RamsFan Report: Sharp Blades Chop Derby Down
Sunday, 12th Sep 2010 14:07 by Daniel Brooks

All the positives from the QPR game were quickly erased as although the Rams huffed and puffed, it was the Blades who had the sharper edge.

Derby County 0 vs. 1 Sheffield United

Pride Park Stadium, Derby

The npower Championship

Saturday, 11th September 2010 - 13:00 pm

Goals:

Cresswell (15)

Referee:

P Crossley

Attendance:

25,749

Teams:

Derby County: Bywater 6, Brayford 6, Barker 5, Leacock 4, Roberts 5 (Doyle 5), Savage 4 (Bueno 6), Bailey 5, Green 6 (Martin 5), Moxey 5, Commons 5, Cywka 6 - Subs: Deeney, Anderson, Martin, Pringle, Doyle, Bueno

Sheffield United: Simonsen, Jordan, Nosworthy, Ertl, Calve (Lowton), Bartley, Montgomery, Britton, Evans (Quinn), Cresswell, Ward (Yeates) - Subs: Aksalu, Morgan, Taylor, Lowton, Yeates, Quinn, Bogdanovic

RamsFan Report, by Daniel Brooks:

After the incredulity of the QPR extra-time debacle had worn off over the two-week international break, I fully expected the free flowing Rams to wipe the floor with Sheffield United; alas it was not to be as Gary Speed’s men closed the gaps left by QPR and Leeds before them, exposing the Rams’ inability to get past teams who clearly set up to keep them out.

This was one of those games that is difficult to describe, such was the lack of action and intensity; the visitors got themselves in front and then completely shut the Rams out for long periods, allowing only two obvious chances in the second half.

United’s goal was a combination of good play on the right by Calve, who had Roberts in his pocket all afternoon, and sloppy defending by the out of sorts Barker and Brayford, both of whom could have comfortably cleared the ball before it found its way to the back post for Cresswell to finish well. It was indicative of the Rams’ current malaise; our top players aren’t quite performing how we remember.

Shaun Barker has been at times brilliant but was at fault at the Ricoh for Coventry’s late winner, he was completely outdone by Patrick Agyemang against QPR and didn’t cover himself in glory yesterday either. The obvious reason is his lack of fitness caused by a non-existent pre-season but I really hope it doesn’t go further than that; if disinterest is cropping up, then our season is in big trouble.

Dean Leacock looks a shadow of his former self but again that is hopefully down to the fitness issues you’d expect from a player who has been missing for so long. He’s certainly looks like he’s finding his way out there and the Rams are suffering as a result.

Having said that, we only conceded the once although the visitors had plenty of chances of extend their lead; any team featuring Kris Commons and Tomasz Cywka should have been expected to create more than two efforts on target but aside from the odd moment, neither player could escape the constant attentions of the Sheffield backline, who were imperious throughout.

So, it’s back to the drawing board with an important visit to Hull City on Tuesday; I would really like to say we might have a striker in by then but it seems unlikely so unless Hull play openly and allow the Rams the space to play, it’s going to be more of the same I reckon – it can’t have been missed by any opposition manager that playing against a crowded midfield is the Rams’ 'kryptonite'.

Rams Man of the Match:

Paul Green – The only Rams player who looked remotely capable of threatening the visitors on the attack, he nonetheless ran out of steam towards the end; at least he had the excuse of playing twice for Ireland during the international break. Full of running in the early stages, his performance was marred only by his wayward header late on that should have given the Rams a draw they didn’t deserve.

Managers Reaction:

Nigel Clough speaking after the match to the official site:

"It came (the performance) as a surprise to us all because this week's training was probably as good as we've had. It is hard to understand how we went from being so good at Moor Farm to being so poor on a matchday".

"We never got going, and Sheffield United deserve a lot of credit for that too because they stopped us playing. They caught us on the break for the goal, and we were fortunate to go in just a goal down at half-time".

"We had a go for 20 minutes or so in the second half and we looked more positive, but without really creating anything. It didn't happen for us and a lot of lads, especially the youngsters, had a bad time".

"It was a new experience for quite a few of them, and it was a learning curve."

"In all honesty we didn't create much all game, and we didn't get shots off when we could have done. It is something we have hammered into the players (to shoot when they can), but they seemed reluctant today".

"We were getting frustrated and so were the crowd too. We have to get today out of our system, and Hull is the perfect chance".

Vice-Captain's Reaction:

Shaun Barker speaking to the official site after the match:

"We weren't good enough, we started off poorly and they were better than us from start to finish. So far this season we've played really well and not got our rewards; today we didn't play well and we got what we deserved".

"We weren't involved in the game and didn't look like scoring to be frank. Sat in the dressing room, no-one can quite put their fingers on it and it is so disappointing. Especially for the fans, who turned up in numbers to watch a performance from us. We have to hold our hands up and admit that is not what we're about as a group".

"Hopefully we can go out at Hull on Tuesday and put things right, we need to kick-start our season again, even if it is going up there and getting a point".

"The sooner the games comes around, the better."