For long distance 606-ers

If ever there was a game we could afford to lose, this was it. But the manner of losing was not easy to bear. If the ref. Pawson, had been as sensible as Clattenberg last week we would have won by a big margin. As it was the 10 men of Derby had 69 per cent of possession - twice as many shots on target and 8 corners v 3 for Reading and committed far less fouls. We had 4 yellows and Reading 3. Pawson was very card happy.

I think Warnock was trying too hard and his over-exuberance led to his maybe deserved, but only by Pawson standards, second yellow card. When Forsyth came on as LB he was a giant in comparison. Mascarel was looking good until he had to make way for Forsyth to come on to bring some balance.

Lingard looks as if he is made to fit in with Derby's style and should play in our coming fixtures. He was a real positive. Roos looked competent and if Grant was unavailable would fill in nicely. Shotton's defensive play was sound but not his distribution. Hendrick just gets stronger all the time and Bent got his 5th good goal. I read one match report saying it was lucky but I got an excellent view and Forsyth picked his cross to perfection, all along the grass to Bent for a first time shot which, though it was deflected, would have gone in anyway. Just shows what different viewing points do.

Steve's tactics of still going for the win when down to 10 for more than half the game was absolutely correct. We did not want a replay and it could have so easily resulted in a win. I feel even more confident of Promotion. Bournemouth dropping points will help.