Frank Fielding returned and so did the Rams' winning ways - but it wasn’t quite that simple. A hard-fought, old-fashioned slog brought Derby all three points as Nigel and his team showed they will not go down without a fight.

Bramall Lane - Sheffield

 Referee: Mr R East

Attendance:

21,084 (approx. 2,500 Travelling Rams)

Teams:

Sheffield United:

Simonsen, Nosworthy, Ertl, Doyle (Vokes 70), Evans, Williamson, Cresswell (Bogdanovic 63), Collins, Quinn (Bent 70), Lowton, Riise

Unused Substitutes: Yeates, Kozluk, McAllister, Long

Yellow Cards: Booked: Williamson, Evans

Derby County:

Fielding, Green, Barker, Ayala, Brayford, B Davies (Buxton 89), Savage, Addison, Pearson (Cywka 58), Porter (S Davies 80), Robinson

Unused Substitutes: Atkins, Pringle, Doyle, Bueno

Booked: Savage, Brayford

Goals: Robinson (27)

Match Stats:

Possession: Blades 54% - 46% Rams

Shots On Target: Blades 6 – 5 Rams

Shots Off Target: Blades 6 – 2 Rams

Corners: Blades 11 – 5 Rams

Fouls: Blades 15 - 12 Rams

Most Fouls: Blades: Quinn (2) – Rams: Porter (5)

I. Saw’s Match Report:

A goal - Theo Robinson taps in.

A clean sheet - John Brayford twice off the line - Frank Fielding a reflex save.

A win.

Three points.

And in truth those three points, the goal, the clean sheet and the win are about all that’s worth remembering from the encounter at Bramall Lane.

A scrappy contest between two very poor teams that would both be doomed to relegation were it not for the presence of sides like Preston plying their trade temporarily in the Championship.

As it is, Derby might survive having gained the upper hand from a poor free kick which found its way eventually to Daniel Ayala, the Liverpool loanee, who squared the ball and another loanee Theo Robinson turned the ball home.

A much needed win but not exactly turning the corner.

With both sets of fans singing "Sack the Board", money and the lack of investment more than noticeable on the field.

Little else to say other than to mark the performers.

Fielding 6 - One terrific save in the second half, flaps a little at corners but his kicking and distribution at least give the rest of the team a chance.

Brayford 7 - Left back today, centre forward tomorrow, who knows? A solid performance out of position, two goaline clearances in the first half make John one of my joint men of the match.

Ayala 6 - Used his head, frequently, as the Blades route one football tested his mettle. He passed with flying colours.

Barker 6 - Again seemed to lap up the aerial challenge and the lack of pace in Sheffield’s attack did him little harm.

Green 6 - Right full back, not his best position but applied himself well.

Pearson 5 - Left side of midfield added energy to misplaced passes, covered for Brayford well and then after making the best pass of the afternoon was substituted. Is that irony I wonder?

Addison 4 - Central midfield, for a big lad he’s hard to miss. At Bramhall Lane he made the difficult look incredibly easy.

Savage 4 - Captain Robbie, played like Long John Silver only with a chip replacing the parrot. Unlike a Duracell Bunny his batteries ran out and it was painful watching as he forced himself around the pitch.

Davies, Ben 4 - Still producing those W.M.D. (weapons of mass destruction) pin point passes. The vision of him picking up the ball, squeezing it with both hands, proclaiming that in fact "yes the ball is dead" before taking yet another feckless free kick is impossible to dislodge.

Robinson 7 - Added pace and mobility to the 4-4-2 formation chosen by the manager, two abilities in short supply, so before we coach these qualities out he earns my second man of the match nomination.

Porter 5 - Wasn’t good or bad enough to be noticeable hence the mark of five. A nondescript performance from a nondescript player.

Subs:

Cywka 7 - Right flank, held the ball well and ran at the opposition, 100% effort and commitment.

Davies Steve 5 - Sixteen minutes of the game flew past as no doubt Steve would attest to.

Buxton 4 - Whilst he might run through a brick wall for you, most people would go round or climb over.

Manager’s Reaction:

Nigel was happy with his team’s effort as they ground out a win:

"It is a big win for us, but we won't know how big for a few weeks. It was a real team effort, and we made the point before the game it was essential put in a real team performance if we were going to get something out of the game.” 

"Everyone did their jobs superbly; our two centre-halves were fantastic and our two full-backs, who were playing out of position, did really well.”

"After the last few weeks, we always felt a result was around the corner. We showed against Portsmouth and Hull a win was close, but it was great to finally get a win today.” 

"This one is for the supporters as much as anyone. They were unbelievable today, not just in numbers but the support they gave us.”"The reaction at the final whistle showed how much it meant to everyone, the players couldn't wait to celebrate with the fans."

 "Theo was fantastic; he ran his socks off and showed that he is a type of player we've been missing. His pace can make things happen and relieve us of pressure at times.” 

"His goal was a real poacher's finish, which we've probably not had enough of at times this season. It was a great ball across from Daniel Ayala and Theo was in the six-yard box, which is exactly where he should be, to poke the ball in." 

"This time next week we could be much further up the table, and it's a big incentive for us in front of the home fans."

Goal Scorer’s Reaction:

Theo Robinson was ecstatic to grab a goal in his full debut for the Rams:

"I got the goal, but a big well done should go to the boys because everyone played their part.” 

"It was great to score how I did because I missed a chance exactly like that on my first day training with Derby, so I was glad I didn't miss this time!” 

"It was a great ball in by Daniel Ayala for the goal, and I'm delighted to be off the mark on my first start and hope I can get another start and another goal on Tuesday against Doncaster." 

"My legs were a bit heavy towards the end, but I can't wait for Tuesday to come around."

7.45pm - Tuesday March 1st

Pride Park Stadium 

 

Photo: Action Images

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