This one had the feel of a big game. A cold but still evening. The floodlights on. The sky cameras rolling in readiness. All of this, coupled with the pre-season promotion favourites and Harry,’don’t call me a wheeler-dealer’ Redknapp in town.

This game could arguably decide whether or not the Rams had the right to harbour more lofty expectations than just a play-off berth. A time for sleeves to be rolled up and defensive horrors of St Andrews, to be left in the second-city.

A game for those in black and white to put their hands up to be counted or slink away with iPro between their legs. Thankfully, come full-time, there was a combined total of fourteen pairs of hands proudly aloft, as a tireless Rams display yielded what could prove to be a vital three points.

Not that yours truly had any positive vibes such was the desperate day in the office pre-game. A day that saw my mood change from bad, to worse, to livid - pointed to nothing but a Rangers win to add a mustard-topping (yuck) to a disgustingly-tasting cake.

Nonetheless, after a couple of ‘train beers,’ my mood had simmered somewhat back to somewhere between bad and hopeful. The line-up did nothing to disparage this further, with the same eleven which had shot themselves in the foot three times at Birmingham rightly given another chance to gain maximum points.

As the two-teams emerged, the pantomime villain, one Joseph Barton, at least gave me someone to exert my anger upon. And boy, he didn’t disappoint. Neither did the Rams as inside the first minute, Bamford sprung the offside trap and found himself with the freedom of Derby to surely lash us into a dream start.

I even got my autograph book out in readiness, such was the space that the young-man could have dashed up the stairs in the South-Stand, scribbled his name, ran back and still score.

Instead what actually transpired was the youngster forgot about his right-foot, waiting instead until the ball favoured the left and eventually being tackled. Frustrating to say the least but an early encouragement all the same.

In fact, all of the early signs were good, with the Rams busy and efficient. An early corner saw a snapshot from Ward easily saved by the Reverend Robert Green. At the other end, it was apparent that QPR were allowing Keogh and Buxton to collect the ball from Grant easily, employing similar stifling tactics to that of their other successful top-six rivals.

An Andy Johnson daisy-cutter aside, the visitors offered little as an attacking force within the first fifteen. Instead, Ward looked the most-likely, given his Nothern Ireland team-mate Aaron Hughes an uncomfortable start, proving again why, for my money, wide-left is his best role.

After Ward forced another corner, the Rams were nearly fortuitously ahead. A volley from the same man sparked pinball in the box, with the ball eventually being cleared against Buxton, with the deflection forcing an excellent save from the one time (somehow) England number one.

The Rams however, were certainly the better side, showing more bite in the tackle. Eustace in particular was snapping around, relishing the battle with the one time (again, HOW?) England midfielder.

Sure enough, after graciously not managing to irk the iPro faithful for the first twenty-minutes (apart from with his hair) Barton did what he does best. After a foul on Bamford and the referee blowing his whistle, the self-proclaimed ‘best midfielder in England’ (currently giggling whilst typing!!) went clattering into the back of Chris Martin, on the blind side of the officials.

As the crowd bayed for blood, with a ruffle of his appalling locks and a smirk, Barton escaped even a ticking-off. This said, he didn’t survive the wrath of our number nine, who had, shall we say, ‘choice words’ with the village idiot throughout the contest going for the remainder.

Martin was giving the tightest back four in the league problems and his challenge on Hill, contentious to some onlooker but not to me, led to a corner, and ultimately, the opener. Hughes’ delivery caused confusion between Hill and unsurprisingly the Reverend, and the latter’s weak punch went straight to Eustace.

Big John hopefully headed the ball goal-wards, hoping for an onrushing white to head in. To his and my amazement, a ball which looked to be harmlessly drifting over the bar, somehow looped over Martin and two QPR defenders on the line and nestled perfectly in the corner. As QPR’s complaints (no prizes for guessing who was ringleader) fell on deaf ears, Eustace wheeled away in delight as an astonished iPro joined in.

The goal seemed to galvanise Barton into chirping to the referee for the rest of the contest, like a child that you’ve just told can’t have their favourite toy. For all of his annoying traits, he is still a decent footballer and served notice to almost get the visitors level. Following neat play, his perfect far-post ball found the unmarked Hughes, who headed powerfully across Grant, only for the Derby stopper to plunge low to his right to keep it out.

At the other end, bad luck struck when Ward went down off the ball, nursing what looked to be an innocuous injury. However, within seconds, Russell was stripped and readied and what had looked to be another improved display from Ward had ended prematurely.

In the last minutes of the half, calamity Green almost handed us a second, after he somehow let a back-pass squirm over his foot and very nearly across the line. With the Rams in the ascendancy, it was a shame to hear the half-time blast on the whistle.

Surely Rangers couldn’t come out and play as poorly and as aimlessly as in the first-half. Then again, they did have Tom Carroll, a player that all Rams fans will testify was colour-blind at best during his all-too-many game loan spell for us.

It was no surprise to see ‘Arry wheel and deal from the bench in the interval, making two changes with Hoilett and Maiga introduced for O’Neil and Johnson. The first five of the second half though belonged to the Rams, with sharp play producing a couple of corners, neither of which were particularly well-dealt with. However, it was obvious that the tricky Hoilett would cause problems, with his pace and skill keeping Forsyth at full-stretch.

The midfield contest was becoming heated, with Derby’s extra-man often snuffing out any delicate QPR play, with them instead looking at long balls down the channels. It was the Rams though; who almost made it two on the counter, with Martin finding Wisdom, whose clever clip to the far stick was smashed by Russell but well blocked.

As the half-progressed, the Rams looked content to play more and more on the counter, with the visitors having more possession and chances. First, the villain of the piece produced excellent handling from Grant after a left-footed rocket, before he was FINALLY shown a yellow card. Sadly, it was not for spitting him dummy onto the turf but rather for crudely hacking down Johnny Russell.

A free-kick and a card that everyone could see inside the ground, apart from Kevin the Teenager himself. It was almost a double-whammy as from the resulting set-piece; Keogh was inches away from flicking in to double the advantage.

Back came QPR though and within a couple of minutes came the two-best chances to equalise. First, good play down the left from Barton and the impressive Assou-Ekotto saw the former of the bad-haired combination swing over an inviting cross, only for Martin to brilliantly flick behind for a corner. From this, a near post delivery was headed on by Kranjcar, only for Eustace this time to head narrowly over.

Pressure was building but the back-line was holding about superbly, led by the skipper and Buxton, who time and again headed away the danger. Hendrik replaced Hughes to aid the ailing Rams, who now very-much looked content to have and hold. Martin fired over in a rare foray, but despite the possession, the visitors lacked any real guile and genuine threat. Something, one can imagine, that Charlie, ‘I always score against Derby’ Austin, would have provided.

In the last fifteen we went and roared on by a vocal crowd, the Rams began to find their second wind. Bamford however, looked cream-crackered and it was no surprise to see him replaced by Sammon. Still though, the Rams looked strong and resolute.

A nervy moment came when a neat one-two on the edge of the box saw Hoilett skip past a defender, and crash a fierce shot into the side-netting. Some of the frankly appalling away contingent of 541 thought it was in; at least I thought I could hear a murmur from the away end, perhaps it was just a mouse farting?

The last five and time, I’m sure, stopped for at least two minutes. My chomping of gum was reminiscent of Fergie in his prime as to a man, we scrapped and battled heroically. The centre-halves were literally unbeatable, with each one seemingly inspired by the other as time and again, long balls were repelled.

Somehow, given that three substitutes had been introduced in the first-half, five minutes was indicated for stoppage-time. Cue massive groans, people hiding behind scarves and Barton probably moaning that there wasn’t at least another forty-five added-on. The sort of guy, one suggests, that would start a row with his own reflection. Or maybe he loves himself too much for that?

With the players clearly out on their feet, the crowd really did become a twelfth-man. Infuriatingly, the old trick of taking the ball to the corners hadn’t been explained to the lads, as they very nearly caused me to miss writing this due to a cardiac arrest.

However, with the back-four building a wall more formidable than Hadrian could ever have dreamt of, and with one last lung-busting charge from Martin (to the corner!!) the game was up. Cue the biggest roar from the iPro all season.

A truly gutsy and whole-hearted display, one that for me, showcased the team spirit and togetherness more than any game this season. A top-six team had finally been seen off and suddenly we are right back in the thick of it.

I saw Jake Buxton seemingly trying to rip through his shirt like the Incredible Hulk, suddenly the trials and tribulations of the nine-to-five seemed a long time ago. More so, when a forlorn, greasy-haired man left the scene to a chorus of abuse. For once, he didn’t milk it.

Pantomime season is over.

Dare we yet dream of another P word?

Match Reaction:

We said….

Derby Gaffer Steve McClaren

"I knew it would be a test of how far we've come. The team has improved so much. It was about time we had a big win and the clean sheet got us there and that is the most satisfying thing. We should have scored more but the key is to get the balance right between defence and attack.”

"We hadn't beaten a top-six side before this and we've got to show more consistency when we come up against our rivals. We're still thinking about the play-offs and being ahead of the team in seventh position. That's our target at the moment as the teams above us have all the experience."

They said….

Market trader Harry Redknapp

“We didn't create nearly enough chances, that was the problem. We didn't press them in the first half and we seemed more worried about them.”

"We were better in the second half but we didn't created enough."

Luvvly jubbly!!!!

Weston’s Player Ratings

Lee Grant: - Fantastic all evening. Handling immaculate, two good saves and distribution and decision making sensible throughout. Rating — 7

Craig Forsyth: Coped well with the threat of Hoillett in the second-half. Passes were somewhat wayward at times. Strong in the air - 7

Andre Wisdom: Sounding like a broken record but strong, solid and dependable once again. Never threatened to make a mistake — 7

Jake Buxton: Back to his colossal best. Superb in the air throughout and battled his heart out as per. Celebration at full time alone deserves a rating! - 9 Weston’s Star Man

Richard Keogh: Another timely return to his best for the skipper. Again good in the air and marshalled back four brilliantly - 9

Craig Bryson: Quite quiet by his standards but did enough to stifle a good QPR midfield. - 8

John Eustace: A rare but deserved goal from the big man. Did his holding role with aplomb and would have been pleased to complete 90 mins - 7

Will Hughes:Decent display, buzzed around midfield and was not intimidated by Barton — 7

Patrick Bamford-Should have scored in the first min. Perhaps not at his bright-best but up against good opponent in Assou-Ekotto. Tired second half — 6.

Jamie Ward: Looked a genuine threat but unfortunately got injured. Let’s hope it’s not of the normal long variety — 6

Chris Martin: A real handful, up against a good, solid back-four. Put himself around well, did defensive duties brilliantly and wound up Barton well! — 7

Subs

Johnny Russell: Look sharp, best running directly at defenders — 6

Jeff Hendrick: Battled away well and did what was asked — 6

Connor Sammon: Unfamiliar left-wing role but did what he does and gave his all - 6

Match Stats: Derby / QPR

Possession: 42% / 58%

Corners: 10 / 6

Shots (On Target): 9 (2) / 10 (3)

Fouls: 17 / 14

Yellow Cards: 2 / 4

Match Info:

Referee: Michael Naylor

Attendance: 23,495 (Only 541 Rangers… really? Are they 3rd or 3rd last!?)

Derby County: Grant (GK), Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace, Hughes (Hendrick 68'), Bryson, Ward (Russell 40), Martin, Bamford (Sammon 81').

Unused Subs: Legzdins (GK), Bennett, Whitbread, Thorne.

Goals: Eustace (20’)

QPR: Green (GK), Hughes, Dunne, Hill, Assou-Ekotto, Kranjcar, Carroll (Jenas 78'), Barton, O'Neil (Hoilett 45'), Johnson (Maiga 45'), Doyle.

Unused Subs: Murphy (GK), Traore, Onuoha, Henry.

Match Highlights - Video:

Match Reaction - Head Coach:

Match Reaction - Goalscorer

Next Time:

Sheffield Wednesday vs. Derby County

Hillsborough Stadium

7:45pm — Tuesday 18th February

Photo: Action Images

bryboy13 added 18:28 - Feb 12 Your reports have compelled me to register with RamZone. You watch the game through my eyes and I look forward to your account after every game. Keep up the good work and tks!
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moose87 added 21:22 - Feb 12 Thanks very much for your kind words. Nice to see at least one fellow fan shares my views!
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