Preston 1 Derby 2

I was in the unusual position yesterday of actually being able to go to an away match - these days only come about once in blue moon for me, so I eagerly grasped the opportunity to be stuck in traffic on the M6 for well over an hour. The things we do to support our club.

Upon arrival in Preston, I discovered our starting 11:

    Derby's starting 11 (@Ed_DawesBeeb)

So, 5 changes from the team that slumped to defeat against Leeds. George Thorne, or 'Gorgeous George' had not recovered from his injury against Leeds and as a result our captain Chris Baird was to deputise in holding midfield. As a result, in came Cyrus Christie at right back with Stephen Warnock arriving in place of Craig Forsyth at left back. Surprisingly as well, Lee Grant was given a starting position in goal, replacing Scott Carson. Out also went Jeff Hendrick and Jamie Hanson, for deadline day arrivals Jacob Butterfield and Bradley Johnson.

Barely having got to my seat, the match started. There were the usual opening exchanges with each team feeling out the other, with it quickly becoming apparent that Derby were not going to dominate possession like we normally have. The team seemed happy to drop back deep and only press when Preston ventured towards the box. How much of this was pre-planned by Clement is hard to say, but I suspect it was partly forced by personnel changes; with Thorne injured and Will Hughes out for most likely the rest of the season, we lack someone who can dominate the midfield. In choosing Baird to fill the Thorne-shaped hole in midfield Clement went for experience instead of the youthful exuberance of Hanson. With two new additions in midfield with someone who is by trade a defender, it was always unlikely that we would win in the possession stats; the understanding between players required for that to happen hasn't been built yet.

Paul Clement was forced into making changes to his starting 11

Preston set up with a 3-5-2 formation, looking to overwhelm Derby in midfield and for the most part it worked. One of the drawbacks for them however was that when Derby broke down the wings their wing backs were unable to get back in time. Russell in particular, terrorised Preston captain Tom Clarke, giving a masterclass of incisive, purposeful running in the first half. Although in Clarke's defence, the wing back in front of him, Marnick Vermijl, gave him no protection whatsoever. Compare that to the opposite wing where Tom Ince, who I'm sure everyone will agree is a far more talented player than Russell, wasn't given an inch of space by Greg Cunningham. 

Derby's first goal came from a classic counter attack  with fortuitous beginnings. Shackell sliced a clearence straight to Russell who proceeded to charge around Clarke and over the half way line. He then launched a superb 30 yard, cross field ball right in to the path of the oncoming Chris Martin. Martin's first touch killed the ball and hee then rolled the ball under the keeper. A lovely goal, a perfect example of how to counter attack and remarkably the first time Derby have taken the lead this season. 

As always happens after a team scores a goal, Derby immediately went in search of another. This time Ince received the ball and proobabbly should have shot straight away wwith his right foot, but he opted to wait for the onrushing Johnson, who's poked effort drifted wide. After this, the first half bacame a game of cat and mouse, with no team really looking like breaking the other down. Preston's best bet was to get the ball to the lively Daniel Johnson who's forays down the Preston left were promising. Indeed, after cutting inside he lashed the ball towards goal but it was deflected into the arms of Grant. A warning shot. 

New signing Bradley Johnson (@dcfcofficial)

Before half time, Derby had a second goal. Russell again was the supplier, galloping from his own half of the pitch after picking up a loose ball. It seemed that sooner or later a Prston player would get in the way, but it didn't happen; he just kept running straight through the midfield towards the understandebly terrified Paul Huntington. After spinning Huntington, Russell was brought down and Derby had a free kick from the edge of the 'D'. Martin immediately stomped over, placed the ball down and blasted a curling shot towards the far corner. Such was the pace on the shot I'm not suure the keeper would have saved it even if he'd seen it coming. 

Chris Martin blasts in a free kick (@dcfcofficial)

Half time came and went with no incident, although just after the break Preston made changes; Stevie May on for Vermijl and Eoin Doyle on for the anonymous Will Keane. This change signalled a change in formation that threw Derby of balance, with Preston going 3 up top, forcing Derby deeper. Matters weren't helped when Clement took off Butterfield for Hendrick, opting to increase the physicality of the midfield. Instead, Derby found it even harder to find and hold onto the ball. 

Simon Grayson then made his final throw of the dice, bringing on winger Chris Humphrey for John Welsh. Preston took control, but did not really threaten Grant's net until late into the second half. Joe Garner's snapshot hit the post and rebounded into Grant's arms, and a Doyle shot on the turn was superbly turned round the post. 

With 8 minutes to go, Baird and Garner clashed heads in the Derby penalty area and a lengthy stoppage ensued. An unconscious Baird would eventually be stretchered of the pitch and taken to hospital where he was later given the all clear. This left Derby in an awkward position as at this point Clement had uused all of his substitutions, with Andreas Weimann and Craig Forsyth having replaced Ince and Warnock respectively. 

Having to play the 13 minutes of stoppage time with 10 men, Derby battened doown the hatches. In the 5 minute of injury time, Weimann had the chance to wrap up all 3 points but his powerful shot from the edge of the area was too close to the keeper and it was pushed away. It looked like Derby might be punished for this when, with several minutes to go a shot by Johnson was deeflected into the net by Shackell, but Derby held on to take the spoils. 

Jacob Butterfield congratulates Chris Martin (@dcfcofficial)

A vital win. Even though the performance wasn't the greatest, those 3 points will go along way to settling people down and taking some pressure off Clement's shoulders. To be honest though this is the game we should be winning if we want promotion this season. It looks a bit grim for Preston I have to say; they have a lack of pace at the back and their defence doesn't look comfortable playing the ball out from the the back. To make this worse they don't appear to have the physical presence up front to allow them to play it long which is what will happen if teams wise up and press them high up the pitch. However, I understand Jermaine Beckford wasn't fit for them and if he get fit his goals could fire them to safety. 

Performances

Lee Grant - Looked confident, pulling off the types of saves we've come to expect from him and claiming crosses. Was helpless for the goal, there's nothing you can do about those.

Cyrus Christie - A bit of a mixed bag really. On one hand he tried hard too support Ince going forward, but his crossing  left a lot to be desired. Defensively, he did reasonably well, but he showed Johnson inside too often instead of forcing him out to the touchline. 

Richard Keogh - Did well against a nippy Joe Garner who gave up competing with Keogh for the ball after about 20 minutes. As usual put his body on the lin, but it seemed as if he was panicking towards the end of the match (I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on this one, I was to far away too bee completly sure).

Jason Shackell - Dominated Garner when he moved away from Keogh. Did very well to keep his cool as he kept getting sly digs from th Preston number 14 when the referee wasn't looking.

Stephen Warnock - Did okay, wasn't really tested defensively. Didn't go forward at all, in fact, I don't think he left the Derby half all match. At times, was muscled off the ball far too easily for a man of his build and experience. 

A combination of Lee Grant and Stephen Warnock clear the ball (@dcfcofficial)

Chris Baird - Did what he was expected to do, marshalled the defense and gave the ball to more talented ball players when given the chance.


Jacob Butterfield - I was impressed with what I saw. He looked comfortable with the ball on either foot (a rare talent these days) and willing to try risky passes in the opposition third. Not sure why he was taken off, but it's no coincidence we struggled to keep the ball after he went off.  

Bradley Johnson - Looked good, willing to run forward without the ball and provide Martin with support up front. Snapped into tackles, not afraid to throw his weight about annd certainly not afraid to shoot. One thing I could perhaps say is that on several occasions he was sow to get back and cover in midfield. In particular, for Johnson's goal, he should have been there to block the ball, before it reached Shackell.

Tom Ince - A frustrating afternoon for the talented winger. He was doubled, even tripled up on for parts of the game, but on the other hand he should have released the ball quicker on several occasions. He looks a player short of confidence, but at the same time, he's tracking back and putting a shift in. Things will click in time. 

Johnny Russell - If that cross for the first goal had been done by Rooney, we'd never hear the end of it. Absolutely superb vision and technique. His decision making was also much improved than ver the past couple of weeks. Understandably tired in the second half. 

Johnny Russell takes on Tom Clarke (@dcfcofficial)

Chris Martin - Gave a masterclass in the target man role up front, giving all 3 of Preston's centre backs a game single handedly. Whether he was dropping deep or running beyond, he had them grasping at thin air at times. Superb taken goals, especially the first one, making it look easy to control that type of ball on the run. He should be taking free kicks from now on.

Jeff Hendrick - Looked a bit off the pace when he came on, struggling to keep the ball. Made one good run to set up Weimann for a shot towards the end of the match, but by and large the game passed him by.

Andreas Weimann - tried hard when came on, eager to impress. Should have done better with his chance.

Craig Forsyth - not really on the pitch long enough to make an impact. 

Parting Thoughts

• Have Derby been struck by a gypsy curse stating that all midfielders will get injured this season? By my count, in 6 league games this season Derby have had to make 7 enforced changes in midfield during the game due to injured players. 
• I really like the new 3rd kit. In fact I like all the kits this season, it's just a shame about the sponsors logo. 
• I can't believe there were people saying we should sell Russell in the summer. He's really proving his worth so far this season, with Ince not currently providing the goods on the opposite wing.