| Viewpoint: Derby County - 21/10/2022 Written by scants_itfc_88 on Sunday, 23rd Oct 2022 14:53 That was a massive win on so many levels! Friday night under the lights in front of a packed out Portman Road and on Sky TV, what could possibly go wrong? Given the Ipswich Town of the previous few seasons the answer to that question could have been a lot. However, we have said so many times that this season is different, and it proved to be once again. It wasn't the strongest Town performance of the season and the game was largely scrappy with two top sides cancelling each other out. Town definitely started faster than they have in the last two games though and despite Derby having the better opening chances, the Blues did not look like they were going to concede. It came off the back of two 1-0 defeats. Not scoring for two games on the bounce seemed an unlikely scenario this season given the prominence of our attacking threat. Against Lincoln we saw 33 Town shots on goal without any luck. At Cambridge in the EFL Trophy the game was ruined by one of the most ridiculous decisions we have seen from an official (and the bar is pretty low on that one) sending Kyle Edwards off for simulation when he was blatantly tripped by the defender, meaning Town had to play 70 minutes a man light. It was important Town did not go a third game without finding the net or confidence would start to dwindle. We didn't create as many chances as we have been used to this season, but Derby do have two experienced former Premier League defenders in their back three, so it was inevitable they would prevent us from too many opportunities. The closest we came in the first half was a ball whipped in by Lee Evans, which Wes Burns just couldn't get his head on. Had he been an inch taller he surely would have found the back of the net. It didn't look like we would score in the first half but I don't recall Derby having a solid chance on our goal either. We ramped up the pressure in the second half and it was that pressure which created the opener. Although it was a mistake by the experienced Curtis Davies, that mistake was forced by three Town players pressurising the Derby backline. The pass back was short, Kayden Jackson was alert and beat the keeper to the ball. He rounded him and from there we will look past the fact he missed an open goal. Luckily the ball cannoned back off the post into the path of Wes Burns, who took a touch and calmly slammed it home. For the first time in three games Town had the lead and something to defend. The thing that was most impressive to me was the effort to break into the box once that pass-back was made. Even though Jackson missed, the opportunity was not wasted because Burns had made himself available for the rebound. If it deflected further across the box, Marcus Harness was in a similar position and would surely have finished too. From there, Town were comfortable. Derby through on attacking substitutions, but still didn't create a solid effort on our goal. Town had the opportunity to seal the game with less than ten minutes to go. So many times we have bemoaned the referees for not giving us decisions and some awful once against us, but now they seem to be remembering we can have penalties too, Kieran McKenna may want to consider some more practice in training. With neither Lee Evans or Conor Chaplin on the pitch, it was Jackson who picked up the ball. Unfortunately I called it before he stepped up... it was inevitable he was going to miss. Yes, the keeper did come off his line and it should have been retaken, but it was not a great penalty. That's three penalties in three games after none for a long time and only one scored. We need to make sure we take those opportunities when they come round. Thankfully it did not cost us any points as we saw out the game well for a massive three points. Not only did it keep us in second, but it broke the TV hoodoo and with Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday both dropping points, it swung momentum back our way slightly. Let's hope our next TV game against Bracknell Town in the FA Cup is not one we come away with red faces from. I want to make it clear I am not picking on Jackson with my comments for this game. I just don't think he is good enough as the frontman. Whilst he does get a few goals, his general finishing and decision-making on the final ball is not always where we would need it to be. There is no question of his work effort and pressure he puts on opposing defences with his pace. I personally enjoyed his game more standing in at left wing-back. It's good we have his versatility but he shouldn't be in the starting XI for me, however having him around the squad as a different option when McKenna needs to change it is a good place for us to have him. Port Vale is up on Tuesday, and whilst it's a game we should win, our large squad is suddenly looking a little depleted. Sam Morsy picked up a fifth yellow and so will miss the game through suspension. It doesn't sound great for Lee Evans making the team either after he came off with a knee injury. Let's hope that is a short recovery and not a period on the sidelines. He has arguably been Town's most consistent performer this season. Dom Ball and Cameron Humphreys look set to start together in the middle. Both have been impressive when they have featured, mainly in cup games, this season. It should be enough for us at Port Vale, but with Charlton next Saturday I hope we see Evans able to be back in alongside Morsy, who will surely return to the side. Overall, it was a solid and professional performance against Derby without being outstanding, but the outcome of three points and making gains on the other two sides makes it a happy weekend for the huge town following! 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