For Those Who Could Not Attend
Stoke City
Crowd. 25,854
Referee - Oliver Langford
Team :-
Roos, Bogle, Keogh, Tomori, Malone
Huddlestone
Johnson, Lawrence
Holmes, Waghorn, Wilson
Subs :- Wisdom, Cole, Josefzoon, Marriott, Nugent, Mitchell-Lawson, Bird.
Conditions. Worn looking pitch.
Weather, Wet, windy, cold and unpleasant
The New manager bounce following the recent dismissal of GR is what we have to contend with. No change though for Stoke City. They played with an excellent keeper (Jack Butland) and one bank of 4 defenders and another bank of 5 defenders with occasional forays down the wings. Derby came out bright and positive and had by far the best of the first 20 minutes, notwithstanding that Ince almost got through, though he was admirably thwarted by Bogle. Huddlestone had a great volley from 30 yards, heading inside Butland’s right hand but he somehow got across and down to make brilliant save. Lawrence played the ball to Malone who’s shot Butland also saved only come out to Holmes who beat the keeper but not the post. It was very exciting but frustrating for a Ram. This attack lead, a bit like the Wendy’s goal on Saturday to a sustained foray on Stoke’s goal and a good save by Butland and a very quick punt upfield with only Ince and Bogle in contention. It is a measure of how far our young defender has come that he managed to head off the Stoke striker from a position of disadvantage. We attacked and we threatened and we almost scored except for Butland and the goal post. A smidgeon of luck would have seen us go in 1-0 at HT. Stoke threatened briefly but never really looked like scoring and Roos - in for the sick Carson, had no saves to make.
Second half continued much as the first. Derby dominating and Stoke defending en masse. Stoke almost never looked like scoring and Derby always looked likely. It was an exciting game from which Derby can take many positives - but unfortunately only one point when a win would have had them gain significantly on the play-off pack. As it was, they moved into 6th position though with a very inferior goal difference. We saw not enough from Johnson though I can’t say he played badly. Wilson looks a bit spent to me and he has lost his free-kick magic. He almost scored with one such kick from barely outside the area which, I think Butland just got a finger to and it hit the bar. The ref didn’t agree with me so a goal kick was ordered. Wilson and Johnson were our least successful players. Tomori was tremendous. Tall, speedy and solid whilst reading the game very well. He was voted sponsor’s MOTM though many players pushed him close. Bogle had an excellent game. Quick and deft in his control and he defended well also. Keogh was ever Mr Reliable. Malone was good in defence and in attack. Huddz was typical Huddz. He had a few shots from distance that were generally too high, except for the one that Butland saved. Waggy tried his utmost but just could not score. Lawrence was a revelation coming back from his injury in spite of a nasty challenge by Adam that also had him off again. He was direct and quick to cause many alarms for Stoke. Another close contender for MOTM was Holmes he is developing into a very tricky midfielder and his efforts came very close. He was our most creative player. Then 10 minutes from the end Mitchell-Lawson made his debut appearance to put in a little cameo that promises well. With Mount and Bryson due back our team is strengthening from within as well as from these returning players. My main worry is Wilson's decline in form.
We couldn’t win. We almost did. And Stoke’s contribution to entertaining football was ZERO. In spite of this it was an entertaining game. The referee was excellent and one hardly noticed him. Always a good sign.
For Those Who Could not Attend
posted on 14/3/19
Yes Ramdini Butland is a good keeper. I think he improved when he played for us when Grant was injured. At the time he was Stoke's 3rd choice keeper. Pity we didn't get him.
I like Bogle and I'm glad he's got over his blip. I like to see youngsters from the academy getting a chance.
posted on 14/3/19
Now for Mitchell-Lawson to get a chance. And take it. We are going to miss Tomori very much when he leaves. I wonder if we can get him for another season?
posted on 14/3/19
I liked ince when he was at Derby. Perhaps I'm one of the few, according to Spart.
I feel sorry for those simpletons who booed Tom Ince last night. His goal scoring record was 1 in 3 games. 37 goals in 105 appearances.
Lawrence record is nearer 1 every 6 games, yet we're all supposed to love Lawrence.
He was better last night - no question.
Bogle impressed me most I think.
Very frustrated when I left the ground. Stoke easily one of the worst sides I have seen this season. We're not ruthless enough and can't cope with big defenders.
I'm bored of the robotic way Keogh tries to play the ball from the back. It makes me nervous.
posted on 14/3/19
Spot on AJ about the big defenders at least and there was no need to boo Ince. It looked for a while that Marriott was to be our saviour. Waggy puts himself about and works hard but is not in any way clinical. And that is what we need - an ounce of finishing skill would have sown up the points last night and we would be sitting much prettier re the play-offs. Maybe Marriott's finishing will come back with better service with Mount and Holmes operating. I hope so anyway.
posted on 14/3/19
Thanks, as ever, Ramdini.
It's going to be a long old wait until 30th March
posted on 14/3/19
Good account 3R. I also agree with many of the comments above, especially Wilson being lightweight.
Indeed, far too many of the team are in my opinion.
On SO many occasions we fail to hold the ball up (forwards) or shrug a tackle/opponent off.
Dwarf
City
Football
Club
posted on 14/3/19
Jayden Mitchell-Lawson will sort that out, Baz
Just watched the highlights. Looks like we're no longer shy of shooting from distance ?
posted on 14/3/19
If only we had a forward who could hold the ball up and pass it to others running past him. Where could we find one?
posted on 14/3/19
Motherwell
posted on 14/3/19
I thought Ince was the only Stoke player last night who looked in any way interested, not that he did much. Lawrence played really well and he provided what we have been lacking recently, someone with the courage to get the ball and actually run at opponents, not try to get rid of it as soon as possible. But he must do that on a far more regular basis if he is going to win over all Derby fans. I hope he wasn’t just putting in a special performance because Giggs was watching, if he was. I’ve been disappointed with Wilson recently but I thought he was brighter last night. He goes down too easily though. It’ll be interesting to see who makes way for Mount when he comes back, I would say it should be Wilson. If Bennett is fit again too there ought to be plenty of options so you would like to think the competition for places will have them all busting a gut to get in the team and stay there. But without a striker on form we’ll struggle to get goals.