NIGEL Clough has warned his in-form Derby County side to be wary of bottom club Coventry City tomorrow.
The Rams are the form side in the Championship after three league wins on the bounce was followed by a 1-0 victory in the FA Cup third round.
They face the Sky Blues at Pride Park tomorrow, kick-off 3pm, with Andy Thorn’s men seven points adrift at the foot of the table after just four wins all season.
However, Clough has warned Derby, sitting ninth, that they must avoid complacency.
“We don’t want to lose that game, especially at home, where we’re going so well at the moment,” said the Rams boss.
“It makes little difference if Coventry are bottom or top six — it’s equally hard beating anyone in the Championship.
“We’ve tried to get at teams early in the game in every match at home.
“We’re defending much, much better and are making it difficult for teams to score against us.”
Coventry beat Derby 2-0 at the Ricoh Arena earlier in the season and Clough hopes to avoid a repeat — especially as the Rams were undone by a dodgy penalty decision.
“We created the better chances on the day,” he said. “One decision changed it against us — it was the same gent who refereed the Manchester derby at the weekend.
“Coventry have showed a little bit of a resurgence in recent weeks.
“Their form seems to have improved, so it will be a hard game.
“There’s no room for complacency.
“We’ll keep on at them and keep reminding them how hard we had to work over the Christmas period.
“If people think it will be any easier against Coventry they will be wrong.”
If Derby win tomorrow, they will cross the 40-point margin significantly earlier than in previous seasons — something not lost on the manager.
“It’s an opportunity to get 40 points on the board,” he said.
“Usually it’s about early April when we get there so that will be an achievement!
“You’re only ever two or three wins off the bottom three or the top six in the Championship.
“We think we’re good enough to be a top-half side and if we can stay there then we have a chance of pushing on towards the top six.”
