For a little while it looked like we might get a repeat of Saturday’s effort after the Rams dominated much of proceedings - without troubling the scoreboard.
This time though their efforts eventually paid off as Derby were able to knock Reading out of the League Cup and head into the 4th round.
McClaren was good to his word and made changes to the team that drew with Cardiff with Roos, Shotton, Mascarell, Best, Ibe & Russell sending Grant, Dawkins, Martin, Eustace and Whitbread to the bench while Jamie Ward was out of the squad, no doubt resting his hamstrings in cotton wool.
By starting this match, Will Hughes made his 100th appearance for DCFC (hasn’t that gone quick), and was lively early in his milestone game with both himself and Bryson going close from long range efforts.
Reading had made 7 changes from their weekend line up, so it was going to be a test of depth for both teams as players looked to press for a regular starting spot. That test was being better dealt with by Derby as they looked bright and switched on from the outset.
Leon Best, tried to get the better of Reading keeper Andersen but it was the stopper who won the battle. Best tried again from the resulting corner but his header sailed over the bar.
Cyrus Christie has been in great form and a fan favourite this season but very nearly made himself a villain, when he inexplicably passed the ball to Mackie in midfield, with not a Derby player even close. Mackie skipped away like a man who had dropped a pound and picked up a hundred, finding himself in on goal, one on one with the keeper. With danger looming, Roos put Lee Grant on notice by producing a great stop low to the left, not only saving the team but also Christie who would have wore that pass like an anchor had the Royals scored.
Century man Will Hughes seemed intent on scoring but once again Andersen was too good with nearly 40 minutes gone. It was starting to feel a bit like Saturday again.
Shotton got into the action as his powerful header flashed wide while at the other end Roos was required again when he managed to tip over a shot from Ryan Edwards and soon after brilliantly denied Jamie Mackie, from completing the sucker punch.
HT: 0 — 0
At half time there was a feeling of déjà vu as Derby were dominating but unable to put the ball in the net. Had we once come up against a brilliant keeper or was it our finishing that left something to be desired? As they say a little from column A, and a little from column B!
The Rams returned to the pitch with Steve McClaren’s voice no doubt ringing in Cyrus Christie’s ears, after explaining to him that the players wearing black shirts and red shorts were the opposition.
Ibe had been lively on full debut and could have added another sensational goal to his Rams highlight reel, when his 20 yard screamer was only just deflected onto the bar by Andersen.
McClaren’s patience had worn out and he turned to his big gun as Chris Martin entered the fray. His class did not take long to impact the match as a clever flick into the path of Johnny Russell — ended with the Scot impressively beating two of Reading’s rear guard and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Finally some reward for effort!
Instead of going into their shells, McClaren and Simpson urged their men to put the match out of sight and wave after wave of Derby attacks were tying the Royals in knots.
Ibe was at it again when some fantastic work that also involved both Martin and Dawkins, resulted in the Rams number 9 crossing into the 6 yard box and striking Reading’s Pearce on the knee. On Saturday it would have gone into the stand, tonight it found its way into the net on 82 minutes and Derby were 2 goals to the good.
This was the nail in the coffin for Reading’s recent domination of The Rams and again showed the depth Derby has at its disposal this season. With more than half their preferred starting eleven out of the match — the home team bossed much of proceedings and could have easily won by a greater margin. Top drawer!
FT: 2 — 0
Now to reproduce that performance in the League — especially the clean sheet part!
RamZone’s Ryan Weston was at the iPro for the match and will hand deliver his notes to us in the coming days. Once deciphered — we will present his report and thoughts on the victory that saw the Rams through to the 4th round.
Until then — COYR!!
Ref: S.Hooper
Crowd: 18,409
Rams: Roos, Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth, Mascarell, Hughes (Martin 63’), Bryson (Eustace 84’), Russell, Ibe, Best (Dawkins 75’).
Unused Subs: Grant, L Naylor, Whitbread, Calero
Goals: Russell - 67’, Pearce (o.g) - 82’
Royals: Andersen, Gunter, Obita, Pearce, Hector (Cooper 87’), Kuhl, Guthrie (Taylor 72’), Mackie, Edwards, Robson-Kanu (Cox 75’), Pogrebnyak
Unused Subs: Lincoln, Long, Stacey, Blackman
Possession: 64% / 36%
Shots On Target: 5 / 3
Shots Off Target: 13 / 6
Corners: 9 / 6
Fouls: 6 / 11
We Said — Steve McClaren:
"We got the clean sheet and if we keep doing that we will win games. We have got players who are dangerous, can create and can score goals. We had to stay patient, but in the end it paid off.”
"We haven't quite reached the heights of last season yet, when some of our football was absolutely fantastic to watch. But the style of play is coming back consistently and we have been a little disappointed with conceding goals.”
"Reading are a good team and we knew it was going to be tough. But even though we made six changes, we felt the team was good enough to win - and it did."
They said — Nigel Adkins:
"Against a team who play excellent possession football I thought it was us who were in control of the game at that time.”
"Unfortunately the goal changes the complexion. It's a great bit of wing play leading into the second goal which is unfortunately a deflection - the second one in two games now against us."
Bolton vs. Derby
Reebok Stadium
Saturday 27th of September - 3:00pm
COYR!!