Ian Hayes from derbycounty-mad gives us an insight into what's been happening to the Rams since our last meeting and what we might expect at when they visit Bloomfield Road.

Derby County had a very poor season last in 2010-11 with leading players leaving the club in order to get the wage bill and playing staff down to a sustainable level. The club was fighting relegation for most of the season, games were poor and the fans unhappy. However the owners and investors decided that it was time to splash some cash. This saw nine players come into the club during the summer.

England U21 keeper Frank Fielding followed up his loan spell by signing  permanent deal and has already shown his worth, keeping Watford at bay during last Saturday's game. The back four has been added to by Jason Shackell, Barnsley's player of the year last term and once team Captain Shaun Barker returns from surgery over the summer, should prove to be a hard to beat central defensive pairing.

Midfield has seen the retirement of Robbie Savage, which has left a big hole.Bringing in Chris Maguire and Jamie Ward has helped to steady the midfield ship but Derby still need a holding midfielder in my opinion. The return of James Bailey from injury has also been a big plus for the Rams.

In attack Derby are doing quite well despite the loss of Nathan Tyson through injury in the pre-season friendly win over Aston Villa, Tyson managing only 26 minutes of that game before a groin injury ruled him out of the opening six games. Steve Davies has been a revelation in the first two games, scoring stunning goals in both and making it the best winning start to a season for the Rams since Brian Clough was in charge during the Championship winning season of 1971-72.

Injury has caused Nigel Clough some headaches and the game against Blackpool is no exception, with Academy players Jeff Hendrick and Mark O'Brien ready to step up to the first team. The young lads have done exceptionally well in the first two games when called upon.

Derby are expecting a tough game at Bloomfield Road and may the best side win!