Old Blackburnian's View - Pt 33 - Derby’s Ram Raid Exposes Rovers

[Herbie6590]

This week's slightly extended "Accrington Observer" column...

Derby’s Ram Raid Exposes Rovers

There are any number of sports psychology books professing that pressure is a positive force, "diamonds from coal" and so on; whereas stress is corrosive and undermines performance. Sports stars are routinely exposed to both scenarios throughout their careers. The very best learn to avoid, eliminate or at least reduce stress to manageable proportions. 

Pressure on the other hand occurs when the participants have “skin in the game”, the result is important and the outcome is at least in part dependent upon the performance of the individual. It is this jeopardy and the fear of failure that drives on the very best to perform at their very best, repeatedly and consistently when it matters.

Clive Woodward when managing the 2003 England Rugby World Cup winners referenced T-CUP – “thinking correctly (or clearly) under pressure”, the ability clearly, coolly and clinically to make the right choice at the right time. Think Johnny Wilkinson, deep into extra time, off his weaker foot, “he drops for World Cup glory” as enshrined in Ian Robertson’s memorable commentary. 

At various times in this topsy-turvy season, Rovers have threatened to spark into life and gate-crash the top six party, only to fail to rise to the occasion, the pressure of expectation proving to be too much to handle. Sunday afternoon was the latest instance and once again, the promise that had been steadily accumulating was swiftly surrendered.

Derby County are far from the side they were last season when they emphatically and vibrantly pinned Rovers back for what seemed to be roughly 88 of the 90 minutes but somehow failed to score. This iteration under Cocu however, is still finding its feet and is learning how to accommodate the eclectic talents of one Wayne Rooney. Mr Rooney however was absent from the squad, as was former Rovers loanee Tom Lawrence. There are times when the “diem” has to be “carpe’d” as it were, Sunday was one of them. Victory would capitalise on the failings of rivals the previous day and the oh-so-elusive top six would be breached for the first time since the beginning of September 2018.

The opening fifteen minutes suggested Rovers were indeed up for it. Derby looked languid, Rovers looked calm and composed and far from stressed, nor particularly under pressure. Gradually though, Derby grew into the match and seemed to realise that the simple expedient of running purposefully and directly at the Rovers defence and/or slipping a through ball for a teammate to run onto was a revolutionary tactic that Rovers simply could not handle. 

The Derby opener was, it has to be said, an absolute cracker, Louie Sibley scoring his first senior goal with what could conceivably turn out to be the best of his fledgling career. A rasping drive from 25 yards curling away from Walton into the top corner. Out of nothing, Derby had the lead and they never truly looked like losing it thereafter.

The second followed an ineffective parry by Walton from another long-range shot, the ball falling kindly to Chris Martin to finish, paradise for the Rams. Derby were building the pressure now, Rovers by comparison were moving from being under pressure to looking distinctly stressed. 

It could and should have been three just before half time, Waghorn rounded Walton but from a narrowing angle, could only contrive to hit the inside of the post, the ball rebounding to a grateful and relieved keeper. 

After such a lacklustre opening half, there was a sense that things could only get better but any dreams of parity disappeared after the opening third of the second half. Rovers had the lion’s share of possession but didn’t really create a clear-cut chance of note. As in the first half, Derby then slowly eased themselves back into control and any thoughts of a comeback could be placed on the back burner.

The third Derby goal summed up the afternoon, a clumsy, poorly executed and largely unnecessary challenge by Bennett felled Jason Knight and the ensuing spot kick was coolly converted by Chris Martin, leaving Rovers very definitely in trouble. Still time however, for one more example of the inability to T-CUP was to follow, with the hapless John Buckley rightly red carded, for an “over-exuberant” let’s say, challenge on Curtis Davies. A truly dispiriting afternoon all round.

It reminded me of a young(er) Lewis Travis getting sent off away at Portsmouth in the promotion season. Coming on as sub, desperately keen to make an impression and so doing, but for all the wrong reasons. Travis learned from it, Buckley will too.

Where to next for Rovers? Astoundingly, despite a run of form yielding a paltry three points out of the last twelve, Rovers still are adrift of sixth by only three points, albeit with just nine games remaining. 

The crucial difference now though, is that from tenth position, Rovers have to somehow close that points gap and simultaneously perform better than at least four other teams currently above them. On the "last six games" current form table, Rovers are just outside the top six. Millwall seem to be the dark horses who are timing their run but keep half an eye on QPR and Reading.

With a number of European matches now being played behind closed doors thanks to coronavirus and rising concerns as to the public health implications, the outcome of any football match needs as always to be kept in perspective; notwithstanding Bill Shankly.

Rovers best performance of the season is quite possibly the impressive away win at Ashton Gate last December. Failure to complete the double over the Robins on Saturday will surely consign the lingering top six dreams to the dustbin. Curiously, that might just relieve the pressure and help eliminate the “top six stress” apparently burdening the side. 

Might that in turn allow greater freedom of expression and potentially improve results? Maybe this is all part of a cunning plan? If it comes off it’s genius, “thinking creatively under pressure” perhaps? Forget T-CUP, Sunday was more akin to a mug’s game. Rovers now need to find a special brew to restore all the feelings that we get from you.