Just back from the game and thought I'd share my thoughts. At 90 minutes, I felt very dissapointed, but given a few minutes to reflect, I don't think this is the worst result, especially given that scores went our way elsewhere. The game certainly falls into that cliched 'game of two halves' category. In the first, Blackburn were very well organised, and really utilised the extra man in midfield to take a grip on the game. Without some heroic defending from Clint Hill, we could easily have been two goals down at half time. I was impressed by their discipline, and it was starting to look very frustrating indeed. Hoilett in particular was poor in the first half, and I would have brought on Kranjcar or O'Neil on 30 minutes - the kind of brave early substitutions that good managers like Jose Mourinho would make. Our passing wasn't particualrly incisive and we didn't play at the pace required to make openings. They could have scored with a few decent headed opportunities which thankfully sailed over the bar. In the second half, we were much better. Our passing picked up, and the double substitution seemed to be doing the trick. I thought BAE was great, and Austin was very unlucky to hit the post from a BAE cross. The rebound effort from Tom Carroll was also deflected wide by Austin!! Matt Phillips somehow managed to miss when it looked easier to score too. I know we had two great opportunities to score, but they could easily say the same about the first half. We didn't create enough, and we were too happy to pass sideways at times. I know there is a fine line between keeping possession and going forwards, but at times we erred to much towards safety. There were times when I missed Warnock's favored 4-2-3-1 formation today, which might just have given us more cutting edge considering that their full backs both had decent games. The ref seemed a little favorable towards us - a nice change from the Bournemouth game! Player ratings below: Green - 6 - Didn't have to do too much. BAE - 8- My MOM. Looked good going forwards, and kept their attack quiet. Hill - 8 - Kept us in the game in the first half. Dunne - 7 - Didn't have to do too much, but did what he had to do well, especially in the first half. Made some amusing lumbering runs forwards when frustrated at how our play wasn't going anywhere! Simpson - 7 - Decent game, could cross it earlier! Carroll - 6 - Definitely a better second half than first. But really needs to be a little bit better with decision making at times. I can see him growing into a real gem for us if we keep him, he has all the raw materials, and just needs experience. Barton - 6 - His passing was sloppy at times, but his passion drives us forwards when nothing else will! Hoilett - 5 - Really didn't do enough to warrant a starting position today. Gave away possession far too often and makes poor decisions. Phillips - 6 - Tried hard, but really should have put that chance away Austin - 7- worked very hard, and very unlucky not to score with his header coming off the inside of the post. Felt for him today. AJ - 7 - again, worked very hard. Did all he needed to in my opinion, but just didn't have the rub of the green, like Austin. Midfield weren't always utilising his running well. Subs: Kranjcar - 7 - great passing as you would expect, but his shooting boots weren't on. O'Neil - 6 - I rate O'Neil highly, so thought he was poor by my high standards for him. Think he's actually better to start games, and Hoilett is better as an impact sub. Traore - n/a - Okay when he came on, but not enough time to make an impact.
I was glad to see Hoilett go off, and a little surprised to see Phillips going off, but to be honest, we were more effective after the subs. I think HR maybe started with the wrong line up, and O'Neil would have been more effective from the start, and would have helped us control the game in the first half more, whereas Phillips would have had more of an impact as a sub. Hope that makes sense.
Thanks. It does. O Neill is a bit hit and miss, for me. Hasn't really got the pace for wing play, but I agree we need subs who can make an impact. Hoilett will continue to disappoint, I think. He continually makes the wrong decisions and is forever running down blind alleys. But, still, it's another point towards promotion.
On reflection, that's how I feel, but we would make our lives much easier if we won games like today, (an axiom, I know) which is well within our capability as a club.
Great opp to lead this division but next week its 1st V 3rd and we must focus on getting something at Blackpool if we can ... maybe the defining week to shape things up... Nice to get a cushion if we can to press forwards as the rest of the division have shown they will eat each other
We were abysmal first half, but improved in the second and should have won. Krancjar for Hoillet was an improvement, but I couldn't understand O'Neill for Philips. Missed opportunity, but could be a good time to play Blackpool.
Yes, next Sat, Leicester v Burnley will certainly be an interesting match-up, then Leicester get distracted in a mid-week League Cup Quarter Final game Dec 17th before coming to Loftus Road Sat Dec 21st, a game we will certainly have to be on our toes for and play at the top of our game. Luckily for us, both Leicester & Burnley have been experiencing recent "wobbles" and Derby is the team ploughing ahead, scoring goals and picking up wins.
They knew both Hoilett and Phillips would be crucial for us, so they made sure the second either one got the ball, 2 men teamed up on them straight away and very effectively. With an extra man in mid field they also made it hard for Barton and Carroll. But Aj and Austin were quiet today, neither were making the kind of runs they were on Wednesday. All in all just a bad day at the office. But hopefully it should show some of the arm chair managers that 442 isn't always the way to go.
Barton was tireless today as ever. Some of his defensive work and tracking back was excellent. He's the leader on the field too. Telling the lads in the first half to move it quicker.
I think it deomonstrated that we can't play 4-2 4 which is basically what we did today. Phillips did a little to help in midfield but for 45 minutes the midfield was 5 against our 2 & a half. No surprise that we were over ran. The stablity was added to by Gary O'Neill as he won't stay continually wide & Tom Carroll was by then performing his best for us. In the end we should have won but Blackburn desrved a draw today.
I think the only time we seem to grab the ball and run at the other side is when Hoilett has the ball. Junior has a bad day and so do the team. Barton was immense as usual and Hill was fantastic too today. Unfortunately we just seem to lack that finishing ability.
Raving, that is pretty much how I saw the match, thanks for the report, although I rated Carroll higher than you. He keeps the ball moving swiftly and doesn't need three or four touches to do so. His tackling is improving and we will weather the absence of Faurlin as long as he stays. Hoilett is a concern. Every time he got the ball he was looking to cut inside as usual, he is far too predictable. If he has no ability to cross from the left we should not be playing him there. It was only after Traore came on that their full back had to be on his guard. I think that Rob Green deserves some sort of recognition for his handling of crosses. He comes out and claims everything in a way that Cesar would not. He wasn't worked hard today, but he made everything he did look easy. Can someone tell me how Phillips failed to score?
Pretty much spot on, though personally I would up Carroll by +1. Thought he played the best game for us so far and seems to be growing in confidence. Shame about the over hit pass late on in the second half but overall a vast improvement
I made Barton MOTM. Sure, he hit some wayward passes but when you hit as many as he does, including some long ball beauties, one or two are bound to go astray. His tackling, interceptions and controlled aggression were excellent and reminded me of Derry at his best. Hoilett had lots of the ball but didn't look like he would beat a man if he stayed out there until Christmas. I was a bit surprised when Phillips went off but the introduction of the fresher Krancjar and O'Neill lead to our most dominant period. I have to say that a draw was fair.
Agree with you roller. I thought Carroll was our best player today. Will never understand how Phillips could have hit the ball in the only place that the 'keeper could get near. However, I'm certain that AJ shoved the Blackburn defender over in the build up. Even at the start of the season when Junior was thought to have played well I never saw that he created much for us. Yes he would run at opponents, but he never tried to vary how to take them on or deliver a final ball. If we play with two forwards & a wide man we need three playing in central midfield.
Also I would like to add, I thought Blackburn looked pretty solid as a whole and closed us down when we were on the ball quickly. Seemed some of ours couldn't handle having a lot less time in possession with the ball than we might of seen previously. Definately not the worst side we've seen at our place so far this season and are much better than their league position tells you.
Good read Raving. I am just relieved we did not get the sucker punch at the end with them scoring. I agree that Barton was immense and I am devastated Phillips did not score. Onwards and upwards.
