The RamZone Wrap: Cardiff Can't Curtail Clinical Rams
Sunday, 1st Feb 2015 13:58 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams had a few nervous moments but were able to, for the most part, dominate Cardiff and hold onto their position as equal top of the Championship.

It was a busy first half as Derby scored on 22 minutes; when a deflected cross from Ward found the back of the back of the net.

Earlier Martin had a penalty saved but made amends in stoppage time when he headed home to make it 2-0 at half time.

The Rams threatened to pile more on in the second but didn’t make their dominance count and for a period Cardiff looked like they may pull one back and force a grandstand finish.

Fortunately for Derby - Lee Grant had other ideas - as he pulled off some quality saves including one reactionary save that was one of the best you are ever likely to see as the Bluebirds looked likely to score from close range.

The game eventually petered out as Derby rode the storm and sailed out the other side 0-2 winners, with 3 points safely tucked away.

Job done on what will always been a difficult road trip - so difficult in fact - it was the first time Derby had managed a win this fixture in a decade

The Rams returned to equal top of the Championship and continued to set the pace with Bournemouth as they, along with Middlesbrough, look to try and open a gap between them and the chasing pack.

I.Saw took the trip to Cardiff and will present his thoughts tomorrow on RamZone so look out for what is always an entertaining report about our team’s adventures.

A week till Bolton next Saturday and then the mouth watering top of table clash on Tuesday week.

Exciting times to be a Ram!

Match Info / Rams Team:

Ref: Paul Tierney

Crowd: 22,287

Derby: Grant, Shotton, Keogh, Buxton (Christie 41’), Forsyth, Hendrick, Mascarell, Hughes, Dawkins (Bennett 58’), Martin, Ward (Bryson 77’).

Unused Subs: Roos, Calero, Warnock, Bent.

Match Stats — Cardiff / Derby:

Goals: Malone o.g (22’), Martin (45’)

Possession: 48% - 52%

Shots On Target: 5 - 3

Shots Off Target: 4 - 0

Corners: 3 - 2

Fouls: 16 - 14

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"It was a professional performance and we won the game in the first half. Missing that penalty would have affected us a year ago, but not now with the maturity of this team. They kept competing and got the two goals.”

"I told the players at half-time to take it on and we had opportunities to get the third. But we got sloppy and too casual and should have scored again because anything can happen at 2-0."

They said — Russell Slade:

"I'm a positive person and I don't think we are getting dragged into a relegation fight. We need to stop this trend of losing but I don't see why we can't go and win next week and get some momentum.”

"This has been a tricky period as we go through transition with players leaving and coming in, but it's not impossible to make the play-offs."