An interesting sporting statistic relates to teams worldwide having an average to poor next result after playing in a local derby. Despite The Rams putting in a reasonable shift at Portman Road, the result will do nothing to disprove the theory.

With Ward, Dawkins & Hughes out of the squad injured, the starting line up included Bamford & Russell starting in the wide roles. Despite the team still looking impressive, for the first time in a long time, the bench looked devoid of attacking options to call on, besides Sammon, pace and a possible injection of energy seemed lacking if required.

Any worries about what may be required later in the match were quickly put to one side as The Rams struck with only 34 seconds gone at Portman Road.

Forsyth skipped away down the left and his cross (which usually causes us to close our eyes and cross our fingers) found its way through bodies to Bamford who turned the ball home and sent the visiting fans into raptures.

It seemed as if the free-scoring Rams of Saturday afternoon had arrived determined to continue take the show on the road against The Tractor Boys.

As is often the way, an early goal will cause a game to go into its shell and what followed was Ipswich trying to impose themselves on the match as well as The Rams, as they physically tested a Rams team trying to play football. What resulted was a scrappy, petty contest.

Chris Martin is no stranger to physicality and when he brought down Ipswich defender Berra, he perhaps can count himself lucky that it was only a yellow card that the referee reached for.

Bamford was lively and on 27 minutes found some space and shot low, but Town keeper Dean Gerken was equal to the task and hugged the ball at the near post.

With minimal chances in the first half, the game was in danger of descending into a nasty affair as players were biting at each other when in possession. The result was a stop, start first 45 that had no chance to flow and allow either side to play football.

Ipswich in particular felt aggrieved, enough for Mick McCarthy to follow the referee off at half time and complain fiercely about the harsh deal he believed his players were getting.

You would like to think a manager pushing his luck in such a manner would have little effect on what was to come…., you would like to think. The second half found The Rams trying to play more football as they were linking well and looking like they would once again open up the Town defence.

On 52 minutes Bamford looked like he had done just after that after some good linking play put him through on goal. He burst into the box and attempted to chip Gerken but unfortunately it was the wrong decision as the Ipswich keeper was equal to the challenge.

The referee was giving Ipswich what could only be described as an easy ride in the second half as it seemed the home team could suddenly do no wrong, while on the flip side; The Rams were guilty until proven innocent and couldn’t have drawn a foul with a crayon and paper.

When Town player Williams wasn’t playing the ref like a violin, he was causing The Rams issues and managed to chip the ball in from the left but Chambers could not make enough contact to threaten Grant’s goal.

Town had barely threatened the Rams goal so far in the match but on the hour mark sounded the first effort on target when Wordsworth and Anderson combined to set up Murphy who shot only to see Grant manage to tip it around the post.

McCarthy brought on more attacking players in Ebanks-Blake and Nouble but it was The Rams who should have doubled their lead with good chances to both Hendrick and Forsyth going begging.

And just to prove that he had listened to Mr.McCarthy at half time — the ref booked Forsyth as he raced into goal, was clipped and fell. The booking was for diving which was ludicrous, unless of course he had mistaken him for Martin, which is the standard practice.

Against the run of play Cresswell was awarded a very, very soft free-kick against Thorne, which resulted in an equaliser for Ipswich on 68 minutes. Cresswell laid the ball off to Williams who sent a firecracker of a shot 30 yards into the corner of the net.

There should never have been a free kick in the first place but The Rams marking from the free kick was poor and once again a set piece proved to be their Achilles.

Bamford should have restored the visitors lead when a low cross by Martin was cleverly turned towards goal by the youngster, but the ball somehow went wide when it seemed destined for the net.

Forsyth had an even better opportunity to put his team ahead when a poor pass by Nouble allowed him to race forward. The defender closed in on goal and let fly with a fabulous effort that deserved net but found post as the ball smashed off the goal.

On Saturday it would have gone in — unfortunately it was no longer Saturday.

Town then took a turn at hitting the post Ebanks-Blake found the woodwork with a header after Nouble sent in a teasing cross for the forward.

As the game entered 5 minutes of stoppage time. Town were the team to break down the barrier when Berra far too easily beat Keogh in the air to plant his head on Cresswell's corner and guide it past a diving Grant.

Another goal, another set piece disaster that looked to have sealed The Rams fate as time ticked away.

Unfortunately time ticked down and attempts to get the ball forward were either thwarted or not launched by Derby as they lacked the urgency to attempt one final attack.

Martin fell over instead of trying to stand up and create something, the ball was passed around instead of launched into the area and as you would expect, time ran out.

I find it hard to be critical of The Rams after providing such entertainment on Saturday and putting in a serviceable effort but a few things still need addressing urgently.

Set pieces are a massive issue and you have to ask how a back four that can be so efficient and hard working, can somehow not do the simple things like mark their men and ensure they provide a contest when a ball is being delivered into the box.

Also it is time that Chris Martin was told to stop the crap. The falling over and playing for free kick routine has been wearing thin for some time is frankly getting embarrassing.

The ref was giving The Rams nothing so recognise this and stay on your feet and fight for the ball at all costs. You are a marked man Chris, refs are likely to give you less than you do or don’t deserve. You are a big, strong, very talented Centre forward so take the kicks and hold onto the ball. Too many times teams run away with the ball while Martin rolls around hoping to hear the whistle.

After the match McClaren alluded, in his ever polite fashion, to the poor refereeing and also if you read between the lines, Martin’s antics as he suggested the ref was given every reason to ignore our players at times. Steve does it in his cool and calculated manner but I would think behind closed doors a few home truths would have been dealt out.

The Rams played well and some days you would say didn’t deserve to lose but considering the poor defending for the goals, in reality they probably did.

We had more quality on the ball, going forward and easily the better chances on the night, but that all counts for nothing if you are going to forget the basics when it counts.

The other concern is the lack of attacking depth on the bench with Ward and Dawkins out. With Hughes hopefully back on the weekend as well as Eustace — the bench will look healthier but I doubt I am alone when I say I wish that the name Bennett was on our team-sheet at the moment. Recall clause anyone?

This result puts the Rams down to 4th and puts the pressure back on after much was released after the Forest win.

Starting with Charlton on Saturday, Derby plays 5 teams who currently reside 15th or lower on the table. Every game will be winnable and The Rams will want to put some more space between themselves and the pack.

Anything less than 10 or 11 points from a possible 15 will have to be seen as a disappointing result.

Time to go on a run boys and beat up on some lower placed teams!

COYR!!

We said / They Said

Derby Gaffer Steve McClaren:

“It’s so disappointing,” said the Rams head coach. “We probably played too much with our hearts and not our heads at times. At the end of the day, you have got to play smart and we didn’t play smart.”

“We were in control of the game and needed that second goal. We had opportunities but needed to take more care in the final third. Then we got sloppy at two set pieces, which was very disappointing. We have to rise above not getting decisions and stay in control, not light their fire by doing silly things. That gave Ipswich a lift and they fought back.”

Ipswich Manager Mick McCarthy:

“I don’t think we laid a finger on them in the first half, little Johnny (Williams) was getting kicked from pillar to post and it was us picking ourselves up off the floor. Second half we responded and I think we deserved it.”

“If you’re going to get kicked from pillar to post then the best way to get your own back is put the ball in the back of the net. That was fab. It’s a sign of a good player if people kick you.”

Match Stats: Rams / Town:

Possession: 51% / 49%

Corners: 2 / 5

Shots (On Target): 9 (3) / 14 (4)

Fouls: 7 / 16

Match Info:

Referee: Fred “intimidated” Graham

Attendance: 17,399 (including 611 Travelling Rams)

Derby County: Grant (GK); Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Thorne (Naylor 90’), Hendrick, Bryson; Bamford (Sammon 75'), Russell, Martin.

Unused Subs:Legzdins (GK), Whitbread, Thomas, Bailey, O’Brien.

Ipswich Town:Gerken (GK), Chambers (Richardson 79'), Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Anderson (Nouble 60'), Hyam, Wordsworth, Hunt (Ebanks-Blake 61’), Williams, Murphy.

Unused Subs:Loach (GK), Mings, Tabb, Green.

Match Highlights / Reaction

Next Time:

Derby vs. Charlton

iPro Stadium

3:00pm — Saturday March 29th

Photo: Action Images

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