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RamZone Wrap: Near Nightmare In New York
Wednesday, 18th Feb 2015 00:45 by Daniel J Sewart

The Rams missed the chance to go top of the Championship but they also very nearly missed all 3 points - after an average opening 60 minutes found them on the precipice of defeat.

From the outset Rotherham looked organised and ready to shut down the Rams with hard running, showing more desire and commitment to the contest than their visitors.

Like Ipswich before us — ‘New York Stadium’ was looking like it could once again become giant killing central and Derby were doing little to suggest otherwise.

The first 20 minutes were bossed by the home side but they were unable to find a result for their mighty work rate. Ex-Derby player Ben Pringle in particular was showing how much he has grown as a player displaying a real desire for the contest.

The Rams slowly shook off the early punches that the Millers had landed - before Bent came close with a punch of his own as his shot was only just saved by keeper Adam Collin with former Ram Paul Green assisting to clear off the line.

Jamie Ward had been largely absent to that point but suddenly sprung into life and should have scored with two chances but could only manage to shoot at the keeper and then wide.

A long stoppage caused by an injury to Miller’s defender Jack Hunt stunted the Rams building momentum and on the re-start it was Paul Green (who else would it be!) who opened the scoring with a simple tap in on 35 minutes. 1-0.

Derby fans had barely got their heads out of their hands when Ince took the ball on a winding run, bamboozling defenders, before letting fly with a cracking shot into the top corner. Brilliant goal and within a minute of 1-0 it was 1-1.

Following the goal the Rams ran out the first 45 with more purpose and came close to taking the lead when Ince only just fired wide before the half time whistle.

HT: 1-1

The Rams started the second half on their heels, much as they had done in the first but this time the home team made them pay for their lack of urgency.

On 49 minutes Smallwood took a free-kick that somehow managed to navigate its way through everybody in the box - to find the back of the net. 2-1.

On 54 minutes the home fans were in raptures as a terrible error by Omar Mascarell led to Matt Derbyshire being able to gather and skid the ball under Lee Grant. 3-1.

Steve McClaren had seen enough and the Rams 3 worst offenders were substituted with Ward, Hendrick & Mascarell paying for their sins, by being replaced with Lingard, Dawkins & Bryson.

Grant spectacularly saved a 4th goal as Derbyshire let fly with a powerful shot - but the Rams keeper did sensationally well to keep it out and tip it over.

From the resulting corner, the Rams broke free and Forsyth threw off the shackles with a driving run and a great cross that found Ince who finished Craig’s good work by scoring at the near post on 64. The lad just can’t stop scoring — perhaps he and Bent are having a comp? 3-2.

After that goal Derby went on a rampage as Bryson and Hughes dominated the midfield, and alongside their team mates, sent the ball at the Millers in wave after wave of attacks, chances and nearly moments.

How the Rams didn’t score another 2 or 3 is one of those wonders that we will be left to ponder as Lingard, Bent and Dawkins, among others, missed better than average chances to level the score.

Rotherham were spent from their early work and it seemed inevitable that Derby would equalize - as the home team had nearly ground to a halt - and equalize they did on 83 minutes.

Lingard, who had been brilliant since coming on, charged down the left and tantalizingly centred the ball for Bent who expertly changed the direction of the ball into the net. Pure class from two Premier League players. 3-3.

The Rams could have won it and had chances to do so but as time ticked down — rescuing a point seemed as if it was going to have to do.

It nearly all went wrong one last time when Derbyshire had a great opportunity at the death to snatch it - but instead could only put his header over the bar.

Final whistle — deep breath. Once again top spot had eluded the Rams.

A great comeback to what at times was a poor effort.

Lucky this time — must do better!

FT: 3-3

Next time round I would love to see the team that finished start on the pitch. The midfield diamond seemed to work really well with Bryson releasing Hughes and Lingard, Ince and Dawkins causing havoc as big bad Bent waits in goals licking his chops.

I am not sure we will see the diamond as an opening tactic — but this performance will give McClaren much to think about and 3 players in particular who deserve to be rewarded for rescuing their team.

But if Macca sticks with the defensive midfielder set up - then Omar Mascarell is once again on thin ice after a worse than average performance. His inability to keep the ball, find a target or provide any real shield for the back four will make him a target again — after it seemed he had been growing into the role over the last month.

Omar has held the position by default since Eustace went down to injury but if Thorne is fit and McClaren believes he is ready to go — based on that effort from Mascarell - we won’t have to wait much longer Rams fans.

Next time we return to home comforts and greet the Owls to the iPro. It will be no easy task and Steve will be keen for his team to start how they finished and not let Wednesday replicate Rotherham’s pressure to put his chargers off their mission.

This was a slip up but it could have been a total disaster — so it’s hard to know whether to be disappointed or relieved.

Personally I am relieved but hopefully it proves to be a lesson and not a sign of what is to come as from here on in — more efforts like this could put top 2 beyond us.

Time to stand up and make it happen.

COYR!


Match Info / Rams Team:

Ref: Nigel Miller

Crowd: 11,035 (inc. 2601 travelling Rams)


Derby: Grant, Christie, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Mascarell (Lingard 60’), Hendrick (Bryson 60’), Hughes, Ince, Ward (Dawkins 60’), Bent.

Unused Subs: Roos, Thomas, Shotton, Thorne.


Match Stats — Rotherham / Derby:

Goals: Green (39’), Smallwood (49’), Derbyshire (54’) / Ince (36’& 64’), Bent (83’)

Possession: 37% / 63%

Shots On Target: 5 / 7

Shots Off Target: 7 / 10

Corners: 7 / 4

Fouls: 9 / 7


We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

“That could turn out to be one of the most valuable points we get. Not just the point, not losing, but the manner in which we came back in the last half hour. I thought once we got the third we would go on and win the game but you can’t win football matches if you concede three goals like we did.”

“They were poor goals to concede, not like us. Credit to Rotherham, they played with a fierceness and tempo and we didn’t match it. But fortunately we’ve got a good bench with people who can change the game.”


They said — Steve Evans:

“There’s tinges of great disappointment being 3-1 up. We got a point but we have come across the best team and manager in the division.”

“We will take a point and we will be a coupon buster for most people around the country. We have taken a team which will be in the Premier League right to the wire.”


Highlights / Post Match Interviews:





Up Next For The Rams:

Derby v Sheffield Wednesday

iPro Stadium

3:00pm - Saturday 21st February




Photo: Action Images



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