The Rams couldn’t set a new club record for most away wins to start a season but in what was an entertaining draw at the Reebok, they kept their great run on the road intact while sending Bolton, still win-less, to the foot of the Championship table.
On Saturday at Millwall Craig Bryson was the Rams goal scoring hero and this time around it was Johnny Russell who put away a brace and could have easily got himself a hat trick with the chances that fell his way. The game ended with both teams banking a point but the travelling Rams will have been far happier than the Trotters, who have to wait longer for that first elusive win.
Nigel Clough took the same team that demolished Millwall on the weekend to the Reebok, and from the first whistle it seemed Bolton were determined to start hard and fast and stop the Rams fabulous away form in its tracks and finally get a win on the board.
A flurry of chances at both ends in the opening minutes set the tempo but it was the home side who were rewarded first, when on 5 minutes Alex Baptiste clinically finished a chance created by team mate Lee Chung Yong.
The Ram’s reputation as travelling bullies was at stake and one of the main offenders Craig Bryson, combined with Jamie Ward to set up Johnny Russell who expertly slid the ball past Trotters keeper Adam Bogdan on what was a very, very tight angle.
The strikers had to watch on as Bryson showed them how it was done at the Den on Saturday but Russell made his own intentions clear when on 17 minutes Bryson once again played creator as his pin point cross into the box to met Russell’s perfectly timed run and resulted in a close range tap to finish things off.
The game was open and both teams were attacking, attempting to take control of the game and just when it looked like the Rams would take their advantage to half time - Chris Eagles found some time on the ball from what was no closer than 25 yards out and fired a rocket into the bottom corner as it skidded past Lee Grant.
Bolton continued to pressure until the break but things paused as they had started and the scores were all square. Nigel Clough would have been disappointed with the early and late goals but at the same time pleased with his teams fighting spirit that saw them fight back and take the lead for most of the half.
The second half began more compactly, as after what was becoming an old fashioned shoot out in the first half — quickly became a match where both teams worked hard to ensure that all 3 points would not be lost for their own contrasting reasons.
Both teams prodded and poked at the opening of the second 45 but neither seemed to have the same attacking intent that was on display early in the match. Bolton controlled much of the play and specifically the possession but did not really threaten Derby and in turn the Rams seemed happy to bide their time and hope they could fashion a clear opportunity to steal the game.
On the hour mark Adam Smith nearly made himself a hero as he made a probing run at pace cutting in from the right to find Chris Martin who linked with a charging Jamie Ward. The fabulous move was nearly completed when Ward played in Smith who had continued his run to the far post, unfortunately despite his clean effort being on target, Matthew Mills saved the day on the last line of defence for the home side.
The game seemed destined to end in a draw as despite creating opportunities, neither side took the chance to snatch all 3 points.
The best of the chances in the later stages fell to the home side when David Ngog received a sublime cross from Jay Spearing but could only manage to send his header agonisingly wide.
On balance a fair result as both teams had chances to win but in the end neither put the pedal to the metal and risk everything in the attempt to take all three points.
The Rams protected their unbeaten away record and for Bolton, despite arresting a run of home defeats, still remain win-less and after other results slipped to bottom of the League.
Derby fans would have hoped for more away day glory but a point against the Trotters who are desperate for a win, on paper have an impressive depth of talent (and no doubt wages budget), must be considered a good result especially after falling behind so early in the match.
The real test comes on Saturday when the Rams will have another chance to bring their fabulous away form home to Pride Park and show their fans that they are serious contenders this season and not just away day bullies.
I am not superstitious but perhaps we should wear the maroon kit this weekend.
Couldn’t do any harm… could it?
Cloughie’s Comment:
Nigel was pleased his team fought back and didn’t leave the Reebok empty handed:
"We’re happy with a point in lots of ways. We’ve had a great winning run away from home and we knew it wasn’t going to last forever so on a night where we weren’t able to win it, we made sure we didn’t lose.”
"After going 2-1 up we obviously feel a bit disappointed we didn’t win it but the manner of the performance is the most pleasing thing. We got the ball down, played some good football, created chances and defended when we had to — and it summed us up that our best chance in the second half came from our full-back, Adam Smith.”
"Bolton may find themselves towards the bottom of the table but they have a squad littered with Premier League players and they won’t be down there for long, not with those players. We don’t get overawed by things like that now; we play our stuff and it is nice to see opposition teams worry about us.”
"In some ways, we actually think we played better than we did on Saturday at Millwall but you don’t sniff at a point away from home in the Championship. Overall, it must’ve been a great game to watch as a neutral and we’re pleased that we managed to get a positive result for our away fans again.”
"We have a great record away from home and if we can crack it at home now, we’ll be even happier. We’ve had a good week on the road but it is now time to get a win at home, and we’ll be going for it on Saturday.”
Match Video Highlights:
Crowd :
14,260
Match Stats:
Possession: Bolton 60% - Derby 40%
Shots (on target) : Bolton 22 (4) — Derby 14 (8)
Corners: Bolton 9 — Derby 2
Fouls: Bolton 14 — Derby 8
Teams :
The Rams: Grant (GK), Smith, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Eustace, Bryson, Hughes (Coutts 50’), Ward (Davies 79’), Martin, Russell (Sammon 83’). Unused Subs: Deeney (GK), Freeman, Bennett, Jacobs.
Goals: Russell 7’, 18’
The Trotters:
Bogdan (GK), Baptiste, Wheater, Mills, Tierney, Ream, Spearing, Eagles, Chung-Yong, Hall (Ngog 72’), Beckford. Unused Subs: Lonergan (GK),
Knight, Pratley, Mears, Odelusi, Ngog, Medo.
Goals: Baptiste 5’, Eagles 41’
Next Up For The Rams:
Derby Vs Reading
Pride
Park
Stadium
3pm — Sat September 21st