Derby 0 Stoke 2 - Old One-Eye's View

Although I perceive Ball as a "Stevie Howard" type of player, neither of those two, or even Hulse, operates very effectively in the 'lone striker' role of a 4-5-1

That adds to the frustration when a perfectly capable option like Maguire is overlooked in favour of Buxton and the precariously-fit Tyson.. why not at least give Maguire a chance to show what he can do, or is Clough worried he'll do well enough to force his hand next time around..?

Writing Ball off at this or any level is a mistake, when his first team opportunities have been A) limited, and B) in a struggling side. It's all well and good talking about who was playing football and who wasn't, but the facts are that we didn't play football enough in the right areas to hurt Stoke. Loading the midfield at the expense of attack and then lauding impotent 'possession' is a sure-fire way of inviting defeat, so we really do need to look at getting the balance right. Nobody seems to have come away from Saturday believing we were unlucky to lose by two unanswered goals, and in fact most are just pleased to have survived it relatively unscathed.

I expect much more attacking impetus tonight and at the weekend, so why not in a 90 minute 'winner-takes-all' cup encounter, irrespective of the oppo..? Despite my known bias against Clough, I think it's plain that he got it wrong at the weekend, and I only hope he does a bit better in our sole remaining focus now, the league matches.

OOE,

Do you think Ball could make it in the Premier League?
I would say definately not and whilst I accept that he can hold the ball up as a back to goal player, he's slow, poor in the air and clumsy.
As for Saturday, we gave a good account of ourselves for about 70 mins, Ward was excellent first half, but constantly had 3 opposing players on him and in the second half he was marked out of it completely.
I get concerned about our lack of goals when you see teams like Birmingham City scoring for fun.
Sorry, but we are making do with Callum Ball, I don't see him having a great future at the Club if we are to progress.

What is it with people on this site at times? Did anyone bar capn actually bother to read my comment or did just decide I said something completely different so ether prove own point or disagree with me for sake of disagreeing with me.

I actually said Ball was unable to coup with Stoke but that was because he was made to do a job even an experience Championship striker would struggle to do and I never said anything even remotely linked to his ability at Championship level or agreed with AJ's comments in any capacity, I was agreeing with capn, who was disagreeing with bob.

I actually said Ball was unable to coup with Stoke but that was because he was made to do a job even an experience Championship striker would struggle to do and I never said anything even remotely linked to his ability at Championship level or agreed with AJ's comments in any capacity, I was agreeing with capn, who was disagreeing with AJ <my dyslexia plays up even worse when frustrated, before anyone has a pop. Yes my English sucks, we have all realised this many years ago.

Ajisaram:

Ask me when he's played a few more than half a dozen starts under his belt.

For crying out loud, don't you think it's a little too early to be writing someone off?

Don't waste my time.

666,

Fair comments, but Stoke did not overrun us by playing football. We were undone by two set plays, one well worked. If anything, I think Derby were overawed in the first few minutes, maybe psychologically intimidated by Stoke's players. I remember Stoke playing a Europa Cup game against Kiev and their players were similarly intimidated.

On the subject of Callum Ball, well, he is still learning the game. I thought Peter Crouch abysmal and he cost £10m.

Regarding comments you made a while back, on the similarities between the spirit of Billy Davies's side & Nigel Clough's and your criticism that it was hypocritical to label Davies's side as gutless, I agree, spirit isn't enough in the face/absence of quality players & I would fear for this team if it managed to achieve promotion. Saturday's game a reality check against physical athleticism/pace.

I don't think you can aim too much criticism at the manager, OK 4-5-1 at home but that was also dictated by injury. Maguire alongside Ball? Perhaps. Not sure it would have made much of a difference.

I think Swansea are a side to admire, regarding how to get out of this division and possibly survive in the absence of spending power (QPR), namely picking a formation (4-3-3) with which players are comfortable, shrewd purchases, youth development (Joe Allen) steady progress (from respectable finish after L1 promotion, 7th & then a play-off campaign) & gradual improvement.
I think this is one way to achieve sustainable success or, the worse case scenario, at least be a yo-yo side like West Brom.

Alf
I understood your point. As you say, even an experienced striker at Championship level would have struggled to get any joy out of Stoke's stubborn rearguard.

OOE

So you don't see that Ball is no Steve Howard and is not a quality player. I'm astounded.
Your decent opinion and sense of humour don't come into this, Ball is an alsoran.
Please don't be so pre-occupied with yourself by stating that I'm wasting your time. It spoils you.

Never said that at all, Ajisaram.

Never mentioned Howard.

I suggested that Ball is a good player with his back to goal.

Now what should I compare you to? Do you play golf?

You kids at it again!!???!!

You could cut the sexual tension with a knife.

Don's talk about knives, 666 - don't even make a cutting remark.

Steve Davies might be on t'internets at the moment - could be fatal.