RamZone Wrap: Ward Brace Fails To Paper Over Cracks
Wednesday, 20th Aug 2014 00:51 by Daniel J Sewart

Despite a brace from Jamie Ward — The Rams fell at The Valley to Charlton who retain their unbeaten status in the League.

Many fans had been worried about The Rams after a few passable but average displays to open the season. It was hoped that the trip to Charlton might spark the season into life — but instead it highlighted some of the problems Derby are struggling to rectify.

Despite speculation that Mascarell would come into the line up and hold down the defensive midfield position, Steve McClaren stuck with the same starting line up that struggled in the first half at Wednesday.

Steve’s faith in his starting was shattered when Tucudean found himself on the end of a Cousins' cross, beating Lee Grant and putting the home team ahead on 11 minutes.

Derby breathed life into the contest when Jamie Ward struck with a powerful shot that found the top corner and levelled the scores on 31 minutes.

Following the goal Derby looked as if going behind early had been the kick in the pants they needed. A period of pressure saw chances fall to both Bryson and Hendrick but neither were able to beat Addicks keeper Nick Pope.

Just when The Rams looked back in the match — Richard Keogh inexplicably pulled down Tucudean in the box to surrender what was a clear penalty.

Charlton midfielder Yoni Buyens stepped up and coolly took the spot kick which had The Rams behind again just before the break.

HT: 2 - 1

In the second half Derby were creating chances but struggling to hit the target while Charlton were looking to land the killer blow when Franck Moussa should have done better, after dragging a shot wide from close range.

Defending from crosses / corners has been an Achilles for quite some time and it reared its ugly head again in this match for Derby. On 77 minutes the contest looked dead and buried when Vetokele headed in a cross from Laurie Wilson. A new season, an old problem.

Jamie Ward gave the Rams a faint hope of taking something from the match when he scored in the 85th minute. with a shot that somehow managed to find its way through Pope’s legs.

Unfortunately that piece of luck was not followed by a late equaliser as The Rams slumped to their first defeat of the season.

FT: 3 - 2

The Rams will walk away from the match wondering what they need to do to find the spark required to climb the heights expected of them this season.

Whatever is required — Derby will not want to wait too long as slow starts require fast finishes and that would result in unwanted extra pressure at the business end of the campaign.

It’s only early but the cracks need to be covered now - before they turn into gaping holes.

Match Stats — Wednesday / Derby:

Possession: 36% / 64%

Shots On Target: 6 / 5

Shots Off Target: 6 / 10

Corners: 0 / 4

Fouls: 9 / 12

Teams:

Charlton: Pope; Gomez, Bikey-Amougou, Ben Haim, Wiggins; Gudmosson, Buyens, Jackson, Cousins; Tucudean, Vetokele.

Subs: Phillips, Wilson, Morrison, Moussa, Harriott, Church, Fox.

Derby: Grant, Christie, Buxton, Keogh, Forsyth; Hendrick, Hughes, Bryson; Ward, Martin, Dawkins.

Subs: Roos, Russell, Naylor, Eustace, Whitbread, Best, Mascarell.

We Said / They Said:

We Said — Gaffer Steve McClaren:

"It's disappointing to lose and the goals came at bad times for us. The second goal, right on half-time, gave them a massive lift.”

“We were a bit deflated but I expected us to go on and get an equaliser. It wasn't to be and the third was a killer for us really."

They Said — Gaffer Bob Peeters:

"This the best I've seen us play and Derby didn't have an answer. At 3-1 you want to sit back, have a cigar and enjoy the game. We couldn't do that - but we did enough."