RamZone Wrap: Derby's Defence Ends Ranger's Run!
Tuesday, 11th Feb 2014 00:27 by Daniel J Sewart

On a night that may shape the Rams promotion hopes, John Eustace’s headed goal broke a 24 year home drought against QPR and at the same time put to rest another unwanted stat, as Derby finally put a fellow top 6 contender to the sword.

The Rams were bright from the outset and were obviously determined to right the wrongs of Birmingham and even perhaps dispel the ghosts of their most recent top of the table clash in which they were mauled by rabid Foxes.

Derby gave as good, if not better than they got in the first half, as they chased, pressured and impressively took the physical side of the game up to their very physical opponent. Standing up to the intimidating, strong arm tactics of QPR showed a lesson had been learned from the Foxes match, when the Rams were outmuscled far too easily.

Both teams created first half chances, the Rams in particular were looking most likely to score and should have been one up in the opening minutes when Bamford didn’t do enough to control a bouncing ball in the box, when clear on goal and only the keeper to beat, he took too long and his shot was blocked.

Derby’s hard work did pay off on 20 minutes when John Eustace made amends for his own-goal at QPR earlier in the season, by latching onto a poor punch from a corner by Rangers keeper Rob Green. Eustace’s long range looping header magnified Green’s error as the ball cleared the keeper and found the back of the net.

Ranger’s players appealed as they believed Chris Martin fouled a defender on the goal line. Both players were attempting to leap for the ball and the referee gave Martin the benefit of the doubt. There is no doubt that Martin did a little more than needed and a foul could have been paid but sometimes you get the rub of the Green (not you Rob!) and sometimes you don’t.

Rams players still aggrieved for last weeks unpaid foul on Wisdom, in the build up to the late equaliser, will definitely feel they were owed one. Later in this match a clear penalty was not awarded to Buxton as he was dragged down in the box, so these things have a way of evening themselves out (so we keep getting told!), even if it doesn’t feels like that in the heat of battle sometimes.

Derby continued to dictate most of proceedings as QPR tried to get their million dollar machine moving. Instead the game was blighted by petty scraps from time to time, often initiated or inflamed by pantomime villain Joey Barton, who the Rams crowd, and Chris Martin, took great delight in taunting, if for no other reason than he was sporting a haircut not dissimilar to the one my little girl styles on her favourite doll.

Sorry Joey! Not trying to be nasty but it’s a fact and I am quite happy to send you some pictures of Olivia (the doll's name) to prove it if required!

Will Hughes, Patrick Bamford and Craig Bryson were as lively as ever creating headaches for Rangers as they ran at the Rangers defence time and time again. Jamie Ward was looking dangerous with his probing runs until unfortunately having to be replaced on 40 minutes when he succumbed to injury.

Late in the half Lee Grant pulled off a great save from an Aaron Hughes’s header which kept the Rams in the lead as they headed to the rooms.

HT: 1-0

The second half was devoid of any definitive moments when you felt one team could have scored as both sets of players threw themselves into anything and everything to save or salvage the game, depending on what set you are talking about.

The Rams started where they left off in the first as they pressed for a second goal with some good attacking play and a series of consecutive corners that ramped up the pressure on Rangers.

The second goal didn't come and slowly the tide turned as QPR began to dominate possession as the Rams, perhaps thinking of what happened against Birmingham, were playing deeper and deeper as they defended their lead. And defend they did as the Rams repelled the visitors time and time again and in many instances, after Rangers threatened, Derby went close to hitting them on the counter as Harry's men committed everyone to their search for a goal.

The highlight of the half had to be Olivia... sorry... Barton finally getting a long overdue yellow card, a culmination of his petty harping, late challenges, raised elbows etc, etc. His constant little lamb impersonation as he bleated endlessly to the referee, Martin, Bryson and perhaps the demons that reside in his head, became so tiring, I thought the ref would have been better served to tape the card over the biggest hole in his head.

Keogh, Eustace and Buxton were playing out of their skins as they answered the criticism of the last 9 days in the best way possible. These 3, coupled with commendable efforts from Wisdom and Forsyth, clearly showed a group of players determined to prove they deserve their spots and can stop the Rams rot in the back half.

We have thought it before, so hopefully this time we will not be let down, as if this is the effort our defensive unit bring to the table each and every week, the Rams will run riot in the closing stages of the season.

A special mention to Lee Grant who was a whipping boy for a section of Rams fans earlier this season. His improvement must be noted as he is now commanding his box and making more clear cut decisions when required to act. His performance compared to the former England keeper at the other end, shows how far Grant has come, especially since a certain Steele was added to the coaching staff.

Despite 5 fingernail shredding minutes of added time, the Rams held firm as all hands were on deck, including an impressive display by Sammon & Martin who got back and gave their all to protect the Rams spoils and ensuring there would be no late drama in consecutive fixtures.

FT: 1 — 0

A brilliant one goal win, that stamps the Rams credentials as promotion contenders. Three points that when revisited at seasons end, could prove to be a defining moment in the campaign.

The victory lifted the Rams to one point off both 2nd and 3rd place on the table and once again sets them up for a charge on the automatic promotion places, especially with their next two fixtures against teams residing in the bottom half.

Success in those coming matches would set up mouth watering clashes against Burnley and Forest in March, as Derby could not just cement their play-off place, but give 2nd on the table an almighty shake.

Tonight the Rams put their destiny back into their own hands with a fantastic victory and if the recent lessons of Leicester and Birmingham have truly been learned, this win will hopefully be the launching pad for an unforgettable Rams run home.

Ryan Weston was at the iPro for RamZone and in a day or so…. when he finishes celebrating…. and manages to find his way to his computer….. if he can manage to find his house…. will present his report on the Rams first home win over QPR in over two decades.

Until then…. COYR!!

Match Stats: Derby / QPR

Possession: 42% / 58%

Corners: 10 / 6

Shots (On Target): 9 (2) / 10 (3)

Fouls: 17 / 14

Yellow Cards: 2 / 4

Match Info:

Referee: Michael Naylor

Attendance: 23,495 (Only 541 Rangers… really? Are they 3rd or 3rd last!?)

Derby County: Grant (GK), Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace, Hughes (Hendrick 68'), Bryson, Ward (Russell 40), Martin, Bamford (Sammon 81').

Unused Subs: Legzdins (GK), Bennett, Whitbread, Thorne.

Goals: Eustace (20’)

QPR: Green (GK), Hughes, Dunne, Hill, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar, Carroll (Jenas 78'), Barton, O'Neil (Hoilett 45'), Johnson (Maiga 45'), Doyle.

Unused Subs: Murphy (GK), Traore, Onuoha, Henry.