As a Derby fan, you barely dare to dream anymore - and when you do, you dream small. The trip to Blackpool loomed for many as a reality check but it turned out reality was an undefeated Rams team breaking records.

Referee:

M. Haywood

Attendance:

13,489 (Over 1,800 Travelling Rams)

Teams:

Blackpool:

Gilks, Crainey, Southern, Evatt, Grandin (Ince 76), Phillips, Ormerod (Clarke 60), Taylor-Fletcher, Baptiste, Ferguson, Hill (Sutherland 89).

Unused Subs: Basham, Halstead

Yellow Cards: Clarke

Derby County:

Fielding, Brayford, O'Brien, Shackell, Kilbane, Bailey, Hendrick, B Davies (Roberts 90), Ward (Croft 77), Bryson, S Davies (Robinson 87).

Unused Subs: Legzdins, Maguire.

Yellow Cards: Robinson

Goals: Bryson (69)

Match Stats: Blackpool - Rams

Possession: 50% - 50%

Shots On Target: 6 - 3

Shots Off Target: 10 - 5

Corners: 6 - 1

Fouls: 10 - 8

Most Fouls: Clarke (2) - Croft (2)

D.Sawit’s Match Report:

The Rams headed to Blackpool with all of us hoping they could maintain their unbeaten start to the season - but even the most optimistic amongst us would have admitted just bringing home a point would be a great result against the newly-relegated Tangerine.

It seems the Derby team had other ideas as they showed a spirit and determination that a team wracked by injury should not be able to produce - but produce it Derby did! It was they and not Blackpool who left the clash undefeated for the season.

So many comparisons have between made between the great Brian Clough and his son the Derby manager – Nigel Clough. Most of these comparisons are unfair, as most managers could never hope to compare – let alone a relatively new manager at Championship level.

Although Nigel would never admit it - as he often claims to take no notice of records or media opinion – we know he is a highly competitive type. With that in mind, it is hard to believe that secretly, finally going one better than his dear old dad - in even just one small record - must make a perfect start to the season that little bit sweeter.

It was 1948 when the Rams last tasted three consecutive victories at the beginning of a campaign and after Wednesday night, when the record books are revised, they will now show August 2011.

Having shaken off their respective injury issues, Nigel Clough would have been relieved to be able to put Ward and Bailey on the team sheet. The only change to the starting line-up at Watford being Jeff Hendrick who was rewarded for his recent substitute performances at the expense of Lee Croft, who dropped to the bench. 

No-one expected Blackpool to make it easy for the Rams to post their third win of the season - and in fact, in all honesty most would have expected Derby to be absorbing pressure for much of the match.

Instead, to the delight of over 1,800 travelling Rams fans, Derby burst out of the blocks with obvious determination to match their more favoured opposition.

Despite much endeavour, the opening moves from both teams provided little result or highlight as both sets of players tested, poked and prodded in the midfield.

Blackpool fired the first shot when Taylor-Fletcher crossed in a ball that found no-one as it spun past an open-goal. While for the Rams, Steven Davies combined with Craig Bryson who charged into the box and cut the ball back well - and he only just failed to find Jamie Ward as he sped towards goal.

Taylor-Fletcher launched a rocket 20 yards out with just over 20 minutes gone but the Rams goalkeeping hero from Watford was on hand, as Frank Fielding reacted swiftly falling to his right to save the shot and even more impressively kept hold of the ball.

Now the Tangerine had opened fire, Ben Davies made a great run in from the right but miss hit the shot which sailed wide. Determined to atone for his off - target effort, moments later Ben made a superb cross that looked goal bound but unfortunately for the Rams; Gilks was able to get fingertips on the ball to divert it to safety for Blackpool.

After some mid-half excitement, the game went back into its shell as both teams desperately battled to get hold of and control their opposition.

A breakthrough nearly came just before half time when Taylor-Fletcher combined with Kevin Phillips to play in Stephen Crainey. His shot was deflected wide but the resulting corner produced danger in the form of Keith Southern; he managed a volley but the Rams' gloved hero once again stepped forward to save the day as the ball nestled in Frank's arms.

With that, the first half was over and the Rams were giving their opposition as good as they got. Most importantly, unlike last season, they had held on in the closing stages of a half, when in the past they had far too often conceded.

Amazing what having a consistent performer between the sticks can produce (sorry, Stephen!).

HT: 0 – 0

The second half began with the home side intent on trying to pile pressure on the Rams' defence, with Ferguson failing with a shot followed by the hard-working Taylor-Fletcher cleverly evading two Derby defenders before finding Kevin Phillips - who could not finish the good move when he shot wide.

After a couple of scares in the first ten minutes, the Rams stepped up a gear and took hold of the game with constant pressure on the home team.

Craig Bryson had been superb with hard running up and down the pitch and it nearly bore fruit when his superb cross found Steven Davies, who got the resulting shot on target only for Gilks to just keep it out.

Jamie Ward seems determined to score 'goal of the season' as he attempts a screamer each week - and nearly pulled it off. He let fly with a superb shot from 25 yards which heartbreakingly cannoned back off corner of the goal frame.

Derby began to dominate proceedings and, against my better judgement, I felt that a goal would surely come soon if they continued to press in the same fashion.

On 70 minutes, Craig Bryson provided the break-through the Rams had been promising when, after being crudely taken down by Hill, Steven Davies produced a great free kick from well outside of the area that Gilks could only push away from goal.

Bryson showed great awareness and hunger as he pounced on the keeper’s deflection and clinically slotted home the follow-up.

It was no more than the hard working Rams deserved and in total contrast to the Watford game, it definitely was not against the run of play.

Taylor-Fletcher had been ever-present for Blackpool all day and he stepped up immediately to try and restore parity to the score. A great solo run found him in space in his shot looked to be going in from 20 yards but as if to square the ledger after Ward’s earlier miss – the ball clipped the post and went out.

Blackpool tried to up the tempo and at the very least earn a point from the match - but some brilliant defending from the Rams, with Shackell and O’Brien in particular supreme in their efforts, to defend to the last.

Press, the Tangerine did - but most of their effort produced little genuine threat as the Rams repeatedly batted them away whilst striving to continue their own attacks.

Once again, 5 ‘where did they come from’ minutes were added to the proceedings - and once again Rams fans buried their heads as memories of the last campaign once again loomed large.

Instead, as they did at Watford, the Rams dictated the final minutes as they closed down the opposition, ran time down and tried to strangle the remaining life out of the game.

5 minutes of stoppage time will always produce at least one final chance and it was Southern who blew it when he went for power and not accuracy, as he managed a shot that resulted from a cross which Phillips did not quite get a handle on.

FT: 0-1

An unexpected and hard-fought three points from Nigel and his team, that keeps Derby unbeaten and equal-top of the Championship table.

A great start to the season and signs that Nigel’s team of 11/12 has the grit required to grind out results when required, coupled with a high work-rate plus a splash of creativity.

Keep that mixture fresh - and who knows what the season will cook up for us?

Whatever happens from here, if this is a sign of things to come, following Derby County could finally once again be a highly enjoyable pastime.

Dan’s Man Of The Match:

Craig Bryson – O’Brien, Shackell and Davies all worked tirelessly, as did every Rams player on the pitch. But for me Craig Bryson ran, ran and then ran some more and he got back, forward, sideways and most importantly in on goal.

As he returns to full fitness, Bryson could be a bargain buy if he continues in this manner. Great job Craig!

Manager’s Reaction:

Nigel Clough was as proud as punch after the win:

"We can't ask for much more from what the team are giving us right now and that was almost the complete away performance. I thought this one was our best performance of the season, especially when you consider the opposition we were up against."

"We looked solid again throughout, and in the second half we were a bit more progressive going forwards and deserved the goal we got."

"With ten players back at home injured we are very, very proud of what has been achieved by this team. We had a huge following of supporters in the away end cheering us on and they sang all night, which was brilliant."

"I can't pick out individuals after a performance like that because every single one of the players played their part and performed brilliantly."

"Perhaps at times we can offer a bit more quality in the final third, but we will forgive the lads for that if they keep working hard."

"Craig ran his socks off and covered every single blade of grass on the pitch. He ran all night and he deserved his goal. He showed he can be effective going forwards as well as doing a great job in the middle of the park."

"Jeff Hendrick did not look out of place either in midfield; he has been desperate to get in the team and showed great maturity in his performance."

Next Match:

Derby County vs. Doncaster Rovers

Pride Park Stadium

3pm – Saturday 20th August

Photo: Action Images

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