The RamZone Wrap: Canaries Christmas Cracker Causes Fall To Fifth!
Sunday, 21st Dec 2014 10:00 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams didn’t start the game brightly but they looked like they wanted to. Unfortunately it just wasn’t happening.

It wasn’t Leeds or Boro bad - but Derby looked like a team who knew what they could do, desperately wanted to do it, but couldn’t find their groove.

The first half was in the most part an average affair with Norwich the better side, shaping chances and looking more threatening.

McClaren came down from the stands and with that the Rams came up with a better work rate. Slowly but surely they started to get things together as Macca’s stare was burning holes in some of his chargers.

With half time but minutes away, a high (and when I say high, I mean high!!) ball was brilliantly brought down by Martin who controlled, turned, charged forward and expertly found Russell with a pinpoint pass. All that was left for Johnny to do was pick a spot and score… and that he did!!

World class football from Martin who single handedly created for Russell to finish with quality.

An undeserved lead in terms of general play but a well deserved lead in terms of the brilliance that created it!

HT: 1-0

Hendrick off and Hughes on at half time, as the former had picked up a knock in the first half, which was disappointing as Jeff had been one of the Rams better players in a poor first 45.

The half had barely started and Norwich had equalised as Derby were too easily sliced open to allow Jerome to score Norwich an equaliser. 1-1.

Just as we despaired, minutes after the re-start, Chris Martin gathered the ball just inside the corner of the box only to have his planted foot cut from under him.

Penalty.

Martin stepped up and smashed the ball past the keeper with a perfect mix of power and pace.

2-1 up and then the Rams just tried to hold on.

Derby played deeper and deeper — Norwich pressed harder and harder.

Just when it looked like the home team would hang on — a blatant handball was missed by the ref which led to a Norwich corner, which led to poor defending from Derby, which led to an equalizer for the Canaries by Whittaker, which led to despair in the stands and around TV’s tuned to Sky in Derbyshire and beyond! 2-2.

2 points lost but it could have been all 3 as Norwich had two very good late chances that could have easily gone in.

It stayed all square and the Rams can count themselves lucky it did.

FT: 2 - 2

Something is not sparking and McClaren needs to find away to get his better players (Forsyth, Hughes...?) up and about again as this spluttering run of performances may turn into a full nosedive if not corrected.

On the balance of play — Derby didn’t deserve to win or probably even draw but some days you take your point and be thankful you got something.

Today was one of those days!

Ryan Weston was at the iPro for RamZone and when he has returned from hair replacement surgery, we will present his full match report, player ratings, reaction and more.

So check back soon for his analysis of where the Rams went right and wrong, as they went ahead twice, only to end up with a draw.

Till then — if you’re anything like me - I prescribe a stiff Christmas drink to calm your shredded nerves!

COYR!!

Match Info / Rams Team:

Ref: P.Tierney

Crowd: 27,974

Derby: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth, Mascarell, Bryson(Dawkins 74’) , Hendrick (Hughes — HT’), Ibe (Coutts 81’), Russell , Martin.

Unused Subs: Roos, Naylor, Calero, Best

Match Stats — Rams / Canaries:

Goals: Russell 43’, Martin 55’(Pen) / Jerome 51’, Whittaker 89’

Possession: 42% / 58%

Shots On Target: 1/3

Shots Off Target: 4/14

Corners: 1/3

Fouls: 4/9

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"This was always going to be a difficult game - our third in a week coming off the back of the Boro game and the fabulous effort against Chelsea.”

"To get the players up for it emotionally was always going to be difficult. We needed to show solidarity and togetherness, grit and determination and character. And we very nearly pulled it off. We made a lot of mistakes and that's what the third game brings you."

They said — Neil Adams:

"We thoroughly deserved the equaliser we got and I thought we deserved to win, to be honest.”

"Our plan nearly worked to perfection. They couldn't get into any rhythm. I watched them against Chelsea the other night and they got into rhythm many times that night - against a top, top team. So that tells you how well we did."