The RamZone Wrap: A Day To Remember As Derby Lay Waste To Wolves
Sunday, 9th Nov 2014 10:09 by Daniel J Sewart

It was a day when Derby County FC commemorated 100 years since the start of the First World War.

A new plaque naming those Derby players who fell in the line of duty was unveiled, Poppies were worn by young and old, plus everyone was reminded of how lucky we all are that those brave men fought for our often taken for granted freedom.

Ceremony and respect was married together perfectly by the club as we remembered those who made ultimate sacrifice. Lest We Forget!

Both sets of fans firstly observed a minutes silence as it should be — with the falling rain the only sound that could be heard.

The events before the game put the importance of football into perspective but ceremony was soon put aside as the first whistle sounded - and the game took centre stage.

The Rams burst out of the blocks early and despite the odd defensive laps that let Wolves think the ever had a hope — Derby never let up in what was a scintillating display.

It was wet and it was cold but you would not have known as McClaren’s men played like it was a dry sunny day and laid waste to a Wolves outfit that had until now been in very good form this season.

You hoped the Rams early dominance would result in a goal and after 15 minutes of hoping — reality agreed.

Shotton got the party started, from a Mascarell free kick, when he showed strength to first get his head to the ball, and secondly direct it into the corner of the net on 16 minutes.

1-0

Saville should have levelled it for the visitors when a brilliant cut back only required he get his shot on target… he didn’t. He will rue that miss as what followed may have been avoided if his radar had been working.

Hendrick benefitted from a very clever Dawkins chest down on the edge of the area as he gathered and fired in a thunderbolt that left the keeper clawing and the Rams fans deafening Derby residents for miles around the iPro.

2-0

Wolves were at sixes and sevens as the Rams made it three when, after a scrap in the box resulted in the ball ricocheting out to Russell — the hairy Scot picked up the ball, dodged, then weaved and dodged some more before shooting and scoring on 42’.

HT: 3-0

Wolves tried to lift the tempo in the second half but the Rams soon wrestled back the ascendancy which resulted in some more quality football as the fizzed and spun the ball past their orange opponents.

Both teams had chances but only one team was scoring and again it was Hendrick after Martin played it to Hughes who put a centimetre perfect pass through to Jeff whose finish was pure class past the keeper on 56’.

4-0

And if the Wolves weren’t already feeling hunted, trapped and skun by the Rams… then they definitely were 6 minutes later. Strong work in midfield from Martin released Forsyth down the left and Craig galloped away and put one of those brilliant crosses in that he can produce once in twenty or so, for Russell to charge onto without breaking stride and smashed it past the keeper.

Heaven was at the iPro and the Angels were wearing white!

5-0

Derby could have had 10 as they continually created chances during the last half hour - with powerful running and a seemingly unwavering desire to heap more destruction on their hapless opponents.

Wolves tried to limit the damage but the damage was already done and inflicted brutally or beautifully depending on what perspective you were looking at it from.

The game ended and as the final whistle the Rams were once again top of the league!

FT: 5-0

If Rams fans were looking for a statement then they got it as Derby announced their intentions to the rest of the Championship.

A clean sheet, goals galore and a win over a team considered to be a genuine chance for promotion. Every Derby player was brilliant and every player played their part.

It doesn’t get much better!

By the time other results were in — Boro, Bournemouth & Watford had all failed to gain maximum points - so the Rams had regained top spot in the Championship!

Ryan Weston was at the iPro and will deliver his full match report including player ratings and more late on Sunday… which may be Sunday the 16th of November by the time he finishes celebrating this one…..

Check back tomorrow… or Monday… or whenever you return from your own celebrations as Derby fans have every reason to smile over the international break.

My cheeks hurt already!

Match Info / Teams:

Ref: G.Salisbury

Crowd: 30,398

Rams: Butland, Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth, Mascarell (Coutts 90’), Hughes, Hendrick, Russell (Calero 84’), Dawkins (Ibe 75’), Martin.

Unused Subs: Roos, Eustace, Buxton, Best.

Goals: Shotton (16’), Hendrick (28’ & 55’) Russell (42’ & 61’)

Wolves: Ikeme, Doherty, Batth, Ebanks-Landell, Ricketts, Saville, McDonald, Henry, Evans, Sako, Clarke.

Subs: Stearman, Rowe, Van La Parra, McAlinden, Jacobs, Kuszczak, Dicko.

Match Stats — Rams / Wolves:

Possession: 51% / 49%

Shots On Target: 6 / 2

Shots Off Target: 10 / 9

Corners: 9 / 4

Fouls: 13 / 14

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"I don't often sit there and enjoy the full aspects of games but today I did. "The team worked so hard even at 5-0 up and the key thing was the discipline they showed and looking a good team without the ball.”

"It was a game we controlled by being a good team without the ball and that's what really pleased me. To do that to a very good team shows what this group is capable of doing. That was a complete performance."

They said — Kenny Jackett:

"As a unit defensively we were poor today and that was the difference.”

"The fact is we have played Ipswich away and Derby away this week and we've come up short in both games. I think they are a good yardstick, very good teams who have aspirations of trying to get into the Premier League and we have to make sure that when we come out again we are of the standard of these clubs.”

"Derby were ruthless today and it's been a good lesson for us this week and one we have to learn and learn very quickly."