Tag Archives: 3pts

22nd November – Bryso’s blockbuster bags the points for table topping Rams

23 Sunday Nov 2014

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22nd November

Watford      1                           Derby County      2

Gianni Munari 67                       Jordan Ibe 39

                                                 Craig Bryson 81

It’s often said that the sign of a good team is that they find a way to win even against the tide. Well, this team of ours showed more signs of being a good team after Craig Bryson’s thundering effort into the top corner nine minutes from time sealed an excellent away win for the Rams.

Thanks to the international break it felt an age since “proper” football had been played. This international break, though, has been more interesting than many from a Derby fan’s point of view.

Will Hughes & Jack Butland played for England U-21, Chris Martin started his first game for Scotland against England, Johnny Russell made his debut in the same game creating Scotland’s goal, Jeff Hendrick, Richard Keogh & Cyrus Christie all played for the Republic of Ireland while Simon Dawkins played three games as Jamaica lifted the Caribbean Cup.

Dawkins return only on Friday from his travels led to the one change for the Rams from the wonderful performance against Wolves two weeks ago as Jordan Ibe took his place in the team.

Derby kept possession well at the start of the game and following early corners Jeff Hendrick came very close to putting us into the lead, a shot from the edge of the area being turned by Jonathan Bond’s fingertips onto the post and away.

Watford took a defensive, players behind the ball, approach probably mindful of the Rams threat as they played a deep and less aggressive game than typical from the Hornets at home. There was still danger in their play, though, and it took a terrific challenge by Ryan Shotton to prevent Fernando Forestieri breaking through, a fine save from Jack Butland to keep out a drive from Troy Deeney and on the half hour and a tremendous tackle from Craig Forsyth to deny Forestieri when he looked clean through.

Derby’s patience and persistence paid off with a wonderful goal from Jordan Ibe as the first half drew to a close, taking the ball on his chest from assist master supreme Johnny Russell on the corner of the area; he cut away and curled in a beautiful shot to give the Rams the lead

 Matys Vydra’s introduction at half time for Watford signalled a change of intent from the home team and Derby struggled to hold onto the ball as the game moved into the second half, Omar Mascarell unable to influence the game as he has shown he can do and Will Hughes being starved of the ball. There was, however, a great chance for Chris Martin to put the game beyond Watford’s reach when he found himself clear against the goalkeeper but was unable to fashion a clinical strike.

The increasing sense of the game shifting solidified in 67th minute when Watford equalised through a smart move that cut through the Rams back line and saw Gianni Munari fire into the roof of the net.

At this point the game had a similar feel to the Brentford match as we lost control of a winning situation and saw less and less of the ball as the game drew on, Watford piling on the pressure and Jack Butland being increasingly busy.

A different outcome today though. Sometimes you see a player shaping for an effort from way out and you think…..”naaah”…..but on this occasion with nine minutes to go sub Craig Bryson on for Will Hughes smashed in a terrific shot to grab the three points. Watford did put us under some pressure before the final whistle but we defended well and played out the last minute or so at the Watford end of the pitch which is always the best way to see out a win.

A terrific win then, inflicting Watford’s first home defeat of the season and moving us 3pts clear at the top. Good to see how increasingly at home and solid Ryan Shotton is looking at the back, providing a good mixture of pace and strength which bodes well. Next up that always eye catching game….Leeds United.

8th November – Five star Rams rocket to the top of the League

08 Saturday Nov 2014

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Derby County      5                           Wolverhampton Wanderers 0

 Ryan Shotton 16                                                       

Jeff Hendrick 28 & 55

Johnny Russell 42 & 61

The rain poured down during this game but nothing could dampen the fireworks on the pitch or indeed the spirits of the Rams fans as Derby County romped to a 5-0 win against Wolves and ended the day on top of the Championship.

This was a terrific performance from the Rams, on top throughout, sharp and pacey, incisive and energetic and against a Wolves team, let us remember, that started the day in 6th place with a chance to go joint top had they won.

As Johnny Russell slotted in the fifth goal as the rain poured down it reminded me of something…

Mid day kick-off……game on Sky Sports…..rain bucketing down ….Rams win 5-0…when was the last time that happened….oh yes…March 22nd 2014 when we hammered the neighbours …happy days…

Back to the present and the Rams made one change to the team that beat Huddersfield on Tuesday with Simon Dawkins restored to the starting XI as Jordan Ibe missed out.

You can tell a lot by how we start a game – we came out of the blocks quickly for this game, looked energetic and up for it, and the forensic quick passing game that is so effective was working well.

A so far season’s best attendance of 30,398 (bolstered by a loud and good natured 2,700 from Wolves), was treated to three first half goals, Ryan Shotton getting ahead of his defender at a free kick to force home a header after 16 minutes, Jeff Hendrick accepted a the ball from Simon Dawkins in midfield, ran on and fired home from 20 yards on 28 minutes and Johnny Russell, freed from corner taking duties by the presence of Omar Mascarell loitered with intent on the edge of the penalty area for a corner on 42 minutes, controlled the loose ball, slalomed into the area and slotted home from 12 yards.

In the midst of a whole host of excellent performances Omar Mascarell caught the eye, being a regular and reliable presence in breaking up budding Wolves moves as well as orchestrating our attacks. He is looking more at home with each game played and if we are only just starting to see his potential we are in for some treats for the rest of the season.

Wolves had one good chance to score when the margin was still 1-0 , Sam Ricketts’ cut back finding George Saville unmarked near the penalty spot, his shot, though, was wide and little else that Wolves did troubled us while the game was still competitive.

A delicious move early in the second half saw Chris Martin and Will Hughes release Jeff Hendrick who made it 4-0 and then on the hour Johnny Russell connected with a characteristic Craig Forsyth cross across the box firing high into the net to make it 5-0 and also unveiling an acrobatic goal celebration in the process.

Johnny is rightly a favourite of the crowd, receiving yet another standing ovation when replaced by Ivan Calero today, his work rate is huge and his will to win obvious. It seems that the benefit of his starting in six successive games now is being reflected in his goal scoring with today’s two goals taking his tally to five for the season so far. If JR manages to hit 12-15 goals this season it will bode very well for us.

I treated a Wolves supporting friend to the game today though as the goals rattled in I think he would have objected to the term “treated”. When Jeff Hendrick’s first goal flew in he turned to me and said we were going to beat them 5-0. I shook my head doubtfully, partly out of not wishing to gloat….but how right he was.

The Championship table is looking good tonight and while it is annoying that the international break is upon us again just as we roll out such a good performance we have two blank weeks to admire the table at leisure.

4th November – Rams play it fast & loose but get back to winning ways

07 Friday Nov 2014

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Derby County      3                           Huddersfield Town       2

 Jordan Ibe 7                                      Harry Bunn 22

Johnny Russell 45                              Mark Hudson 90 + 4

Simon Dawkins 77

The Rams got back to winning ways in the Championship after this fluid and flowing game ending Huddersfield’s seven game unbeaten run in the process. 

Mark Hudson’s last gasp consolation for the Terriers made the score line look closer than the balance of play suggested but despite the entertaining football on show Derby’s defence again showed frailties and conceded two goals for the fourth game on the trot.

Those six consecutive clean sheets suddenly seem a long time ago.

The Rams made three changes from the team beaten at Brentford Jake Buxton and Simon Dawkins dropping to the bench and Craig Bryson missing out through injury. Will Hughes, Ryan Shotton and Jordan Ibe started on what felt like the first real winter game of the season as the temperature dropped.

In contrast to the game against Wigan we started sharply from the off and Jordan Ibe almost opened the scoring within a couple of minutes, his fierce drive beating Alex Smithies but being headed off the line in athletic fashion by Joel Lynch.

Our first goal was not delayed for long though as Ibe combined well with Jeff Hendrick who turned smartly in the box and played Ibe in for a smart finish.

It was good to see Will Hughes back in the team and he is most often at the heart of our creativity when he plays. If we are to win promotion this season we need him on the pitch as much as possible.

Omar Mascarell started again instead of John Eustace and he did roll out some crisp incisive passing as well as working hard across and up and down the pitch, but we were careless on the ball too often and the young loanee was prone to trying to force a pass rather than turning and taking the easier option and consequently giving the ball away.

Jordan Ibe & Johnny Russell worked hard throughout the first half to trying and create what felt like an important second goal but too often the final touch of the attack fell short or too long.

The Rams switched off at the back half way through the half and Cyrus Christie lost Harry Bunn allowing him to fire past Jack Butland and apart from a Nakhi Wells effort that Butland turned past the post that was the only clear chance that Huddersfield had created.

The Rams smuggled a goal just before half time to confound the early pint queue poachers – Chris Martin being played in, admittedly looking offside ….but he wasn’t – Alex Smithies made a good save and the ball fell to Johnny Russell who rolled it into the net, looking well offside……but he wasn’t. Cue 1000 or so grumpy Yorkshire fans making the displeasure known at the half time whistle.

This was a much more open game than the one against Wigan and much better to watch – but also scary at times as our habit of making things difficult for ourselves at the back always gave Huddersfield a sniff.

We have to get that solidity and organisation at the back again particularly with games against promotion contenders coming up, but we may be missing Lee Grant much more than we imagine.

Johnny Russell continued his work ethic into the second half and fashioned a chance for himself to make it 3-1 but was foiled by Smithies. He was replaced, to a standing ovation, by Simon Dawkins who within minutes smartly put away a crisp shot from the edge of the area.

We probably should have made it 4-1 for the possession we had but Huddersfield are a decent team and Jack Butland was forced into two sharp saves as the game moved to a close. The lack of concentration at a corner to allow Huddersfield’s second was annoying but the Terriers never gave up and were a credit to their manager.

Talking of which it was a pleasure to see Chris Powell on the sidelines for this game and the affection and respect he is held in at Derby (rightfully so) even after a decade was plain to see. Admittedly the fact that we were winning the game late on made it easier for the Rams fans to serenade him, but even so….a nice touch.

Incidentally there was another example of what a top bloke Chris Powell is after the game when discussing Johnny Russell’s goal he said;

 “We conceded again just before half-time with what looked like a controversial goal at the time but I have seen it since and Martin was not offside, the officials got it spot on.”

How often do you hear a manager saying that? – Pretty much never….

Chris Powell – classy guy…

 

21st October – Bloomin’ Lovely at Bloomfield Road

28 Tuesday Oct 2014

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21st October 2014

 

Blackpool 0                             Derby County   1

                                               Chris Martin 81 (pen)

Chris Martin with his tenth goal of the season fired the Rams to the top of the Championship for the first time this season.

Our terrific run goes on and whichever way you look at it will put a smile on your face if you are a Ram.

 1 defeat in 16 games in 2014/15 

12 games unbeaten 

6 clean sheets on the trot which, as Radio Derby informed, us was the first time we have done this since 1912.

By the way ….this was the set of results 102 years ago

Derby County 2 Chelsea 0

Derby County 1 Nottingham Forest 0

Leicester Fosse 0 Derby County 1

Fulham 0 Derby County 0

Derby County 4 Gainsborough Trinity 0

Barnsley 0 Derby County 2

How we miss Leicester Fosse and Gainsborough Trinity…..

Five changes for this game on a foul and windswept night as the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo washed over the country.

In came England U-21 keeper Jack Butland for his first game in goal since joining on loan from Stoke following the injury sustained by Lee Grant in the later stages of Saturday’s 3-0 win over Reading.

He was joined in the team by Johnny Russell who replaced the injured Jamie Ward, Jeff Hendrick who replaced Craig Bryson, Ryan Shotton who replaced Zak Whitbread and Omar Mascarell who started his first league game of the season as John Eustace joined Bryson and Whitbread on the bench.

The Rams played against the howling wind in the first half and Ishmael Miller again gave the Rams defence problems, this time in a Blackpool shirt rather than the Yeovil Town shirt we saw him in last season.

This is a Blackpool team trying to play catch up against the odds as the owners of the club have starved the team of investment and August 2014 opened with only eight players registered on the staff. Mid October finds the Tangerines not surprisingly bottom of the Championship but showing signs of life as their recent win over Cardiff showed.

Derby experienced a good test here but as the game wore on the Rams increasingly dominated both possession and play as Blackpool increasingly pulled players behind the ball.

Johnny Russell took his chance of a full 90 minutes well and was a busy and constant presence in attack, won the crucial penalty and also had a later chance to press home the margin of victory but was unable to convert. The popular Russell has created a number of goals so far this season but found the net himself only once. Clearly in the box seat to replace the injured Jamie Ward in games to come a regular start may see him recovering his scoring touch.

Cyrus Christie added to his growing list of impressive performances particularly going forward, and is proving to be an excellent addition to the team. To see how comfortably he has stepped into the gap left by Andre Wisdom is to see a difficult problem solved very well.

The selection of Omar Mascarell to start this game which may have understandably been considered to be much more of a “John Eustace” kind of game was interesting and points to his acclimatisation to the English game since his arrival from Real Madrid. He did well and had a tidy game with flashes of his eye for a killer pass.

The raucous and consistently loud 1800 Derby fans were a constant backdrop to the game as the Rams came through a potentially tricky test very well with the reward of being able to top the table tonight.

It is only October and no medals are handed out now, but it is great to be top !

 

18th October – Reading the runes on another 3pts

28 Tuesday Oct 2014

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18th October 2014

 Reading 0                                 Derby County 3

                                                 Chris Martin 18 & 79

                                                 Jordan Ibe 38

 Experience tells us that a trip to play Reading at the Madjeski Stadium is rarely a pleasant experience – our last seven visits have ended as follows

D 0-0

D 2-2

L 1-2

L 1-4

L 0-3

L 0-1

L 0-5

Indeed, previous to this game we had won only 9 of our total 36 games against the Royals so to come away from one of our more bogier of bogey grounds as we did today with 3 points in a 3-0 win is particularly pleasing.

The season continues to develop well – now unbeaten in 11 games since that 2-3 defeat to Charlton this win saw us move up into second place in the table and try out one of the automatic promotion places for comfort….it feels just our size don’t you think ?

Indeed, after Chris Martin put us into the lead early on with a rare headed goal for the Rams, one of such untroubled simplicity as he escaped some non existent marking that it would have had us raging with frustration had we conceded it, the Rams sat at the top of the table for approximately four minutes until Watford took the lead at Hillsborough and took top spot.

I was so tempted to take a screen shot of that league table but it really doesn’t matter after eleven and a quarter games does it ?

This was a good away performance that yet again underlined the importance of Chris Martin to our team moving, as he did, onto 9 goals for the season with his brace. A couple of other decent chances were also spurned by him but although Lee Grant was kept busy and Pavel Pogrebnyak really should have scored to pull the score back to 1-2 (which could have seen the jitters that were starting to show really go into overdrive) our ability to put away our chances, and Jordan Ibe’s goal was a lovely piece of skill it should be noted, helped keep the underpowered Royals at arm’s length throughout.

A feature of this season has been our improving defensive record and this game saw us keep a clean sheet for the fifth successive game an impressive achievement, particularly when the central defence has seen changing partnerships of ;

Keogh & Shotton vs Reading in the League Cup

Keogh & Whitbread vs Bolton

Keogh & Shotton vs Bournemouth

Keogh & Whitbread vs Millwall

Keogh & Whitbread then Shotton & Whitbread vs Reading today

Keogh’s departure with what seems to be a head injury would call into question his place in the side to play Blackpool on Tuesday but with Jake Buxton back on the bench and Jake Whitbread and Ryan Shotton having been part of the team this season we have available a depth of choice that has not always been the case in previous seasons – just what is needed if a promotion push is to become a reality.

It looks like Jamie Ward will be missing for sure against Blackpool and there are questions also about the fitness of Lee Grant after he took a knock late on and also Craig Bryson. The depth of choice in the squad at central defence is also visible in other positions though and it is good to see the Rams with a choice and depth of players.

More of the same against a Blackpool team fighting against the odds of sever under investment and bizarre ownership decisions (that takes us back doesn’t it ? ) on Tuesday night would be very welcomed

 

 

30th Sep 2014 – Rams overcome Cherries as referee does an Attwell

26 Sunday Oct 2014

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Rams overcome Cherries as referee does an Attwell

30th September 2014

Derby County 2                                                    AFC Bournemouth 0

Will Hughes 81                                                    Sent Off – Lee Camp 67

Chris Martin 90

 Derby overcame a well organised Bournemouth team to climb up to 4th in the Championship at the iPro tonight only one point from the top of the table.

This game resembled last season’s match against the Cherries, a Tuesday night in February that saw the comfortable in possession visitors look like they were going to escape Derby with a point until Chris Martin lashed in a free kick with a few minutes to go to win the game.

The symmetry was almost complete in this game when Martin again stepped up to take a free kick from an very similar position in the second half only to see the ball hit the post with substitute keeper Darryl Flahavan beaten.

Why Flahavan was even on the pitch to admire Martin’s free kick is a mystery to all present apart from (presumably) referee Scott Mathieson who decided not to award a goal when the ball trundled into the Bournemouth net following an almighty collision between Jamie Ward, Lee Camp & a scrambling Cherries defender.

Our man in the middle instead decided to send off Camp for…….well; I’m really not sure whether it was deliberate handball or denying a goal scoring opportunity. Considering that the ball ended up in the net the denying a GSO seems daft, no matter the joy to be had in seeing Lee Camp’s sulky mug being red carded.

Bemusement was further increased by the fact that I, and many others around me, distinctly remember the ref pointing to the centre circle as the ball nestled in the net. So much for referees not changing their minds…..

In the five minutes of arm waving and head scratching that ensued on the pitch after the players realised that, contrary to overwhelming evidence, we had not in fact scored, I remembered Stuart Attwell….and that is never a good thing.

I was surprised to see Eddie Howe hook Calum Wilson to bring on Flahavan as Wilson would have continued to be a nuisance up front even with ten men; but the Cherries seemed to settle for trying to see out the last 20 minutes with everyone behind the ball, surrendering possession to us.

We should be getting quite used to this tactic from opponents, even with 11 men on the pitch, & there was a little frustration from some of those around me as we Arse-lona’d the ball around the penalty area in precise patterns of short passing looking for an opportunity

“Shoot…..just bloody shoot! “

Being one plaintive cry to be heard, but patience told as Will Hughes, who had an excellent game, picked up the ball in a packed penalty area and created enough space for a shot that found the net.

26,000 sighs of relief and even though Bournemouth changed tack and threw players forward to try and save a point we coped without (too many) worries wrapping things up nicely when Johnny Russell added to his growing list of goal assists by picking up a long ball on the left and racing on to clip the ball across the six yard line for Chris Martin to finish.

Craig Bryson was in full on perpetual motion mode buzzing about for the whole 90 minutes and some of Jamie Ward’s best work was to be found near our penalty area, particularly when he chased a break back and made the crucial tackle. Richard Keogh & Ryan Shotton had the odd stressful moment at the back but I can see the Stoke loanee playing an increasingly important role for us as the season progresses.

Cyrus Christie continues to look good on the right; sometimes our most potent attacking threat, his first goal cannot be far away, and it was really good to see Jeff Hendrick back too.

One year on from Derby County 4 Ipswich Town 4 the season is coming on very nicely….