Thoughts on yesterday

[RamBamFan]

I've returned from my pre-season (don't like checking here when there's no football because not much happens), to assess what I saw yesterday. Or rather the lack of what I saw yesterday.

Interesting team selection from Pearson.
1) He obviously still thinks Bent can do a job up front. Not sure what that was but nevertheless.
2) I think Johnson got picked because of Baird being at left back. Picking a more industrious winger than a more offensive one makes sense in those circumstances. Unfortunately though Johnson had one of the worst games I've seen from an individual for a while. Still didn't deserve to be cheered off. Was funny though.
3) I thought Blackman did alright. He offers something different out wide to what the generic tricky inside forward does. He could be a real asset against some teams this season.
4) Bryson was a passenger. He wasn't all over the place like he usually is. Maybe he got asked to hold his position more so didn't have the freedom. Would have still preferred Hughes though, who's defensive qualities I feel are often overlooked for just how ruddy brilliant he is going forward.
5) I felt there was a lot of pressure on Hendrick to perform considering the Euros he had and the interest surrounding him. We're expecting a lot more from him compared to last season when he was a rotation option in truth. This is a big season for him.
6) Christie was our best defender yesterday. Don't get to say that often so make the most of it.
7) Carson was very solid. Could have easily conceded a couple.
8) Baird did a job didn't he? He was there to fill a gap. The lack of width really told though. You either play it safe with Baird or take a gamble on Lowe. Maybe on the first day of the season playing it safe was the right call.
9) Slightly concerned by Keogh. Seemed a bit idle, in particular the chance that Glenn Murray had and should have scored.
10) I'm a fan of Ince in the number 10 role. Don't think Bent is the man he should be playing off though. When our defenders have the ball on the halfway line though I'd like him to offer himself more though. The truth is with Ince, is that on his day he's the best attacker in the division. He's extremely talented and if he influences a game more then he won't be in this division next season.

Address each point with the number please

[AngryRam]

I've returned from my pre-season (don't like checking here when there's no football because not much happens), to assess what I saw yesterday. Or rather the lack of what I saw yesterday.

Interesting team selection from Pearson.
1) He obviously still thinks Bent can do a job up front. Not sure what that was but nevertheless.
2) I think Johnson got picked because of Baird being at left back. Picking a more industrious winger than a more offensive one makes sense in those circumstances. Unfortunately though Johnson had one of the worst games I've seen from an individual for a while. Still didn't deserve to be cheered off. Was funny though.
3) I thought Blackman did alright. He offers something different out wide to what the generic tricky inside forward does. He could be a real asset against some teams this season.
4) Bryson was a passenger. He wasn't all over the place like he usually is. Maybe he got asked to hold his position more so didn't have the freedom. Would have still preferred Hughes though, who's defensive qualities I feel are often overlooked for just how ruddy brilliant he is going forward.
5) I felt there was a lot of pressure on Hendrick to perform considering the Euros he had and the interest surrounding him. We're expecting a lot more from him compared to last season when he was a rotation option in truth. This is a big season for him.
6) Christie was our best defender yesterday. Don't get to say that often so make the most of it.
7) Carson was very solid. Could have easily conceded a couple.
8) Baird did a job didn't he? He was there to fill a gap. The lack of width really told though. You either play it safe with Baird or take a gamble on Lowe. Maybe on the first day of the season playing it safe was the right call.
9) Slightly concerned by Keogh. Seemed a bit idle, in particular the chance that Glenn Murray had and should have scored.
10) I'm a fan of Ince in the number 10 role. Don't think Bent is the man he should be playing off though. When our defenders have the ball on the halfway line though I'd like him to offer himself more though. The truth is with Ince, is that on his day he's the best attacker in the division. He's extremely talented and if he influences a game more then he won't be in this division next season.

Address each point with the number please

Yes boss.
1. Bent did score a blinding header against the Germans.. Perhaps that what was so good in preseason. Huffed and puffed but at least showed as much as Martin last season.
2. Agreed but he was ****e.
3. Started well but have we set our sights low with Blackman. Still an expensive player and now we are happy with a decent 10 mins. I doubt he will be the answer for anything.
4. We get this midfield right and we will be okay.. Inconsistency again is our problem. One good game and then a couple of poor ones from most of them.. Managers nightmare.. Will someone please grow a pair and become a leader.
5. Time to sell...
6. Not sure, did okay but needed more from him going forward. His final ball and decision making need work.
7. Agreed but distribution is piss poor sometimes.
8. I see your point.
9. Carefull... Mista will be on telling you our Richard is God and not really a Richard 3rd. One for us Londoners there. Someone help Anag out if he is struggling.
10. Agreed.
11. Welcome back. What's your thoughts on Britex?

[swaledale]

I cant find anything to add RBF, a well reasoned and measured post, with no "wrist slashing", I think Pearson will have learnt a lot from that game and his approach is clearly going to be to get defensive solidity first and build from there and for me thats no bad thing.

[roger_ramjet]

17) He seemed to be lacking self confidence a little but there are dparks there that could be good given time

[ellafella]

17) He seemed to be lacking self confidence a little but there are dparks there that could be good given time

dparks Roger? Is that an ecumenical term?

[ellafella]

I cant find anything to add RBF, a well reasoned and measured post, with no "wrist slashing", I think Pearson will have learnt a lot from that game and his approach is clearly going to be to get defensive solidity first and build from there and for me thats no bad thing.

Very generous to Mr Pearson Swaledale methinks.
Let's face it...these players are good even I could get them top 6. All you need to do is pick the right players in the right positions. You don't even need a team talk.
My fear is that Mr Pearson will be unable to even get that right...and then will star to buy in his own players in the belief that it's the current players who are the problem. Steve McClaren came in and was able to get them playing well...will Pearson???

[ramAnag]

Welcome back RBF...thought you'd gone over to the yellow and green side, they certainly got off to an impressive start yesterday.
Agree with most of what you've put except about (6) Christie...thought most of Brighton's threat came down their left and that he was defensively weak. For me he has all the attributes of a decent right sided midfielder but remains an incomplete full back with a tendency to give away silly and dangerous free kicks.
Keogh's timing, particularly in the air, seemed (surprisingly Angry) all over the place yesterday. Ince, as usual, flattered to deceive and I'm just sad about Johnson...sure there's a decent - excellent even - player in there somewhere, but on the evidence so far he's a candidate for our worst value for money signing of all time. Just don't understand it, but after yesterday's reaction you could almost see the confidence drop out of him as he left the pitch.

[macstheman]

What NP and BJ have to learn is that the Derby crowd have to have a player to hang out to dry. It's traditional and many a player has suffered the fate! Not nice but it happens, currently BJ is on the ducking stool!!

[roger_ramjet]

What seems common in the reviews so far is that the fullbacks were told to stay home. Or at least did, whether under instruction or not. Given our lack of wide players elsewhere (in the squad, let alone the side Pearson selected) this points to a very narrow approach to the game: tight and dull days ahead.

We have spme talented attack minded high scoring players available and it seems a sad, but perhaps predictible, inevitability that under current management strictures the "Derby Way" might be restrained if not dull. But its early days yet.

Still time to buy the expensive wideman that I didnt think we needed this time last year: but last year our fullbacks had the freedom to provide width.

Let me be the first "Prarson Out" poster ☹

[ramAnag]

Richard III , 'one for us Londoners'? That'll be Richard III...aka 'Richard of York' who's buried in Leicester then Angry. Bloody southerners...all he did was use your Tower a couple of times and you try and lay claim to him.
As for (11) 'Britex'...they make urinals and seat belts don't they?