First we have to apologise for stealing a draw from Brentford. They were quick and well organised and wanted the ball and the win far more than we did. They should have won but they squandered many chances. But 2 or 3 other clubs have done that to us recently. That's football I guess. The one thing I can add is that we know very well what Brentford fans are feeling.
The good things from my point of view. The ref. He was competent and fair. The whole Brentford side except for missed chances.
Grant had a decent game. Keogh and Albertosa had good games. Forsyth was totally lacking in confidence the more the game went on. At first he was OK but he found he couldn't pass to a Derby player in any meaningful way. Warnock was not a lot of use and got worse. He could not get the ball off Brentford's right wing attackers and when he got a chance to cross he did so far too carelessly. Hendrick tried his heart out and had a decent game. Bryson has lost his fizz and can't have enjoyed himself, yet he was angry at coming off. Dawkins was Ok for the short period he was on the pitch.
Bent tried very hard. So did Ince but he was ineffective. As stated Dawkins looked ok and Whitbread made the case for playing in the game v Blackpool.
Martin, though he tried very hard, was caused to be useless by being told to play on the left wing. I simply could not see the logic of those tactics. Steve, though, must have had his reasons Very mysterious though to me.
Finally I can give some marks for effort. In the face of a total difference in skill levels, Derby at least kept on trying and that led to the total injustice of a draw.
Automatics chance has now gone and whether we make the playoffs is of academic interest only. If we do there is no way, playing like this, we will progress. I think all Derby fans can safely book a holiday for the 25th May, though it gives me no pleasure to say so.
For absent Derby fans.
posted on 11/4/15
Our recent games have followed a pattern. We start well and spray the ball about. Make a couple of chances that we don't convert and then concede from a counter attack.
The opposition then takes control while we chase shadows. When we get the ball we give it away cheaply and start playing long balls over the top.
Ince will make some defensive error to put is in trouble. Guaranteed every game.
Thought Warnock started well but then deteriorated. Bryson was anonymous again. Oh why didn't we sell him to Burnley or QPR. Russell did nothing and Dawkins was far better when he came on. Martin looked slow and off the pace but at least won a few free kicks to take the pressure off the defence. Hendrick was possibly our best player.
Why can't we recapture the form of the end of last season?
posted on 11/4/15
missed Hughes immensely I thought.....
posted on 11/4/15
Hughes a big miss, we need someone to hold the ball and dictate the game we did none off that today and was lucky to get a point...
posted on 11/4/15
Spart ? Russell was ill. Steve said that was why he brought him off. Why the hell he played if he was ill I'll never know. Why Martin played on the left wing I'll never know. I agree Hendrick was maybe our best player.
Why we didn't sell Bryson to Burnley for £750k is obvious. You're other questions are very deep. Whoever knows the answers is a management genius . of the Alex Fergusen variety. Obviously Steve does not know and if he did he would be the manager of another club.. The answer is something to do with confidence. This in sportsmen/women is very difficult to determine.
posted on 11/4/15
russal was ill.so why didnt he start ward ?
posted on 11/4/15
sorry.russel
posted on 11/4/15
Hopefully we can beat Blackpool without Will Hughes and then we can crack on with Hughes in the team.
We are missing not just Hughes. Also Thorne, Mascarel, Eustace, Buxton etc etc
The task now is two-fold.
!, Get in the play-offs and
2, bring the full team back to our previous form. If we can't do it we'll remain a Championship side. For me, in itself that's no bad thing, But for GSE, Steve and not losing such as Martin Hughes Hendrick etc it will be a possible catastrophe.
posted on 11/4/15
Am I missing something, or is there sonething a little inequitable about players/managers (not just Rams) failing, for whatever reason, to get their team promoted, and then saying "I'm off, 'cos this league isn't good enough for me" ?
posted on 13/4/15
I thought Albentosa was shocking.
Keogh did ok first half but he wasn't 'solid'. He's never been 'solid' since the day he arrived.
Forsyth was abysmal. He'd probably be the first to stand up and admit it. But before we start climbing on his back too much, remember he prevented a certain goal with that one and only decent clearance he made. We'd have been 2-0 down and out the play off spots.
Whatever we're paying Bent, he's earned it.