League One Tragedy Pt 2

A LOOK AT DERBY COUNTY’S LEAGUE ONE TRAGEDY – part two

By Tristan Best

Where we left off last time, Derby had managed to pull off a 2-1 win against Mansfield Town. After our triumph against the Stags, we held a match against Barnsley at Pride Park Stadium.

This event marked the 74th meeting between the two clubs, with their first game taking place in 1897. With an 8-1 victory for our lads in black and white, the game saw the Derby legend Steve Bloomer score an emphatic hat-trick. The Rams started the game with energy and persistency, with a special shout-out to Sibley for bringing a direct flow to the match especially on his stronger wand of a left foot, a corner led to the error that gave us the lead, with pressure from players such as Richard Stearman eight minutes in. The Barnsley defender Conor McCarthy turned the ball into his own net! Following this, the Rams managed to add another onto the tally, making it 2-0 before the half time break. Nathaniel MendezLaing finished off a quality delivery from Barkhuizen, with plenty of style while doing so. The stadium erupted with chants – “Derby! Derby!” – and James Collins had an opportunity to make it 3-0, but unfortunately dragged the ball widewards.

The Tykes scored a goal but ultimately fell short. Josh Benson scored this during the 64th minute, but despite this, the Rams held on tight for the next half-an-hour to claim their well needed three points.

Shrewsbury away

This game was an unfortunate affair as Derby didn’t manage to finish or create enough chances – Derby’s away approach and attitude must change if they are to achieve promotion back to their home league. Shrewsbury, on the other hand, managed to pull together a stronger team performance as they scrapped for the point. A few moments where both teams would have had the wheel swept by, but this was not the case.

If you believe in a positive mindset, you’ll be happy that we managed to gain a clean sheet, which would boost our defence’s morale.

Fleetwood Town away

Following the previous match the Rams failed yet again, on the goal front.

A sturdy defence I must admit but the lads lacked the killer instinct in the final third, with a gulf in class being made apparent. The Rams cornered the Cod army. Drumming them with nearly 30 shots. Nine on target for the Rams, the opposition fell short to good defending, as the Rams only allowed one on target, the entirety of the 90 minutes. A sharper sword when swung, produces a cleaner cut.

The EFL Cup second round

On the 23rd of August 2022, we held our own against our bitter West Midland rivals, West Brom. Did you know Derby have a perfect record against the Baggies in the Carabao Cup? Our keeper, Joe Wildsmith, luckily seemed widely awake during the match, producing a world class save early on, with the attacker being too close for comfort. I was personally surprised with the reaction time – incredible. If the forward had managed to steer the ball in the corner, Wildsmith would’ve struggled, no doubt. Our Academy Graduate Louie Sibley scored the only goal in this fixture – but honestly, he proved his point and showed exactly why he deserves his shirt and his starting place. A magnificent strike with his left boot went straight into the side netting – no stopping that. Following this, both sides managed to keep throwing blows, but with no exact luck.

Sibley nearly doubled his tally for the day. Special honours to him and his confidence – it’s great to see him taking a touch and letting it go. In the same breath, what a game and a well-deserved clean sheet for the 26-year-old shot-stopper. As each game goes by, you can see the potential of a few particular players shine, but in retrospect, you’d expect each individual player to shine, due to the fact that derby is rightfully a second-tier club, not a third-tier one. It’s hard to imagine where we would be at this point if it wasn’t for previous poor appointments. Maybe up with Nott’m Forest – who knows?