Frustration as Rams fail to find a finish in Preston draw
A QUARTER of the Championship campaign has been completed and this most bizarre of seasons for Derby County is accompanied by a collection of odd statistics.
The table shows them bottom on three points from their dozen League games and yet they have the joint best defensive record in the division, they have kept clean sheets in half of their matches and only the top two – Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion – have lost fewer games.
Billy Sharp’s 89th-minute penalty for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane last month is the only time the ball has been in the Rams net in the last six and a half hours of football. They have racked up three consecutive clean sheets and they sit 12th in the form table over the last six fixtures.
All of this fuels hope that Wayne Rooney’s determined, committed team of experienced free agents and youngsters in the early stages of their careers can make history by completing “The Great Escape” this season.
No team has survived in the Championship having been deducted 12 points, the automatic penalty punishment handed down to Derby for the club going into administration.
They have lodged an appeal against the points penalty and we await the outcome of deliberations of an independent arbitration panel who will consider representations from both parties before making a decision.
Any reduction would be a huge bonus in Derby’s battle to beat the drop, as would any leniency when it comes to a potential further points punishment, but they must also help themselves by sharpening their cutting edge.
That was the one frustration from Saturday’s goalless draw against Preston North End at Deepdale.
Rarely should a point on the road by sniffed at, but Derby were the better side on the day and they should have returned back down the M6 with three points. They had more of the ball – 62% to Preston’s 38% – had more attempts at goals (17 to the home side’s eight), had more on target and won the corner count 10-4.
Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen spent a busy afternoon denying Ravel Morrison (twice), Tom Lawrence, Festy Ebosele, Phil Jagielka and Graeme Shinnie. When Derby beat Iversen, Curtis Daves’ header came back off the bar.
Davies delivered one of a number of impressive contributions.
Jagielka, back after missing two games through injury, was dominant at the heart of the defence, while in front of him and Davies the midfield pairing of Shinnie and Max Bird stood out; Shinnie with his tenacity and willingness to cover every blade of grass, Bird with his composure on the ball.
His confidence in receiving possession and keeping Derby ticking over is growing by the game.
“I think we did really well in the first half and created some good chances, and in the second half we played some good stuff too. We said in the dressing room that it is not often that you play away from home and are disappointed with only getting a point,” said Bird.
There was so much to admire in Derby’s performance but their Achilles heel, a worrying shortage of goals, continues to nag away, as it did all last season.
Hopefully, what has become a long-standng problem will not ultimately prove damaging and, therefore, decisive as the season continues to unfold.
They have to win games when on top as much as they were at Deepdale, but this was the fifth time in the last seven outings they have failed to score and they have the joint-worst scoring record in the division, alongside Barnsley’s seven goals.
“We are trying to find ways of scoring more goals because it is not through lack of chances because we are creating chances, maybe a lack of composure or not being ruthless enough in front of goal. We have to score more goals, it is as simple as that,” said Rooney.
Tight contests can often be decided by fine margins and Derby could also do with a touch of luck or a decision going their way.
Rooney felt his team should have had a couple of penalties. The first when Festy Ebosele went down under a challenge and then when Ebosele’s cross appeared to strike a Preston hand in the area.
Ebosele stepped in at right-back for the suspended Nathan Byrne and the 19-year-old produced a display of exciting rawness mixed wth power and pace.
“He did well,” said Rooney. “I think Festy is a huge talent. He is raw, he will make mistakes but what
he gives you is moments in games. He is a threat for us.”
On the task ahead, Rooney added: “Our job is clear, my job is clear, the players know what we have to do. We have to keep picking up points.
“If it (a further points deduction) comes, it comes. If it doesn’t, then great. We know potentially we could have a massive season.
“We could do something no-one has done before, we can create history, although that’s not saying it’s a record we would want but this is where we are at.
“The players understand where we are at and that it’s not of their making. They are in a very good place, those who start and those who come on.
“I couldn’t ask any more of them and what they have given me and I have no doubt whatsoever they will keep giving me performances and their energy every game.”
Next up is a home game against Luton Town tomorrow night.