Source: Team_Talk
Crosby thrilled with Rams success
The Rams took a giant step towards ensuring their survival after Rob Hulse's 17th goal of the season earned them a 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, moving them to 51 points and almost certain safety.[LNB]Former Sheffield United striker Hulse, who angered the home support and players in the 13th minute when he flattened goalkeeper Lee Grant with a late challenge for which he was booked, struck in first-half stoppage-time.[LNB]Hulse headed home Gary Teale's left-wing free-kick from eight yards out to end a five-game winless run for Nigel Clough's side.[LNB]Derby are now eight points above the drop zone and have two games in hand over many of the sides below them.[LNB]"Psychologically it is definitely a big boost to get over the 50-point mark," said Crosby.[LNB]'Obviously we are not safe but it is good to get over that barrier.[LNB]"We aren't setting ourselves any targets as far as points go, just to get to a point where we mathematically can't go down."[LNB]Crosby admitted the timing of the goal could not have been better and reserved extra praise for matchwinner Hulse.[LNB]He said: "It was a good time to score but the first goal, whenever it comes, is always important psychologically and on the stroke of half-time the lads came in buoyed.[LNB]"Hulse did superbly. He is a lad who is obviously not physically right. He has got quite a lot of strains and pulls and he has got a stomach problem but he has been fantastic and he gives his all every time he goes out.[LNB]"He's got a fantastic goal and I'm sure he enjoyed coming here and scoring. It was a magnificent ball in and a great header."[LNB]Brian Laws also lamented the timing of the goal, which the Wednesday boss conceded could not have come at a worse time for his side.[LNB]Laws also slammed his side's defending for the goal, which leaves the Owls with only five points from their last seven home matches.[LNB]"I'm probably as frustrated as the supporters are because this has come on the back of a good win at Norwich," said Laws.[LNB]"We didn't play the football we have been playing in the first half and then it was a sucker punch at half-time, which is when you least want that to happen because it changes my team talk immediately.[LNB]"I had certain thoughts prior to that goal and it totally turned it around.[LNB]"If you look at the way we conceded, they had three in the box and we had five.[LNB]"Maths tells you there shouldn't be any space for them but Hulse got a free header and I am disappointed with our defending and I let them know at half-time."[LNB]The Wednesday manager at least took heart from his side's second-half display.[LNB]Laws added: "We were much better after the break and we put Derby under pressure and had enough chances to get the result.[LNB]"Derby had a bit of fortune, we hit the crossbar and had balls cleared off the line and Marcus Tudgay has had three opportunities, but that sometimes happens."[LNB][LNB]
