Derby County (0) 0-2 (1) Doncaster Rovers
0-1 Billy Sharp (21)
0-2 James Coppinger (90+)
Pride Park Stadium, Derby: 28,734.
Derby County (4-4-2): -
Stephen Bywater [5] – GK – Had no chance with either goal and generally didn’t have a great deal to do throughout the game, although he did make one fantastic save to push a goal bound shot over the bar. Came out a couple of times to collect the ball at the feet of an onrushing striker. Provided a scary moment at 0-1 when he was adjudged to have handled outside the box, receiving a yellow card, not a red. Contributed to Doncaster’s second goal with a wayward throw-in, but at least he showed urgency as the Rams chased the game. His distribution was very poor.
Paul Connolly [6] – RB – A solid game by Connolly defensively, where he was strong in the tackle and held his position well. His passing was improved, but his crosses and free-kicks were poor as he failed to clear the first defender time and time again.
Dean Leacock [6] – CB(R) – For the most part Leacock had a very solid game, being particularly strong in the air. He tackled well and showed composure in bringing the ball out of defence. On a couple of occasions though he lost possession in dangerous positions through trying to be too clever.
Jay McEveley [4] – CB(L) – Unfortunately McEveley had a game he will want to forget. Became Father Christmas on 21 minutes when he passed the ball straight to Billy Sharp for the striker to run on and score. Never really recovered after that and was involved in Doncaster’s second goal when he allowed James Coppinger to dispossess him as he tried to control Bywater’s wayward throw-in. His passing was poor and he punted a long ball forward far too often.
Dean Moxey [6] – LB – Defensively Moxey had a good game where he was strong on the deck and in the air. Going forward, his passing was below par, and his crossing was very poor.
Paul Green [5] – RM – Not a natural wide midfielder and he looked uncomfortable out there. Never once tried to take on the full-back or his opposite wide midfielder, and never ran into space behind them to receive a pass. Was a passenger for much of the game. Moved into central midfield when Lee Croft came on after 65 minutes and looked more at home there. Made some good runs forward and was more involved in the final 25 minutes.
Robbie Savage [5] – CM(R) – Not the best of games, Savage’s first two passes went out into touch, and he struggled to impose himself on the game after that. Once Doncaster scored, they were happy to sit back and pack the midfield and defence with players, showing little inclination to attack. Savage’s strengths of closing down, tackling, and short passing were essentially minimised and the Rams captain was unable to affect the game positively. Savage’s delivery from corners was poor and he was substituted after 65 minutes.
Stephen Pearson [7] – CM(L) – Voted Man of the Match by Rams fans and Pearson was Derby County’s best player. He passed the ball well and looked to make his trade mark forward runs. Linked well with Moxey and Gary Teale down the left. Had a couple of opportunities to get in a shot, but needed too much time allowing the defenders to get a tackle in.
Gary Teale [5] – LM – Teale saw a lot of the ball out wide but was unable to do much with it against the very impressive James Chambers. Teale’s runs often saw Chambers win the ball off him and, when Teale did get into a good position, his crosses were poor. His corner taking was also below par. Hit one first-half shot well wide, but was unlucky with a pile-driver that deflected wide off a defender.
Paul Dickov [5] – SC – Wasn’t able to get into the game and influence it because the service up to him was poor. Too often Derby County resorted to a long ball game and Dickov was never going to win headers against strong, tall central defenders. The crosses into the box from both wings, for the most part, either failed to clear the first defender or were easy for goalkeeper Neil Sullivan to catch.
D. J. Campbell [5] – SC – Suffered from the same lack of support as Dickov and, consequently, was never able to show his pace. Did produce one good turn and shot but Sullivan saved it well. Got caught offside a few times.
Substitutes: -
Chris Porter [7] – SC (for Dickov, 56) – Made a difference to Derby’s attack as soon as he came. His first touch was with his back to goal, he controlled the ball, turned with it, ran at the defence, and laid it off well. Looking more mobile than Rob Hulse, Porter won more than his fair share of headers and was much more involved than any other Rams striker. Had a couple of opportunities, heading onto the roof of the net once, and directing another header wide.
Rob Hulse [5] – SC (for Campbell, 56) – Failed to make much of an impression as the target man against a packed Doncaster defence with three central defenders. Didn’t really get into the game, but did have two good opportunities from close range but needed too long each time allowing a defender to put a foot in and clear the danger.
Lee Croft [5] – RM (for Savage, 65) – Found it difficult to get into the game and influence it. Had one good header across the face of the goal but no Rams striker was able to get on the end of it. Made a couple of good runs but the resultant crosses were too close to Sullivan and he caught them easily.
Substitutes not used: Saul Deeney, Jake Buxton, Jake Livermore, Lee Hendrie.
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