A tale of 2 halves

A tale of 2 halves and a few things made clear to Frank Lampard IMO.

First half we bossed it as we did against Notts. 2 best chances fell to...... who else? Luke Thomas. His first defelcted off a defender onto the woodwork. His 2nd was well save by their keeper. Carson had to make 2 stops, both straight at him. It was the same fluent game that we saw the Rams play Notts County. The only thing missing was goals.

2nd half the Stags started better than in the 1st and really shone when they changed the team after about 60 minutes. With fresh legs they pressed and harried and forced errors that led to goals. The first Pearce passed back to Roos putting the ball to his wrong foot. The pass was also underweight and Roos was put under huge pressure, mi**** the ball with his weaker foot. it went staright to a Mansfield player that Pearce hadn't followed into the box and it was 1-0. A parried save by their keeper saw Nuge pounce on the ball and pass to Bennett who tucked away from 7 yards. 1-1. They continued to press anf harry Derby into mistakes and yet another saw Bogle bring one of theirs down clumsily. Penalty. It went in. 2-1. Derby pressed for a way back and following a period of pressure they cleared the ball and countered in numbers. A long pass from the back to half way was put forward to their centre half who unselfishly passed wider to a team mate who put the ball away. Roos had to get to the centre forward as the central defenders were nowhere to be seen.... the ball was put into the empty net.

Derby County (First-Half):
Carson - Totally untroubled. Will be 1st choice keeper
Hanson - Right back, centre half or DM? Jack of all trades master of none. Doomed to be Mr utility when needed
Lowe - Played the full 90. Fordyth not available for some reason. Needs to learn to use his right foot. Sound enough.
Wisdom - looked comfortable. I would be happy to see him partner Captain davies at CH
Davies - Captain and 1st choice CH
Huddlestone - regular starter. Mr cool, cam and collected
Thomas - Another good half. Needs to learn he has more than 1 foot.
Bryson - Another useful hour
Jerome - Put himself about but 1st touch still needs working on
Ledley - Steady eddie. Nothing spectacular but always where you want him
Lawrence - Again very lively and another I see having a regular start

Derby County (Second-Half):
Roos - Made the one error but the Pearce and Mansfield player combo proved fatal
Lowe - See 1st half comments
Thomas (Bennett, 63’) - Bennett very good in this cameo and got his 2nd goal of pre season. Matchday squad is calling
Bryson (Butterfield, 72’) - Butterfield didn't excite but he did only get 18 minutes
Lawrence (Blackman, 72’) - Blackman, read Butters
Bogle - Very promising. Won't make the error he did for the penalty again IMO. Not sure it was his man he had to get back to stop.....
Keogh - Looked shaky when put under pressure
Pearce - See Keogh
Thorne - Short of match practice. Too conservative in his approach.
Johnson - not impressed. 2 fouls in his first 4 minutes on the park. I don't see hime being a regular starter
Nugent - Better tha Jerome. Assist for Bennett's goal. Busy around the park.

Still Martin, Vydra, Fozzy and the 2 new guys to factor in plus the longer term injuries as well when fit.