup,” said Lomas.
“At 27, he's a good age and he has his best years ahead of him.”
