‘Dominant’ Rams delight the coach
PAUL Warne saluted one of Derby County’s “most dominant” performances of the season as they romped to a 3-0 win away against Bristol Rovers on Saturday to roar back into the automatic promotion positions in League One.
After a goalless first half, the Rams opened the scoring when Dwight Gayle bagged his second goal in two games when he prodded the ball over the line after Tom Barkhuizen’s shot had hit the bar.
Barkhuizen then got in on the act himself with a thumping finish following Nathaniel Mendez-laing’s pass before substitute Martyn Waghorn scored with a tap-in after some fine work by Korey Smith.
The win moved the Rams back into second and also equalled a club record of 12 away wins in one season that was achieved by previous teams in 2006-07 and 2004-05.
“In the first half we were excellent,” said Rams head coach Warne.
“It’s one of the most dominant displays we’ve had all season.
“I thought we were really good and in control and sometimes you don’t get what you deserve.
“You can sometimes come away in these games losing at a set-piece and they’re a big, strong team.
“Our three-zone men were excellent. Then we’re asking the lesser physical players to get in and around the Chris Martins of this world.
“That really pleased me how defensively sound we looked.
“And then Wardy (Joe Ward) was unplayable in the first half. He was really good.
“As always with our teams, because we try and have athletic teams, as the game gets more and more stretched, the more dangerous we looked.
“In the end, we could have won a lot more handsomely than we did but in moments we really stood up to the task, so I’m really pleased.”
Rovers boss Matt Taylor admitted his side were taught a lesson by the Rams.
The home side rarely threatened, with John Marquis perhaps having the best chance when he headed straight at Rams keeper Joe Wildsmith.
Asked if the Rams had been the best team to face Rovers this season, Taylor said: “You have to give respect to the teams above them or level with them in relation to points but certainly they are from those individual aspects.
“I thought they manned the game. They taught us a real lesson in terms of how to manage the game, how to manipulate certain situations.”
Derby were due to play Reading at home on Tuesday, after the ANT deadline.