Date : Saturday 5th October 2019
Opponents : Luton Town.
Team :- Roos, Lowe, Davies (capt), Clarke, Malone.
Shinnie, Bielik
Martin, Lawrence, Paterson -
Subs :- Hamer, Knight, Evans. Bogle, Holmes , Bennett
Referee :- Geoff Eltringham
Attendance :- 27,944
Conditions :- Now fully into autumn, no wind and dry.
After a fairly good performance at Barnsley but two points dropped in the dying seconds - we desperately need three points and another Brum style effort from all including the crowd to get 3 points much needed today. It is to be hoped we have practiced defending corners and free kicks.
Derby started in full control. Luton hardly had a kick until Pearson made a simple back pass to Sluga the Luton keeper. For some unknown reason Sluga simply let the ball go under his foot to roll quite slowly over the line. It was a goal generously gifted by the goalie. Derby continued to dominate but with an unwarranted lack of urgency which became increasingly frustrating for the fans everyone of which feared a repeat of earlier games which ended in draws after the missing of several chances. On one of Luton’s rare breaks, this time down the right wing, Bree put in a beautiful cross to beat Roos and find Collins, their most prolific scorer barely a yard from the goal. By some impossible feat of mis-control, he managed to scoop the ball over the bar. The Derby dominance continued until half-time though the score didn’t change from 1-0.
After the break it was a completely opposite story. Luton did the dominating and Derby did the defending. Fortunately they were a little better at it than Luton in that they avoided any own goals and generally kept their shape and restricted Luton’s chances. But to a neutral observer it would have seemed that Derby were generously trying to even up the gifted goal. Derby had to fight to keep the ball away from their goal. Then out of the blue Derby broke down the left and Malone (I think) found Lawrence on the right wing, 5 yards max from the corner flag. He hit a speculative shot-cum cross which went over Sluga into the far top corner for a blessed second goal. There are those who think it was a second goalie error but do not believe it. The shot/cross was hit so well and with exactly the trajectory to be unstoppable by the goalie. It settled the fans’ fears and there remained just 10 minutes of further, but lesser anxiety until Mr Eltringham blew his whistle for full time, The much needed points were safe.
Roos was nervous but competent. Bogle was quick but still rusty from his lay-off. Davies was superb and a leader. That’s maybe the best thing to come out DrinkDriveGate - a better leader on the pitch. That’s not to say we didn’t miss Keogh. We missed his blocks, tackles and taking the ball forward, The players appear to be instructed to pass out from the back. But we aren’t good at it. Several times Roos was brought into a panic to get rid of the ball quickly and not always in a controlled way. Keogh had the knack of being available and then channelling the ball forward. Clarke had a decent game. Malone was reasonably good but had several crosses which didn’t beat the first defender when, if they had, we had players in
great positions. Bielik was pretty good but I’ve seen him perform better. That brings us to Shinnie. Why hasn’t he played before. He was great. Good tackling and possession retrieval. Good energy and passing and easy winner of the MOTM award. He was a revelation. Paterson was good and is looking to be a good man. Josefzoon was a complete waste of space, I do not know why he is picked. Almost anyone of the young players would be better, Martin was good but too unselfish. He was put through beautifully and should have shot but instead passed to Josefzoon. He missed his chance when surely Martin would have scored. Finally Lawrence - He was very contrite and hard-working and just maybe tried too hard. He did however score with the great shot/cross to relieve the anxiety of all fans and the chance of a late equaliser. Waggy came on for 15 minutes and provided plenty of energy. Holmes made a brief appearance.
The Rams ultimately earned the three points but in quite an ugly fashion.
The Ref Geoff Eltringham had a very good game.
For Those Who Could not Attend
posted on 6/10/19
Her - Heb, surely you are in the vocabulary by now Heb?
posted on 6/10/19
Yes but he missed a few important crosses. I thought!@
posted on 6/10/19
Missed making them - not stopping them - which is also his duty.
posted on 6/10/19
Considering all that has gone on, and the missing players, it’s been a good week on the pitch. Perhaps seven points is the minimum we might ordinarily have accepted but put in context it’s a good return. Had it gone the other way we would now be in a deep crisis. Bogle returning and the emergence of Shinnie and Paterson have been big bonuses. Davies’ return might also be something we look back on as a key factor. And there is Martin of course who has added some quality up front.
Goalkeeper and wide positions are big concerns. Roos spreads anxiety rather than confidence. None of our wide players retain possession well enough and their decision making in attacking areas is often poor. I haven’t seen improvement in these areas since the start of the season so unless Cocu can coach it into them then we will need to strengthen if we are to improve.
posted on 6/10/19
Spot on Vidal.
I liked the look of the line up yesterday, I believe Lawrence was in the no. 10 role? The inclusion of Lawrence is still difficult to tolerate but it is what it is, Cocu has to use what's available until better quality comes along.
It it slowly appearing like the injuries to Keogh and Huddlestone are opening up new options with Davies and Shinnie respectively.
I hope we can find an option to get Wisdom back in this side too, possibly when Cocu switches to a 5-3-2 or 3-4-3 formation with
Wisdom Clarke Davies as a back three and Martin and Marriott playing together upfront to compliment one another.
posted on 6/10/19
Well, be it by accident or design, we appear to at least have some direction. I am encouraged
posted on 6/10/19
Lawrence played on the left yesterday apart from a brief period where he and Josefzoon swapped sides. Paterson was in the number ten position.
posted on 6/10/19
comment by Desicafu (U8481)
posted 4 hours, 23 minutes ago
Spot on Vidal.
I liked the look of the line up yesterday, I believe Lawrence was in the no. 10 role? The inclusion of Lawrence is still difficult to tolerate but it is what it is, Cocu has to use what's available until better quality comes along.
It it slowly appearing like the injuries to Keogh and Huddlestone are opening up new options with Davies and Shinnie respectively.
I hope we can find an option to get Wisdom back in this side too, possibly when Cocu switches to a 5-3-2 or 3-4-3 formation with
Wisdom Clarke Davies as a back three and Martin and Marriott playing together upfront to compliment one another.
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Cocu has to preserve the vale of his players too. Each player is a significant capital investment and asset, The club cannot afford to simply write off any player who misbehaves and needs reprimanding. He is doing such a Jobe right now in this situation. The pity is it is distracting from important footballing factors.
posted on 6/10/19
Strangely, in terms of points we are closer to the top of the Championship than Man City are to the top of the Premier League. We need to keep in touch with the top until the half season point and then see what difference a quality player like Rooney will make.
posted on 6/10/19
Rooney could do a job as sweeper to shore-up our defence if required, (much like a modern day Dave Mackay).
UTR.