Clough can't wait for opener

Nigel Clough is thrilled with Derby's opening day fixture against Sheffield Wednesday, despite being handed a tough start to 2012/13.

Derby boss excited by opener against Sheffield Wednesday

Nigel Clough is thrilled with Derby's opening day fixture against Sheffield Wednesday, despite being handed a tough start to 2012/13 in the Championship. The Rams will start their campaign at home to the newly promoted side, but that game will be followed by trips to relegated sides Bolton and Wolves before the season is even a week old. Wednesday will be hoping for a better outcome than the last time they visited Pride Park, as they were beaten 3-0 in October 2009. But Clough doesn't expect his side to get an easy ride from Dave Jones' men. He told the club's official website: "It's a tough fixture to kick off with as Wednesday will have a feel-good factor surrounding them after promotion last season. "But it's a brilliant first game to have and I would expect Sheffield Wednesday will take up their full allocation of tickets, given it's their first game back in the Championship. "It has all the ingredients of a cracking first game straight away and I think it goes without saying we will have fantastic and electric atmosphere inside Pride Park."