Source: FOOTYMAD
Stuart says Let's see some heart
Stuart reviews Derby County's change in fortunes and looks forward to the FA Cup tie with Birmingham City Saturday December 9th was, probably, the lowest point of the season. On that afternoon, Derby County lost 1-4 at home to Scunthorpe United, recording their third consecutive home loss after previous 0-2 reverses against Blackpool and Doncaster Rovers. It was also, by all accounts, the day that the Rams manager got tough. Nigel Clough, apparently, read the riot act to the players after the game and in subsequent interviews the gaffer admitted that he and his backroom team had been too soft, for too long, listening to player excuses after player excuses and that the time for excuses was over. From now on, Clough promised after the Scunthorpe defeat, I’m only going to pick players with heart, players who want to play for Derby County, players who hurt when we lose. The biggest casualty of the manager’s get tough campaign is Paul Connolly, who was an unused substitute in the next game (Paul Green playing at right-back in his place) and hasn’t featured in the match day squad since. The Rams have gone on quite a run since then though, losing only once in seven games. Victories over Millwall (albeit via a penalty shootout) and our bogey-team Doncaster Rovers has seen us progress to the 5th Round of the FA Cup. In the Coca-Cola Championship Derby County have won three (Peterborough United 3-0, Nottingham Forest 1-0, Newcastle United 3-0), drawn one (Sheffield United 1-1) and lost one (Plymouth Argyle 0-1). An average of two points per game over our last five league games, an average which, if repeated over the 30 games so far, would’ve merited 60 points, one more than Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion. There were those Rams fans who dismissed the horrendous injury situation for our struggles around 18th place in the Coca-Cola Championship league table, insisting it was entirely the manager’s fault, some going further though saying his hands were tied by GSE, Tom Glick, and the board. I never subscribed to that view. At its worst, Derby County had 16 senior players injured and the manager had to wait until Tuesday February 9th, 30 league games into the campaign, before he had the luxury of picking the same starting line-up for consecutive games. Football is about partnerships and combinations, at centre-back, in central midfield, up front, at full-back and wide midfield, and successful teams, almost without exception, are able to make settled team selections, allowing those partnerships and combinations to grow during the season. Derby County haven’t had that luxury until the last few weeks or so. It’s starting to happen now though, and we’re seeing the benefits out there on the pitch. It still took a while, but the last three performances against Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United (where we were so unfortunate not to take all three points), and Newcastle United have shown what this Derby County side is capable of. For me, Nicky Hunt and a match-fit Shaun Barker have made a huge difference at the back, allowing Jake Buxton to impress alongside them. Stephen Bywater is in the form of his life at the moment. Robbie Savage, Paul Green, and Stephen Pearson have been brilliant in midfield, Pearson particularly has been far more effective than Gary Teale or Lee Croft in a wide position. And Rob Hulse and Kris Commons up front are on fire right now, rekindling memories of their successful partnership last season. It struck me against Newcastle United that, Jake Buxton aside possibly, that was our strongest team. I accept that Dean Moxey, Dean Leacock, Miles Addison, Chris Porter, Steve Davies (and others) would probably disagree, but I think that just highlights the potential in the Derby County squad right now. Over the next few years I think the face of football is going to change dramatically because of the financial crisis the game is currently facing in this country. GSE’s prudent and sensible approach has to be the way to go and, I firmly believe, Derby County will be in a better position than most to be successful as a result. And so, to the 5th round of the FA Cup and a home tie against Premiership side Birmingham City. And not just any Premier League side, but one that is riding high in 8th place and confounding the pundits with an impressive 37 points from 25 games. The Rams go into the cup-tie as underdogs, underdogs who are brimming with confidence right now, underdogs who have an opportunity to test themselves against Premiership opposition. Nigel Clough called for heart from his players after the Scunthorpe defeat – and the players have responded. Heart is what the players will need to show again today if Derby County are to progress to the quarter-finals. Let’s see some heart. Stuart Hughes 13th February 2009 Derby County Mad is on facebook. Search for “Derby County Mad” and join the group.
