It’s a sign of how low things have got that I’m actually viewing a goalless draw at home against Barnsley as a positive result.
In truth it was a poor game between two poor teams who were both more interested in not losing than they were winning. Consequently the game had few chances and it’s a very long time since I’ve witnessed a game where neither goalkeeper was seriously tested in the entire 90 minutes.
Even when Jamie Ward got past the keeper, with an open goal at his mercy, he was unable to get his shot on target.
Derby County have now scored just four goals in their last eleven Npower Championship league games and it was easy to see why in the performance against Barnsley.
I can’t help thinking that Saturday’s game represented a huge missed opportunity for both sides. More ambition, more of a willingness to take the game to the opposition, and a win would’ve been there for the taking – for either side.
The inclusion of Tomasz Cywka, easily the Rams man of the match in my opinion, was a positive step but his creativity wasn’t enough on its own. Too many players looked short of confidence, too many players were unwilling to get forward and take risks, too many passes went astray and, most significantly, shots and headers sailed wide of the target.
I feel sorry for Alberto Bueno. The young Spaniard may be a little bit lightweight and pushed off the ball easily but he is also our most skilful and creative player. Derby County haven’t got another player who can control the ball, turn on a sixpence, find space in a crowded midfield, and bring other players into the game. Nigel Clough isn’t picking Bueno because “if Alberto is going to play, we have to give him the ball and we don't feel confident enough to be able to do that at the moment on a regular basis throughout the game” but if the manager won’t even send him on as a substitute in a home game that is crying out to be won then Clough might as well tell Bueno to pack his bags and catch the next flight back to Real Valladolid.
A cautious mentality clearly emanated from the manager and his coaching staff. With the game drifting towards a goalless draw all of the attack-minded Derby County substitutes remained on the bench. There was no opportunity for Bueno, Steven Davies or Chris Porter to try and win the game with fresh legs.
After a disastrous run of five straight home defeats, and an overall run of just 10 points from the last 51 available (17 games – 2 wins, 4 draws, 11 defeats), I can see why Derby County would want to hold onto the point…but wouldn’t three points for a win have been so much better?
With eleven games remaining, the Rams now sit a mere six points above the relegation zone. Yes, a draw stopped the rot but it still looks like a missed opportunity to me. The Rams haven’t won at home since November 20th 2010. Only one of our remaining opponents at home (Coventry City) are below Barnsley in the league table so getting that elusive home win will be so much tougher against the likes of Swansea City, Leeds United, Burnley and Bristol City.
I’m now hopeful rather than confident that Derby County will avoid relegation but if the Rams do go down I fear it will be the manager’s negative and cautious approach to home games that will have sealed our fate.
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