Marc Edworthy previews Derby County v Norwich City

Marc Edworthy won promotion with both the Canaries and the Rams during his playing career and will be watching closely when his former teams clash at Pride Park on Saturday lunchtime. 

The right-back moved from Norwich after winning the Championship as part of Nigel Worthington's side to join Derby, where he had play-off success under Billy Davies in the 2006/07 campaign. 

Edworthy has since become an ambassador at Derby and explains what it means to him to see his old clubs face off. 

“With every club that I play for, you keep an extra eye on them. When these two play each other, it’s difficult to know what camp you’re in," he admitted. 

"You want both teams to do well and see them both in the promised land, which is the Premier League.

"It’s great to see Derby back in the Championship after their off-field problems. Norwich, as we know, are so good at getting promoted from the league. It should be a good battle in the early kick off this weekend.”

Between the two clubs, Edworthy played 160 times, winning two promotions and establishing himself as a reliable member of either squad. 

“I had a great time at Norwich and loved it there. I wouldn’t say I left under bad circumstances but it was down to a contract situation. I was really settled and had great support, but then I moved to Derby.

"Phil Brown was taking over at the time. They were in a bit of financial difficulty then with ownership, but I was fortunate to get there and win a promotion under Billy Davies.

"I went from being champions at Norwich and then going to Derby and having really good play-off success. We should have won the league, actually. We were top with six games to go, lost four, drew one won one and ended up finishing third before beating West Brom in the play-offs.

"It’s two really good clubs with excellent fans, and I have great memories from both teams.”

Edworthy is particularly reflective ahead of this fixture given the ordeal that Derby have endured in recent years with ownership troubles that left them on the brink of extinction. 

Warne, along with owner David Clowes, was responsible for turning around Derby's fortunes. Edworthy credits the Norfolk-born coach with getting Derby back on their feet.

“He’s done very well," Edworthy said. "He came with that reputation from Rotherham after getting them out of League One. It’s such a tough league to get out of because of the size of some of the clubs down there now.

"Then they’re going into a Championship is almost like a mini Premier League. It’s such a big club, Derby County. Both clubs are so well-supported and have great fanbases. When you’re playing in front of over 28,000 in League One, it’s amazing.

"There was a bit of pressure on him to get promoted and they stuck with him. The owner there now is great and getting that promotion from League One was huge for him. They’ve had a really good start in the Championship.”

Marc Edworthy played over 80 times for Derby County after leaving Norwich City. (Image: Newsquest) Despite a mixed start for Norwich under new management in Johannes Hoff Thorup, Edworthy still expects them to be a force in the Championship throughout this season. 

“A lot of foreign managers are coming in and doing a fantastic job. It’s new to them – a new culture and league, and they’ll be trying to put their own stamp on the squad, which means sometimes supporters have to be patient," he said. 

"That 4-1 victory over Watford was a remarkable result after they had such a great start. Norwich will be there or thereabouts this season and definitely in the mix for the play-offs, I feel."

Edworthy made 76 appearances for Norwich, arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers to form part of Worthington's formidable Division One title winners. 

Two decades later, the 51-year-old feels that success was created by the balance within that City side from a solid defensive base to creative sparks that enabled them to be effective at both ends of the pitch. 

“It was a fantastic season, and to win the league by eight points, overtaking West Brom and Sunderland was brilliant. Crystal Palace, West Ham and Ipswich were all in there," he reflects.

"We had a fantastic blend of flair players in midfielder with Paul McVeigh and Phil Mulryne plus a strong back four with Robert Green in goal, myself, Malky, Flem and Adam Drury – all of us played 45 or 46 games. It was a fantastic back five that stayed together, and there wasn’t much change.

"Then we had the flair players like Darren Huckerby was incredible, Mark Rivers and Crouchy came in on loan. We went into games, not feeling arrogant, but with the feeling that we wouldn’t get beat. When you get that, you will be successful. It was a great year.”

This weekend's clash is perfectly poised, with City having brushed aside Watford in an impressive 4-1 win, whilst Derby are unbeaten at home since February, having not conceded a single goal in their opening three games at Pride Park. 

Edworthy was a key part of City's title winning side under Nigel Worthington. (Image: Newsquest) Edworthy believes Norwich will have to play on the front foot in order to leave with points, but is expecting an intense encounter.

“When you go there, it’s always such a great atmosphere, and Norwich will go there to try to play. It’s not one that you can go to and sit back," Edworthy said. 

"They have to try and exploit them. If they sit back, they will encourage Derby to push on – especially with their support – to try and win the game.

"They have to set up strong. It’s going to be a fascinating game. Norwich are coming into it on the back of a fantastic result and Derby are unbeaten at home. I imagine it’s going to be a great game.

"I would normally sit on the fence and say it’s going to be a draw, but I think it’s going to be a scoring game. I’m going for a Norwich away win, which will upset a few people! They are on the crest of a wave but Norwich will need to be at their best to beat them.”