McGhee's quotes are also spot on saying "we were shown up at times. We did not cope with their movement, forward play and tempo".
The 700+ turn out was more than I expected after the long haul to Sunderland just a few days ago. Once again the whole end was ours, and for once there was a bit of an atmosphere from the home supporters.
When I saw the team my heart sank, Oatway still in, Carpenter out, Hinshlewood in midfield! Why?
We should have taken the lead after 7 minutes when Knight powered a diving header goalward, but too high. Derby replied by going 1 up. Harding failed to put in a challenge and the Derby player skilfully cut in and drove the ball into the far corner, Kuipers was at full stretch but didn't get a hand to the ball.
After that it was backs to the wall.
Cullip sliced a ball onto his own bar, they hit the bar from an attack down the left, El-Abd could not get near Reich and he was exposed time and time again.
After 35+ minutes Carpenter was on for El-Abd and Hinshelwood dropped to right back to receive the same treatment. I was relieved to only be 1 down at half time.
Second half and the game was all over in the first couple of minutes. Harding once again IMHO backed off and the next thing the ball was in the net.
Carpenter was struggling and Oatway hardly involved. Hammond was taken off for Piercy shortly after the 2nd goal. Hinshelwood had our second chance after that, but he failed to get any power on a shot and it was cleared off the line.
We had one other half chance after great work by Knight but Harding managed to swing the boot and the ball passed between his legs and was cleared.
The last sub bemused me even more than the team selection. 2 down and not threatening up front, so on comes Mayo for Oatway, he goes to left back and hard man Harding takes on the central midfield role!
Why leave Jarrett on the bench at that stage? Mayo gave away the third goal towards the end, but by then the game was well and truly lost.
Our worst display of the season, but Derby did look good, or did we make them look good?
Kuipers - 7 some good blocks
El-Abd - 4 exposed for pace, but he wont face a tougher opened than Reich all season
Harding - 3 bring back Mayo
Cullip - 6 left exposed on both wings
Butters - 6 solid with Cullip but always tough when cross after cross is allowed
Currie - 7 my MOTM, didn't give up
Hammond - 5 out of the game for long periods
Oatway - 4 not good enough
Hinshelwood - 4 had a tough night all night
Virgo - 3 control was poor
Knight - 7 along with Currie never stopped all night
Carpenter - 4 all out of sorts. Ill? Injured?
Piercy - 5 game was lost when he came on
Mayo - 5 as above
May and Jarrett not used
Mark R