Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Derby County 2-0 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Tuesday, 21st Aug 2018 21:51

Second-half goals from sub Joe Ledley and ex-Blues loanee Tom Lawrence saw Derby County to a 2-0 home victory over Town, their first win against the Blues at Pride Park since November 2006. Ledley put the Rams in front on 59 and Lawrence sealed the three points with a freekick in the 68th minute with Town never looking likely to get back into the game.

Grant Ward returned to the Blues starting line-up for the suspended Tayo Edun on the left of midfield in an otherwise unchanged side.

For Derby, Martyn Waghorn dropped to the bench alongside Jack Marriott, while Lawrence started, as did Town nemesis David Nugent, who was looking to add to his 15 goals in 16 games against the Blues.

Craig Bryson hit the game’s first effort over in the second minute after Lawrence had been crowded out on the right of the box with the Rams starting brightly.

Town’s first shot came on eight after a Gwion Edwards cross from the right had reached Trevoh Chalobah on the edge of the box but the on-loan Chelsea man shot weakly wide.

There was a scare for the Blues on 15 when Chalobah’s poor pass allowed Mason Mount to break inside the Town half but Bryson’s cross was too far in front of Nugent at the back post.

Town broke from the subsequent corner and Bryson was shown the game’s first yellow card for a cynical foul on Ward in front of the Blues’ technical area, almost sending Blues boss Hurst crashing as well as the midfielder.

On 17 Nolan shot powerfully but wide following a Town freekick on the left, then with the game continuing to be a stop-start, scruffy affair Derby were forced into a change in the 27th minute when George Evans suffered a knock. Wales international Ledley took over.

Blues nemesis Nugent shot wide from the edge of the box in the 35th minute, then two minutes later Mount crossed from the right, Bartosz Bialkowski punched to the 18-yard line from where Bryson scuffed a shot into a Town player.

The Blues had spent most of the period in their own half albeit without Derby looking overly threatening for the most part but on 40 Ward twisted and turned in the box having seen his first shot blocked and his second effort took a deflection but fortunately flew straight to Scott Carson in the Rams goal.


Two minutes later Ellis Harrison caught one-time Town academy schoolboy and ballboy Richard Keogh in possession on halfway and the Ireland international hauled him down and was deservedly shown the yellow card by referee Scott Duncan.

Just prior to the fourth official holding up his board to indicate three additional minutes, a loose ball fell to Chalobah following a corner but the midfielder screwed his shot high and wide.

The scoreline remained 0-0 at the break which was a fair reflection of a not particularly enthralling first half of few chances at both ends.

Derby had had most of the ball but had been unable to force Bialkowski into a save with their rather ponderous approach.

Carson had also been relatively untroubled, Ward’s late effort aside, although the Rams hadn’t looked entirely comfortable defending Town corners.

Blues boss Paul Hurst is likely to have been the happier of the two managers walking off at the break.

Skuse picked up an early second-half booking for a foul on Ledley, then on 50 Mount shot wide having been found in space on the right of the box by the Welshman.

A minute later, Nolan worked himself some room on the edge of the area at the other end but scuffed wide.

On 55 Skuse was replaced by Flynn Downes, then moments later skipper Luke Chambers headed a Ward freekick from the right over.

A minute before the hour mark the Rams took the lead. A Mount corner from the right was headed out by Toto Nsiala to Ledley who struck a 25-yard effort through a crowd of players which deflected past Bialkowski to his left.

Town switched Harrison for Kayden Jackson in the 63rd minute as they looked for a way back into the game.

But in the 68th minute the Rams made it 2-0. Lawrence was fouled just outside the area by Nsiala, who was booked, and the one-time Blues loanee deftly struck a freekick which appeared to go through the Blues wall. Despite a deflection, Bialkowski got a strong left hand on it but couldn’t prevent the ball from falling just inside the post.

Derby swapped Mason Bennett for Florian Jozefzoon as Town prepared to restart the game.

On 70, Edwards sent a dangerous low ball across from the right but without a Blues player being able to get a touch. Five minutes later, the Welshman was replaced by Jordan Roberts, who joined Jackson up front.

Derby continued to dominate and on 76 Mount shot wide from 25 yards, then two minutes later ex-Blue Marriott took over from Nugent.

Chalobah blazed over on 79 with the Blues looking unlikely to get back into the match having failed to test Carson at any stage of the second half.

Jackson hit a low shot through to Carson in the penultimate minute of scheduled time but the Rams were comfortably saw the game out to end the Blues’ long unbeaten run at Pride Park.

Town can have few complaints about the result. Although there was little in the game until the first goal, the Blues made little impression in the second half.

During the first, while Derby had the lion’s share of the ball, Town had had spells but after the break they made little headway and Carson was largely a spectator.

The Rams hardly peppered Bialkowski’s goal, but Ledley made the most of a weak clearance and Lawrence reminded Town fans of his threat from freekicks, although the Blues keeper certainly felt his wall ought to have been more effective. Again both the goals came from set pieces either directly or indirectly, as have most of those Town have conceded this season.

The Blues go into Saturday’s away game at Sheffield Wednesday still without a win under new boss Hurst and in 20th position.

Derby: Carson, Forsyth, Bryson, Tomori, Keogh (c), Mount, Lawrence, Evans (Ledley 27), Bennett (Jozefzoon 69), Nugent (Marriott 78), Bogle. Unused: Roos, Wisdom, Waghorn, Lowe.

Town: Bialkowski, Donacien, Nsiala, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Chalobah, Skuse (Downes 55), Ward, Nolan, Edwards (Roberts 75), Harrison (Jackson 63). Unused: Gerken, Spence, Roberts, Sears, Kenlock. Referee: Scott Duncan (Northumberland). Att: 24,362.


Photo: TWTD



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



grinch added 21:54 - Aug 21
inept is the only word to use really
-13

BlueParadigm added 21:54 - Aug 21
You can't fault Town for lack of commitment or work rate but they showed absolutely zero creativity or penetration. PH needs to utilise loan window wisely or those who proclaimed “be careful what you wish for” when MM departed will be informing everyone that they told us so.
17

Blue_Again added 21:55 - Aug 21
Oh dear oh dear
-6

BobbyPetta11 added 21:55 - Aug 21
Ward not a winger impressed with Roberts left foot he should start
Knudsen is poor
Bart has started the season sloppy should have done better with the free kick
Nolan looks good but would like to see him phased in (if we had more options)

On the whole in time we will come good... it all depends how long that takes if this continues to xmas we will all be in a panic.
8

Blue_75 added 21:55 - Aug 21
I like Paul Hurst and I'm happy with his transfer dealings. I just wish we'd play two up front. Our lone striker looks isolated. Really want to see if Harrison and Jackson could form a partnership!
36

muhrensleftfoot added 21:57 - Aug 21
Need to create more. One man up front not working. Draft in Morris and play him alongside Jackson. Desperately need a fit Dozzell to supply the killer pass.
26

Gatehouse added 21:57 - Aug 21
I'm really hopeful mr hurst succeeds attack is the best form of defence really think we need to play two up front trev and skuse do the same job so only need one of them I'm afraid ward offers very little surely Rowe is worth a try the back 4 at the moment are probably the best we have but as with everything in life worth doing it takes time and patience it was always going to be a. Tough season hopefully let's enjoy the ride 2 up front please paul
18

Gatehouse added 21:57 - Aug 21
I'm really hopeful mr hurst succeeds attack is the best form of defence really think we need to play two up front trev and skuse do the same job so only need one of them I'm afraid ward offers very little surely Rowe is worth a try the back 4 at the moment are probably the best we have but as with everything in life worth doing it takes time and patience it was always going to be a. Tough season hopefully let's enjoy the ride 2 up front please paul
2

oxfordblue added 21:59 - Aug 21
It's going to be a long hard season,I'm not quite sure what our formation or tactics are and ph needs to sort this
6

Bluearmy_81 added 21:59 - Aug 21
Austerity and the championship don't mix. Don't blame the elephant in the room though...
6

Reuserscurtains added 21:59 - Aug 21
Be surprised if Harrison or Jackson get 5 league goals this season. Dead wood. Goals win games. Striker in NOW!
7

itfckenty added 21:59 - Aug 21
It's a shame, but we to stop be dilusional. 5 games in, no results and a continuous problem on the attack. I'm all up for believing in Paul Hurst, but i think we should just a accept our fate and think about next year.
0

chopra777 added 22:00 - Aug 21
We are unlikely to win pin a tail on the donkey at this rate. Time to re-think how to win games PH.
11

Pezzer added 22:00 - Aug 21
Getting rid of MM was the right thing to do but Hurst needs to back up his early promises with team selection, formation and style of play or he will find the fans not supportive of losing in this inept way.
11

BecclesBlue500 added 22:01 - Aug 21
Haven't been to PR yet this year so can't pretend I've seen every game; hardly a treat to watch the Sky ‘Tesco own brand' coverage tonight......

Feels like we're going to play the role of plucky-tryers this season; felt like it was a cup game where we were the chippy league 1 or league 2 club who gave their all against a stronger Championship side; never looked like scoring, only our youth, fitness and adrenaline gave us the appearance of having a hold/stake in the game.

Results so far; 2-2 against newly promoted side; beaten 1-0 by a newly promoted side who are tipped for relegation; draw at home to Villa (chippiness/adrenaline etc) and beaten 2-0 by a pretty average yet-to-gel Derby side.

Hmmmmm......re-group in league 1 next year?
2

Woodbridgian added 22:01 - Aug 21
Absolutely nothing up front and very sloppy at the back. Replacing one totally ineffective stricker and system with another bizarre!
6

jas0999 added 22:01 - Aug 21
Not good enough. Derby were very poor, but we were even worse tonight. Nothing up front. It's a disappointing performance, result considering how the opposition played is also poor.

It's clear we are lacking quality. We are also lacking depth. For some reason this isn't popular on here, but it's bizarre in my opinion how folk aren't questioning Evans. He's pocketed millions this summer and left us short of strikers and CBs. It shows.

Depressing stuff after a battling showing on Saturday. No wins in five (all comps), and considering we've played Blackburn, Rotherham, Exeter (weakened team) and a very poor Derby ... it's a worry. Best result, ironically, against best opposition in Villa with ten men! Tonight was dull.

Long season awaits I'm afraid. Squad not good enough.
20

Sixto6 added 22:01 - Aug 21
I think Harrison and Jackson would really complement each other up front.
Really missed Skuse's control in midfield. Knudsen very poor! COYB
0

Bluewelshman added 22:02 - Aug 21
Poor game.

We were in no way dangerous in attack, with the town midfield unable to pass through derby, and Chalobah seeming to misjudge every pass he attempted (maybe he isn't a central midfielder).

Derby weren't that good and scoring the two goals they did flattered them with the towns defence playing like they did against the Villa.

End of the day Ipswich is still building, we have young and hungry news signings, but PH has to look at the link between the midfield and attack, because it is not working.

Lets take on Shef. W. and Naarwich better than we did tonight at Derby, and get a couple of wins to push on.

COYB
11

Orraman added 22:02 - Aug 21
Town holding their own with Derby for 60 mins, then Skuse was taken off.....game over. He's the glue that's held this team together for a few years now. So badly miss his influence when he's not on the pitch.
22

Bluearmy_81 added 22:03 - Aug 21
Agree jas. Baffling to me too
4

masetheace added 22:03 - Aug 21
Solid at the back , hard working , well organised but no creativity or goal threat . Looks like a long hard season .
5

itfc94 added 22:03 - Aug 21
Massively disappointed tonight. Both Derby and Villa didn't look quite up to where they should be and I feel both games could of been there for the taking.

Overall, Town had small glimpses of some nice football. The game was pretty poor overall, we kept Derby from creating and pushed them back well in the first half, without creating chances of our own.

I cannot stand Knudsen, though. He is so prone to a mistake, never even tries to break the flanks, always boots it forward. Think the left hand side needs addressing. Although Roberts looked sharp.

Positives - Nolan, Nsiala, Donacien, Chalobah all showed signs of promise.

Is it written in the stars that PH's Town career will ignite in a emphatic Norwich win!?....
9

martin587 added 22:04 - Aug 21
On my way home from Derby and I have to be brutally honest,we were really poor.Derby were there for the taking and we offered very little.
Nolan and Donacien were good the rest just seemed a little phased and chased shadows for long spells.I also felt Bart should have done better with both goals.(just my opinion).
I'm far from being a manager but in this league we need two up front for anything to work.
I hate to be critical of my team but tonight is best forgotten.
We WILL come good but it needs to be quick.Also we need more in midfield,the sooner the injuries clear up the better.
Heads up though lads,let's just do better on Saturday.
18

Skuse4ballondor added 22:04 - Aug 21
I was a bit confused at why we weren't playing a high pressing game. Derby's big weakness is their playing out from the back and was this exploited very well by Millwall on saturday. I think Hurst missed a trick by letting them pass out under no pressure. The Derby fans were nervous pre match and putting their defenders under pressure earlier doors could've caused them problems and set in some fear. Jackson pressed when he came on but it only works if you press as a team. Quite frustrating to watch.
19


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024