Deadbat
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2009
- Messages
- 6,327
- Reaction score
- 35,712
After trailing for over 70 minutes of the contest; Sheffield United had Lee Williamson to thank as they took a share of the spoils with his late leveller against Derby County at Bramall Lane after Robbie Savage’s earlier strike. In truth this was a contest between two poor sides with little football and skill on show all afternoon. This was despite a good crowd; buoyed by a good following from Derby; but both sets of supporters will not have much optimism for the remainder of the season after seeing such dreadful fare amidst the murky conditions.
Derby were the stronger side in the first half with Kris Commons influential throughout and took a deserved lead thanks to Robbie Savage’s long range strike but the home side did improve after the break and finally their huffing and puffing paid off as right on 90 minutes, Lee Williamson beat Stephen Bywater with a driven shot just inside the area to ensure the spoils were shared. However, both sets of fans will go home disappointed; Rams fans for not holding on for the win; the Blades fans for seeing another pretty abject showing that will surely not convince them that any kind of promotion challenge can be maintained.
The Blades began with a new defensive partnership with home debuts for Nyron Nosworthy and Toni Kallio and featured Nick Montgomery at right back. Mark Yeates also made his first start for the Blades with United employing a Henderson-Evans combination up front and Cresswell wide left. Derby started with former Blades Rob Hulse and Michael Tonge.
United started extremely nervously and they nearly went behind in less than 3 minutes as a poor free kick by Stewart saw Commons go past Kallio and centre only for Hulse to toe poke just wide. Bunn had to receive treatment as he had collided with Nosworthy and Hulse in the incident but was deemed fit to play on despite an obvious leg problem and being unable to take goal kicks. United had a half chances as Williamson and Yeates fashioned a chance but the ball was scrambled clear and the action was transferred quickly to the other end and Commons almost created an opportunity but the ball was knocked behind for a corner. Derby had certainly started the better side and continued to control the game with Commons ability on the ball and creativity causing the United back line real problems.
It was no real surprise when the visitors took the lead even if the source was unlikely. A throw in from the left hand side was not cleared properly by Montgomery and as the ball dropped; SAVAGE hit it first time past Bunn’s right hand and into the corner to give the Rams the advantage.
United were struggling to have any kind of momentum and were losing the battles all over the field. Derby were on the attack again soon and Bunn scrambled across his goal to push away Commons shot. The keeper was still clearly struggling and received further treatment when United had a rare attacking moment that led to a corner. Derby were soon back on the offensive with good work from Pearson and Commons again seeing the latter shoot wide. Savage then had a free kick opportunity after a foul by Nosworthy but the shot was driven into the wall. United’s poor first half performance was met with a chorus of boos as they trooped down the tunnel at the interval but after the break manager Blackwell opted not to change things immediately sending out the same eleven.
The second half at least saw some life more the Blades as they tried to get Yeates more onto the ball but the first chance came from Derby as a move down the right saw some clever interchange and Hulse’s cross was swept just over by Green after more hesitancy in the United defence. Yeates had two efforts on goal; one that flew well wide and another from a free kick that was just over the bar.
Kallio joined Williamson in the book after a clumsy challenge on Commons before United still no nearer to a breakthough made a change with Henderson coming off for Ward. United were now having more of the game but were struggling to create any real chances and of equal concern was that Bunn was still struggling and the keeper finally had to be taken off to be replaced by Bennett on the 70 minute mark. A further attacking change saw Camara on for Evans and finally a chance of note came not long after. Stewart’s long range effort was palmed out by Bywater and as Camara seemed set to pounce and convert the rebound; Buxton made a goal saving clearance. Time was now running out and despite winning a number of corners and throw ins deep into Derby territory; the closest they came was a Cresswell header from a Quinn cross that went just wide. As the game entered the additional 5 minutes of stoppage time the Blades got a leveller. Yeates made a run forward and as the ball broke, WILLIAMSON was well placed and took a touch before drilling the ball into the net. After the celebrations Untied came again and a cross from Williamson was deflected into Bywater’s hands before Quinn drove over as the Rams held on to earn a point.
United – I felt that was one of the poorest, most insipid, disorganised performances of the season and there has been a few this year! Overall just for our huffing and puffing and efforts we maybe just about deserved a draw for a better second half performance. However, in the second half we were only average-poor, the first half we were utterly woeful! Derby were not much better than us all game and the fact we struggled mightily to firstly keep them out and then secondly to break them down says it all.
It really is poor to watch at the moment with little or no excitement and there seems to be no progression in the play or performances. The fact that quite a few United fans were streaming out 10-15 minutes from the end said it all. Sure United may have got a late point but the fact remained that this was a wholly unacceptable performance with little football, skill or cohesion. It was dire to watch for the most part with 8 or 9 players just truly awful. A sequence of 5 or 6 passes in the second half where we did not give the ball away saw sarcastic cheers from the United crowd. That said it all.
As for the team itself, Nosworthy looked unsteady but improve but Kallio was awful and with Stewart just alongside him on the left; we looked terribly exposed in this area of the field. In the middle of the field we got overran as Williamson and Quinn were over powered and could not get on the ball. When they did they just tossed it away. I only counted two passes in a row the whole first half! Granted we had changes to the defence but why was Monty at right back when for all his critics he is the one consistency in terms of battling and stopping the opposition play. This meant Derby had most of the ball in the first half and what passing did happen came from them. Blackwell keeps saying that we have had to make changes and we have been unlucky with injuries but if you bring loan players in then more than likely they have to go back and then you have to being new loan players in – which has happened most of the season. This means there is no continuity. Blackwell has signed so many on loan and surely he could have picked up one or two permanent players even some young talent from lower divisions that could be developed (sure Ward came off – Taylor didn’t)
I don’t think most realistic United fans will think we can stay in the top 6 and know a mid table finish probably looms. What worries me even more is the complete lack of forward planning for next season. A quick analysis of the squad may be pessimistic but how many could we count on to make a challenge for the top 6 next year. Indeed how many players will actually be back? It seems we are set for another big turnaround of players after Blackwell complained about such a turnaround of players last summer. It just seems we are going round in circles but the talent level is declining each year and with it our chances of evr returning to the top flight seem further away.
We have a keeper on loan (who knows what will happen with Kenny too), our remaining right back is out of contract/out of favour ad injury prone, our left backs are not good enough, we have 3 other defenders on loan and Morgan is the only one who we can count on and he is probably on the downward curve of his career. In midfield Quinn is not good enough, Williamson has shown promise but is injury prone and Montgomery and Harper are out of contract and probably won’t be back. That leaves us with Yeates and Ward (allegedly not happy) as wide men. Cresswell is coming towards the end of his career and Henderson whilst effective at times leads us to play way too direct. Sharp probably won’t be back and ditto for Camara (due to wages) and Evans has been woeful. I cannot see anything but another summer of rebuild. Maybe I am wrong and we can sustain a challenge for the top 6 and if we somehow got up this year then everything changes but today confirmed to me that it will take something quite remarkable for the Blades to get promoted this season. Does any United fans seriously think we have a shot?
Derby – I thought on the whole despite our woeful performance they were not that much better. They were the better side in the first half and the few decent bits of football came from them with Commons the main threat. We never seemed to get close to him and most of their attacks came from his skill, dribbling and ability to find a ball in the final third. Hulse worked hard and was more effective than our strikers but that was not saying a lot! Savage did what he does best by winning loose balls and then giving it the players that can create. I think Green is a decent up and down midfielder who looks a goal threat and Pearson is a neat and tidy footballer. I thought Tonge was largely anonymous, playing wide right, just as he has been for Preston. At the back I feel they have some very poor players in Buxton,Barker, McElvey and Hunt. United should have the pace, power and guile to create tons of chances against such a back four that has shipped goals aplenty this season but this did not happen. Despite Derby doing fairly well in the first half, aided by our dreadful disorganised showing, they retreated quite noticeably in the second half and if we had scored before we did then we would have gone onto win as you could see they are struggling with confidence. They are a poor side and you can also see why they are in the division. Even some of the decent things they did today was chiefly down to awful play by United and rarely can I remember many stunning move or moments of quality outside of odd flashes by Commons. I think that says it all about how bad United were and have become. Worryingly they are a club that have also had to cut costs and trim the wagebill and it is not inconceivable for United to have a mish mash of veterans and lower division types mixed together; next season. Maybe today’s Blades lineup moved us dangerously close to that anyway.
Bunn 5/10 – Made one two saves but have marked him down simply due to the fact that I felt we was stupid for trying to play on when clearly injured. Maybe this is down to the management but felt he should have forced their hand. He was also very slow across his line to the goal which although a decent shot I felt was a good height and should have been saved. Maybe if we had a fit keeper in goal they may have saved it? As soon as he stopped taking free kicks then I feared the worst and felt he should have been taken off but quite why we opted to struggle though for nearly all the first half and for half of the second half astonished me and I don’t know why Derby did not take more shots on goal.
Montgomery 6/10 – Actually maybe the best defender which does not say a great deal about the remainder of the defence. I am not quite sure why he was playing at right back? Was Geary injured or was there some truth in the alleged disagreement with the manager in the week? Does not say much for our squad though when we have to shift our midfield anchorman to full back thus disrupting the rest of the side. He did ok despite obviously not being accustomed to such a position although his poor clearance led to the Derby goal when he should have headed wide rather than centrally. He was on the few players who may have come out of game with any credit for overall performance despite this mistake.
Stewart 2/10 – A dreadful performance where his second touch all game was a tackle; his distribution was appalling and overall just proved he is not good enough. Frighteningly with the likes of Taylor in reserve and Naysmith injured there is no other real option at the moment. Only gets a mark or two for the two shots he had. I did not know what he would do next when the ball went near him.
Nosworthy 5.5/10 – Started the game very shakily and was slow to react to danger. He did not have any kind of understanding with his partner Kallio as United looked at sixes and sevens at the back. He did improve as the game went on and actually finished the game fairly well but he does look a little clumsy and hesitant but does have pace to cover for mistakes and as I say finished the game well.
Kallio 3/10 – Was looking forward to seeing him after hearing good reports from the away games he has played in but I felt he was truly woeful most of the game. He was weak in the tackle, lost most of the aerial balls despite his height and looked like he was running in treacle most of the game. Reminded me of Leigh Bromby for his ineffectiveness in physical play and also his distribution was awful as he just clubbed the ball forward whenever he had it. A very disappointing home debut and surely he can only improve and maybe he will look better at left back.
Quinn 4/10 – Another pretty poor performance marked by half hearted flicks, aimless balls to nowhere and little of real quality all afternoon. Why he cannot get the ball down and try and pass it I do not know when he clearly has some decent ability on the ball. Yes, he continues to waft his leg at balls of help it on with no idea of where the red and white shirt is. The only positive about him is that he did hide and kept going and actually was one of our better players in the finals stages of the game
Williamson 5.5/10 – He wasn’t great for most of the game and lost out in a lot of the physical challenges aswell as being carless in possession of the ball. He did of course score a well taken equaliser that got us a point and I do feel at least he does try and pass the ball and does not always look to go long like most of his teammates.
Cresswell 4/10 – A mostly ineffective game where he battled along but in truth just did not affect the game at all in terms o creating or having chances with one header just wide being the only significant attacking moment from him. Unfortunately this one moment was still more than the two attackers below who offered absolutely nothing.
Evans 3/10 – No signs of getting any better. If anything he is getting worse. Struggling to see what he offers despite some fans around me still suggesting he would do better under a different manager/different style. Even with the wretched tactics we continue to employ and lack of service; I still expect something in terms of chasing defenders down, work rate or at least trying to hold the play up or make defenders work but he just looks disinterested and he is barely even sprinting for balls at the moment. A signing that looks an expensive mistake. His goal record is embarrassing.
Henderson 3/10 – Awful performance. He gave the ball away constantly with his first 5 touches all finding a blue and white shirt. He gave away needless fouls and generally was ineffective. Did not hold the ball up, did not keep the ball and did not even offer much in nuisance value. When he went off most of Bramall Lane cheered. In truth there were 5 or 6 as bad as him but at least now the tendency (should that be obsession) to go long would cease a little. The only thing I would say is none of the strikers had any service but even without this I expect more effort and some kind of contribution.
Yeates 6/10 – Thought he was poor in the first half, albeit with little service of note and seemed a little lost. It was if he was wondering what he had come to but he did get start to impose himself second half and became more involved. He had one or two decent runs and looked to attack defenders. His run actually led to the goal. His corners were a mixed bag with a couple of dangerous ones but some straight into the keeper’s hands. One of the few bright spots from a dismal afternoon but oddly looked a lot like Cotterill (decent on ball but lightweight and inconsistent) which makes it odd why he was let go and Yeates brought in?
Subs –
Ward – Mystery to why he is not playing as even though he has still not been totally at his best I still think he offers more than the strikers who did start today. We finally started to get the ball down and try and make things happen on the floor when the came on and at least he tried to attack defenders when he got the ball and make things happen even if things did not always come off.
Camara – Made a difference immediately. Just his control and willingness to get on the ball worried Derby. Involved in the goal and then his striking instincts nearly led to other chances as he showed he could actually get in the right positions.
Bennett – Had little to do when he came on as by this stage Derby were just trying to hang on to what they had.
Referees – Graham Salisbury Thought he had a very good game. Got most of the yellow cards right and kept the game flowing where he could. Maybe could have booked Hulse for kicking the ball away twice after the whistle but that is being ultra critical. I felt he let the game flow and that there was little nastiness in the game and he generally refereed it sensibly.
Derby were the stronger side in the first half with Kris Commons influential throughout and took a deserved lead thanks to Robbie Savage’s long range strike but the home side did improve after the break and finally their huffing and puffing paid off as right on 90 minutes, Lee Williamson beat Stephen Bywater with a driven shot just inside the area to ensure the spoils were shared. However, both sets of fans will go home disappointed; Rams fans for not holding on for the win; the Blades fans for seeing another pretty abject showing that will surely not convince them that any kind of promotion challenge can be maintained.
The Blades began with a new defensive partnership with home debuts for Nyron Nosworthy and Toni Kallio and featured Nick Montgomery at right back. Mark Yeates also made his first start for the Blades with United employing a Henderson-Evans combination up front and Cresswell wide left. Derby started with former Blades Rob Hulse and Michael Tonge.
United started extremely nervously and they nearly went behind in less than 3 minutes as a poor free kick by Stewart saw Commons go past Kallio and centre only for Hulse to toe poke just wide. Bunn had to receive treatment as he had collided with Nosworthy and Hulse in the incident but was deemed fit to play on despite an obvious leg problem and being unable to take goal kicks. United had a half chances as Williamson and Yeates fashioned a chance but the ball was scrambled clear and the action was transferred quickly to the other end and Commons almost created an opportunity but the ball was knocked behind for a corner. Derby had certainly started the better side and continued to control the game with Commons ability on the ball and creativity causing the United back line real problems.
It was no real surprise when the visitors took the lead even if the source was unlikely. A throw in from the left hand side was not cleared properly by Montgomery and as the ball dropped; SAVAGE hit it first time past Bunn’s right hand and into the corner to give the Rams the advantage.
United were struggling to have any kind of momentum and were losing the battles all over the field. Derby were on the attack again soon and Bunn scrambled across his goal to push away Commons shot. The keeper was still clearly struggling and received further treatment when United had a rare attacking moment that led to a corner. Derby were soon back on the offensive with good work from Pearson and Commons again seeing the latter shoot wide. Savage then had a free kick opportunity after a foul by Nosworthy but the shot was driven into the wall. United’s poor first half performance was met with a chorus of boos as they trooped down the tunnel at the interval but after the break manager Blackwell opted not to change things immediately sending out the same eleven.
The second half at least saw some life more the Blades as they tried to get Yeates more onto the ball but the first chance came from Derby as a move down the right saw some clever interchange and Hulse’s cross was swept just over by Green after more hesitancy in the United defence. Yeates had two efforts on goal; one that flew well wide and another from a free kick that was just over the bar.
Kallio joined Williamson in the book after a clumsy challenge on Commons before United still no nearer to a breakthough made a change with Henderson coming off for Ward. United were now having more of the game but were struggling to create any real chances and of equal concern was that Bunn was still struggling and the keeper finally had to be taken off to be replaced by Bennett on the 70 minute mark. A further attacking change saw Camara on for Evans and finally a chance of note came not long after. Stewart’s long range effort was palmed out by Bywater and as Camara seemed set to pounce and convert the rebound; Buxton made a goal saving clearance. Time was now running out and despite winning a number of corners and throw ins deep into Derby territory; the closest they came was a Cresswell header from a Quinn cross that went just wide. As the game entered the additional 5 minutes of stoppage time the Blades got a leveller. Yeates made a run forward and as the ball broke, WILLIAMSON was well placed and took a touch before drilling the ball into the net. After the celebrations Untied came again and a cross from Williamson was deflected into Bywater’s hands before Quinn drove over as the Rams held on to earn a point.
United – I felt that was one of the poorest, most insipid, disorganised performances of the season and there has been a few this year! Overall just for our huffing and puffing and efforts we maybe just about deserved a draw for a better second half performance. However, in the second half we were only average-poor, the first half we were utterly woeful! Derby were not much better than us all game and the fact we struggled mightily to firstly keep them out and then secondly to break them down says it all.
It really is poor to watch at the moment with little or no excitement and there seems to be no progression in the play or performances. The fact that quite a few United fans were streaming out 10-15 minutes from the end said it all. Sure United may have got a late point but the fact remained that this was a wholly unacceptable performance with little football, skill or cohesion. It was dire to watch for the most part with 8 or 9 players just truly awful. A sequence of 5 or 6 passes in the second half where we did not give the ball away saw sarcastic cheers from the United crowd. That said it all.
As for the team itself, Nosworthy looked unsteady but improve but Kallio was awful and with Stewart just alongside him on the left; we looked terribly exposed in this area of the field. In the middle of the field we got overran as Williamson and Quinn were over powered and could not get on the ball. When they did they just tossed it away. I only counted two passes in a row the whole first half! Granted we had changes to the defence but why was Monty at right back when for all his critics he is the one consistency in terms of battling and stopping the opposition play. This meant Derby had most of the ball in the first half and what passing did happen came from them. Blackwell keeps saying that we have had to make changes and we have been unlucky with injuries but if you bring loan players in then more than likely they have to go back and then you have to being new loan players in – which has happened most of the season. This means there is no continuity. Blackwell has signed so many on loan and surely he could have picked up one or two permanent players even some young talent from lower divisions that could be developed (sure Ward came off – Taylor didn’t)
I don’t think most realistic United fans will think we can stay in the top 6 and know a mid table finish probably looms. What worries me even more is the complete lack of forward planning for next season. A quick analysis of the squad may be pessimistic but how many could we count on to make a challenge for the top 6 next year. Indeed how many players will actually be back? It seems we are set for another big turnaround of players after Blackwell complained about such a turnaround of players last summer. It just seems we are going round in circles but the talent level is declining each year and with it our chances of evr returning to the top flight seem further away.
We have a keeper on loan (who knows what will happen with Kenny too), our remaining right back is out of contract/out of favour ad injury prone, our left backs are not good enough, we have 3 other defenders on loan and Morgan is the only one who we can count on and he is probably on the downward curve of his career. In midfield Quinn is not good enough, Williamson has shown promise but is injury prone and Montgomery and Harper are out of contract and probably won’t be back. That leaves us with Yeates and Ward (allegedly not happy) as wide men. Cresswell is coming towards the end of his career and Henderson whilst effective at times leads us to play way too direct. Sharp probably won’t be back and ditto for Camara (due to wages) and Evans has been woeful. I cannot see anything but another summer of rebuild. Maybe I am wrong and we can sustain a challenge for the top 6 and if we somehow got up this year then everything changes but today confirmed to me that it will take something quite remarkable for the Blades to get promoted this season. Does any United fans seriously think we have a shot?
Derby – I thought on the whole despite our woeful performance they were not that much better. They were the better side in the first half and the few decent bits of football came from them with Commons the main threat. We never seemed to get close to him and most of their attacks came from his skill, dribbling and ability to find a ball in the final third. Hulse worked hard and was more effective than our strikers but that was not saying a lot! Savage did what he does best by winning loose balls and then giving it the players that can create. I think Green is a decent up and down midfielder who looks a goal threat and Pearson is a neat and tidy footballer. I thought Tonge was largely anonymous, playing wide right, just as he has been for Preston. At the back I feel they have some very poor players in Buxton,Barker, McElvey and Hunt. United should have the pace, power and guile to create tons of chances against such a back four that has shipped goals aplenty this season but this did not happen. Despite Derby doing fairly well in the first half, aided by our dreadful disorganised showing, they retreated quite noticeably in the second half and if we had scored before we did then we would have gone onto win as you could see they are struggling with confidence. They are a poor side and you can also see why they are in the division. Even some of the decent things they did today was chiefly down to awful play by United and rarely can I remember many stunning move or moments of quality outside of odd flashes by Commons. I think that says it all about how bad United were and have become. Worryingly they are a club that have also had to cut costs and trim the wagebill and it is not inconceivable for United to have a mish mash of veterans and lower division types mixed together; next season. Maybe today’s Blades lineup moved us dangerously close to that anyway.
Bunn 5/10 – Made one two saves but have marked him down simply due to the fact that I felt we was stupid for trying to play on when clearly injured. Maybe this is down to the management but felt he should have forced their hand. He was also very slow across his line to the goal which although a decent shot I felt was a good height and should have been saved. Maybe if we had a fit keeper in goal they may have saved it? As soon as he stopped taking free kicks then I feared the worst and felt he should have been taken off but quite why we opted to struggle though for nearly all the first half and for half of the second half astonished me and I don’t know why Derby did not take more shots on goal.
Montgomery 6/10 – Actually maybe the best defender which does not say a great deal about the remainder of the defence. I am not quite sure why he was playing at right back? Was Geary injured or was there some truth in the alleged disagreement with the manager in the week? Does not say much for our squad though when we have to shift our midfield anchorman to full back thus disrupting the rest of the side. He did ok despite obviously not being accustomed to such a position although his poor clearance led to the Derby goal when he should have headed wide rather than centrally. He was on the few players who may have come out of game with any credit for overall performance despite this mistake.
Stewart 2/10 – A dreadful performance where his second touch all game was a tackle; his distribution was appalling and overall just proved he is not good enough. Frighteningly with the likes of Taylor in reserve and Naysmith injured there is no other real option at the moment. Only gets a mark or two for the two shots he had. I did not know what he would do next when the ball went near him.
Nosworthy 5.5/10 – Started the game very shakily and was slow to react to danger. He did not have any kind of understanding with his partner Kallio as United looked at sixes and sevens at the back. He did improve as the game went on and actually finished the game fairly well but he does look a little clumsy and hesitant but does have pace to cover for mistakes and as I say finished the game well.
Kallio 3/10 – Was looking forward to seeing him after hearing good reports from the away games he has played in but I felt he was truly woeful most of the game. He was weak in the tackle, lost most of the aerial balls despite his height and looked like he was running in treacle most of the game. Reminded me of Leigh Bromby for his ineffectiveness in physical play and also his distribution was awful as he just clubbed the ball forward whenever he had it. A very disappointing home debut and surely he can only improve and maybe he will look better at left back.
Quinn 4/10 – Another pretty poor performance marked by half hearted flicks, aimless balls to nowhere and little of real quality all afternoon. Why he cannot get the ball down and try and pass it I do not know when he clearly has some decent ability on the ball. Yes, he continues to waft his leg at balls of help it on with no idea of where the red and white shirt is. The only positive about him is that he did hide and kept going and actually was one of our better players in the finals stages of the game
Williamson 5.5/10 – He wasn’t great for most of the game and lost out in a lot of the physical challenges aswell as being carless in possession of the ball. He did of course score a well taken equaliser that got us a point and I do feel at least he does try and pass the ball and does not always look to go long like most of his teammates.
Cresswell 4/10 – A mostly ineffective game where he battled along but in truth just did not affect the game at all in terms o creating or having chances with one header just wide being the only significant attacking moment from him. Unfortunately this one moment was still more than the two attackers below who offered absolutely nothing.
Evans 3/10 – No signs of getting any better. If anything he is getting worse. Struggling to see what he offers despite some fans around me still suggesting he would do better under a different manager/different style. Even with the wretched tactics we continue to employ and lack of service; I still expect something in terms of chasing defenders down, work rate or at least trying to hold the play up or make defenders work but he just looks disinterested and he is barely even sprinting for balls at the moment. A signing that looks an expensive mistake. His goal record is embarrassing.
Henderson 3/10 – Awful performance. He gave the ball away constantly with his first 5 touches all finding a blue and white shirt. He gave away needless fouls and generally was ineffective. Did not hold the ball up, did not keep the ball and did not even offer much in nuisance value. When he went off most of Bramall Lane cheered. In truth there were 5 or 6 as bad as him but at least now the tendency (should that be obsession) to go long would cease a little. The only thing I would say is none of the strikers had any service but even without this I expect more effort and some kind of contribution.
Yeates 6/10 – Thought he was poor in the first half, albeit with little service of note and seemed a little lost. It was if he was wondering what he had come to but he did get start to impose himself second half and became more involved. He had one or two decent runs and looked to attack defenders. His run actually led to the goal. His corners were a mixed bag with a couple of dangerous ones but some straight into the keeper’s hands. One of the few bright spots from a dismal afternoon but oddly looked a lot like Cotterill (decent on ball but lightweight and inconsistent) which makes it odd why he was let go and Yeates brought in?
Subs –
Ward – Mystery to why he is not playing as even though he has still not been totally at his best I still think he offers more than the strikers who did start today. We finally started to get the ball down and try and make things happen on the floor when the came on and at least he tried to attack defenders when he got the ball and make things happen even if things did not always come off.
Camara – Made a difference immediately. Just his control and willingness to get on the ball worried Derby. Involved in the goal and then his striking instincts nearly led to other chances as he showed he could actually get in the right positions.
Bennett – Had little to do when he came on as by this stage Derby were just trying to hang on to what they had.
Referees – Graham Salisbury Thought he had a very good game. Got most of the yellow cards right and kept the game flowing where he could. Maybe could have booked Hulse for kicking the ball away twice after the whistle but that is being ultra critical. I felt he let the game flow and that there was little nastiness in the game and he generally refereed it sensibly.
