D_D's player ratings vs. Brighton

[D_D]

Today's 1-0 win was a fantastic result.

Both ourselves and Brighton, another real play-offs candidate, failed to play our best football today, perhaps cancelling eachother out. Throw in a card-happy referee who constantly made strange decisions and it all made for a rather uneventful affair. However, today Derby showed a lot of qualities I wanted to see...

1. Buxton and Keogh could deal with a top Championship striker in Ulloa.

2. We can be tactically disciplined. Too often we're left out of position, but today, we seemed to get it spot on defensively.

3. We now have players to give us a moment of quality when we really need it, in a game of few chances.

Anyway, the ratings:

Grant 8- Perhaps his best game at home this season. A great reaction save from Upson's header in the first half was a real highlight, but his consistency in coming for crosses was equally impressive. Well done Lee, you earned your clean sheet today.

Wisdom 8- Imperial in the first half. His balance

[CornwallRam]

A good report as usual DD. Those ratings aren't far off mine generally, although I had Keogh as MOTM.

The one that I completely disagree with is Sammon. I thought that he was appalling today. He plodded around and looked to be either unfit or sulking. He's never a skilled performer, but he usually contributes with his persistence, running and enthusiasm. IMO he had very little positive influence on the game.

[ellafella]

[quote="D_D"]Today's 1-0 win was a fantastic result.

Both ourselves and Brighton, another real play-offs candidate, failed to play our best football today, perhaps cancelling eachother out. Throw in a card-happy referee who constantly made strange decisions and it all made for a rather uneventful affair. However, today Derby showed a lot of qualities I wanted to see...

1. Buxton and Keogh could deal with a top Championship striker in Ulloa.

2. We can be tactically disciplined. Too often we're left out of position, but today, we seemed to get it spot on defensively.

3. We now have players to give us a moment of quality when we really need it, in a game of few chances.

Anyway, the ratings:

Grant 8- Perhaps his best game at home this season. A great reaction save from Upson's header in the first half was a real highlight, but his consistency in coming for crosses was equally impressive. Well done Lee, you earned your clean sheet today.

Wisdom 8

[tomsdubs]

No way was Bamford MOTM. Keogh had a blinder.

[Rapid]

No way was Bamford MOTM. Keogh had a blinder.

completely agree. that's as good a game I've seen Keogh have in a derby shirt. flawless. wisdom wasn't far behind too. superb.

another excellent game from Eustace angry :-P

saw it pretty similar as always D_D. a few small differences, I didn't think forsyth played well and ward was a lot worse than dawkins. one of martin's most ineffective games.

[tamworthram]

Agree. Keogh was man of the match. I've a bit critical of Wisdom recently but today he was also immense.

[swaledale]

Keogh wasd efinately MOm and today showed just how much Buxton needs him alongside.

Forsyth for me is still a weak link and HUghs and Ward are clearly off form as is Bryson, though again that could eb down to the effectiveness of the opposition.

Onec annot forget that it was Wards run that resulted in the goal.

All those who thought we didn't need Bamford should now know why!

[D_D]

Granted, Keogh was sublime, and he would have been a worthy MOTM choice. I went for Bamford as in a tight game it was him who made the difference, but in terms of a 90 minute performance, Keogh was the best.

[Fletch_11]

Keogh wasd efinately MOm and today showed just how much Buxton needs him alongside.

Forsyth for me is still a weak link and HUghs and Ward are clearly off form as is Bryson, though again that could eb down to the effectiveness of the opposition.

Onec annot forget that it was Wards run that resulted in the goal.

All those who thought we didn't need Bamford should now know why!

It's a good point about Ward being instrumental in the goal. Although he wasn't at his game changing best I thought he was far more involved than in the last couple of games. He tracked back, looked for the ball and didn't stop until the final whistle. This should be expected of all players I accept but he was better than Dawkins in my view, although that isn't a ringing endorsement.

Yesterday's game was similar to Wigan (even Steve Claridge spotted their tactics!) and I think there will be far more games like this in the last 10 home fixtures. It makes i

[AngryRam]

No way was Bamford MOTM. Keogh had a blinder.

completely agree. that's as good a game I've seen Keogh have in a derby shirt. flawless. wisdom wasn't far behind too. superb.

another excellent game from Eustace angry :-P

saw it pretty similar as always D_D. a few small differences, I didn't think forsyth played well and ward was a lot worse than dawkins. one of martin's most ineffective games.[/quote]

Okay Rapid, the old boy did okay on Saturday but he had to have a decent one at some point. Still IMO his decent games are no more than average