A summer of changes, returns and new beginnings via Holland, Grimsby and Bolton, brought the Rams home for competitive action for the first time since that debacle in May.

With that confined to the history books, only to be talked of in hushed tones, the feeling of positivity was palpable as I returned to my seat.

Am I quietly confident that this will be our year? Well, I learnt long ago never to predict the Championship…

Not that the first games have gone as many predicted, as a spirited Addicks side held the Rams to a second consecutive league draw in this one.

What was a huge success however, was the sterling work done by the 1884 Rams support group, whose flags, streamers, balloons et al provided a simply stunning entrance for the players as we settled in for another rollercoaster ride.

Clement sprung a surprise by picking Jamie Hanson to fill the Will Hughes/Craig Bryson shaped hole in the midfield as we reverted to the tried and tested 4-3-3 of old. A surprise that was vindicated as within just a few minutes with the youngster showing real calmness and quality. A shame then that this didn’t transfer throughout the side, as despite our dominance, we rather laboured through the first period.

After Charlton had threatened in the first minute, the game settled into the predictable, ‘away team coming for a point,’ scenario with Charlton happy to get two banks of four behind the ball and to let their goalkeeper time-waste at all available moments.

Derby were organised, much more so than in the latter half of last season, with Clement seemingly building from the back. This though seemed to detract from the slick, attacking play of the last two seasons that saw us open up sides easier than bowling out the Aussies in the Ashes.

In a slow-burner of a half, the Rams probed and poked but favoured four of five touches instead of the desired one or two. When we did use some invention, Ince superbly beat two men on the right before pulling back to Martin, who should have done better than to trickle his shot wide. Hendrick too shot wide on his weaker side, following a patient build up around the box.

The midfield though was being bossed by one man in particular. How beautiful it was to see George Thorne back and seemingly better than ever, orchestrating the choir with aplomb and allowing Hanson to bed in solidly.

For our dominance though, we were very nearly undone by our new skipper and a rush of Baird to the head.

A cross from the right saw the captain attempt to chest back to Carson. Somehow, he had failed to see Ceballos providing the filling in the sandwich, but Carson was alert and ensured there wasn’t to be egg on anyone’s face by smartly smothering the danger.

Our dominance but lack of cutting edge continued until the break. I wasn’t privy to the conversation in the dressing room but I’d be pretty confident that Clement asked for a greater urgency and tempo to our play. Within a minute of the restart, we had heeded the request.

Ince played in Baird down the right, who cut back, Martin dummied and Hendrick was denied only by a superb block by World Cup winner Diarra. Thorne then saw his shot deflected just wide.

What happened next stunned those in attendance. A pass out from the back found Watt, who twisted, dropped a shoulder and dribbled before unleashing a shot from 25 yards. Following a huge deflection off Keogh, the ball looped over Carson and into the corner. Definitely not Watt we expected (very punny! — ed).

Now we had to show urgency and thankfully, our character showed as the real Derby County came to life. Baird won the ball on the right, Ince should have picked out Martin but instead played to Hendrick, who showed good tenacity to beat his man, poke past the goalkeeper but was denied near the line.

From that point you never felt that we wouldn’t score.

This said, as our pressure built, it didn’t come without a scare as a carbon-copy of Charlton’s goal almost played out, this time the ball looping of Shackell inches wide, with Carson playing musical statues.

Another breakaway soon followed, with a three on two situation which the Addicks played poorly and we survived again.

With the game becoming stretched, Weimann was introduced, to exploit the acres of space which Forsyth was enjoying. I’m not sure who the guy we brought on at half-time who looked like Forsyth was, but after a wasteful first-half display, he was excellent during the second.

Our reply though came after quick thinking on the other wing. A quick free kick from Ince and a pass each from Baird and Hanson found Martin in the box. In one movement, the big man turned, and fired low into the far corner. His first goal at the iPro since January. It was worth the wait.

The game was now stretched, favouring the Rams. Thorne saw one of around 4,574 long distance drives test out Pope in the Charlton goal, as the brave Addicks charged down the vast majority of his other efforts. We hadn’t heeded the warning from earlier though, as another breakaway saw us back off and invite Gudmundsson to strike just over.

Derby though looked the more likely winner and as Charlton tired, we had our chances. Ince saw a free-kick well saved before another good Forysth centre saw Weimann shin just wide.

I must admit I was a little disappointed not to see Bent thrown on, with a number of balls in the box begging for a fox to put them to a good home. However, it was Christie who got the nod and the decision was almost vindicated in added time.

An excellent centre from the much-maligned right-back found Martin, who attacked superbly. With the roof ready to come off, the Charlton keeper was a party-Pooper, tipping the ball over the bar. With yet another corner finding an Addick head, we were to be denied a deserved win.

So not victory for Clement as yet, but the signs in the second-half were extremely positive.

Forsyth looked rejuvenated. Thorne and Hanson were fantastic. Martin was sharp. Surely playing like this will mean that elusive win is around the corner.

Hopefully on Tuesday against the Boro. We owe them a performance.

P.S I must add that the game featured the worst corner I have ever seen! If you haven’t seen it, google Cabellos corner!

Weston’s Player Ratings:

Scott Carson: No chance with the goal but looked good on corners & general play - 7

Chris Baird: Solid, apart from the first-half blip! — 7

Richard Keogh: Very good, looks more assured and confident without the captaincy — 8

Jason Shackell: Great to see him back in a Rams shirt — 7

Craig Forsyth: Was a great outlet in the second half. Much improved — 8

George Thorne - Weston’s Star Man: Superb. Bulled the Charlton midfield, strong, composed and will be like a new signing — 9

Jeff Hendrick: In & out of game. Needs to step up in absence of Bryson/Hughes — 6

Jamie Hanson: Encouraging from the young man. Looked a natural in there — 8

Johnny Russell: Not his best game but not his worst — 6

Tom Ince: Showed glimpses but sometimes frustrating — 7

Chris Martin: Well taken goal, looks sharp… and like he may have lost a few pounds! - 7

Subs:

Andreas Weimann: A couple of good flashes — 6

Cyrus Christie: A good cameo — 7

Match Reaction:

Paul Clement: I'm disappointed not to take all three points because I thought we created enough chances and controlled enough of the possession to deserve a little bit more."

“Their goal has come from a big slice of luck but I'm pleased with the performance and there were lots of positives and some very good individual performances as well. Collectively, we looked sound and could have come away with a winner in the last minute but I am pleased with the way we played and there's lots to build on there.”

"I think we will play worse this season and win, I'm sure of it, but if we keep playing like that, we are going to be fine. The players showed they have got character and personality and I was pleased with them.”

Match Highlights:

COYR!!

Photo: Action Images

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