For Those who Could not Attend

Date : Saturday 28 September
Opponents : Birmingham City
Team :- Roos, Lowe, Davies (capt), Bielik, Malone.
Holmes, Huddlestone. Paterson.
Waghorn, Josefzoon, Martin
Subs:- Hamer, Marriott,, Knight, Evans. Bogle, Dowell, Shinnie,
Referee :- Simon Hooper
Attendance :- 27,454
Conditions :- Autumn mist and mellow fruitfulness:

Our season is in dire need of a boost. Especially after the career destroying antics of a few of our players. Keogh - out for the season due to self inflicted injury - will be missed, but those who decry his abilities may now see what he brought, (apart from his total abdication of the captain’s responsibilities). Tom Lawrence and Bennett too, may have sent their footballing careers into freefall. But I hope the experience will cause them to put in some good performances in the future. (assuming they don’y go to jail).

Meanwhile there is today’s game to negotiate. I hope this interlude will cause the team to come together in a supreme effort to expunge the deserved opprobrium A win against Birmingham at home will do nicely. A defeat could send the club into a serious tail-spin. Boy do we need a good performance from all and especially from Chris Martin who could use the occasion to rise above all this nonsense. It is an occasion for the academy players to step up and shine - as Bogle and Lowe have done.

In the end it was a very exciting game. Derby scored within 90 seconds. The first attack - Holmes went quickly down the right wing, crossed beautifully to Martin who brought the ball under control and then put a scuffed shot straight at Lee Camp. I was very disappointed by Martin’s tame shot but somehow Camp was on his heels and the ball passed through his legs. The crowd was overjoyed 1. For getting and early lead and 2. The fact that it was Chrissy Martin who had continued his re-habilitation to the side.

The early goal stimulated Brum to some lively attacks and `Derby’s goal was under threat for the rest of the half, with Derby not only defending well but also launching some attacks of their own. The best one when Holmes again took the ball to the byeline to pull it back to Martin just inside the area. He lined himself up and hit a powerful shot just over the bar. Most fans expected the net to bulge. Roos had some hairy moments but manage dto keep them out for a half-time score of 1-0 to the Rams who had acquitted themselves well to restore a lot of pride to many very distressed fans badly affected by the drink driving events of Wednesday.

In the second half both teams played well with Birmingham attacking in wave after wave and Derby’s new defence ol Lowe, Bielik, Davies and Malone all doing well. Davies was made captain after Huddlestone’s alleged involvement in Wednesdays disaster. Holmes at this point was heading for man of the match. He played very well and was a constant thorn in the Blues’ side.
After 10 minutes of so of the new half, Derby doubled their lead. Martin fed a neat ball to Waghorn in the area and he slotted it 0 equally neatly unfortunately for Derby’s increasingly shaky defence, this stung Birmingham wave after wave of attacks and the score was levelled within the space of two minutes. The first from a corner which was flicked in at the near post by Gardner and Croatia midfielder Sunjic scored with great shot a brilliant from the edge of the area,

To make matters worse, Brum were awarded a penalty and Derby hearts sank thinking all the points were disappearing. Miraculously though, Roos made a brilliant save from a very well struck penalty by Jutkiewicz. It was a brilliant save of a perfect penalty kick. A few minutes later after some great work by Paterson, involving some quick footwork and fine control followed by a good shot under Lee Camp. After that we just had to hang on to the lead to earn all three points after a truly competitive game.

I was very pleased to see Jutkiewicz go up to Roos after the game and shake his hand and, I presume, congratulate him on a brilliant stop. The ref had a goos game. Possession was 50/50 but they has far more shorts and corners.

Positives for Derby :- Lawrence was not missed, Davies faced his responsibilities well. Bogle, when he cam on looked sharp. Lowe played well as did Malone and Huddz was quite effective. Holmes and Paterson were the pick of our players. Chris Martin not far behind and Waghorn worked hard and troubled Brum no end. Knight came on briefly. All in all it was a great performance and a very useful result.

Not so positive for Derby:- Marriott came on and was ineffective. Josefzoon was poor.