Warnock’s blast for Jagielka over rash tackle on Howson
BOSS Neil Warnock claimed Middlesbrough sub Jonny Howson was lucky to survive a leg break because of a Phil Jagielka tackle in a bruising game.
Jagielka felled Howson in front of the two benches in the second half and Warnock stormed: “I thought it should have been a straight red.
“When you look at it, it’s horrific. How he’s not broken Howson’s leg in two or three places I don’t know.
“Howson is OK now but he’s got stud marks down his leg. He said he saw it coming so he made a movement away and he just stopped the impact.
“If that impact had gone across Howson’s shin it would have snapped his leg in two.”
Jagielka, making his home debut for Derby, was shown a yellow card by busy ref Andy Davies who also booked the Rams’ Nathan Byrne plus Lee Peltier, Marcus Tavernier, Marc Bola and Boro’s Isaiah Jones.
The game was red blooded and Derby manager Wayne Rooney praised his team for not being bullied by Boro.
“I thought we played well in the first half but then what I feared happened – we were drawn into the way Middlesbrough play. But we weren’t bullied.”
Veteran Jagielka is on a short-term deal but Derby could do with him for their long-term fight for survival.
Rooney is begging, loaning and persuading players to join the hard-up club.
And Jagielka, 39, could be his star – despite the tackle that brought Warnock’s fury.
Jagielka and Curtis Davies, 36, have a combined age of 75 at the heart of Derby’s defence. Middlesbough couldn’t break them down and Jagielka, who played for Warnock at Sheffield United, finished with a cut head.
Derby’s transfer embargo means free agent Jagielka is only on a six-month deal.
“They just glued up the cut and we got Jagielka back out there,” said Rooney.
“I played with Jagielka at Everton, he was captain there for about 10 years. He has great experience.”
Derby have not conceded a goal in the two games the veteran has played in and Rooney added: “Jagielka and Davies were excellent.
“Jagielka is a leader who brings a lot of calmness to the team.
“He has been doing what he did today for years.”
When Boro did break through keeper Kelle Roos made a good save at point-blank range from Howson, who had only been on for four minutes.
“I don’t think Howson could have done any more with that header,” said Warnock.
“Sometimes you have to say that it was a good save.”
Matt Crooks hit the crossbar with a header late on but Boro goalkeeper Joe Lumley also needed smart saves to deny Max Bird as Derby threatened.
DERBY: Roos 7; Byrne 6, Jagielka 8, Davies 7, Forsyth 6; Bird 7, Shinnie 7; Sibley 6 (Stretton (64th) 5), Morrison 6, Jozwiak 6 (Buchanan 82nd); Baldock 6 (Watson (71st) 5)
MIDDLESBROUGH: Lumley 7; Peltier
6 (Howson (58th) 5), McNair 7, Fry 6, Bola 6; Morsy 6; Dijksteel 6, Tavernier
6, Crooks 6,Jones 6; Ikpeazu 7 (Coburn
79th
STAR MAN: Phil Jagielka
REF: A Davies