For Those Who Could not Attend

Team v Middlesboro, Saturday Nov 2 2019

Roos, Bogle, Davies, Clarke, Malone.
Bielik, Holmes, Shinnie.
Marriott, Lawrence, Martin.

Substitutes. Wisdom, Dowell. Hamer. Lowe. Knight, Paterson, Waghorn, Evans
Conditions: Flat Calm and wet at first then dry.
Pitch: Immaculate
Attendance. 25,293
Ref. Darren Bond


Several bad things have happened recently and this game may just be the way of settling things down. We need an emphatic win against ‘boro. Such a win would go a long way towards restoring our season.

And so it came to pass on 2nd November 2019 that we won 2 goals to nil. This was a new formation with two up front. And a diamond midfield. I’m not clear whether this refers to how much they are paid or to their relative positions on the pitch. Whichever it was, it is a mystery why PC had to wait so long to try it. Statistics for recent games told the story in stark outline. Typically 60 odd % possession for about 5 shots on goal - 2 of them on target.

Anyway to most fans huge acclaim he tried such a formation for this game. We had 60% possession for 20 shots and 10 on target. And their goalie had his work cut out for for whole game and he had to make many fine saves. And the fact that the two up front players were Martin and Marriott should not go un-noticed. It was great partnership which can only get better.

Within two minutes Davies made a dreadful back pass which was intercepted by ex-Forest striker Assombalonga. He waltzed around Kelle Roos and placed his shot for a certain goal only to see Clarke block the shot on the line. Pints for the rest of the week for Clarke paid for by Curtis Davies. Derby launchd several attacks from left and right with Holmes frequently threatening and making some good passes and which Martin, Lawrence and Shinnie almost converted. On 22 minutes Chris Martin passed smartly to Tom Lawrence what put in a powerful shot the keeper could not entirely block There was relief all round - fans and players both. Derby had to defend some high speed attacks which suggested it was not going to be an easy game though all 11 Derby players were performing well. On 32 minutes George Saville made a terrible studs-up tackle on Bielik and was shown an instant red card - whilst Bielik needed attention and a period off the pitch.
Half time came with the score 1 - 0 and ‘boro struggling to contain some lively Derby attacks and offering no real threat at all to Roos’ goal.

All derby’s players without exception did well. Bielik was replaced by George Evans and he too put in a good performance. Shinnie did well and had some good attempts on goal. Holmes and Bogle penetrated frequently and I was impressed several times by Bogle’s instant control of some fine 50 yard passes. Malone also did well on the left wing but both wing backs need to improve their crossing though they are both improving. Eventually Lawrence settled things with another goal from a neat pass by Bogle, taking it round a defender before chipping over the keeper.

2-0 hardly flattered The Rams and the fans went home very happy. Darren Bond, not for the first time at Pride Park impressed as a referee who was on the ball and in control as well as completely unobtrusive. We need the same formation and performance next week at the City Ground. Please - football gods, may we get a win there and be only one point behind the Red Dogs.