Attempting to put performances together has been a difficult task for Derby in recent seasons but they made it look all too easy as they came from behind for another impressive victory.
The npower Championship
Pride Park Stadium
Tuesday, 29th September 2010 - 7:45pm
Referee: Mr C Pawson
Attendance: 24, 739
Goals:
Boyd 20 (Boro), Barker 45 (Rams), Commons (Rams) 51, 60
Teams:
Derby County: Bywater, Brayford, Barker, Moxey, Green, Bailey, Cywka, Savage (Pringle), Commons (Pearson), Bueno (Moore), Kuqi
Substitutes: Deeney, O’Brien, Pearson, Pringle, Moore, Noble, Doyle.
Middlesbrough: Steele, Wheater, McManus, McMahon, Bailey (Kink), Robson, O’Neil, Arca (Bennett), Tavares (Halliday), Boyd, Lita
Substitutes: Coyne, Bates, Bennett, Halliday, Kink, Miller, Williams.
RamsFan Report by Daniel Brooks:
Another home win, another sterling performance; it’s been a good week for Derby fans and not before time either. The Rams scored three goals against a side fancied for promotion and this time without the benefit of a sending off.
Whilst Boro are clearly struggling at the moment, let that not take away from another strong performance from the Rams, especially given the changes forced on the manager thanks to the ever present injury situation.
The two best players from the win over Crystal Palace were John Brayford and Paul Green down the right but both were forced out of the position thanks to the injury to Dean Leacock and it showed early on as the visitors attacked from the off with the Rams unable to gain any early foothold.
That culminated in a well taken goal for Kris Boyd and when Kris Commons missed from the spot scant moments later, I felt it was going to be one of this nights. The Rams felt otherwise however and responded by kicking things up several notches.
The fifteen or so minutes before half time were the best for a long time in terms of keeping the ball and applying sustained pressure; which told deep into time added on when Shaun Barker powered home a Commons corner to give the Rams deserved parity going into the break.
After the break it was pretty much all Derby although on another day Boyd could have scored at least a couple more goals for the visitors. Commons made amends for his horror penalty miss with two sublime goals destined straight for his scrapbook, taking the time to curl shots over and round the beleaguered Steele and into the net.
At 3 – 1 up it became a story largely about keeping Boro out and things got a bit ropey at times with Lita causing Brayford all sorts of problems and Barker not quite at his best as Boyd missed two or three good chances to get Boro back into the game.
Having said that the Rams looked good in possession and Robbie Savage had a better game than other games of late, which certainly helped in a congested and at times volatile midfield.
The Rams will be without the presence of Shefki Kuqi against parent club Swansea on Saturday which will make a difference but if we emulate the form from the last two games we can go there and get a result.
We certainly seem to be on the right track now.
Managers Reaction:
Nigel Clough returned to post-match media duties by speaking to the DCFC Official Site:
"It would have been easy for the confidence to drop but that was far from the case and we remained on the front foot. We played some very good football and they couldn't live with us, especially in the first half”.
"The crowd sensed it was coming. Despite going a goal down, they knew it was going to be our night. It was crucial to equalise before the break and we told the players at half-time we wanted to take it from there and go on and win the game”.
"Looking at the players in the dressing room, we had no doubt we would win the game. The ruthlessness is coming through in our game more, and also a determination and desire to go close teams down”.
"We were perhaps a bit too 'pretty pretty' when it came to the football early in the season and now we're getting in people's faces. The quality of the performances and goals has been excellent and we're delighted with the progress we're making."
"His (Commons) goals were excellent, in the build up from the team and the finishes too which were exquisite. He has had a lot of the ball in games, but by his own admission we've not had a lot from him”.
"We need a bit more in general play from Kris, but his goals are special when they arrive”.
Super Striker Reaction:
Kris Commons spoke about his missed penalty and the brace that followed:
"I think that was the best we've played on the front foot, we set our stall out early on, and it was against the run of play when we went behind”.
"From that point we stepped it up a bit, and we have players who want to make things happen here. It was crucial to equalise before half-time, and that really set us on our way to go on and win the game”.
"The thing is we're not playing any different to the start of the season. The only difference is things are happening for us, and with that our confidence is growing game by game.
"We know if we pass the ball like we can and get a tempo going, not many teams can get near us."
"I dug myself out a hole because it was an atrocious penalty, I always watch the goalkeeper and he (Steele) didn't move so it left me in a tricky situation the way I went to take the penalty”.
"Next time I think I'll get my head down and shoot for the stars. I needed to make up for it and I was pleased with both goals”.
"I liked the first one more because it was in open play and I found a little pocket of space to get a shot away. I didn't feel like I needed to hit it hard, and it was a sort of 'chippy whip' into the far corner".
"I'm feeling good and it is important I stay fit. I came off with cramp last night and that is just down to the sheer volume of games and training we've had lately. I could have carried on but with Saturday in mind it was more important to come off and not damage myself."
Swansea City vs. Derby County
Saturday October 2nd – 3pm