‘Cheap’ goal is just right for starters as Baldock off the mark
SAM Baldock was thrilled to score a “cheap” goal and immediately get off the mark for Derby County on Wednesday night.
After signing for the Rams on Tuesday, he started the Championship clash away against Hull City and scored the only goal of the game.
The 32-year-old striker was on his toes to follow in Lee Buchanan’s shot, which was spilt by Tigers keeper Matt Ingram, and turn the rebound just inside the far post at the MKM Stadium.
“It is good to get a goal off my back early doors,” he told RamsTV. “It’s been a while since I’ve put the ball in the net, so it meant a lot to me.
“It was a good powerful run from Lee Buchanan for me to follow up on. I think Ravel Morrison tried to take the ball off him but Lee said ‘no’ and hit it well.
“You just have to follow those in to get one of those cheap ones. Fortunately it came my way.”
The win was the Rams’ first away from Pride Park since the middle of February when a last-minute Andre Wisdom goal beat Wycombe Wanderers.
“I think it was a thoroughly deserved win, and we saw the game out well,” Baldock added. “We played some good stuff in the first half and had some good chances.
“Luckily, we didn’t have to dwell on them for too long, and we can go home with the three points.
“When I signed (on Tuesday), I was already integrated into the squad with the three weeks I had in pre-season, so we got some good work in during that time.
“I know how the boys want to play and they know how I play, so, fortunately, we could hit the ground running.
“We have to be ambitious. We have a very strong squad and have some experienced players as well as some talented youngsters, so we hope to utilise everyone in a positive way and get some more positive results.”
Meanwhile, Tigers manager Grant
McCann bemoaned his side’s lack of potency in the final third of the field, with Rams keeper Kelle Roos only called on to make two saves all night.
McCann said: “We were not ourselves tonight. We were very safe and didn’t pass the ball or break the lines quickly enough.
“We didn’t look threatening and we know that we are. We also know there will be games this season when that happens but then at the very least you have to come away with a 0-0.
“We didn’t because we conceded a sloppy goal from a mistake.
“We’ve conceded three other goals this season from mistakes and it’s cost us.
“We know we won’t have it all our way this season because there are some good teams in this league.
“But we have got a very good group and I want the players to understand that they are, because we’re not here just to make up the numbers.”