Rams Report: Safe At Last!
Sunday, 18th Apr 2010 16:16

Derby couldn't manage to hold onto their slender lead but the point gained means they hold onto their Championship status.

Attendance: 30,255 (1428 From the Palace)

Referee: Mr. A Bates

Goals: Anderson (Der) 6’ , John (C P) 86’

Teams:

The Rams: Bywater; Hunt, Barker, Anderson, McEveley; Tonge, Green, Savage, Martin; Cywka (Davies 71’), Porter
Unused Subs: Deeney, Moxey, Pringle, Teale, Croft, Sunu.

Palace: Speroni; Butterfield, McCarthy, Hill, Hills (Clyne 33’); Carle (John 46’), Derry, Ertl (N'Diaye 77’), Danns, Ambrose; Scannell.
Unused Subs: Manns, Lawrence, Comley, Zaha.

Match Report:

This was an old fashioned game of two halves if ever there was one; in the first, Derby full of energy and a clear threat from set pieces whilst after the break, the men in white went on their summer holidays. Palace completely dominated to the point where we should think ourselves lucky to have survived with a point.

With the future in mind young winger David Martin was handed his first start after spending his initial months with the club marooned on the bench and he impressed in phases of the game. More eager than the suspended Stephen Pearson to run past defenders and you know, actually do something useful, Martin didn’t always see his advances work out but he looked impressive nonetheless.

Also impressive was another youngster, Tomasz Cywka who was sharp and strong in possession, able to keep and distribute the ball far better than any of his teammates for long periods. I was under the impression that Cywka was out of contract at Wigan after this season but our Nigel didn’t seem so sure after the game; whatever the situation, it would be nice to see talented footballers like young Tomasz stick around for next season and beyond.

Other than the above pair and the largely solid defence, the performance, especially in the second half, was as woeful as in previous weeks. Too many long balls punted towards the able but cumbersome Chris Porter were again a fixture and the lack of attacking intent in the second period was terrible to watch.

This comes down to the recent ineffectiveness of Paul Green, at least in the attacking sense, since he seems to be spending far too much time covering for his captain Robbie Savage, who whilst steady on the ball and in the tackle simply cannot get around the pitch enough anymore to allow his midfield partner to get forward as much as we are accustomed to seeing.

This has meant that with no real width to speak of aside from David Martin, the likes of Chris Porter and co are having to play through the middle despite being largely isolated from the rest of the team and this is resulting in far too little in the way of attacking possession in the oppositions half. The fact that Paul Green has scored just twice is a real problem for a team that doesn’t have a twenty plus goalscorer playing up top, at least not at the moment.

The continuing injuries to Kris Commons and Steve Davies haven’t helped but there hasn’t been any sort of adjustment made to negate this issue; the manager has made the team harder to beat there can be no doubt but if any progress is to be made next season then the midfield needs sorting out in the close season.

Anyway, I’ve said most of the above before so we’ll get on to the Rams goal which came from a good free kick by Savage, showing me up in the process, bundled in by the towering presence of Russell Anderson, a huge difference maker since his arrival in January.

Aside from that the Rams didn’t create much goalmouth action and as soon as Stern John came on at half time you knew we were in trouble. John thundered the bar midway through the second half and it seemed for a while that perhaps he wouldn’t haunt us again but it was not to be as he did eventually beat Bywater in the closing stages with a well taken turn and finish.

There’s not a great deal else to talk about as not a great deal seems to actually happen at Pride Park at the moment; Nigel has ditched some deadwood and just about kept us up. That was the plan and it’s worked to a fashion; now he needs to backing to go out and bring in players who can really make a difference next year, otherwise it’s going to be more of this...

...what a happy thought.

Man Of The Match:

Stephen Bywater – Deserves plaudits for his recent solid and point saving performances, which have often been overshadowed by Barkers brilliant form.

Without a doubt saved the Rams from an embarrassing defeat by Palace and at one point produced a world class double save. Crazy he may be but one of the few who will be able to hold his head up come the end of the season.

Managers Reaction:

Nigel Clough speaking to the Official Site after the match:

"It was another game unbeaten for us, but to draw is a little disappointing because of the timing of the equaliser".

"It was another game where we haven't seen the game through to win, which has happened a few times to us".

"Palace had nothing to lose and threw caution to the wind late on, and that was something we warned the players about".

"A second goal would have seen us through, but to be honest we didn't do enough in the second half to get that second goal.
"It was another game unbeaten and the target is to make it one defeat in ten to go into the summer".

"We're safe now for Championship football next season, but we won't be taking our foot off the gas in the final two games."

Talking about goal-scorer Russell Anderson and his future at the Rams:

"Russell has done really well, first of all to come on a three to four-month deal, not many players would be willing to do that".

"He came to prove himself, and we feel he has done that. Even before he got in the side, we were impressed with him. He has not missed a training session, he is fully fit now and we hope he is going to be around for the next couple of years."