For forty seven minutes we played safe football. Passing, possession, probing, pushing the ball around.
Derby though dillied and dallied, losing their way in front of goal.
If we troubled the Charlton defence little, we troubled the Addicks keeper even less.
Not a single save needed. Fancy footwork forgetting the purpose of the game.
Not a single shot on target. It was depressingly familiar.
We even got bored with trying to point out Nick Pope's continual time wasting at goal kicks.
And the sun shone on the East Stand so we slumbered, only Jamie Hanson kept us awake, an impressive performance with direct forward passes, he overlapped on the right and he closed down and got his tackles in.
Half time, goalless, Scott Carson had been called into making a good save after Chris Baird, playing right full back, put the keeper under pressure with a poor back pass.
Passing the food outlets where the beer had now reached the unimpressive £4 a pint level (strangely a small separate counter had cask Marstons EPA direct from the barrel at a bargain £3.80, surprisingly they had no takers) and the "Pie, Mash & Gravy" at £4 has disappeared to be replaced by bog standard Pukka Pies at £3.60.
It hardly adds to the "match day experience" unless that experience is being ripped off in even more ways.
Three minutes into the second half and we are losing.
Tony Watt given room. A powerful shot, a last minute leg stuck out by Richard Keogh, a wicked deflection, a stranded Scott and the net rippled.
One nil to the visitors.
Now, and only now, do we start to play.
We gamble.
Our first two shots on target follow, the first a tame header from Chris Martin straight down the Popes throat.
The game opens up and becomes an entertaining affair. We throw men forward, our tempo is increased.
It begs the question "why didn't we play like this from the off?"
Nearly getting caught on the break, the answer is clear.
Eventually we score.
Martin swivels in the box and hits the far corner of the net.
Trading blows we could have won. We arguably should have done.
We though need to be more adventurous, we can take teams apart when we go at them, yet we favour the sit back and be safe approach.
After McClaren it's a bitter pill to swallow, even if the doctor orders it.
Man of the Match Jamie Hanson the best player on the pitch without a shadow of a doubt.
Match Highlights:
Paul Clement after the match: