On the opening day of the 2016/17 season Derby County kicked off their campaign with a goalless draw with fellow promotion rivals Brighton.

The Rams didn't play to their full potential in the game, and failed to create many clear cut chances throughout the match.

Darren Bent and Tom Ince had decent chances to fire Derby into the lead but couldn't convert their chances.

In his first competitive fixture as Derby boss, Nigel Pearson named a starting XI that few would've expected, playing Chris Baird at the back as well as leaving Will Hughes and Johnny Russell on the bench.

Pearson may change the lineup at Barnsley, after the team didn't perform as well as he'd hoped against Brighton.

Nigel Pearson was brought into the club to replace Darren Wassall, who was put in temporary charge after Paul Clement was sacked in February.

Football League World writer Rob Booth identifies the lineup Nigel Pearson could name on Saturday...

GK - Scott Carson

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In 2015/16, Carson made some mistakes which led to some fans questioning his ability, but Pearson has kept faith in the former England international and was given the number 1 shirt ahead of this season.

The 31 year old shot stopper played in the opening league game as well as the EFL Cup win at home to Grimsby on Tuesday night, keeping clean sheets in both games, and making some good saves in both games too.

Following a decent start to the season, it's highly unlikely that Carson will be dropped ahead of the Barnsley game.

RB - Cyrus Christie

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Cyrus Christie is arguably the best right back in the Championship.

He offers pace, agility and power to the side and is more than capable of both dribbling and crossing into the box to create chances. In a team that is playing quick attacking football, Cyrus Christie is a perfect fit.

Christie has played every minute of both of Derby's games so far in 2016/17, and he'll most likely start at Oakwell on Saturday due to his great attacking talents.

CB - Richard Keogh

Richard Keogh

Richard Keogh is another player to have played every minute so far this season.

The Derby skipper is a rock at the back for the Rams who have kept clean sheets in both matches they've played. Keogh also headed Derby's winner against Grimsby Town in the EFL Cup first round, showing that as well as his defensive qualities he can also pop up with a goal and win a game too.

Keogh has made 200 appearances for Derby since joining from Coventry in 2012, and barring injury, his 201st will be away to Barnsley.

CB - Jason Shackell

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Jason Shackell played 90 minutes against Brighton on the opening game was rested during the EFL Cup win, with Alex Pearce taking his place in the starting lineup.

Last season, Keogh and Shackell were a solid partnership in defence for Derby, who managed a fifth place finish in the Championship table.

Despite a decent performance against Grimsby, it's unlikely Alex Pearce will replace Jason Shackell in the team at Barnsley, as Pearson will probably want to keep the same centre back pairing that was used versus Brighton in the hope they keep another clean sheet.

LB - Craig Forsyth

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Craig Forsyth missed Derby's opening league game due to the birth of his child, but the Scottish full back did play the full game as Derby beat Grimsby in the EFL Cup.

The win over Grimsby was Forsyth's first start in nine months after he sustained a ligament injury back in November against QPR.

Forsyth could well make his first league start since returning from injury, with Marcus Olsson ruled out through concussion. However Chris Baird started at left back against Brighton, and put in a decent performance so there is competition for the spot.

CM - Craig Bryson

Craig Bryson is an engine. He'll run from box to box, win the ball back and create chances.

Bryson has played in both of Derby's games this season, he hasn't been outstanding but he's certainly worked hard and will continue to improve under a manager of Nigel Pearson's quality.

Derby have 5 centre midfielders that could start against Barnsley on Saturday, but Bryson would be a good fit as he can contribute to an attacking style of play.

CM - Will Hughes

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Will Hughes started the Brighton game on the bench, but was subbed on in the second half. Hughes also played most of the Grimsby game, and was very good in both games.

Hughes suffered a nasty injury last season that ruled him out for most of the campaign, but he came back firing and has so far continued his great form into this season, despite not playing a full game so far in 2016/17.

There is competition in centre midfield but Hughes could easily get into the side with his good technical ability.

RM - Johnny Russell

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Most fans were surprised when Johnny Russell didn't even get on the pitch in Saturday's draw with Brighton.

Russell played 90 minutes in the midweek clash with the Mariners, and showed some great attacking qualities. The Scottish winger could make his first league start of the season for Derby away to Barnsley after a good performance in the EFL Cup.

Russell is another player who can both convert and create chances.

CAM - Nick Blackman

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Nick Blackman has been used as a wide player since his arrival from Derby in January.

However he was playing in a central role earlier last season when he was scoring goals for Reading. Blackman has had a good start to the season, improving on his poor performances he put in towards the end of 2015/16.

If he were to play centrally, he'd probably return to the form he showed for Reading last season, hitting the back of the net on a regular basis.

LM - Tom Ince

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Tom Ince started the Brighton game, and appeared as a sub against Grimsby Town.

Ince is a talented player, but isn't consistent. He has the ability to take players on and dribble into the box, as well as scoring goals.

It's been known that Derby players tend to pass the ball around too much before shooting on goal, and Tom Ince has that little bit of greed about him that means he will have a shot at and try to score.

ST - Darren Bent

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Darren Bent had a good pre-season, and had some great chances to score against Brighton that he should've taken.

The former England international is a player who will get into the right positions to receive a pass, and he has great experience when it comes to goal scoring, having played at the highest level for the majority of his career.

Bent could start at Barnsley as he had some great opportunities to score that perhaps on another day, he would've converted.

Derby fans... Would you name this lineup for Saturday's game at Barnsley? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!