This weekend, Derby County will face Cardiff City in a key Championship fixture. The Rams head into the match sitting 10th in the table after a solid start with two wins and two draws from their first four games.

Despite a tough opening day defeat to Blackburn Rovers, Derby bounced back with a narrow 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough, a result that delighted fans. They followed it up with a commanding 3-0 win against Bristol City, setting high expectations for their upcoming game against Cardiff.

Cardiff City, in contrast, are struggling at the bottom of the table after a recent loss to Middlesbrough, with just one goal scored and ten conceded. Given Derby’s strong record at Pride Park, a comfortable win is anticipated, and it could provide the perfect opportunity for manager Paul Warne to reintroduce a previously successful tactic.

Warne may look to utilize new loan signing Nat Phillips, who joined from Liverpool on transfer deadline day. The 27-year-old, praised as a ‘monster’ by former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, could play a crucial role in Warne’s plans. With Phillips now competing for a starting position alongside Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin, Warne might opt to revert to a three-at-the-back formation, which proved effective for Derby last season.

Switching to a back three/five could address Derby’s away form issues, as they have struggled defensively on the road, conceding six goals in two away games. By bolstering the defense with Phillips, Warne hopes to stabilize the backline and improve their away record, starting with this vital match against Cardiff.

Fans will be eager to see if Phillips’ debut could spark a tactical shift that brings Derby County back to their winning ways.