Sometimes you just have to wait. For a drink in a popular bar, for the first shoots of Spring to signal the end of Winter, for Forest to sack a manager and, as it proved, for the Rams to record a first home win of the campaign.

For 70 minutes at least, the real Derby County seemed to come out of hiding as we were given cause for optimism heading into the international break.

Making three changes from the less than convincing win over Franchise FC last time out, with Thorne, Hendrick and Forsyth returning, the Rams were on it from the first whistle.

There was however, no place for Bent, who had failed to navigate the Derbyshire traffic to make it on time. Yes, really. Perhaps he was as confused as everyone about this out of the blue, 3pm on a Saturday, fixture madness.

Luckily for us, Bent and Clement, we didn’t give ourselves an opportunity to miss him. Immediately, Derby played the high-pressing, high-tempo game that has been missing in recent weeks. Brentford, with ex-Ram Lee Carsley at the helm, were never going to compete.

Interestingly, Clement chose, correctly in my opinion, to continue with Christie at right back, and it was he who gave the first test for Button in the Brentford goal. Next, Ince’s free-kick forced the goalkeeper into more action as the Rams camped in the Londoner’s half.

Led by Johnson and Hendrick, who had certainly had his Weetabix, we were supplying good quality ball to the front three. It was little surprise when soon after, we opened the scoring to lead, unbelievably, for the first time at home in the campaign.

More good hounding from Johnson saw him win the ball and find Ince. And what was that steaming up on the outside? Was it a bird? Was it a plane? No, it was Cyrus Christie, who collected the pass, took a touch before delivering a wicked cross, where skipper Martin kneesily converted the ball into the corner off his patella.

Now Brentford were rocking, with Button in goal seemingly unable to pass the parcel for long periods. Credit though must be given to the Rams, who barely give the Bees enough time to contemplate a sting before taking it out of them.

Another slick move down the left saw Russell combine with Forsyth, who eventually found Ince, only for him to show us that he has been watching the Rugby World Cup, such was his conversion of a finish…

Next, Johnson, who was superb in the first-half, bludgeoned his way through the middle of the Brentford back line like Richard Ashcroft in The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony Video. Sadly, he didn’t see Button off his line to pop one over him, instead being eventually crowded out.

Our visitors were trying to play the right way and did test Carson with a long range strike, but in truth it was all Derby.

Another flowing move this time saw Hendrick cheekily try and chip the goalkeeper, when perhaps a shot with the laces was the better option. No matter though as a minute before half time we were two up, with the sort of clinical counter attack that have seen many teams off at Pride Park.

As Brentford appealed for a free-kick on the edge of the box, the referee waved away the protests and Thorne came away with the ball. A superb pass into the path of Hendrick duly followed, who in turn slipped Ince in free in the box. With a defender about to rob him, Tom kept his cool to slot into the bottom corner.

Back to front in no more than 5 touches. Superb!

As half-time brought some nonsense about Ewie, a sister for Rammie (hey, it was still better than Fan Cam), we set about trying to put the game to bed.

After a slow start to the second-period, Johnson saw a header deflected wide from an Ince corner. There was then an injury scare as Shackell, who had been moving as if shackled, was replaced by Shotton.

It was still the Rams on the front foot though, as Ince saw a free kick tipped over, before Johnson again rose highest to meet the resulting corner, only for Button to brilliantly tip round the post.

With the fans in full voice, seemingly delighted that we weren’t on Sky / BT / Premier Euro Football Channel, the players just began to slacken off a touch.

Brentford very nearly got back into it, after a delicious cross was met by Hoffman, who looked like a poor man’s Peter Crouch. Thankfully, he didn’t finish like him either, as he tame side-footed effort was straight at Carson.

Thorne was then replaced by Hanson as someone was summoned to wrap him up in cotton wool during the two-week break.

As we sought to see the game out, Brentford began to cause us more problems, as our seemingly secure system was being stretched. That said, Carson saved easily from a curled Swift effort… that was the player, not a quick shot.

Sadly, Johnson couldn’t complete the 90 minutes, a dead leg forcing him off for Weimann, which signalled the start of a lively finish. First the substitute burst through, only to be blocked at the last minute. Next however, Shotton very nearly provided an entry into the Christmas Bloopers DVD.

After making a good challenge and seeing that any potential back pass would be cut out by the Brentford striker stood in front of Carson, Shotton proceeded to play a backpass that was cut out by the striker standing right in front of Carson. With the keeper standing tall, Djuricin, who sounds like he should have been some kind of painkiller, was forced wide. He found Hoffman, who cut inside, beat Carson but not Christie, who cleared well off the line.

With that final scare out of the way, the Rams went in search of the goal to bring my pre-match prediction to fruition. However, after Ince had a penalty appeal turned down, he sprung forwards again, providing a good low cross that Weimann diverted into the side-netting.

And within five minutes, the feeling of a home win returned, one that was extremely merited, after what was arguably the best 70 minutes of the season.

With 13 points taken out of the last 15, perhaps the international break has come at a bad time. However, there is still work to be done.

A sloppy last 20 minutes still gave cause for concern, but the fact that there is clearly more to come is enough to whet even the smallest of appetites.

One loss in ten, five points off the summit and four wins from the last five.

At least this break will be a happy one!

Weston’s Player Ratings:

Scott Carson — 7: Dealt with what he had to do well.

Cyrus Christie — 7: Excellent cross for the opener. Can see him gaining confidence with every game.

Richard Keogh — 6: Another brilliant performance. Where are all the boo boys now?

Jason Shackell — 6: Steady but obviously hampered.

Craig Forsyth — 7: Solid, workmanlike display.

George Thorne — 7:Like a new player…need to keep him fit!

Jeff Hendrick — 8: Very good, sharp and aggressive. Needs to produce this every week and we’ll be laughing!

Bradley Johnson — Weston’s Star Man — 9: Won the vast majority, held people off, drove us forwards and got stuck in. Brilliant!

Johnny Russell — 7: Not Johnny’s best display but still good. Looked knackered!

Tom Ince — 8:Three goals in as many games. Starting to find form. Chris Martin — 7: Another goal and worked hard.

Subs

Ryan Shotton — 6: Up and down. Don’t mention THAT pass.

Jamie Hanson — 6: Got stuck in.

Andreas Weimann — 6: Lively but lacking in belief.

We said / They Said:

Derby head coach Paul Clement:

"We all felt that pressure of needing to win at home and it's pleasing that it has come on the back of some really good results away from home. It was maybe the best we've played this season in the first half because I thought it showed all the qualities we have, that we can defend, pressurise, get the tactics right, create and take opportunities.”

"It was not so good at the end, a team in slightly better form could have hurt us, but we'll take the positives out of it. I'm much more encouraged, we've shown we can beat some good teams, win while not playing well and win while playing well. We're not there though, we've got to keep improving.”

Brentford boss Lee Carsley:

"We did okay in the first half but didn't really carry much threat. There's a lack of confidence and that's the hardest thing in football. We have players here who are new to the English game and we need to give them a bit of time.”

"I was disappointed that we went a little ragged after they scored but we have some good players here and they will go on to have a great season."

Match Highlights:

Gaffer / Mascot Interviews:

Paul Clement post match interview:

The Return of Ewie:

COYR!!

Photo: Action Images

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