Derby County will know that Pride Park must remain a fortress this season if they are to comfortably secure their Championship position at the end of the arduous 46-game season.
The Rams have an incredible nine points from six matches, with three wins and three losses, with all of their triumphs coming on their home turf.
Paul Warne will be hoping that his squad does not rely too heavily on their home form to pull them out of danger, but he will be delighted with his side’s start, with Kayden Jackson in particular standing out with his performances up front.
Jackson’s form this season
Fans who pack Pride Park week in and week out will already be hailing Jackson as a top buy, as the former Ipswich Town attacker cost the Rams nothing to sign this summer after his Tractor Boys contract expired.
The experienced EFL forward, who has made 71 second-tier appearances in his varied career, has three goals in all competitions this season, including a powerful strike against Bristol City that sent the Derby fans into a frenzy.
Three in three for @KaydenJackson14 at Pride Park! 🏠 pic.twitter.com/RrHfsDN255
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) August 31, 2024
He has fluffed his lines in Derby’s last two Championship games, with Jackson getting only 26 touches in a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United, but much more will be expected of him as the season progresses and confrontations become more important.
Derby would love to have this former striker back on their books to help Jackson up front and relieve some of the strain on the former Ipswich man’s shoulders, since the ex-star in question is now on the books at League One Wrexham, who are dominating the third division.
Marriott’s form this season
That erstwhile hero is Jack Marriott, who is still best known in Derby circles as the striker who scored the Rams’ solitary goal in the 2019 Championship playoff final against Dean Smith’s Aston Villa.
Unfortunately, Villa would defeat Derby 2-1 at the end of the entertaining final, as Frank Lampard’s side had to accept their Premier League near miss, with an energetic Marriott then struggling to recapture his best form donning a Rams shirt after this moment in the Wembley spotlight.
Marriott has become a well-known figure in the EFL since leaving Pride Park for nothing in 2021 to transfer to Peterborough, but it is his remarkable form for Wrexham this season that has truly caught the eye.
The 30-year-old has actually outscored Jackson at the Racecourse Ground, with four goals in eight games across all competitions, and the seasoned attacker was named League One Goal of the Month for his outstanding performance against Wycombe Wanderers last month.
"That was a HOLLYWOOD finish" 🤩
This goal from Jack Marriott for Wrexham 👌 pic.twitter.com/ZfHCOq55tO
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 10, 2024
The much-talked-about Welsh team will merely hope Marriott can maintain his early explosive form as back-to-back promotions are considered, with the ex-Derby man even a previous golden boot winner at the level, having been described as “top class” by former manager Lampard.
If Marriott continues to score goals, Wrexham and Derby might face off next season, if Warne’s side avoids relegation.
It will be an interesting race to see who scores the most goals for their respective teams, with Derby hoping that their shrewd acquisition can remain consistent in front of goal despite any talk surrounding Wrexham, to ensure they do not drop back down to League One.
