Tag Archives: Jordan Ibe

30th December – Bucko’s back as Rams roll over Leeds

31 Wednesday Dec 2014

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30th December

Derby County              2                  Leeds United                     0

Alex Mowatt (o.g.) 41

Jake Buxton 48

Rarely will the Rams have won a game as easily as this post Christmas affair and the fact that it was against old rivals Leeds United made it all the more satisfying.

Finding ourselves on TV again this match came at the end of the latest round of Championship games that had seen Bournemouth continue their winning streak but Middlesbrough and Brentford drop points making this both an opportunity for us to ease away from them a little but also a requirement to keep pace with the Cherries.

One change for the Rams saw the free from suspension Jake Buxton replace Ryan Shotton and I was not alone in greeting that news with a smile. As well as his comfort on the left side of the central defensive partnership (a position that the very right footed Shots does seem to struggle with) Bucko brings to the team a determination and will to win that we do miss when he is absent.

I am hard pressed to think of a more improved footballer in recent times to have passed through Derby – consider this is a player that did not make it at Mansfield Town but is now a more than competent Championship defender who seems to have stepped up another notch since the arrival of Steve McClaren et.al

A 31,000 plus crowd saw us control this game from start to finish and while we did not carve out chance after chance we created enough to have won a second consecutive game 4-0 had our finishing been sharper.

Leeds looked what they are – a poor team struggling to find an identity in the face of constant change and upheaval and the only negative from me in this game was the frustration at having lost to this mob at the end of November and how those extra three points would have us joint top with Bournemouth today.

Will Hughes had an excellent game, prompting and looking to create. His dangerous cross across the face of the Leeds goal panicked Leeds’s Alex Mowatt into putting the ball into his own net just before half time and then just after the break the returning Bucko freed himself to plant a header home from Jeff Hendrick’s free kick….and it was game over already.

We did carve out a number of half chances after the second goal with Leeds’ keeper Marco Silvestri making a couple of smart saves.

Johnny Russell yet again gave a tireless performance of both attack and supporting the defence and it was a feature of our play that both wide men snuffed out any potential Leeds attacking ploys very effectively.

Jordan Ibe looked dangerous and worried the Yorkshire rearguard regularly and the balance of the team seemed much better than in the recent past. Whether this is completely down to the re-introduction of John Eustace and Bucko is open to question but I think they have made a difference in these last two games.

One of the things I admire about our management set up is their willingness to change things when necessary.

The reintroduction of Eustace after it seemed that Omar Mascarell would be given more time to adapt to the challenge of playing the pivotal DM position and the return of Bucko for this game after it seemed that Ryan Shotton was the favoured player both show a flexibility that will serve us well.

While we were seeing off the old enemy the Tractor Boys were trundling to a 3-0 win over Charlton to keep themselves two points ahead of us in 2nd. Our next league game is against Mick McCarthy’s well drilled troops and while that 10th January game in Suffolk is too early to be season defining it would be a hell of a statement from us if we were to win it.

The January transfer window creaks open this week and there are rumours swirling around about the imminent arrival of Darren Bent at the iPro for the rest of the season, possibly to replace the returning Leon Best.

If true this surprises me for a number of reasons (wages, his fit into the way we play to name but two) – he does seem very much a “play on the last defender’s shoulder” type of striker, very different to what we have.

But…. he is an experienced, still pacey front man who scores goals so could give us those different options that we lack, something different to what we have (and without being unkind he cannot give us less than Leon Best)

So Southport on Saturday and despite my years I have never seen the Rams playing them, so am looking forward to that. The Sandgrounders are bringing nigh on 3,000 fans to Derby so there is a proper cup tie atmosphere to look forward to.

A very Happy New Year to fellow Rams – COYR !

 

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.

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…