Sometimes Life Is Simply Wonderful — Notes for Derby Monday, 24th Mar 2014 11:40 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Tuesday's game by delving into their forums. "I genuinely cannot remember the last time we scored a goal", "We need goals. We don't have any goals in us at the moment and our poor quality up front is telling", "The next time we score, I feel that it'll open the floodgates. I do hope it's against them on Saturday." Rams were frustrated at having failed to find the net in their four games leading up to Saturday's derby at home to Nottingham Forest. "It is a massive, massive, massive game. No matter how much Steve McClaren tries to say it's just another game, it's not, and it never will be just another game." The floodgates opened with a 5-0 "annihilation" of their rivals in what was a ruthlessly dominant display, capped off with a hat-trick by midfielder Craig Bryson. Victory in 'El Cloughico'"Sometimes football supporting can be a trying, expensive and miserable experience. Sometimes is just fills you with joy and makes you glad to be alive. That was epic", "A brilliant win and a historic result — you can't ask for more than that", "That was ridiculous. It could have been 10." "That was the most satisfying 96 minutes of football I have ever witnessed. We totally dominated them from start to finish", "It was the best game I have ever been to. It was utterly magical", "Thank God the goals are back." Steve McClaren"I thought McClaren got it spot-on, with his tactics, with his interviews in the build-up, and with his team selection — the lot. It was one of those days where everything clicked", "It's great to see his coaching ability bearing fruit with the simple improvements in the squad we already had." "We are very lucky to have him." The former England manager was Jim Smith's assistant at Derby for four years in the late nineties. "The whole team seems to have stepped up a gear since he came in, and it's got to be something to do with his coaching technique." Two Pivotal Positions"Our success under McClaren has been built on two positions, an attacking focal point and a defensive midfielder. These positions have allowed the players around them to play to their strengths and have given us that cutting edge when we have been on form." The Rams switched to an attacking 4-3-3 formation, using three narrow midfielders, midway through our memorable 4-4 draw in early October. They haven't deviated from this system in their rise to third place in the Championship. DefenceDerby have only conceding three times in their last eight games, drawing 0-0 at Reading and at home to Derby before Saturday's rout. "All credit to the coaching staff for the defensive changes", "Our defence has been solid, but they have had nothing to do really."
"Lee Grant has been the key ingredient this year and our lofty position is down to him", "He flapped at a cross for Millwall's winning goal but then pulled off a terrific save moments later." The former Burnley keeper "had absolutely nothing to do against Forest". Grant has been criticised for his judgement when distributing the ball, especially when it is at his feet. The 31-year-old "is a great shot stopper but can be a terrible footballer". Liverpool loan signing Andre Wisdom has been playing regularly at right-back. "He's still not the dominant player we had at the start of his loan spell. Some silly mistakes are creeping in." The 20-year-old had a tough game on Saturday. "Jamie Paterson gave him the run around at times." "Wisdom has the ability, but will not press forward if he can avoid doing so. Therefore we offer little or no threat from the right", "He didn't look interested" against Millwall, but "is hardly ever done for pace and is very strong". Former Hornet Craig Forsyth "is absolutely solid in defence and is easily our best crosser of a ball". The 25-year-old left-back "shows Wisdom what he should be doing by getting forward and crossing", "I can't believe how well he has done since Steve came in."
"Forsyth has had fewer assists recently, but has definitely improved defensively", "He was steady in defence and marauded forward on many occasions [against Forest]", "Most of Reading's chances came down our left, but they got nothing out of him and he was good going forward." "Richard Keogh was utterly dominant against Forest. He won countless aerial duels and took up excellent positions", "He deserves credit for driving us forward", Last season's defensive frailties have gone." The 27-year-old one-time Town schoolboy and ballboy "is there in defence time and time again." "I really can't figure out why Keogh doesn't provide an attacking threat from set-pieces anymore. It's no longer there. Whenever he gets a header in on goal, it's rubbish. Last season he looked more dangerous." Jake Buxton"After we scored our first goal against Forest, Bucko came over and shepherded the players away, celebrating, but staying cool in the middle of a storm. It was as if he was saying 'good start lads, but there's 85 minutes to go and we haven't won this yet'. Good leadership, good guy, good player."
The former Burton Albion centre-back is "a perfect example of the total being greater than the sum of the parts. Other players may be more gifted, but Bucko gives everything both physically and mentally to compete", "He is the heart of Derby County Football Club", "He gives his effing all." The 29-year-old defender has his faults. "The only problem I see with him is his lack of pace", "Anyone with a bit of pace turns him into a very average defender. He is excellent and accurate in the air and on the ground, and puts himself in where it hurts, but that is it." Central MidfieldGetting the right blend of personnel has been critical in the Rams' engine room, especially in the holding role. Against Millwall "the players were not connecting with each other. There were too many sloppy short passes. They were getting in each other's way and giving up for no reason at all." There has been little comment about Will Hughes, the highly regarded 18-year-old youth product. He recently picked up a groin injury against Reading: "While he was on the pitch, he was instrumental in every attack. We might have nicked a win if he didn't get injured." Hughes struggled when played as a defensive midfielder against the Lions. "He was far too deep to be effective", "He was wasted in the holding role. We missed his creativity", "He spent far too long stood in front of Bucko with his back to goal." "Jeff Hendrick is built like a holding player. He has a good eye for attacking, and is not suited to just sitting in front of the back four", "His close control in tight areas is excellent", "He was anonymous against Millwall, having no idea what he should be doing and barely touching the ball." The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international flourished in the time and space given to him on Saturday. "He made some surging runs from midfield, defended when he had to and linked well with Thorne and Bryson", "A brilliant performance and a classy finish." John Eustace serves the second game of a two match ban on Tuesday for picking up ten yellow cards this season. The 34-year-old ex-Watford player "is struggling for fitness", and "looked exhausted after an hour against Reading", "Our midfield is too lightweight for the battle without him." George Thorne West Brom loan signing George Thorne made his debut against Forest. The 21-year-old "was nervy early on but looks an intelligent accomplished footballer", "He took too long in possession on a few occasions, and needs match fitness", "I was impressed by his composure. He's a class act." Craig Bryson"Utterly peerless, all over the pitch and he actually scored a penalty", "He has to be player of the season now", "He has such a great engine", "I don't think a central midfielder could have done any more", "Keep that match ball, lad. You did good, son."
The 27-year-old former Kilmarnock player attained folk-hero status with his hat-trick on Saturday, as Forest allowed him to break forward and connect with striker Chris Martin's outstanding hold-up play. "He puts a heck of a shift in, popping up all over the place." Bryson struggled when Chris Martin was suspended for the Millwall defeat. "He was a poor shadow of his former self, offering glimpses." He was also erratic against Bolton, "his control around the edge of the box was a disappointment. His usual midwife's touch turned into that of a blacksmith." Wide Midfield"Our crossing is dire. We get into some decent positions and then we lack quality", "We need to add quality when we play out wide, and not just the wingers — all of the team." The lack of quality crosses and set-pieces is regularly mentioned by supporters. "I love Jamie Ward. He showed fight and passion as well as giving Gonzalo Jara a hard time while he was on the pitch." The 27-year-old former Blade featured on the left flank on Saturday, substituted after picking up a knock before half time. "He really looked good and troubled them." There is one criticism of the Northern Ireland international. "Ward's set-pieces and crosses can be awful. Freekicks need to be whipped-in from an angle towards the corner so that a glancing header is needed. Ward's freekicks are nowhere near." "Simon Dawkins is quality, but when he gets to the final third, he's a League Two player at best", "His ability to carry the ball and stretch defences is excellent." The 26-year-old joined from Spurs in January. "His close control is excellent, getting a pass away when surrounded by opponents."
"Dawkins is great at getting the ball to the box, but doesn't have an ounce of the final quality to do anything noteworthy", "Dawkins inability to deliver a killer ball is what he is lacking as a player", "He just doesn't seem to want to shoot", "His strength is excellent, but his shooting is appalling." "Johnny Russell works so hard and never has a strop for not playing every game." The 23-year-old ex-Dundee United man "still has the dynamic running side to his game", "He scored a wonder goal" against Forest. "Finally some end product from a player with so much unfulfilled potential." Patrick Bamford ""Centre forward is his natural position", "He's played there and was unable to hold the ball up. He just kept giving it away", "He's not strong enough to play Chris Martin's role", "He did cause Forest problems on the right, but was too eager to score himself, ignoring a free Russell several times." The 20-year-old Chelsea loan signing is regularly taken to task for his work rate. "I don't care how cleanly he strikes the ball. The boy needs to put a shift in occasionally", "He was too lazy and was unwilling to track back for Millwall's goal." Strikers"How many games does it take for a lack of goals to become a crisis?", "It's just that now we aren't going for it in front of goal", "It's all good focusing on the defensive side of the game, but we've lost our attacking game as a consequence." Many Rams were getting anxious before Saturday's deluge. "You see us playing some real quality football in and around the box. A neutral would be well impressed by the intricate clever play", "It is all well and good this Ali-style dancing around the ring, but we have got to throw a punch occasionally." Conor Sammon"I'd take any striker we have ever had over Conor Sammon, literally any one. He is the worst striker I've ever seen in the flesh. It's not just his ability with the ball. It's his movement and positioning off it", "He's not a scapegoat. He's the worst striker I've ever seen play for Derby."
The 27-year-old ex-Wigan striker arouses animated feelings among many fans. "He's not a target man. The ball continuously bounces off him. Hardly anything sticks at all", "He can't lead the line. He hasn't the technical ability. He's like a bull in a china shop, an impact player, and nothing more." The criticism of the Republic of Ireland international is constant. "When Sammon stood up to come on from the bench, all you could hear was this low disappointed murmur", "I'm going to hunt down the next person who suggests bringing Sammon on when we aren't winning. He's an awful player." Chris Martin"Martin had some lovely touches, especially the lay-off for Bryson's second goal", "It was a classic Martin display. He holds the ball up so well, and is a fantastic player at bringing the midfielders in",
Forest's inability to deal with the 25-year-old former Norwich striker was the principal cause of their undoing on Saturday. "He hardly lost the ball, whether played to his feet or in the air. His passing as usual was great", "It was the best a striker could have been without scoring." "Martin does a great job. For the first time in years, we know we can play it to the front man without him losing it", "The guy could stop and control a bullet, but he needs players to make the runs for him", "He's so reliant on our midfield. If they're not creative, it looks like we'll never score." He was suspended for the Millwall defeat. "We have no one else who can play that role effectively", "We really have no reliable substitute for him", "It's not just referees who have singled him out. He's got a reputation, and opposition players are showing referees the elbow after an ordinary clash." Rams' Views on ITFC and the Game"Hopefully we will have plenty in the tank for the other games to come this week. None will ever be as easy as today's win", "After the Forest result, I can't see us losing", "Our confidence is brimming. We'll sweep them aside", "We're on the crest of a wave." "Ipswich aren't particularly scary in the sense they are an attacking team. They're defensive, and only had around 30 per cent possession against Brighton", "I think we'll dominate them regardless of the scoreline", "They look like a solid team which is slightly overachieving thanks to a top manager." There are a small number of pessimists. "Back down to earth with a bump I reckon. A good, yet underwhelming, point against solid if unspectacular opposition", "2-1 Ipswich. Portman Road is rarely a happy hunting ground, and after the Lord Mayor's Show and all that." "I'd take a point here. They're quietly moving up the table and are only five points off I think. They need the win more than us, so will have to go for it. Think they had a smaller budget than us so McCarthy has done a good job. It's crap football but still effective." One Ram had a very different idea: "**** Ipswich, I want to play Forest again!" WebsitesThe busiest forum is the polite and well informed Rams Talk. There are some informative articles on Ramzone .
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Lee Grant
Craig Forsyth
Bryson (centre) celebrates scoring with Will Hughes (left) and Patrick Bamford
Simon Dawkins
