The defeat against Sheffield United at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday was disappointing on a number of different levels.
Firstly, after a 100% start to Derby County’s Coca-Cola Championship campaign at home, it was disappointing to go down to a narrow 1-0 defeat.
Secondly, it was disappointing that Mark Bunn in the Sheffield United goal hardly had a shot to save. Lee Croft was unable to provide any real service, Gary Teale’s crosses were all too close to young Bunn, and Stephen Pearson and Paul Green didn’t really get forward enough to support our lone striker Rob Hulse.
Thirdly, it was disappointing to drop into the bottom half of the table. Derby County are now 15th in the Coca-Cola Championship league table…but the Rams are still one point above Nottingham Forest.
Fourthly, it was disappointing that Sheffield United’s best chances came from our own ability to shoot ourselves in the foot.
The Blades’ disallowed goal came about because Miles Addison tried to be clever some 35-yards out, got caught in possession by Jamie Ward, and if Darius Henderson had anticipated the rebound more intelligently, and not ran himself into an offside position, Derby County would have been a goal down early in the first half.
The only goal of the game resulted from a needless free-kick given away by Shaun Barker. What was he thinking? The Sheffield United striker was going nowhere, heading away from goal, away from the penalty area, in the general direction of the corner flag. Barker was shepherding him away from danger well until, inexplicably, he shoved him in the back. Barker wasn’t even subtle about it, two hands raised, palms forward, a hefty shove in the back. Blatant from my position in the East Stand Upper opposite the halfway line. The referee and his assistants couldn’t fail to spot it.
And so, our big signing of the summer, stupidly and unnecessarily concedes the free-kick that leads directly to the goal that wins the game. What a debut for the man who was signed to shore up our defence. What a disappointment?
But it’s only one game, one mistake, and hopefully he learns his lesson quickly because Barker did look promising. After a couple of nervy early touches, I thought he was getting better as the game wore on. Barker looked solid in the air, good in the tackle, and has some pace.
But, despite all these disappointments, surprisingly I don’t feel too down after the loss to Sheffield United. After losing to Burnley in last season’s playoff final, and with money to spend, the Blades are the team most likely to push the relegated trio of Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, and West Bromwich Albion for an automatic promotion spot. If Sheffield United are one of the top teams in this division then Derby County aren’t too far away. Barker’s aberration aside, I’m sure the game would have finished in a goalless stalemate. The only difference between the two sides over 90 minutes was that the Rams made too many errors.
Fortunately the fixture list throws up another home game against rock-bottom Barnsley on Tuesday night. It should present a good opportunity for Derby County to end a run of two defeats on the bounce. A return to winning ways at home would be very nice and another three points would make the league table look a lot better.
Come on, Derby!...