|
The most alarming stat viewed by those in the stand was that Cameron Jerome’s goal was the only effort from City all game. The OPTA stats or whatever they use these days might give us another effort or two but the stark reality was we were once again woeful in the attacking third.
Actually we weren’t much better in the other thirds either. A couple of fans sang “Send in the Clowns” as City’s defence entertained the home support rather than defied the home attack.
Derby will be upset they came close to throwing away the win as City tried to put the Rams defence under pressure late on but it was too little too late.
The trip to Derby was a breeze. 10:25 train from Cardiff, change at Bristol Parkway and in Derby by 13:11. No hassle to get a pint opposite the station and then no hassle to get a beer and a pasty at the ground. The low point of the day was the football.
Paul Parry lasted until half time as the makeweight striker. At the break Alan Lee came on but by then we were 2 – 0 down. Some super skill from Bisgaard left Darlington for dead before scoring from an acute angle and then City were laughable as Darlington upended Smith in the box to give Derby a penalty. The defending prior to the foul was appalling. Of course Alexander doesn’t save penalties so we were 2 down and not even at the races.
City’s best chance of the first half was a cross into the box that Jerome completely missed. It would have registered as a chance if he’d have made contact. Not even a Jason Koumas free kick tested Camp the keeper.
The second half saw more action in the City half and Derby will be amazed they finished the game under pressure after dominating for so long. They were relieved to hear the final whistle before we nicked an undeserved equaliser.
Dave Jones needs to put a more offensive attitude into his squad. We are dreadful going forward and dodgy in defence. You can get away with leaking goals if you are banging them in at the other end but we are shocking in all departments.
It’s hardly two weeks into the season and we are in 21st place and facing a struggle already.
Unless we sign a new player Jones should play Lee from the start and let Parry play his more natural left sided role. If you thought it was hard to pick a City man of the match at the Watford game then at Derby it was impossible to select a player that impressed.