[Archived] Derby County vs Blackburn Rovers Sunday 04/08 4pm kick off (Live on Sky)

[SoldierMo]

Pedersen is still a good squad playa not one who would rock the boat either

[patrickvalery]

Did anyone else notice that Lowe seemed to have a more advanced role yesterday. I can't recall the last time i noticed him have as many shots (albeith pretty woefull efforts) at goal. This part of his game definately has plenty of room for improvement. But on the whole i thought he played quite well. Yes we had the mandatory wayward 5-10 yard passes we have come to expect, but he was exceptional at stopping a lot of the Derby midfield running at our back four. With Dann and Hanley not the quickest on the turn, that role is essential. People talk about his poor tackling, but i was always taught that 25% of the time you win the ball back through tackling. The other 75% is achieved by your opponents mistakes. Simply putting them under pressure will often have the desired result - especially in this division. Lowe made some lung bursting runs to track back yesterday. That sort of thing doesn't always win the plaudits (and believe me, i have been one of those who has watched Lowe and scratched my head) but it is of paramount importance nowadays. If i were Bowyer i'd have him practice 5-10 yard passes until he can manage it in his sleep. If he could crack this simple element he'd look twice the player.

I was so impressed with Judge. Really looks like he could make a difference. He popped up everywhere and was a nuisance for the entire 90 minutes.

Did anyone else think Rhodes looked a bit dejected? I mean more than he usually does when he chased down long balls most of last season? I have a nagging doubt that he might be on his merry way in the next few weeks. Possibly at his own request. I really hope i'm wrong, but yesterdays performance really was such an improvement that most of the side looked very upbeat. Rhodes cut a very forlorn figure and looked really down on his luck.

Another noticeable thing from yesterday was the height in the side (minus Judge Judy). We looked more assured defending set pieces and even won a good amount more than usual in their box too. Spurr especially looked good in this respect. On that subject, he looks like a real find. Maybe it was the debut effect yesterday, but you sensed he was ready to run through a brick wall for the cause. It was so nice to see our fullbacks get beyond their winger and sling a few balls into the box. Over the course of a season Rhodes will thrive on that kind of service.

As i said last night, the spat between Hanly and the Derby lad (Coutts maybe) was lovely to see. That sort of passion has been sadly lacking from Rovers for years. The players all got involved and that's what you want to see. Some unity and desire to stand shoulder to shoulder with your team mates. I have to hand it to GB, if the side continue to play with that heart he will have performed a minor miracle. I honestly haven't felt as upbeat about a Rovers performance since i don't know when. Not even the standard of football, just the desire from the players not to lose the match. Long may it continue.

[DE.]

I'd rather Lowe stuck to defending the back four as opposed to getting forward. I'd always be fearful of him losing the ball and allowing the opposition to counter attack. We have better players who can do that role, which is why IMO ideally only one of Lowe or Marrow needs to play. Definitely at home, anyway. If we're away having two defensive CM's might not be the worst idea but would still prefer not to pair up the gruesome twosome.

[USABlue]

I'd dearly love you to prove me wrong but there's a reason the opposing 19 year old Derby midfielder ran the show and was given MOM despite our 'world beater's' best efforts.

I wouldn't want to take the proverbial out of you and point that out but I guess I just did.

Oh, and I can't believe you used the selections of managerial geniuses Kean, Appleton, Pearce and Berg to back up your point!!! To coin one of your phrases, don't give up the day job!!!

Yes there is he's a good little player. Nowt to do with the performance of our lot and I would not exactly say he ran the show, he played very well, that's all.

[Mafioso]

I read somewhere on this thread that Best made "weird" comments regarding GB. Could someone tell me what the comments were?

As for the game..

The first 30 minutes was like a breathe of fresh air IMO. As bad as Lowe is and Marrow is made out to be, it was encouraging to see them all over Derbys midfielders. Running their heart out, getting stuck in and just giving it to Ruben or Judge as opposed to trying sonething stupid like dribbling or passing to King.

Even though Best did eventually get the goal that made me spill my beer I would have gone for Taylor or Dunn(if it wasnt so early in the game) playing 2 upfront made us too onedimensional and it was all Derby from there.

Marrows stupid mistake (and even stupider appeals that he was shoved wen he only made contact with one of our players) cost him all of his concentration. He seemed too distracted after that.

Spurr looks a decent signing. Good defensivly and likes to bomb forward and cross.

Taylor imediatly changed the midfield, looks class.

Kean, Dann and Hanley also played well.

King was so bad today he managed to make fan favorite Todd Kane give his worst performance to date..

Hope Rochina makes a speedy recovery.

[gilly1]

Did anyone else notice that Lowe seemed to have a more advanced role yesterday. I can't recall the last time i noticed him have as many shots (albeith pretty woefull efforts) at goal. This part of his game definately has plenty of room for improvement. But on the whole i thought he played quite well. Yes we had the mandatory wayward 5-10 yard passes we have come to expect, but he was exceptional at stopping a lot of the Derby midfield running at our back four. With Dann and Hanley not the quickest on the turn, that role is essential. People talk about his poor tackling, but i was always taught that 25% of the time you win the ball back through tackling. The other 75% is achieved by your opponents mistakes. Simply putting them under pressure will often have the desired result - especially in this division. Lowe made some lung bursting runs to track back yesterday. That sort of thing doesn't always win the plaudits (and believe me, i have been one of those who has watched Lowe and scratched my head) but it is of paramount importance nowadays. If i were Bowyer i'd have him practice 5-10 yard passes until he can manage it in his sleep. If he could crack this simple element he'd look twice the player.

I was so impressed with Judge. Really looks like he could make a difference. He popped up everywhere and was a nuisance for the entire 90 minutes.

Did anyone else think Rhodes looked a bit dejected? I mean more than he usually does when he chased down long balls most of last season? I have a nagging doubt that he might be on his merry way in the next few weeks. Possibly at his own request. I really hope i'm wrong, but yesterdays performance really was such an improvement that most of the side looked very upbeat. Rhodes cut a very forlorn figure and looked really down on his luck.

Another noticeable thing from yesterday was the height in the side (minus Judge Judy). We looked more assured defending set pieces and even won a good amount more than usual in their box too. Spurr especially looked good in this respect. On that subject, he looks like a real find. Maybe it was the debut effect yesterday, but you sensed he was ready to run through a brick wall for the cause. It was so nice to see our fullbacks get beyond their winger and sling a few balls into the box. Over the course of a season Rhodes will thrive on that kind of service.

As i said last night, the spat between Hanly and the Derby lad (Coutts maybe) was lovely to see. That sort of passion has been sadly lacking from Rovers for years. The players all got involved and that's what you want to see. Some unity and desire to stand shoulder to shoulder with your team mates. I have to hand it to GB, if the side continue to play with that heart he will have performed a minor miracle. I honestly haven't felt as upbeat about a Rovers performance since i don't know when. Not even the standard of football, just the desire from the players not to lose the match. Long may it continue.

well put happy with the point and the performance the new lads have added what was missing last season the whole team put a shift in very upbeat this morning up the blues

[RoyRover]

A good performance and point to start the season, though it could easily have been three. I didn't know a couple of the players who were playing yesterday and it looks like Bowyer has cast aside much of the tat that was bought in by the wise one and has got players who can perform in this division. It's disappointing to lose Rochina to what appears to be a bad injury, as I thought that he looked good yesterday and had a bit more game awareness. It was good to see Best scoring as well. If we are going to make any sort of promotion push this season, we need more than just Rhodes scoring for us. Best can score goals at this level and this is a good way to start.

[Howler]

Decent away point and performance. We actually looked like a team and apart from a lack of creativity after Rochina went off, I thought we looked quite good.

New signings Spurr, Judge and Taylor all look perfect for the championship - have a bit of quality and work hard. Lowe and Marrow together in the middle clearly doesn't work and I'm hoping Clairney (whose few touches looked tidy enough) and Evans can do a job in there. I still think Lowe's best position is right back.

Kane and King were the only players in my view that were disappointing, while Rhodes should have tucked a chance away in the first half.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing was that most of the team is quite young and appeared hungry. Compare that to the band of ageing mercenaries we had last year and there is hope that we will be more competitive in this league. Shame about Rochina getting injured as he could be the difference between a workmanlike championship outfit and a team challenging for promotion.

[Guest Norbert]

Not a bad performance. Defensively a bit dodgy, with the midfield a bit overwhelmed on occaision. Attacking wise, Rhodes had a quiet game, but Judge and Rochina looked pretty good and Taylor was far more effective than King.

Room for improvement, but there is something there to work on at least.

[alexanders]

1 ) Did anyone else notice that Lowe seemed to have a more advanced role yesterday. I can't recall the last time i noticed him have as many shots (albeith pretty woefull efforts) at goal. This part of his game definately has plenty of room for improvement. This was also easy to spot during the Everton game where he came to a couple of decent chances. Can see him making some goals from midfield this season.

2) People talk about his poor tackling, but i was always taught that 25% of the time you win the ball back through tackling. The other 75% is achieved by your opponents mistakes. Simply putting them under pressure will often have the desired result - especially in this division. Lowe made some lung bursting runs to track back yesterday. That sort of thing doesn't always win the plaudits (and believe me, i have been one of those who has watched Lowe and scratched my head) but it is of paramount importance nowadays. He is putting the opposition under pressure, but should be able to make the right tackles a little bit more often.

3 ) I was so impressed with Judge. Really looks like he could make a difference. He popped up everywhere and was a nuisance for the entire 90 minutes. Looked very very good and lively. Dunn comparison is spot-on.

4 ) Did anyone else think Rhodes looked a bit dejected? I mean more than he usually does when he chased down long balls most of last season? I have a nagging doubt that he might be on his merry way in the next few weeks. Possibly at his own request. I really hope i'm wrong, but yesterdays performance really was such an improvement that most of the side looked very upbeat. Rhodes cut a very forlorn figure and looked really down on his luck. He looked like his former self. Passionate, full of running, always closing down and was close to a couple of goals.

5 ) Spurr especially looked good in this respect. On that subject, he looks like a real find. It was a blessing having such a good LB in the squad again. £2,5 for M.Olsson - this guy on a free. Great Business !

6 ) That sort of passion has been sadly lacking from Rovers for years. The players all got involved and that's what you want to see. Some unity and desire to stand shoulder to shoulder with your team mates. I have to hand it to GB, if the side continue to play with that heart he will have performed a minor miracle. I honestly haven't felt as upbeat about a Rovers performance since i don't know when. Not even the standard of football, just the desire from the players not to lose the match. Long may it continue. It was absolutely delightful watching the Rovers again and what a change from last season. High pressure, rough tackles (especially the one from Kane), Hanley was a leader and some amazing runs, Lively up front creating all sort of problems for Derby. Organized. WOW, I am looking forward to the rest of the season! Looked like the winning mentality is definitely back !

Perhaps the most encouraging thing was that most of the team is quite young and appeared hungry.

8 players under 23.

[Ricky]

Good job Abbey's on his hols, could imagine the phrase 'venky lovers' would have been used extensively today

[T.J.Newton]

Abbey goes silent and saxo reappears!!(literally two sides of the same coin all along)

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Pedersen is still a good squad playa not one who would rock the boat either

If he was on about £5k a week I wouldn't have a problem with that. Trouble is he's on anything between 5 and 8 times that depending on who you listen to. Financially that is no longer sustainable.

[pedebumchin]

Did anyone else notice that Lowe seemed to have a more advanced role yesterday. I can't recall the last time i noticed him have as many shots (albeith pretty woefull efforts) at goal. This part of his game definately has plenty of room for improvement. But on the whole i thought he played quite well. Yes we had the mandatory wayward 5-10 yard passes we have come to expect, but he was exceptional at stopping a lot of the Derby midfield running at our back four. With Dann and Hanley not the quickest on the turn, that role is essential. People talk about his poor tackling, but i was always taught that 25% of the time you win the ball back through tackling. The other 75% is achieved by your opponents mistakes. Simply putting them under pressure will often have the desired result - especially in this division. Lowe made some lung bursting runs to track back yesterday. That sort of thing doesn't always win the plaudits (and believe me, i have been one of those who has watched Lowe and scratched my head) but it is of paramount importance nowadays. If i were Bowyer i'd have him practice 5-10 yard passes until he can manage it in his sleep. If he could crack this simple element he'd look twice the player.

I was so impressed with Judge. Really looks like he could make a difference. He popped up everywhere and was a nuisance for the entire 90 minutes.

Did anyone else think Rhodes looked a bit dejected? I mean more than he usually does when he chased down long balls most of last season? I have a nagging doubt that he might be on his merry way in the next few weeks. Possibly at his own request. I really hope i'm wrong, but yesterdays performance really was such an improvement that most of the side looked very upbeat. Rhodes cut a very forlorn figure and looked really down on his luck.

Another noticeable thing from yesterday was the height in the side (minus Judge Judy). We looked more assured defending set pieces and even won a good amount more than usual in their box too. Spurr especially looked good in this respect. On that subject, he looks like a real find. Maybe it was the debut effect yesterday, but you sensed he was ready to run through a brick wall for the cause. It was so nice to see our fullbacks get beyond their winger and sling a few balls into the box. Over the course of a season Rhodes will thrive on that kind of service.

As i said last night, the spat between Hanly and the Derby lad (Coutts maybe) was lovely to see. That sort of passion has been sadly lacking from Rovers for years. The players all got involved and that's what you want to see. Some unity and desire to stand shoulder to shoulder with your team mates. I have to hand it to GB, if the side continue to play with that heart he will have performed a minor miracle. I honestly haven't felt as upbeat about a Rovers performance since i don't know when. Not even the standard of football, just the desire from the players not to lose the match. Long may it continue.

He looked like someone who was a little short on confidence to me, having not scored at all during pre-season I think he might be struggling with that a little.

I disagree with your comments about him leaving though, during the warm up with the other strikers he looked quite happy and whenever one of them scored he was applauded them. If he was thinking of leaving I doubt he would be so supportive of this team mates would he?

The one thing that we struggled with last year (and haven't fixed this season, yet) is creating goal scoring chances for Rhodes. From memory he had 1 chance yesterday which was blocked. If we can create 3 or 4 opportunities per game he'll score at least once or twice. He isnt going to be a striker who creates his own chances too often, but he'll finish most that are created for him.

[Al]

To be fair to Lowe and marrow, they did well in the defensive role.

Think some fans are judging players on their preconceptions rather than how they played today.

Precisely my earlier point.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Agree on Rhodes. Rochina didn't look the happiest camper either, although he did play well. There's not a lot we can do though unfortunately, apart from get off to a good start and hope their moods pick up after the transfer window closes. Best has just become massively important, in terms of geeing up Rhodes and replacing Rochina. Fingers crossed he does the business, I'm rooting for him after what must have been a tough time for him last season.

[beanie]

I thought the cri

Even though Best did eventually get the goal that made me spill my beer I would have gone for Taylor or Dunn(if it wasnt so early in the game) playing 2 upfront made us too onedimensional and it was all Derby from there.

I would not have said it was all Derby from there it was all derby for the rest of the half we had the best of the second half Bests header hitting the post a few penalty shouts.

[ptholt]

just to add my own thoughts and observations to this after attending yesterday.

king looked disinterested in playing out wide and left kane to get royally raped far to often, he gave away the ball far to easily and had little in the way of end product, he didnt bother tracking back and looked like a sulking primadonna. I lost count of how many times he was awol for a goal kick in the second half as he hadnt got back to position and was walking back to midfield behind kane with his head down moping. needs a rocket or dropping after a shocker like that.

marrow not overly impressed and he looked out of his depth and completely overwhelmed.

lowe seemed to have a very poor game, was caught on the ball to easily, fell over at the slightest touch (which with that ref he wasnt going to get anything and rarely did), and his own passing was very poor giving the ball away far to cheaply. He unlike king realised he was having a shocker and at least when he did loose it, he battled hard to try and get it back or make amends, so at least a better attitude than king.

rhodes looked very quiet, poor load spent most of the afternoon picking himself up from getting flattened, he's needed service since he signed and in the main had to rely on derby mistake to give them, chased more lost causes than had serious chances.

best has the touch of a concrete wall, and for a bloke built like a brick outhouse seemed unable to win much in the air which seemed rather odd. took his goal well, should have had another really.

Main bright point for me was spurr, looked composed, great throw, liked to go forward looked a good signing.

Sadly the rest of the day was marred by returning to the "offical" away fans car park to find my (and the rover fan next to me) had our cars broken into, stereos taken etc. I had to find a place to sort the window to let me get home (2.5 hours away back in sussex) so didnt get home till nearly 1am. Derby club, police or stewards really didnt give a monkies a car with three kids in the back was covered in smashed glass where they had forced there way, and bar giving me some selotape and a roll of clingfilm where utterly useless.

[Mafioso]

I thought the cri

I would not have said it was all Derby from there it was all derby for the rest of the half we had the best of the second half Bests header hitting the post a few penalty shouts.

Agreed, that is actually what I meant.

So anyone going to enlighten me on what Best's comments were?

[beanie]

Agreed, that is actually what I meant.

So anyone going to enlighten me on what Best's comments were?

He said that he was dissapointed not to have started but he was behind the manager after the game.

just to add my own thoughts and observations to this after attending yesterday.

king looked disinterested in playing out wide and left kane to get royally raped far to often, he gave away the ball far to easily and had little in the way of end product, he didnt bother tracking back and looked like a sulking primadonna. I lost count of how many times he was awol for a goal kick in the second half as he hadnt got back to position and was walking back to midfield behind kane with his head down moping. needs a rocket or dropping after a shocker like that.

marrow not overly impressed and he looked out of his depth and completely overwhelmed.

lowe seemed to have a very poor game, was caught on the ball to easily, fell over at the slightest touch (which with that ref he wasnt going to get anything and rarely did), and his own passing was very poor giving the ball away far to cheaply. He unlike king realised he was having a shocker and at least when he did loose it, he battled hard to try and get it back or make amends, so at least a better attitude than king.

rhodes looked very quiet, poor load spent most of the afternoon picking himself up from getting flattened, he's needed service since he signed and in the main had to rely on derby mistake to give them, chased more lost causes than had serious chances.

best has the touch of a concrete wall, and for a bloke built like a brick outhouse seemed unable to win much in the air which seemed rather odd. took his goal well, should have had another really.

Main bright point for me was spurr, looked composed, great throw, liked to go forward looked a good signing.

Sadly the rest of the day was marred by returning to the "offical" away fans car park to find my (and the rover fan next to me) had our cars broken into, stereos taken etc. I had to find a place to sort the window to let me get home (2.5 hours away back in sussex) so didnt get home till nearly 1am. Derby club, police or stewards really didnt give a monkies a car with three kids in the back was covered in smashed glass where they had forced there way, and bar giving me some selotape and a roll of clingfilm where utterly useless.

Hugely harsh on what was a encouraging performance.

[ptholt]

Hugely harsh on what was a encouraging performance.

Pre Rochina going off we looked very good, held the ball and moved it well enough, although needed some end product for all that posession, sadly we didnt recover from him going off or the conceded pen for a very long time, my own negative thoughts are somewhat influenced by the £1500 its just cost me for new windows and head unit have somewhat soured my positivity (excess on glass policy, and car policy only covering £200 towards what is a £1600 head unit)

[rhodie]

Good job Abbey's on his hols, could imagine the phrase 'venky lovers' would have been used extensively today

Unfortunately It gets like a stuck record after hearing it a gazillion times, never mind, hopefully it`s a long holiday.

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Pre Rochina going off we looked very good, held the ball and moved it well enough, although needed some end product for all that posession, sadly we didnt recover from him going off or the conceded pen for a very long time

We did turn into a long-ball team when Rochina went off, mainly because without Rochina and Dunn, Grant Hanley seems to be our only player operating around central midfield who shows any composure on the ball. That doesn't particularly bother me though, play to your strengths in my opinion. Would love to see us bring someone like Bannan in though.

[Rover_Shaun]

I expected a draw. Just a little disappointing that we still cannot win games we dominate.

But at least we did dominate so it's encouraging for the future. COYB

[majorstyre]

was at the game yesterday

really enjoyed the game - been a long time since i enjoyed a Rovers team that played with passion and endevour

we definitely deserved a minimum of the point we got

easily could have been all three...

High points

was very impressed with Spurr and Judge. Both are the sort of players we have been missing for so long...

Kean was solid, and the save he made just before half time, gets better the more i see it

Hanley was a giant, and he moved forward with the ball very well, assisting the front line when possible

Dann was solid for Dann

Taylor and Cairney both looked good when they came on

Low points

Kane had a stinker, to many times caught in possession or gave loose passes...

King - no....end of....still not seen him convince me he is worthy of a place

rochinas injury as he did look dangerous till that point

Still not enough service to Rhodes

To join in the Lowe debate, very good side needs a player who can hold the midfield and somebody who creates in the centre

I have not got a problem with Lowe, he does the holding job well, and boy has he an engine, and works hard if he does make a mistake

he is never going to be a world beater, but in the right balanced team i would play him

i dont think creatively you can play lowe and marrow

we tried to play passing football , which is good to see, and little hoof-ball....

we did try to over complicate things at time by over playing the ball (Kane guilty several times) so we need to know when to play and when to just get rid

but overall encouraging start