The Rams needed a win, to not only regain confidence but to prove they deserve to be where they are in the Championship. Although at times unconvincing, by 5pm they had achieved most of that mission.
The first half was largely an uninspiring affair with both sides lacking flair or attacking intent with only two attempts worth remembering.
The first was from Brighton’s Upson who cannoned a header in from a corner that brought out the best in Lee Grant who leapt sensationally to tip it over the bar.
For Derby, Jamie Ward had the best chance when he went on a one man run that opened up the Seagulls defence and allowed him to release a shot. Unfortunately the effort went wide of the post from distance.
Despite no goals and a slow start — the encouraging signs for The Rams came in the last 15-20 minutes they started to play football again. Derby were getting space and time as the visitors were not employing the smothering tactics normally brought by visitors to the iPro, instead it was Derby who were running hard and shutting them down as the half wore on.
Passes were made and attacks began to multiply, unfortunately final balls were poor and players who only weeks ago looked like world beaters — had become short on confidence and seemingly unable to weight a pass correctly.
The first half ended all square but it ended with The Rams building and looking to regain their shattered confidence.
Unfortunately the second half did not build on that momentum as both teams continued to poke and prod with the better chances probably falling to the visitors.
The first real highlight was a lowlight, which came just after the 70th minute when Derby’s new boy Patrick Bamford, took a free-kick just outside the box, only to produce one of the worst efforts you may ever see.
To say it did not worry any Seagulls on the field, but would definitely have worried any flying over, would be the best way to describe it.
Just as Rams fans may have been discussing how Bamford could be so highly regarded by his parent club Chelsea, the ball bobbled out to him in the 76th minute after some good work by Jamie Ward, as he was set upon by Seagulls, his first time shot found the bottom corner.
Bamford forgiven (he was just getting his eye in...)!
Advantage Rams!
As is often the case — the goal brought the game to life as both Derby and Brighton had chances as things opened up with some end to end football.
Brighton started to look more and more dangerous as they pressed the Rams for an equaliser but the Rams rode their luck and continued to try and play football and not just shut up shop.
In the end it was enough and the Rams hung on as the game descended into nothing more than a scrap in the final minutes with Derby continually clearing Brighton’s attacks.
Not the prettiest game of football but in the end the Rams took the 3 points and with them, will have regained some of the confidence brutally taken from them at Leicester.
Let’s just hope it is the spark that re-ignites the flame!
RamZone match reporter Ryan Weston was at the iPro and will present his report tomorrow including all the reaction and stats from the match that returned the Rams to winning ways.
COYR!!