The Weston Report: Huffing Puffing Rams Need To Start Breaking Down Doors

Look up frustrating in the dictionary and you will find this game, certainly from a Rams perspective.

For arguably the fourth home game in succession, we left with less than what we deserved and are still waiting for the first ‘Chelsea Dagger’ play this campaign. That was however, not for the want of trying, as Derby huffed and puffed but couldn’t break the cast-iron Burnley door down.

The team sheet showed one enforced change from the win at Reading, with Weimann replacing the injured Tom Ince, the Rams went about finally getting the better of our bogey side. It seemed however that it was just me who was fired up with memories of that murky day in Lancashire where a certain Robert Madley ruined a second vs third encounter two seasons ago, as the Rams started sloppily.

Twice in the opening exchanges, Keogh was alert to snuff out self-inflicted danger.

In our first sight of the Burnley goal, a long ball from Carson, who had seemingly won the toss-up for the goalkeeper’s jersey, almost set-up Martin. The big man was clean through, but just couldn’t get the ball under his spell, as he collided with Heaton. Half-hearted appeals for a penalty followed, but none from Chris himself, which for someone who would usually argue with his own reflection, spoke volumes.

Soon, it was apparent that the half would be cagier than a couple on a first-date. All too familiarly, the Rams played some excellent stuff, but were slow moving forwards. The more methodical approach favoured by Clement saw a lot of ball in the middle of the park, where Johnson was neat and tidy, if not spectacular. Butterfield too was enjoying a decent home bow and at least brought a stop from Heaton from a speculative effort from range.

What was also apparent was the sharpness of record Burnley signing Andre Gray. Thankfully for the Rams, not long after curling an effort into the South Stand, he was forced off with a hamstring strain. ‘What a waste of money,’ soon echoed around the iPro as Gray’s NINE MILLION POUND legs trudged down the tunnel.

With Weimann unable to connect after a flap from Heaton, the game almost meandered towards half-time but with five minutes left, we were almost behind. A corner from ex-Ram David Jones was clawed at unconvincingly by Carson and after a quick game of goalmouth pinball, the ball was fired over by George Boyd. Perhaps it was his lack of 20-20 vision…

Before the half could end, the Rams fashioned their best chance. Better, quicker play saw Christie released up the right hand side. His fantastic cross into the six-yard box was matched by a clearance in front of his own goal by Darikwa, who had arguably been the best player on show during the first-period.

We certainly needed something to spark the game especially as the crowd was suffering from ‘Monday night on SKY,’ syndrome.

Early in the second half, Butterfield went about providing it. For most of the first half, the crowd, myself included, had screamed shoot several times as the Rams tried to score the perfect goal, only to pussy foot around and lose possession. Although I can’t blame Jacob for obliging with two long range efforts, perhaps he can enlist the help of Kevin Phillips to make sure they don’t end on high in the South Stand next time…

Derby though had started positively and should have been ahead in the 53rd minute. A Russell corner, that was dangerous for a change, found the head of Keogh at the near post. Unchallenged, perhaps the ball skimmed off his Rafeal Nadal style headband, as it ended up miles off target.

The visitors were certainly missing the threat of their new talisman, as Derby began to wrestle the advantage. It was the Russell and Christie show, with nearly all of our attacks down the right hand side. Despite getting into some good positions, the sight of only Chris Martin in the box meant too many balls were rolled sideways instead of forwards.

The crowd though had been galvanised and you just sensed the victory was there to be seized. We were beginning to be first to every loose ball, with Johnson coming more and more into the game.

Burnley are not our bogey side for no reason though and were well organised defensively. With twenty minutes to go, a rare foray forwards saw Vokes sting the palms of Carson from range.

Hendrick then replaced Butterfield as the game finally opened up.

Another dangerous Russell corner again found Keogh, whose looping header beat Heaton but not Darikwa, who denied him a deserved goal. For my money, this was arguably the best our former skipper had performed in a black and white shirt.

As the Rams smelt blood, Thorne lined up a blockbuster from thirty yards, which Heaton pushed wide. At the other end, Shackell was not following Keogh’s lead, mistiming a slide and letting Boyd in behind. His cut-back found Vokes and with me about to give the chair in front a battering, he thankfully fired high and wide.

Back in front of the South Stand and a deep cross from Johnson saw the excellent Russell use his sheer desire to outjump two men, only for his downward header to be clawed away.

With both sides seemingly thinking we had changed sports to Basketball, Burnley broke again and another chance fell to Vokes. Thankfully, he had left his shooting boots in the murkiness up north, with his feeble shot from the penalty spot reminiscent of many Englishmen before him.

There was still time for our stand-in skipper to almost have the last word. Receiving an all-too rare pass into his feet, the big-man turned and shot low, only for Heaton to have the answers again, diving low to his right.

Unbelievably, there was only two minutes added on, which was laughable considering the amount of time Heaton had spent looking admiringly at a proper stadium rather than taking a goal-kick.

There was to be no winner and once again this season, the Rams had to share.

There were plenty of positives though. Another assured display. The new boys looked decent. And we had actually taken a point of Burnley.

Worryingly though, we still looked toothless in the final third, something that Darren Bent must be extremely frustrated about.

Once again we couldn’t get the better of Burnley.

But still, at least there was no Robert Madley!

Weston’s Player Ratings:

Scott Carson - 6: A bit flappy but not really troubled.

Cyrus Christie - 7: One of his best games for a long time. Gave us more attacking edge than Baird. Still worry defensively.

Richard Keogh - Weston’s Star Man 9: Superb. Won every battle, drove us forwards and nearly scored.

Jason Shackell - 6: Shaky at times, thought he still had a Burnley shirt on!

Craig Forsyth - 6: Defended well. Crossed poorly.