Every Rams fan was hoping that the week could not get any worse as the Rams took a trip to Watford. It did.

Watford FC 3 vs. 0 Derby County 

15/01/2011 15:00

Vicarage Rd - Watford

G Ward

Crowd:

12,917 (1,165 Very Loyal Travelling Rams)

Teams:

Watford:

Loach, Taylor, Mariappa, Cowie (Deeney 46), Graham, Buckley (Whichelow 61) , Doyley, Jenkins, McGinn, Bennett, Sordell (Mingoia 81)

Un-used Substitutes:

Gilmartin, Hodson, Walker, Massey

Goals:

Buckley (36), Graham (43), Sordell (45)

Derby County:

Bywater, Green, Roberts, Barker, Brayford, Addison, Savage, Bailey (Leacock 46), Commons (Pearson 46), Bueno (Davies 84), Porter

Un-used Substitutes:

Deeney, Buxton, Pringle, Doyle

Yellow Cards:

Commons, Pearson, Leacock

I.Saw’s Match Report:

Reasons to be tearful 1,2,3.

Another abject performance by the Rams, who couldn't manage a single shot on target over the whole ninety minutes.

A defence that if the Trades Description Act applied to football would have to have the word dodgy or even very dodgy added to it.

A manager who thinks that nine minutes lost us this game, when it was forty five and the team selected.

A left back who would be more suited to a “Can't Tackle, Won't Tackle” game show based on the lines of Can't Cook but with Alan Hansen taking the role of Ainsley Harriot. Perhaps all four defenders could have a go at “Whose Line Is It Anyway”, indeed the whole performance could be earmarked for “Mock The Week” if only there was some humour.

Enough of this babble.

What did we get at Watford?

An egg chasing pitch with more bobbles than your favourite Uncle's jumper.

A referee who made a fair representation of the father figure in the Simpsons. One particular memorable wrong decision was at the end of the first half when awarding of a free kick against Kris Commons for hand ball. A call that earned Commons a yellow for dissent, two more dissents would be added later, remarkable restraint from the Rams players given the circumstances.

None of which matters of course when you can't defend.

Watford's first goal came from the right, Roberts and a Watford striker fall in the box. And whilst we call for a foul, the ball squirms to Will Buckley who picks his spot between the keeper and two defenders on the line. Thirty five minutes gone.

Gone walkabout for the second, Gareth Roberts was nowhere near Buckley and the winger crossed for Danny Graham to fire past Bywater to make it two just before half time, Graham “Sssshing” the Derby fans with a finger across his lips as he ran past them celebrating.

Two became three as the clock ticked down. A long ball down the centre, it looked an easy ball for John Brayford playing centre half, but a bobble beat Brayford and Marvin Sordell ran through and a cool finish did for Bywater.

Changes at half time. Nigel Clough brought on Stephen Pearson for Commons and Dean Leacock for Bailey. Brayford returned to his usual position, Paul Green moved to the right hand side of midfield and for the first time we had a balance.

We were then treated to forty five minutes where we competed without ever looking dangerous. We had possession passed the ball and generally held the Hornets who to be fair were happy and comfortable to keep the score line they had earned in the first period.

On the rare Derby attacks, Martin Taylor looked a colossus at the back for the home side, it reminded me of football on the park when we were kids. One big lad standing out and commanding the pack. That lad was Taylor and that is exactly what the Rams require in the January transfer window.

Assuming of course we can attract anyone to our club.

Finally a word about the fans that travelled. Fantastic support, singing to the end, reminiscent of our year in the Premiership. All that was missing was the “Let's Pretend We've Scored A Goal”.

If we keep going like this I'm sure it won't be long.

Managers Reaction:

Speaking after the match, (which is a good start!) Nigel Clough was perplexed:

"It was a mad nine minutes that cost us, there was nothing in the game at that time and we could maybe have nicked a goal ourselves with a few half-chances that we had. When all of a sudden we gave away three goals in no time and the game was over.” 

"The two goals before the break were the real killer goals and soft ones, because going in at 1-0 down at half-time wouldn't have been a disaster and we could have had a right go in the second half.” 

"If you take the goals out of it we didn't play that badly today but I know that means little at the end of the day. We just can't give away goals like we did today and at the other end we didn't have anyone with the killer instinct to create something and no-one wanted to get hurt enough to get a goal." 

"We have seven days to get ready for it (the Forest match); we will learn a lot about our player’s character by the end of the game next weekend, that is for sure. The players need to lift themselves from within, and it is a great game to bounce back from the recent disappointments."

Keeper Reaction:

Rams Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater stated the obvious after another dirty day in goal:

"The frustrating thing is, we started quite well today and we weren't able to build on it, we're very disappointed with the goals we let in, especially the timing of them.” 

"Two goals in the last three minutes of the half made it a real mountain to climb for us. We weren't at it today and we can't keep giving goals away like we did.” 

"We need to defend better as an entire defensive unit, myself included, and I feel really sorry for the fans that travelled all the way down to see us concede so many goals." 

"It is a massive game for us against Forest. There's no better game to kick-start a good run of form than against our rivals. We owe them one, big time, after the defeat at their place last month.” 

"The last week has been frustrating and hard but that's what happens in football sometimes. We have a great chance to put things right against Forest in front of our own fans, and we will be ready for it."

Next Match: 

Derby County vs. Watford

1pm Saturday January 22nd

Pride Park Stadium - Derbyshire

Photo: Action Images

MattR added 12:50 - Jan 17 You could try writing your own report next time, chief. http://bhappy.wordpress.com/2011/01/16/watford-3-derby-county-0-15012011/
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