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The Weston Report: Never Mind 5 to 1, I Would've Given You 500 to 1!
Monday, 23rd Nov 2015 06:54 by Ryan Weston

With silly season seemingly on the horizon, judging by the plethora of adverts during every commercial break, the Rams did not hand over any early presents for Cardiff with an efficient and professional display.

It had been a long two weeks since that fatal F****t performance. Two weeks where you imagine Bradley Johnson prowling around like a caged tiger, Chris Martin arguing with himself while Richard Keogh and Jeff Hendrick drank lots of Guinness.

It was a relief then to finally get a chance to put it right.

What was not nice was the fact that the match was seemingly taking place in the Arctic Circle!

Sufficiently wrapped up, the Rams emerged with Ince and Butterfield replacing Russell and Hendrick from the last outing. Rumours that Jeff was still under the influence remain unconfirmed…

Surprisingly, it was a steady and not explosive start by the Rams. That said, a look at Cardiff’s line-up and league position made their 5/1 standing on the coupon surely too high a price.

It was Derby who threatened first. Butterfield won the ball well in midfield and found Ince, who ran at Malone before cutting in and curling towards the far corner, only for Marshall to plunge low and save. Next, Butterfield tried his own luck, but this time found the legs of Marshall as the Rams sought an early strike. It was soon apparent why our visitors were such a high price to record a victory, as time and again the Bluebirds (or should that be Redbirds?) lumped a long ball to… well nobody.

Also apparent was the fact that visiting left back Malone wasn’t much cop. Much of our play was down the right and was the avenue for us to create our best opening so far. Christie did superbly to take down a long ball from Thorne and surge past his man almost in one movement. At his marauding best, Cyrus found a final ball, picking out Weimann, who turned in the middle of the box and with a goal looking certain, the Austrian crashed a shot goal wards, only for Marshall to save brilliantly to his right. He was also very considerate of the fact that many hands were warming nicely in my pocket and to clap a goal could have cost me a digit…

Eventually, Cardiff actually threatened a goal, with two very presentable chances in quick succession. First, another long ball found the Rams napping and let Kenwyne Jones stretch his legs in behind. His low cross found the advancing Dikgcoi, who was unlucky to steer just wide. Next, Keogh was guilty of some Irish — jigging when instead of dealing with, yes, a long ball, was dispossessed by Jones. Drawing in Shackell, the ex-Rams target squared to Ralls, whose goal bound shot was well stopped by Carson. One feels that last season, Mr Keogh’s error would have been punished…

With Thorne pulling the strings, the Rams were soon back in the ascendancy but were wasteful, Ince in particular, with the final ball. Two wild crosses in particular were met with disdain from the crowd with frustration perhaps creeping in. A couple of long range efforts were easily saved before many of the crowd disappeared for a Bovril… or a whiskey.

We had certainly dominated proceedings and possession and you felt if we could find a third or fourth gear, we’d win easily. Any fears of a frustrating afternoon were soon put to rest as we provided as usual quick start to the second half. After Johnson’s header was cleared off the line, we had our deserved lead.

More good play from Cyrus, (or as my driving instructor calls him, Linford) found Martin in the box. The big man had cut a frustrated figure for much of the contest, but did what he does best, holding the ball up before finding an on-rushing target.

Was it a bird?

Was it a plane?

No, it was George Thorne, who took a touch and crashed a low shot into the corner.

Instantly following the goal, there was almost another (and very welcome) excuse to jump around and get warm as we should have doubled our advantage. The impressive Butterfield punished another slack Cardiff pass, pouncing to challenge and then set Martin free. Looking to take a touch before slotting home, his control was poor and saw him too close to Marshall to finish.

1 - 0 is normally a tense score line. However, I think Cardiff would have trouble even passing the parcel at a kid’s party, such was their woeful use of the ball. Our own party was dampened somewhat with Bradley Johnson picking up a booking that rules him out of Friday’s vital clash with Hull.

Russell replaced Ince and Bryson replaced Butterfield as we looked for a killer second and it wasn’t long coming. More harassing saw us win the ball to find Chris, he picked out Johnny, who picked out George who curled low towards the corner. Marshall made the save, but would be disappointed to have pushed the ball straight to Weimann who despite still having work to do, got the goal his tireless efforts deserved, smashing low into the net from a tight angle.

Even with 15 minutes left, the game was up!

The only scares were served by Christie, who went off injured with 10 remaining. With all 3 subs used, it wasn’t a good sight to see Shackell go down clutching his knee. Obviously troubled, he stuck it out until the end, with only a Kenwyne Jones header over the bar cause for alarm. To think, we once bid £6m for him…

With this, Scott Carson wiped the frost off his gloves and the game was over.

Another comfortable home win, with solid control throughout.

Never mind 5/1, I’d have given you 500/1 on our hapless visitors, who were ordinary at best.

That said, the Rams must be applauded for making them look so hapless and with results going our way over the weekend, we have another chance to go top on Friday.

Let’s hope it goes better than last time…


Weston’s Player Ratings:

Scott Carson — 7: Made an excellent save first-half but largely untroubled.

Cyrus Christie — 7: Flashes of his marauding best.

Richard Keogh — 6:A little shaky in the first half, tighter in second.

Jason Shackell — 7: Solid once again though injured at the end.

Stephen Warnock — 8: Very impressive once again.

George Thorne — Weston’s Star Man 9: Superb. Passing back on normal tracker mode and a good goal too.

Jacob Butterfield — 7: Slowly coming into good form.

Bradley Johnson — 7:Normal combative self. Booked however and a huge miss for Friday.

Andreas Weimann — 7:Benefitting from an extended run in the side. Another goal.

Tom Ince — 5: Promising but very wasteful.

Chris Martin — 6: Not his best game but still set up opener.

Subs:

Johnny Russell — 6: Lively as always.

Craig Bryson- 6: A good twenty.

Chris Baird — 6: Solid for last ten.


We said / They Said:

Derby head coach Paul Clement:

” I thought George Thorne was outstanding. He scored the goal but his overall performance was of a very high level. When he signed for this club within two or three days of him joining he had the injury and then when he came back he had other associated problems from being out for such a long period. But he's been working very hard with his physical condition and we are reaping the rewards of having him fit and playing regularly. “

Cardiff boss Russell Slade:

"It's always disappointing when you lose but I think we lost it to the better side. "Sometimes you have to put your hands up and I thought Derby were very good today.”

"We matched them for much of the first half but they double pressed us hard up the field in the second and unfortunately the two goals we conceded came from us having possession of the ball."


Match Highlights:


Gaffer / Player Interviews:

Paul Clement post match interview:


George Thorne on his goal and MOTM performance:


COYR!!



Photo: Action Images



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