Derby County v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[brontebilly]

I think Ayew is better on the left than the right but that out wide suits him because he can beat 1 man and then open himself up, centrally he runs out of space.  However he's better opening up for a shot than for a cross which is why he's currently on the wrong side.  I'd be tempted to swap him and Grealish and see if they settle better.

Ayew put in a very decent defensive shift in on the right in the second half.

Particularly after Bacuna got the early yellow, he covered back well a few times in an area Derby targeted.

His decision making with the ball is poor still, gets in great positions at times but nearly always does a Hutton on it

[SoccerHQ]

Derby should've had a penalty there.

Probably balances out the non award at Wednesday on the opening day.

[PeterWithesShin]

Decent first half, meh second. Kozak was awful. Pride Park is crap.

[Ads]

Frustrating again.

I didnt think we moved the ball quickly enough against a desperately ordinary side.

The only surprising element to the Championship so far is just how poor the so called top clubs like Derby are.

Too slow and ponderous and that limited our chances. That said, we've had two off the line, Jack spurned a great chance and we've rattled the woodwork twice and but for square posts we'd have won.

A little slower second half, but considering Westwood was effectively on his own next to the poor Gardner maybe it was to be expected.

On the positive side, we looked very well organised defensively and never looked like conceding. They had one chance towards the start of the second half which Gollini comfortably saved.

That's two goals conceded in four games and none of it through good play by the opposition.

Westwood was a positive, Jedinak and Tshibola coming into the midfield is a positive too.

We are crying out for pace up front to feed off McCormack's intelligence.

Kozak looks done as a player too. Bacuna played well, Westy played well and so did Grealish. A stronger base in the midfield and pace up top and wide and we will win this thing.

[Witton Warrior]

Only seen the Ch5 highlights but could easily have won 3-0 again!
Having seen us twice I just cannot see who is pulling the strings in midfield - we desperately need someone who has a cool head and a killer pass - these flicks and dinks are quick but need luck to come off and we ain't lucky.

I am very pleased that we seem to have a defence after 4 seasons of absence.

[Steve67]

Slow paced, lack of urgency. Centre of midfield went missing for large parts of the second half. However, three games unbeaten. Win at Bristol City next week with Tshibola and Jedinak in the side and things will look even better. We really do need that pacey forward.

[PaulWinch again]

I thought Westwood was pretty decent today, but Gardner offered no help at all.

[Ads]

Need to pick at least 7 points up from our next three. That would put us close to 2 points a game and leave us six unbeaten. Momentum is huge.

[Clarey_Blue]

Started great but faded badly second half, not a bad result against one of the favourites but we are far better than them, we really should be ripping up this league with the players we have, they just haven't quite gelled yet.

This sums it up for me. We're basically a brand new team and once we click we'll be much better than this league. The only question is whether RDM can sort it out quickly enough to challenge for the title this year. But with the players we've got (and will be getting) we should easily reach the play-offs.

[AVFC Tom]

I think Grealish needs to work harder and play more forward and central. He always gets the ball too deep and has too many poeple to beat.

We need more pace up front

For the next game Id go

             Gollini
Bacuna, Tommy, Chester, Ally
       Tish, Mile Amavi
             Jack
        Ross, Ayew

No. I don't want to see Aly Cissokho in a Villa shirt again. He is dreadful.

[Proposition Joe]

RDM talking a lot of sense in the post match interview. Likes our new signings and defence. Still thinks we are the unfinished article elsewhere. Feels we look more solid game after game.

Agree with that.  For me, we're still a club in rehab and we are still gradually getting ourselves out of the rut.  The longer we go on looking solid, being hard to beat (or not even getting beaten), the better it's going to be on the other side when the attacking part of the team comes together.  RDM sees this and I trust him to get the right people in.  I like all of his signings so far.

[oswald funkletrumpet]

I think Grealish needs to work harder and play more forward and central. He always gets the ball too deep and has too many poeple to beat.

We need more pace up front

For the next game Id go

             Gollini
Bacuna, Tommy, Chester, Ally
       Tish, Mile Amavi
             Jack
        Ross, Ayew

like the look of that, far more balance, ayew is not a wide man. him and ross through the middle would give the vast majority of teams the shits

[London Villan]

While it's a little disappointing to draw another game, things are starting to come together. We actually look like a coherent football team again, organised and committed.

We won't be able to turn around five years of decline in four matches, but it's starting. The defence is already looking more solid, we have leaders on the pitch in Elphick and McCormack with another in the shape of Jedenik. Even Grealish is beginning to regain his confidence.

There will be set-backs no doubt, the journey back has begun.

[Gareth]

Decent point, our reconstruction is massive in comparison to the likes of Derby so any points picked up whilst new players are constantly arriving is good, particularly away from home.

Elphick & Chester are already the best centre back partnership we've had since Laursen retired and Mellberg moved on.  Not a high bar granted but still true.

Gollini looked solid. 

Bacuna is adequate in the Chanpionship, would like a good replacement.  Trippier, DeLaet, Christie....

Cissohko is permanently a mistake waiting to happen because he has no natural control of the football.  Another would love to see shipped out but suspect we'll be lumbered with him whilst Amavi gets fitness.

Westwood was the usual slow, weak, niggly, non tracking pointer in the middle, can't wait to have Jedinak & Tish exerting a bit of physique on the opposition - being selfish would like another centre mid to ensure if Westwood or Gardner are still here on Sept 1st they are at best 4th choice. 

Gardner - see Westwood with a great effort in goal, was one who def wanted to see him given a chance, not shown that he is up to responding to challenge thus far, fear that he won't get many more chances

Grealish was better in defence than attack for me today, definitely growing up.

Ayew, still convinced he will push his way out before deadline day, pretty on the ball but not enough end product, wasted out wide?

McCormack, think there is a lot of fitness work to be done, will improve with a proper player ahead of him.

Gestede, did nothing, went off, unfortunately his level of nothing was missed!

Kozak, gotta make allowances for the lack of football played, would have liked to see him leave the ground when a ball is pumped up to him though :-)

[PaulWinch again]

Decent point, our reconstruction is massive in comparison to the likes of Derby so any points picked up whilst new players are constantly arriving is good, particularly away from home.

Elphick & Chester are already the best centre back partnership we've had since Laursen retired and Mellberg moved on.  Not a high bar granted but still true.

Gollini looked solid. 

Bacuna is adequate in the Chanpionship, would like a good replacement.  Trippier, DeLaet, Christie....

Cissohko is permanently a mistake waiting to happen because he has no natural control of the football.  Another would love to see shipped out but suspect we'll be lumbered with him whilst Amavi gets fitness.

Westwood was the usual slow, weak, niggly, non tracking pointer in the middle, can't wait to have Jedinak & Tish exerting a bit of physique on the opposition - being selfish would like another centre mid to ensure if Westwood or Gardner are still here on Sept 1st they are at best 4th choice. 

Gardner - see Westwood with a great effort in goal, was one who def wanted to see him given a chance, not shown that he is up to responding to challenge thus far, fear that he won't get many more chances

Grealish was better in defence than attack for me today, definitely growing up.

Ayew, still convinced he will push his way out before deadline day, pretty on the ball but not enough end product, wasted out wide?

McCormack, think there is a lot of fitness work to be done, will improve with a proper player ahead of him.

Gestede, did nothing, went off, unfortunately his level of nothing was missed!

Kozak, gotta make allowances for the lack of football played, would have liked to see him leave the ground when a ball is pumped up to him though :-)

Sorry I think the Westwood comment is purely based on his scapegoat status. He played well on the whole and was effectively trying to carry the centre of midfield on his own.