Last week I was unable to write my regular column, which if written would have focused on two suggestions for Steve McClaren's ‘To Do’ list. But it seems that in the space of a week — my ideas may have become redundant.

The first suggestion had to do with teaching our defenders how to defend properly or get some players in who could effectively do the job.

I was going to question how many goals Yeovil might have scored if they had had 50 percent of the play instead of 32. I was going to make some acidic comments about the defensive performance against a poor Birmingham side.

Finally, I was going to point out that on Monday we would get to seed a team that knew how to defend; QPR, the team with the most miserly defence in the division. The team who had conceded one goal for every two we had let in. The team that can't score many, but it doesn't seem to matter.

The best-laid plans, eh?

Monday was an excellent performance, and a result of real significance. I've been carping pretty much ever since Nigel Clough was sacked that we couldn't beat the top six in this division.

After being distinctly second best at Leicester, it was important that the Rams put in a performance and get a result in this one. I had my doubts that we would do it but we did! Now in just two remaining games this month, we have a good chance of picking up another six points.

Next Tuesday it’s the ever-unpredictable Sheffield Wednesday. They just got hammered at home by Wigan, and we have to be confident of that one. Then we have a rather difficult looking March, with games against Burnley, Reading and Forest; the teams that cost Clough his job. March will be a make-or-break month, since April does not look hard at all.

I still think we will see another player or two come in on loan; the squad is looking a bit thin, particularly in defence. For the QPR match, Whitbread was the only back four player on the bench; that is not enough for one match, leave alone the rest of the season. We need cover at full back, where we have almost none, and Whitbread is not enough cover at centre back.

So, what was the second item I had for Steve's To Do list? It was all about taking penalties. This, after all, is an art that can be taught.

We have lost a ridiculous number of goals due to missed penalties. We need to go into games knowing who the penalty taker will be. That player has to know whether he will smack the ball or place it, and have practiced enough to be very confident. We don't need a penalty taker who approaches the task like a condemned man.

It seems great minds think alike and that Steve has already been working hard on the first assignment; the second should be much easier.

Photo: Action Images

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