Shaun Barker has issued a ‘strange’ warning to his former club Derby County ahead of their season-defining clash against Carlisle United.
Derby County are on the verge of clinching promotion back to the Championship. Just a point against relegated Carlisle, regardless of what happens in the other games, will see The Rams secure a top-two spot.
Although it seems a formality that Derby secure their return to the second tier, with Opta giving Bolton Wanderers a 0.8% chance of sneaking into the second position, nerves will still engulf Pride Park on Saturday.
Supporters have endured many years of hurt in the past, particularly in the Mel Morris era, as Derby finished in the Championship’s top 10 in eight consecutive seasons between 2012 and 2020.
In four of those campaigns, The Rams finished in the play-offs but failed to get over the line and reach the Premier League.
The one that hurt the most was the 2019 play-off final against Aston Villa, as Derby were defeated 2-1 and then financial woes unravelled before their eyes.
Shaun Barker has cautioned Derby County ahead of their match against Carlisle, emphasizing the importance of securing a victory against the already-relegated team. A lifelong supporter of Derby and a former player with over 100 appearances for the club from 2009 to 2012, Barker is well-informed about the team’s current standings.
The 41-year-old acknowledges the unpredictable nature of football and believes that despite the odds, Derby must ensure a win to etch their name in history. Speaking on RamsTV, Barker mentioned the collective effort of players, staff, and fans throughout the season and previous years that have led to this pivotal moment.
With one final game against the league’s bottom team, who are already relegated, Barker stresses that the outcome is within Derby’s control.
He also advises the team not to get carried away by the occasion. While this could be a momentous opportunity for many players experiencing their first shot at promotion, experienced professionals like Conor Hourihane and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, who have been promoted before with Aston Villa and Cardiff City, can provide valuable guidance.
Hourihane has noted a sense of calmness among the squad in recent weeks, evident in their performances with wins and clean sheets against Leyton Orient and Cambridge United following a goalless draw against Wycombe.
If Warne’s players can maintain this composure, guided by their seasoned teammates, Derby stands a good chance of celebrating promotion back to the Championship after the Carlisle match.
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