Deadbat
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Thought we were ok.
3-5-2 first half and it wasn't a disaster, but it seemed the defensive problems from last season in midfield were still there. It is partly that teams can make our midfield 5 into a midfield 3, which happened a lot last season. At least Jokanovic changed it at half time, and I think he needs to be prepared to do it after ten minutes if similar problems happen in league matches.
We also started with three number tens in midfield which made it worse. Derby found space and ran straight through us at times first half. I see it as more of a problem with the shape and balance than individual players' performances. I think most were ok and I gave mostly 5, 6 and 7 on the ratings. It wasn't flowing, beautiful football, but I wouldn't expect that from such a changed side in a game like this.
The change to a Heckingbottomish 3-4-3 stopped more of Derby's penetration and eventually we were quite comfortable.
I agree it did not work with effectively 4 forwards on if you include Freeman who is a liability defensively. It was an odd line up that did not suit the formation and shows how short we are in midfield especially if Brunt is an ACM too.
Fleck gave us a midfield presence but at 1-1 Derby could have scored a few goals straight after we scored in a 5 minute spell even with the extra body in midfield. They cut us apart instantly.
After we went 2-1 up I agree it was comfortable but till Sharp came on they looked more dangerous. I think they hit the post with a deflected effort and another went narrowly wide too in addition to the clear chances a minute after the goal.
Derby had a team of kids out save the two centre backs and we had a far more experienced side. We were playing an u23 side really. Yet they still got through us several times in both halves. If they had been calmer in front of goal then they would have won. Outside the Jebbison chance struggling to recall anything clear cut and not sure keeper had a save to make. At least we were more clinical!
I saw nothing apart from us winning in the performance to say any if those players were ready to upgrade from those in (apart from Sharp) which is pretty damning. I thought likes of Bogle, Freeman, Brunt, Jebbison, Burke, McGoldrick may have really trked to stand out with poor form of the current starters but all were very meh against a load of teenagers. Two centre backs might have been bright spots.