In a first for the blog, this article is written by my dad. He’s been a Town fan for 60 years and is the reason I’m a fan too. Here are his thoughts on the Derby draw:
Bums on seats
First of all let me say that it was really good to be back at a real football match at the tidy Pride Park with no crowd restrictions despite fewer bums on seats than might be expected for a season opener. The atmosphere and the noise in and around the stadium made me realise just how much I had missed it over the past 18 months.
A patchy affair
The match itself was a patchy affair with too many stoppages, especially in the first half, due to a plethora of petty and not so petty fouls and injuries. Both looked like teams that hadn’t played together before with passes going astray and goal chances squandered. To be fair, Derby’s transfer embargo, dire financial position and Town’s Covid outbreak meant that both teams had a cobbled together look.
In the end the points were evenly divided, as was the game and Town’s prospects for the rest of the season.
On the plus side Town played with energy and commitment. The effort could not be faulted and that could not be said for every game last season. We kept our shape reasonably well and our discipline under a barrage of hefty challenges.
Special mentions for Thomas, Colwill and High
The real highlight of the day was the emergence of Sorba Thomas. He has the potential to become a first class winger if he can be nurtured with care and patience He showed against Derby the ability to get round full backs and deliver pinpont crosses from both open play and set pieces.
Colwill already looks to be a good solid centre back with the added bonus of showing the desire and ability to push forward whenever possible.
Scott High still needs polish and is very much work in progress but there is raw talent here along with boundless energy and no little skill. All three show signs of adding a little extra to the squad that was missing last season.
Old failings
On the downside some old failings showed themselves yet again. We still lack any punch up front. Chances were created but none taken by our forwards. Take your pick from Rhodes, Ward or Campbell but none look capable of netting 10 goals in a season let alone the 20 you might expect from our main striker.
Defensive vulnerabilities remain. Derby’s goal was a sloppy affair and the corner should have been cleared easily by Holmes at the near post. Even in the build up to the corner that produced the goal the ball was bobbling about in our penalty area and we failed to clear on at least 3 occasions. Nabby Sarr overall had a good game and his ability to put his head to set pieces is a real asset to the club. He does, however, tend to slip into bad habits, along with his fellow defenders, as he did against Derby with weak clearances and allowing opposing forwards to get the wrong side of him.
A glimmer of hope
On balance there was some encouragement, especially as this is unlikely to be our regular starting line up and shape with several key players unavailable. Derby will be far from our strongest opponents in the Championship and it might be wise to judge our prospects after the upcoming games against Fulham and Sheffield United who are likely to be in the top 6 frame at the end of the season. But – say it with caution – there is a glimmer of hope that this season may be better than last – not an automatic promotion nor even a play off place but perhaps a top half finish.
Players Ratings
Ryan Schofield 7
I am not his biggest fan but a reasonable game with a match saving stop in the dying minutes.
Matty Pearson 6
One or two dodgy moments but otherwise solid.
Nabby Sarr 7
Well taken goal and generally good but see above.
Levi Colwill 7
Good all round performance. Didn’t get forward as much as in pre-season but this guy shows promise.
Ollie Turton 6
Not outstanding but a sound performance
Scott High 6
Full of drive and enthusiasm but his lack of experience shows through in his positional play.
Jonathan Hogg 6
Solid and workmanlike as usual.
Duane Holmes 6
I nearly forgot to assess Holmes but it is hardly surprising as – other than his error on their goal – it was a fairly forgettable performance.
Sorba Thomas 8
A man-of-the-match performance but will he be given as much space and time against better opposition? Lets hope so!
Danny Ward 5 and Jordan Rhodes 5
Not much on offer from either other than undisputed commitment but little quality. Both being substituted just after the hour says it all.
Sub Josh Koroma 6
Showed a few good touches
Sub Frazier Campbell 4
Could have and should have scored at least one of the two chances offered to him as the game opened up
Sub Danel Sinani N/A.
(These ratings were written by my dad before he’d read my players rating article yesterday. Interestingly, the numbers are fairly similar; clearly the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Thanks to my dad for writing this article. Normal service will resume shortly.)
I have been a Town fan for perhaps slightly longer than your Dad (an early memory was hearing Charlton Athletic 7 Huddersfield Town 6 on the wireless) but would concur with his assessments although I only had the radio commentary and the extended highlights as a basis.
Three abiding memories, for me, from the match were: Pearson’s defensive howlers continuing a recurring Town issue; what was Holmes thinking about (if anything) with his defensive near post header and Thomas- wow!
Your Dad is very good isn’t he? Give him a regular slot.
A Draw was A Fair Result Still Got A Problem with Jigsaw Schofield Goes To Peices in The Box Taking Crosses Terrible and his Punching is Alarming Forwards will always Get limited Opportunitys To Score in The System That Carlos Plays it will Cost him his job in the End
Agree with your dad’s picks of those three players – would add Naby to the mix and also say that Fraizer and Korma did well when they came on (Koroma should have come on earlier).
Dreaming of a top-20 finish.