For too long, the sight wonder-goals that shoot like an arrow into the top corner, has been reserved for other sides that have me drooling when up late watching the highlights on a Saturday evening. However, much like London buses (when there isn’t a strike on), two have come in quick succession.
Martin’s amazing goal stole another hard-fought three points for the Rams but this match was far from plain-sailing. Once again, many of the former-players-turned-pundits had tipped Derby for a sure-fire return including the weekend acca, which immediately fills me with dread. As too did the news that Bryson would miss out due to the niggle that forced him off on Tuesday against Wednesday. Ward too missed out through injury, although one could certainly suggest that Russell may have earned himself a starting-berth anyhow.
With a crowd of over 27,000 inside the iPro to see a 3pm Saturday home kick-off after what had seemed an eternity, the stage was set for what would be a much sterner test than predicted.
What was predictable was the stick that everyone’s favourite ex-Ram Lee Camp got served up. Roundly booed from the off, the nauseating, strutting peacock’s claims that he still looked fondly upon the Rams had certainly failed to act as an olive branch. Despite this, save for a few touches, he was merely a spectator in the early-going as the game begin in fractious fashion.
From the first whistle, Bournemouth were intent in pressing us high-up the pitch, with the bold formation of 4-4-2 employed by Howe working well in giving us little time in possession.
The first-fifteen seemed to zip-by without much incident. A number of passes were going astray, with Russell also guilty of wasting a couple of promising openings by trying to be too-clever.
A brace of corners came to nought as McClaren’s pre-match plea for patience seemed to be looking correct. Grabban was looking a threat for the visitors but you sensed it could be a mistake that would force the first real opening. Sure enough, after Forsyth played a weak pass towards Keogh, the ball was seized upon by Ritchie who tore towards goal. Cutting in on his left, he was desperately unlucky to see his drive cannon back off the near post with Grant beaten.
Two minutes later, another, more clear- cut chance was wasted. With Derby’s midfield exposed, Grabban’s attempted through-ball fell nicely back to him of Rantie just inside the box. With time to pick his spot, Bournemouth’s talisman shot just wide with a left-footed - which yours truly thought had nestled into the far corner, causing a rather-foolish volley of the chair in front.
The two-close shaves sparked the crowd into life but the Rams continued to struggle. Missing Bryson’s energy and forward bursts, too-many moves were breaking down. Bamford was on the periphery (where have I said that before?) with Martin also guilty of not winning his fair share.
What was more concerning though was our seemingly solid back four apparently having not consumed their Weetabix, with an alarming mix-up almost bringing the opener. As the Rams attacked, one long-punt down the centre looked hopefully towards Rantie.
What looked a simple situation quickly turned to chaos as Keogh hooked the ball over his on-rushing goalkeeper. Time stopped for a second as the ball eventually dropped just wide of the post, causing 27,000 attendees to collectively exhale. More worrying signs though that we are still more than capable of taking an AK47 to our feet.
As Bournemouth continued to create, that man Grabban somehow wriggled away on the touchline and caused Wisdom to see a very rare clean pair of heels. Thankfully, having done the hard-work, Grabban’s final execution was poor and Grant was comfortably able to save low to his left.
Finally, the Rams seemed to wake up, with Hughes looking to dictate and provide a much-needed spark. Russell too was looking threatening but was still infuriatingly trying to over-complicate things instead of getting the ball in the mixer. A combination between he and Forsyth saw the full-back go down in the box under a challenge, more of case of being crowded-out than a genuine shout for a pen in my book.
With the final-knockings of the half becoming more even, Bamford summed up his game by curling a shot high and wide.
Half-time then and one imagined that more than a solitary stern word would be addressed to the dressing room. The fact that we hadn’t scored past or even tested the peacock only added to the growing frustration.
It came as very little surprise to see not one but two changes at the break. Bamford was replaced by Dawkins, who had recovered from a groin injury and Sammon replaced Eustace in what was a rare chance for the Irishman to play more than a cameo role.
One thing is for sure with McClaren, he will not die wondering, as the Rams switched to match their visitors’ set-up. Immediately, the Rams set about righting the wrongs of the first period. The tempo was instantly set, helped by a more attacking intent. Within minutes, Dawkins had skipped past his full-back and produced a low centre to Sammon, who should have found the far corner instead of shooting straight against the defender at the near-post.
Things were starting to happen though as more industry down the left led to a corner which Martin headed over. Strangely, given that we now didn’t have an extra-man, the midfield pairing of Hughes and Hendrick were seeing more of the ball, with Hughes in particular showing glimpses of his top-form. Importantly though, the improvement started from the back with Buxton and Keogh looking sharper than in the first period.
Sure enough, the high-pressing tactics employed by the seasiders early on looked to have taken their toll as they were now content to take their time over free-kicks and let us have the ball in the defensive third.
The team in black and white then were suddenly the aggressors, with Russell delivering a quality deep centre that just evaded Sammon. The Scot then got me out of my seat with a superb run across the box which was sadly lacking a finish.
Our main threat though was Dawkins, whose direct style and ability had Bournemouth at sixes, sevens and eights. It was he that created the best opening of the game for the Rams, driving powerfully at the back-line before feeding Martin on the overlap. The big man’s centre was just pushed away from Sammon by the peacock before Russell’s follow-up with cleared off the line.
More noise though and a change in formation for the visitors with Howe dropping Grabban to the left in an attempt to stifle the Rams’ attacking threat. It did little to quell the tide as a lovely move which started with Keogh ended with Hendrick firing over from the edge of the box.
In a rare foray into Rams territory by Bournemouth, Sammon found himself exposed by Surman, with the cross that followed headed wide by Leicester’s best penalty taker Kermorgant.
That attack aside it was all Derby with a glut of possession. Some fine football orchestrated by Hughes and Russell, almost saw Martin sneak in but as the clock ticked down and with Bournemouth happy with a point; you felt it would take a special effort to breach a manful back-line.
Cometh the hour (or 85th minute to be exact), cometh Christopher Martin.
More excellent work from Hughes, wriggling away from a challenge on the floor before showing great agility to breeze past another saw him eventually felled twenty-five yards out. The final challenge on him was probably clean; however the referee correctly blew in my opinion, for an earlier nibble.
With no Bryson, Ward or Bamford to claim dibs on the free-kick, it looked as though Russell had reached the front of the pecking-order to slam the ball into the North Stand. Not so though, as Martin placed the ball.
As the iPro held its collective breath, I remarked that Martin could do with a goal, still not convinced that the dubious goals panel should have awarded him the one at Birmingham. With the North Stand faithful ready for catching practise, the ref blew.
I must confess I didn’t see the moment when McClaren snuck David Beckham on to replace Martin but what I did see was a majestic free-kick with pace and accuracy, hammer into the top-right corner.
Like Bamford’s winner midweek, another wonderful strike and one which sparked very familiar and very welcome pandemonium, not to mention a Rammie induced bundle in the far corner.
There were though, still five to play and Bournemouth almost snatched away the party-poppers in the final minute. With Hendrick off the field, receiving treatment for somewhere bloody, the visitors used the extra man to create space down the left for Surman. His low cross was struck well but was too close to Grant who nervously gathered in.
As the fourth-official showed only four added-minutes, surprising considering a lengthy stoppage at one point, the Rams looked to be coasting, keeping possession and killing time.
However this is Derby County and despite my pleas to keep the ball in the far corner, our gung-ho mentality mean another few nails bit the dust.
With almost five-minutes added on, Dawkins needlessly conceded a free-kick in ‘Ian Harte’ territory. The script was written for the ex-Leeds man to steal a point at the death. But it seems like the director quite fancies casting the Rams in the lead-role these days as Harte’s effort flew over.
And that - as they say - was that.
Somehow, we had registered a third-consecutive 1-0 victory, with another tactical gamble bearing fruit. Yes, we were undoubtedly fortunate not to go in one or two behind and Bournemouth certainly deserve credit for giving it a go.
Sometimes though, you have to make your own luck, and there is no doubt that the introduction of Dawkins in particular turned the tide in the Rams’ favour. There is also no doubting the spirit in the camp, clear for all to see once again at full-time.
It may well be that with a bit more lady luck plus a few more net-busters, could see us back to the promised land.
A lot of football is to be played though, starting next week with a match that may shape our run home this season.
What I wouldn’t give for another 1-0 win.
We said - Derby Head Coach Steve McClaren:
"It was a game of two halves and 0-0 at half-time was a great score for us. They had kind of missed their chance and we knew that and knew we would have ours. We were waiting for that one moment of quality and in the end we got it.”
"We took a risk to win the game, other days it won't work but today it did. It depends what kind of team you've got and with this team, we can open it right up, we have the quality in the squad.”
"This team is attacking and scores goals and sometimes, you have to let them loose."
They Said — Bournemouth Manager Eddie Howe:
"We performed really well in the first half and should have been ahead. It was more backs to the wall in the second but I thought we defended really well and couldn't see Derby scoring from open play, it was a really good rearguard display.”
"We feel hard done by with the goal and how it came about but that's life for us today I'm afraid. My immediate reaction was that it wasn't a foul, I thought Tommy (Elphick) took the ball, he's an honest player and his reaction spoke volumes.”
"But we created good chances and had good situations we didn't make the most of but the pleasing thing for me today was the never-say-die attitude, the players never gave up, even late into the game when we were trying to get a point."
Lee Grant: More solid handling and footwork, looks to be more confident than ever. Squeaky bum time in the first half though! — 7
Craig Forsyth: : One of his poorest games in recent times — 5
Andre Wisdom: Apart from being skinned by Grabban, looked as dependable as ever — 6
Jake Buxton: : Good again from Captain Caveman. Disappointingly, no Zidane-esque skills today — 7
Richard Keogh: A very dodgy first period but improved notably in the second. Would have had heart in mouth after majestically lobbing Grant! - 6
Jeff Hendrick: Played in fits and starts. Grew into the game as it progressed. Still needs to be stronger in the tackle at times for me — 6
John Eustace: Solid first half, the sacrificial lamb again — 6
Will Hughes: His best display for a long while. At his creative best, epitomized by his skill leading up to the goal. Drited past players well and didn’t lose possession much. Weston’s Star Man! — 8
Patrick Bamford: game with no wonder goal this week. But we’ll let him off! — 7
Johnny Russell: Always looks threatening but left me pulling my hair out at times with the final ball. Not a poor display though by any means — 7
Chris Martin: Spent more time looking for free-kicks instead of holding the ball up again but came up with the goods with a pearler - 7
Subs:
Johnny Russell: Simon Dawkins: Very very nearly got star man. Superb, direct, skilful. Definitely changed the game — 8
Connor Sammon: Should have scored but linked the play well and gave his all, as always - 6
Possession: 56% / 44%
Corners: 8 / 4
Shots (On Target): 13 (2) / 10 (1)
Fouls: 10 / 10
Yellow Cards: 2 / 4
Referee: Mark Heywood
Attendance: 27,306 (inc. 989 pipped Cherries)
Derby County: Grant (GK), Wisdom, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth. Eustace (Sammon 45'), Hughes, Hendrick, Russell, Martin, Bamford (Dawkins 45').
Unused Substitutes: Legzdins (GK), O’Brien, Bailey, Thorne, Whitbread.
Goals: Chris Martin (85’)
Bournemouth: Camp (GK), Francis, Elphick, Cook, Harte, Ritchie (Fraser 70'), Arter, Surman, Pugh (McDonald 75'), Rantie (Kermorgant 58'), Grabban.
Unused Substitutes: Allsop (GK), Smith, MacDonald, Coulibaly, Pitman.
Burnley vs. Derby County
Turf Moor
3pm — 1st of March 2014