If the gaffer turned to Russell in the dressing room before and said, ‘Johnny, be good,’ then it certainly worked as the Scot inspired the Rams to a welcome three points.

After two league reverses on the spin, the visit of an in-form Terriers side, unbeaten in seven, was always going to provide a stern test. A test that the Rams just about passed in what was arguably the most entertaining home game of the season.

Once again, McClaren opted to shuffle his pack, with Shotton, Ibe and Hughes recalled. Bryson missed out due to a hip injury, an ailment which seems to be this season’s must have accessory in the dressing room. At the same time I was left to bemoan the constant changing of the back four and wonder what Eustace had done wrong, we were off.

What was immediately apparent is that this wasn’t going to be a case of our visitors from Yorkshire parking their bus in the Rams half. My friend visiting from t’north had predicted a bold approach from the visitors and straight away, there was an open feel to the game, one that surely we would relish.

The early signs were good, Martin blazing an early corner over before Russell embarked on what was the first of many forays down the right, cutting back for Ibe who took a touch before seeing his effort headed off the line by the defender. Town fully benefiting from the Lynch effect…

An early goal was what I’m sure McClaren would have targeted and as early as the seventh minute, it came. A great passage of play from right to left finally saw Hendrick feed Ibe on the wing. Cutting inside, he returned the favour to play in Jeff, who showed the defender a clean pair of Irish heels before cutting back, again to Ibe who had continued into the box. A perfect cut-back that resulted in the perfect finish, Jordan coolly side-footing into the corner.

The game continued at a high-pace as we pushed for more. Another good slick passage of play saw Russell skip inside and try his luck, his effort ending up in the South Stand upper tier.

Hudders though were a threat on the break. Following an attacking corner for them, it was Derby who broke, but Hendrick’s poor pass to Martin resulted in one through ball for the Terriers and Wells bearing down on goal. His shot was struck well but was well saved low by Butland. Soon after though and our good work was undone.

Contriving to give the ball away on the left, a hopeful ball saw Keogh head away, straight to Holt who flicked onto Wells who in turn found Bunn unmarked in the box. Calmly selling Christie a dummy, the winger cut inside and provided the cherry on top of his name, firing past Butland into the corner. A match which we were controlling was again all square.

There followed a frustrating period where the Terriers smelt blood. Seemingly rattled, the midfield trio for the Rams fought to gain back supremacy.

Mascarell was providing sparks of foreign flair but the supply to the wide-men, both looking dangerous, was drying up. Finally, Ibe had his man one-on-one and getting to the by-line, his cross looked destined to give Martin a birthday gift two yards out. However, quicker than you could say, ‘Jack Robinson’ the defender had somehow smuggled the ball to safety.

Russell’s charging back to dispossess his man on the edge of our box brought the crowd to their feet (and gave us an excuse to animatedly try and shake off the cold!). The same man then gave us a further excuse to bounce to our half-time Bovril as just before the whistle, we were back in-front.

A typical marauding burst from Boris Johnson saw him drive into the Huddersfield box. Showing good tenacity Will got the ball back to Russell on the edge of the box, feigning to shoot; the Scot played a superb disguised pass to Martin, who was free of the last defender. Quickly closed down by the (excellent-Simpsons fans!) Smithies, his shot was saved but rebounded to Russell who had the simple task of rolling into the empty net.

Town’s protestations for offside came, correctly, to nought, although the big screen replay did little to appease the visiting fans, including my aforementioned friend from t’north, whose opinions I won’t share with you….

First half assessment was a B+. Some slick attacking play and sharp movement combined with the odd defence lapse. One more and we’d be fine - but instead it was the yellows that came out intent on preserving their unbeaten run.

Following a nip and tuck first five, Lynch almost showed his effect again, his header from a corner again, this time thankfully, just over. The warning signs continued though, as Jacob cut open the Rams defence like a knife through Butterfield, his stinging shot well saved at the near post by Butland.

We needed to hold onto the ball but were nearly further ahead in the next move. A good interchange saw Russell again free in the box, shifting the ball from right to left before scuffing a shot which almost crept in. From the resulting corner, Martin headed just over as the chances kept coming.

At the back, we were looking decidedly nervy, with Shotton in particular conceding too much space and looking positionally unaware. On more than one occasion, good football from the visitors saw Wells and Holt combine before Keogh came to our rescue.

The skipper was leading by example but could do nothing as Wells got in behind Shotton again and crossed for Bunn, who would have been hot and cross that his shot was over the bar.

Ibe won a free kick at the other end - Mascarell’s whipped delivery finding Martin who could only head at Smithies. Slowly, our midfield regained composure, with Hughes then slipping in the box when well placed. Russell was still causing problems but a stretching challenge seemed to hinder him.

Unusually, it took until the seventieth minute for the gaffer to make a change, with Dawkins on to replace Johnny, who received a well-deserved standing ovation for his efforts. Just as my friend remarked that we needed another goal, the Rams duly obliged.

Winning the ball after a Huddersfield throw in, Dawkins tried to slip in Hendrick. Instead, the cut-out ball fell invitingly for the substitute, who struck an instinctive first-time effort in off the far-post from the edge of the box.

A super-sub and suddenly, the Terriers fans were back in their baskets after claiming to have seen us cry on their tele’s. Who knew you could get signal on the farm?

3-1 but we were still not home and hosed. Substitute Ward proved as much, gliding past two defenders before drilling a shot which Butland could only push out to Bunn, who would surely reduce the arrears with the goal gaping six yards out. But wait, was it a bird? Was it a plane? No, it was Cyrus Christie, diving full-length to produce a superb block and keep the nerves at bay.

The game ticked down as Huddersfield continued to work their socks off. Ibe should have done better with a clear run at goal but time was our friend. As added time was indicated, a strange figure by the name of Paul Coutts was given some game time, replacing Ibe for a welcome return to home action.

Action which was still very much continuing with a minute to go, Paterson capitalised on some hesitant work from Butland to try his luck, the keeper atoning with another good stop. Still, there was time for another sloppy goal to be conceded, the subsequent corner being nodded home by Hudson, who was afforded the freedom of the iPro.

Thankfully, there was barely time for Coutts to get his white boots dirty as that was that.

A much more free-flowing game than in previous weeks at home and a welcome three points.

Still, there was much to digest, especially in the back-four where we are crying out for a settled partnership at centre half. Hopefully for me, Buxton will be given another shot in the near future.

A good but not perfect performance then but with the bottom line being we are back on track. Chris Powell, nicely applauded by all corners of the stadium at full time, could be proud of his team.

A stern test passed nonetheless. Another to come on Saturday as the Wolves come hunting.

A win will send us top - so hopefully we’ll have chance to sing that song again… at least for a couple of hours.

Weston’s Player Ratings

Jack Butland — 6: A couple of very smart stops but still to convince in commanding his area.

Cyrus Christie — 6: Not at his marauding best but got better as game progressed and produced superb last - ditch tackle to prevent a nervy finish.

Richard Keogh — 8: Very good performance from the skipper. Battled, anticipated and was the last barrier on many occasions. Carried Shotton at times.

Ryan Shotton — 6: A real mixed bag. Was ok in spells, had a very poor period in the second half but was better in final fifteen. Jury still out for me.

Craig Forsyth — 6: Looked steady defensively, didn’t break forwards as much as he would have wanted.

Omar Mascarell — 7: Impressive in spells. Always sharp and looking to move the ball and also defended well. Bit guilty of trying the ‘Hollywood’ pass too often.

Jeff Hendrick — 6: Good assist for first goal and then drifted in and out.

Will Hughes — 7: Neat and tidy, a couple of uncharacteristic missed passes but still good.

Jordan Ibe — 7: Very well-taken goal and looked lively throughout, with more of an end-product than recently. Was booked in first-half for sneezing on someone!

Johnny Russell — Weston’s Star Man 9: Excellent from the first whistle. Dangerous, caused problems, chased back and got a goal to boot.

Chris Martin — 7: No goal from the birthday boy having missed a couple of good chances. Did his job well.

Subs:

Simon Dawkins — 7: Making impact from the bench. Well-taken goal.

Paul Coutts — 6: Won’t need to clean his white boots!

Match Info / Teams:

Ref: K.Hill

Crowd: 27,153

Rams: Butland, Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth, Mascarell, Hughes, Hendrick, Russell (Dawkins, 76), Ibe (Coutts, 90), Martin.

Unused Subs: Roos, Eustace, Buxton, Best, Calero

Goals: Ibe (7’), Russell (45+1’), Dawkins (77’).

Terriers: Smithies, Hudson, Scannell (Ward 66’), Butterfield (Majewski 83’), Coady, Holt, Robinson, Wells (Paterson 86’), Smith, Bunn, Lynch.

Unused Subs: Allinson, Peltier, Wallace, Dixon, Paterson.

Goals: Bunn (22’), Hudson (90+3’)

Match Stats — Rams / Terriers:

Possession: 62% / 38%

Shots On Target: 7 / 6

Shots Off Target: 9 / 12

Corners: 9 / 8

Fouls: 8 / 13

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"It was a good reaction after Saturday at Brentford. It was a difficult game for us, a dangerous game for us given the way they play. We expected an open game and that's what we got. There were chances at both ends and it never felt like the game was won.”

"We got eighty-odd points last season - we've got to get the same again. We're on 29 now so there's a long way still to go."

They said — Chris Powell :

“Although losing is not a good feeling, I have to look back on the unbeaten run with a lot of pride. We didn't make the greatest of starts but we got back into the game and Harry Bunn scored a really good goal.”

"We conceded again just before half-time with what looked like a controversial goal at the time but I have seen it since and Martin was not offside, the officials got it spot on."

Highlights / Post Match Interviews:

Up Next For The Rams:

Derby vs. Wolves

iPro Stadium

12:00pm — Saturday 8th November

COYR!!

Photo: Action Images

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