Loved that chant yesterday. Particularly annoying for the oh so partisan Birmingham City fans.
Anyway, having just got home after negotiating the post match St Andrews traffic, I thought I'd give my view on player ratings yesterday. See if you concur.
Carson 8. Good distribution, good save in the first half and took his time when he need to.
Wisdom 6. Took a while to get going and looked nervous in the first 20. Showed good strength and pace, but Baird is more composed.
Forsyth 6. Not great going forward but was fairly solid. Need to do better in the air as he loses most challenges because he goes in with back or shoulder.
Keogh 7. Very solid gave nothing away, was given a bit of a to rid first half, but coped well.
Davies 8. Another superb performance from Curtis. One of Derby's best players in the last 6 games. Commanding.
Thorne 6. Still slow and to me he is clearly pulling out of tackles. He does hold the ball well and his distribution and control is good. Poor effort in the first half from a good opportunity.
Huddlestone 7. Very similar player to Thorne but has better vision. Should have scored twice. His awareness gives him the time that his pace lacks.
Russell 8. Great performance from Johnny I thought. If anyone watched him in the warm up, he was just acting like an excited child. It was funny to see and it made me think he was going to have a good game. Great energy, pace and looked dangerous.
Winnall 6. Did not pull up any trees but did well enough. Needs more quality in the final third but I'd rather him than Butterfield.
Vydra 9. Best game in a Derby shirt. Brilliant energy all game, chased the ball down, looked sharp and scored a quality goal. Man of the match
Lawrence 5. This is probably going to be a bit controversial. I don't particularly rate him. Very poor first half, gave the ball away, free kicks and corners are often wasted and he can't tackle or head the ball. Yes, he made the ball to Vydra for our second, but I think that was more luck than judgement. Needs to sort his game out and show a bit of desire.
Subs did well, Nugent especially for the third. Martin look like he's not at the club anymore. Last game in a Derby shirt?
Rowett 9. I saw him get off the team bus and he, Phillips etc were last off and a good few minutes later than the players. The reason for this? Playing cards. It's been an exceptional season so far for GR and the team. Long may it continue.
Supporters 10. Excellent as ever. Loved the chant of 'Is there a fire drill' as the Birmingham fans left in their hundreds.
You Rams!!!!!
Gary Rowett we got
posted on 14/1/18
I like Lawrence too. Clearly a skillful and classy player, who gives us an extra dimension in attack. From what I've seen, I also like his attitude as well. He doesn't come over as a big-time Charlie.
He's 24, so I'd be willing to give him much more time to impose himself. I see him as a part of our team for many years to come, and eventually, I don't think he will look out of place in the Premiership.
posted on 14/1/18
Rowett seems to prefer athleticism to size in his attacking players. Winnall, Vydra, Weimann, Lawrence and Russell are all excellent athletes. Martin and Nugent are big strong boys and haven't started in recent games.
At least if the pacey players aren't having much joy he has something to change the game plus Martin and Nugent are good at defending set pieces.
posted on 14/1/18
I'm disappointed with Lawrence so far, but I think eventually he will come good. At the moment he looks like a poor man's Ince and I never liked Ince.
I would put Nugent and Martin in front of Winnall but as we are 2nd in the league what do I know.
I'm really pleased that Johnny can go another week without criticism, I like johnny he's done well for us.
posted on 14/1/18
Lots of talk of Martin going. Not much talk of where to. Or £££.........
posted on 14/1/18
Back to the chant, AJ. Does it just go round in circles of We Got GR....? I never know what's right.
Just heard the Liverpool fans singing it (not GR) and they sing the 'so glad you're mine' bit, as well. Do we ?
posted on 14/1/18
I like JR too, never gives up, is tenacious and many's the time he controls a difficult ball even when being challenged and then does something useful with it. Their was goal yesterday and an occasion a couple of games ago which he got to just on the goal line and earned a penalty. I have not yet started to rate Winnall highly. might get there but he has to do more for me. Not without hope though.
posted on 14/1/18
comment by πAnglianRamπ Stable Genius or Damaged Basket ? (U17428)
posted 6 minutes ago
Back to the chant, AJ. Does it just go round in circles of We Got GR....? I never know what's right.
Just heard the Liverpool fans singing it (not GR) and they sing the 'so glad you're mine' bit, as well. Do we ?
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Yes. It's a version of The Wheels on the Bus. Each section of the ground start one line behind and sing it in the round. Wonderful when done properly
posted on 14/1/18
Heartbeat theme tune? . How does that apply to Super Johnny Russell.
Still to see the best of our bearded Scot I feel.
posted on 14/1/18
Russell has pace and good work rate. His main talent is running past defenders and drawing the foul. I am certain defences dislike facing him. He may lack a bit of control and composure at times but all of our players are lacking some attribute. This talk about we all love a trier is crap. He is in the side on merit.
posted on 14/1/18
Lacking control and composure is our national characteristic. As long as it is channelled properly it can be a formidable force