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

Umros added 22:05 - Aug 21 Went to game. The first post is accurate. Inept. Derby were nothing special but made their two efforts on goal count. We just didn't look like scoring, the one up front tactic isn't going to work and I reserve judgment on whether we have the quality until the team have gelled in a few weeks. It don't look good though to be honest.
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Littleun added 22:05 - Aug 21 I thought we looked pretty good, other than the final third. We really do need a bit more up front though. Not sure Harrison or Jackson quite have what it needs at the moment to play the lone striker role without a lot more support than they're currently getting. A disappointing result, but much easier on the eye than many previous seasons. I really hope that we manage to find that spark up top as I like what Paul Hurst is trying to do but we won't get very far without scoring a few goals. Still early doors though, let's get behind the lads and see if they can't turn this around! COYB!

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afcfee added 22:05 - Aug 21 Can't blame the strikers when not getting chances midfield need to create more
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WaltonBlueNaze added 22:06 - Aug 21 Harrison desparately needs Jackson to play alongside him, Nolan looked useful at times, we do not need both Skuse and Chalabah in midfield. Can't see where the goals are going to come from as we not creating any chances. Thought Ward was poor tonight, he did not contribute anything going forward. Selling Garner without a replacement is going to come back and bite us, we urgently need a striker on loan otherwise it's going to be a real relegation battle this season.

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StokeHigh97 added 22:06 - Aug 21 That was poor: The players still getting use to this system I feel for Harrison no support no one running off him or beyond it's a thankless task, at the moment doesn't look like scoring: up to the Ledley goal it had 0-0 written all over it: the tempo tonight was too slow, Edwards v quite, Ward did nothing threatening, I still don't think Skuse works in this system, too slow, not mobile enough, he is not a creative player either: Saturdays game is big we could really do with a win going into the Norwich game: for Saturday id try Jackson up Top instead of Harrison as I can't see him playing the 2: Edun will come in for Ward & id drop Skuse play edun centrally & give Rowe a go on the left after his hat-trick for U23: for sure that was the worse league performance:

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jimblue93 added 22:08 - Aug 21 Things are going to have to change fast. We just looked so poor in attack tonight. Harrison does not have the ability to play up top on his own. He has pace for sure but with just one up it's got to be a guy who can hold and link up pla, especially away from home. Major rethink needed in the final third imo. Let's just hope he can fix this before were dead and buried.

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mathiemagic added 22:09 - Aug 21 Ok first half, poor second half. No Plan B. Harrison will be ridiculed if he does not get a strike partner shortly along side him. Effort clearly there but hardly an effort on goal says it all. Once we went one goal down that was the time to change the formation and go for it. Sadly we substituted like for like and the game whimpered out.
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jimbo67 added 22:09 - Aug 21 Sadly not great how ever there looks a real player in John Nolan also the gaffer needs to get the formation right which clearly isn't working with one lone striker I firmly believe we need to switch to a 4-4-2 formation with both Harrison and Jackson up top or even one with young Ben Morris as I feel we are just lacking i n the final third of the pitch also my opinion only Knudsen not good enough as a left back I think Kenlock would be a far better option

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TimmyH added 22:10 - Aug 21 Personally felt we weren't going to win tonight after Derby had lost 2 on the bounce and let's face it we've lost 2-0 to a team out of confidence...I'll still say it again (and a few others have said) the Waghorn and even Garner departures will cost us this season, early days but I really don't have a lot of faith in Harrison or Roberts to step up in this tough Championship. Proven quality up front needs to be attained on a season long loan, as for the idea of a regroup in league 1 or writing this season off 4 games in...Paul Hurst wasn't brought in for that!!!

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cat added 22:10 - Aug 21 Not to despondent with that result as I simply did not fancy getting anything. Two sloppy goals to concede, with bad organising for the first and a bit of a limp wrist for the second. Not many players are going to get by Donacien on his current form, Nolan and Jackson have potential, the latter should be nearing match fitness and needs to start, Jonas pish poor. Overall a tired performance and I'm certainly no where near that panic button, talking bout buttons, what a pile of pish that red one is, still “better red than dead” so they say. Respect to the travelling fans who made some noise.

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Bezzer added 22:11 - Aug 21 I'm not confused, our players aren't good enough for the championship! Simple as that! I'm wondering whether PH is too. Controversial, but the results don't lie. We could play 4 up front and it wouldn't make a difference. How many years since we've had creativity in the midfield? How many years since we've had proper investment in good championship players? How many years in this division? It's dull, boring and all too underwhelming!

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brendanh added 22:13 - Aug 21 Agree that we don't have the personnel for one up front. Harrison lacks the presence, just as Garner did last season. Let's try 4-4-2.
1

tractorboy2421 added 22:14 - Aug 21 PH needs to turn things around now before panic sets in. We can't face those tossers on sept 2nd with this style of play.beating them will kick start our season
0

delias_cheesy_flaps added 22:15 - Aug 21 Enjoyed watching us play Saturday, didn't enjoy watching us tonight! I'd like to see 3-5-2 as 1 up plainly isn't working, Harrison had virtually no service or support from our midfield! Bart really looks dodgy so far this season. On the plus side Nisalla and Doncian are improving, Roberts looked lively, Nolan was OK. Don't panic people it will come good and it could be worse, we could be QPR fans!

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Lightningboy added 22:16 - Aug 21 Very disappointing..thought Derby were there for the taking tonight but neither team could or wanted to get out of 2nd gear for the first hour. Our play is a lot tidier But our lack of firepower is absolutely frightening,would be amazed to see Harrison hit double figures this season..when things aren't happening in the final 3rd it always annoys me when the manager just swaps one striker for another - desperately need 2 big signings this week.

5

afcfee added 22:17 - Aug 21 Held the team together skuse is he actually posting on here or close friends he was utter sh**e again.
1

TractorBoyTommy added 22:17 - Aug 21 So all the boys down marking my comments (currently -565) and calling me deluded/moronic etc etc it unfortunately looks like everything I have said has come true so far. 1 up front just isn't working and unless we get some serious quality loan strikers in and play 2 up front then it's going to be a long season. Also hopefully with 2 upfront we can create more as no creativity and no goals means we will be flirting with relegation.

6

megamoth added 22:20 - Aug 21 prettier football than under mick but this team could have played for the rest of the week and not scored. at least with mick we looked like we might score from dead ball positions. This team is impotent. Totally totally impotent. It's too simple to say that we have too many lower league players. Our worst players on this performance were Downes, Knudsen, Ward and Chambers. Saying that, Harrison was really poor and Chalobah for all of his good work is naive and will cost us goals. At least Jackson looks up and tries to go forward but neither striker is a Murphy or even a Garner and neither comes close to being capable of playing as a lone striker in this division. The problem is the spine of the belligerent team created by Mick is hopeless when put together without the creative talent from previous years - Fraser, Williams, Lawrence, Waghorn or Didz. I cant be alone in worrying that trying to combine the belligerent spine with capable but not exceptional lower league players could well see us score fewer goals than ever before and have our worst ever season. This could be it lads.

10

JimmyP45 added 22:20 - Aug 21 The Villa game taught us that this side have the passion and heart to dig deep and grind out a result. Tonight's game taught us that we lack quality that other teams have and we cannot compete with these bigger teams.
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TimmyH added 22:23 - Aug 21 A degree of quality went out the window when Waghorn, Garner and Webster went, but in hindsight it's all too clear Evans needed this to fund Hurst's overhaul gamble and to put some money back for himself.
3

TraktorBoyz added 22:25 - Aug 21 Cannot believe comments saying Skuse played well he looked lost for the most part and offered very little except for opening up space for Derby. People obviously see he came off and we conceded an presumed that's why. Can't of watched it or are seriously biased. Every game i hope he will prove me wrong but I just don't think he's up to the Championship any more.
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TonyHumesIpswich added 22:26 - Aug 21 said I'd judge after 10 games and will stick to that, but we REALLY need to turn these results around.
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runaround added 22:26 - Aug 21 Watched the game on TV & I don't think we deserved anything from the game. I think the players looked tired and didn't seem to believe that they could win the game & once Derby scored that was that. Massive deflection for first goal & Bart reacted late for the second so a bit unlucky but you make your own luck in football & we didn't do enough. It will take time for Hurst to shape the squad to play how he wants to & avoiding a relegation battle will be a reasonable season. Worth noting that of the 14 players who played for us tonight only 4 or 5 had the full preseason with Hurst. Really need a win soon

3

Nobbysnuts added 22:27 - Aug 21 Gutted. Derby were absolute dog sh#te and the only consolation is they are going nowhere under lampard. I don't think we will play many poorer sides than derby. They were awful. Talk about there for the taking. Two up front tonight and we would of won comfortably. Ph has got to look at his team set up. We should of won this game easily. Derby were crap. A real missed opportunity. Big time.

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Bluearmy_81 added 22:28 - Aug 21 Strange how some will judge PH after 10 games but won't condemn Evans after 10 years.
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