For Those Who Did Not Attend

Over 31000 spectators saw the game. It was a game of two halves, both of them dire. Burton hardly tried to score and Derby, with 64% of possession, could not penetrate Albion’s 10 man defence - except the once, when Bent somehow, unbelievably managed to scoop the ball over the bar from two yards out. It was almost a replica of the Bristol De Sart goal, but this time from a fierce Ince shot that was blocked and the ball went kindly to Bent who in replication of the Cardiff game's impossible miss by somehow getting the ball to clear the bar. If only this had gone in, the game would have been very different and we would have had a hatful.

But it did not, and Nigel was very pleased with his point, for which Burton strived mightily. Not that Derby didn't put in the EFFORT. Every one worked hard. It is not possible to point the finger at any individual performance. It was just that they played as a group of individuals with no co-ordination or understanding of the different roles. There was no cohesion in any of our attacks. Keogh again, was sound as a pound. Had a great game. Christie also played like he wanted his shirt forever and had not liked the intrusion of Baird. But we did miss Baird’s penetrative passing and his knack of providing just a few great passes to release meaningful attacks and sometimes goals. The difference between Baird and Christie was very plain last night. Christie breaks and runs and (mostly) maintains control to to bomb along the wing but can see an astute pass or two during the game.

Max Lowe has a reassuring chunkiness and pace in defence but needs to be coached on how to augment the midfield on forays down the wing. He does not see the little triangular exchanges that used to yield quite a few goals in the past. Pearce was OK but not brilliant. Carson has almost nothing to save all night.

In midfield, Hughes suffered as usual from a number of clattering tackles which have been the norm recently as teams fear his creativity and have seen this way of reducing his effectiveness. I could wish for referees to give him more protection. Hughes was taken off early and I do not know if he was bruised or if it was tactical. De Sart looks very useful and enterprising but quite a few of his passes were overhit or misdirected. Butterfield has a pretty good game except for his tendency to slow the game down just when speeding up is needed.

In attack, If I had £10 for each time Bent ducks under the ball I would be as rich as MM maybe. But he is kept on the pitch because of his ability to dredge a goal out of nothing. Ince tried and tried but was attended by 2 or 3 defenders all through the game. When Nugent came on he looks useful and I wonder why his is not given a game. The removal of Anya for Camara did nothing to improve matters and so the game fizzle out. Nigel was delighted - Steve was disappointed, as were 28000 Derby fans.