Source: Team_Talk
Blackwell hails Henderson heroics
James Beattie replacement Henderson scored twice - his first goals in seven games - in a clinical performance for the Blades, who sold top scorer Beattie to Premier League side Stoke for £3.5million in January.[LNB]"He's got a massive role," Blackwell said of Henderson, who was signed from Watford for £2million last summer and has now netted five goals in 24 appearances.[LNB]"He holds the ball up, he's a real threat and it was always going to be a very difficult job to fill Beattie's boots.[LNB]"He looked a real threat."[LNB]With a resolution in the Carlos Tevez saga apparently close - United are reportedly near to agreeing a compensation payout with West Ham over their 2007 relegation from the Barclays Premier League - the Blades consolidated their fourth-placed position in their bid to return to the top flight with a ninth home win of the season.[LNB]David Cotterill set up first-half strikes for Kyle Naughton and Henderson before United held off a second-half fightback from County.[LNB]Rob Hulse netted against his former club after 52 minutes but Henderson restored the two-goal advantage 10 minutes later.[LNB]Derby cut the deficit when on-loan Aston Villa midfielder Barry Bannan, on as a half-time substitute, lashed in on his debut after 69 minutes.[LNB]County, however, could not find a leveller and Craig Beattie struck a fourth in stoppage time as United extended their unbeaten run to six Championship games.[LNB]Cotterill's role in three of the hosts' goals also pleased Blackwell.[LNB]"Strikers thrive on service so it's important that your wide men give it," he added.[LNB]"They have got to take a kicking sometimes to go past people but their end product is to get crosses in so I'm pleased for Cotterill - he worked his socks off."[LNB]Blackwell's counterpart Nigel Clough lamented Derby's defensive frailties but conceded the final score was a fair reflection of the game.[LNB]It was his third loss in 11 league games since he emulated his father Brian by taking the Rams reins on January 8.[LNB]"Until we can defend at a reasonable level, then that's going to be the pattern I'm afraid," the manager said. "We have to improve to try and make it a little harder for the opposition to score.[LNB]"The first three from our point of view were very, very poor goals."[LNB]Clough has limited options in his back line at present, with Paul Connolly, Andy Todd, Lewin Nyatanga and Martin Albrechtsen the only fit defenders, and he is attempting to dip into the loan market.[LNB]"We've been trying for a couple of weeks but most people are fighting for something at this stage of the season and it's difficult getting them in, but we're trying," added Clough. "But limited options are no excuse for the manner in which we defended."[LNB][LNB]
