Derby’s second home win of the season propelled the side into the top six on Sunday after two goals from Chris Martin, one from Bradley Johnson and another from Johnny Russell gave the Rams a 4-2 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
On the whole it was an excellent display from Derby, thoroughly deserving of victory.
The hosts started the game full of energy and confidence, making the early stages of the season seem very distant.
Martin was brilliant from start to finish, a man of the match performance, plus he should have had a hat-trick but I think we can forgive him for his poor penalty kick. Neat touches, awareness and clinical finishing, it was a top performance that only served to highlight Derby’s reliance on him and fears that if he suffers an injury, the team is in a bit of a state (see last season!).
His first goal is an early contender for goal of the season, given the impressive team work in the build up and how emphatic the finish was, while the second headed goal was pure strength and bravery.
Since he joined on a free transfer (unbelievable on reflection, what a bargain!), Martin has had good games and bullied defences to great effect but has he had one that good in Derby colours? I can’t recall one better.
While Tom Ince struggled to get into the game on one flank, Russell put in a good shift on the other with Forsyth backing him up and getting forward very well. In midfield there was a lot of energy and good work, particularly from Bradley Johnson, who followed up his great game against Brentford with another brilliant display. Johnson has more than eased the pain of Will Hughes’ long term absence and is quickly not just becoming a favourite of mine, but all Rams fans as he firms as an early tip for player of the season. Meanwhile his midfield partner Jeff Hendrick is keeping £4 million man Jacob Butterfield out of the starting eleven. Hendrick had another good game, benefiting from being able to get forward regularly as the Rams enjoyed plenty of attacking forays at the opposition. At the back things are still looking mostly solid, although it was disappointing to concede two goals, Keogh and Shackell made some important blocks. As for the subs, Darren Bent making it on time was headline news, Alex Pearce seems to have been completely forgotten about with Ryan Shotton again preferred to the summer signing from Reading, while there was no place for Simon Dawkins either. Overall, it was a good, confident display from Derby on home soil. Yes, the Rams benefited from a poor Wolves defence at times, but the power and speed which the hosts played with was great. Next up it’s Blackburn away tomorrow night — more of the same please! COYR!!
For more of Nathan's articles you can read his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him via @ramscorner on Twitter.
What to read next:
It involved some tough decisions and probably lots of soul-searching, but Pompey insist deciding on this year's retained list was all about separating sentiment from the cold, hard reality of the need to be competitive in the Championship next season.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Pompey have had some memorable celebrations on Southsea Common since the turn of the century - and more such memories will be made on Sunday afternoon.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Sometimes I think about something I want to write about, get straight to it and end up rambling on for about 2,000 words. But this is different. I want to write 2,000 words about the League One champions and don’t know where or how to start.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
It could be the under-statement of the season - Bolton v Pompey described as being as 'interesting contest'.
Owen Moxon insists it's still 'feet on ground' time for Pompey as they try to edge closer to promotion when they host Shrewsbury on Saturday.
Jon Harley was quick to heap praise on Abu Kamara after the winger produced another top-class display to inspire Pompey to an Easter treat of a victory at Wycombe Wanderers.