It's not often I don't enjoy a game but that was one of those occasions. Like most at the game, the team selection was bewildering but that was just the start. We appeared read to sit back right from the first whistle, allowing Derby to get comfortable while they played the ball neatly around and moved into space while we looked on. Watching it was hard to see whether this was meant to be tactical on our part - catch them on the break with pace - or whether too many players simply didn't fancy it. I wouldn't want to read too much into body language, facial expressions, arguments with team-mates and general lack of movement but this did not look like a happy camp. I wonder whether the likes of Paredes, Tocszer and Ekstrand are becoming disaffected with life in the UK. When we did eventually begin to have a bit of possession the idea seemed to be either to pass back to Bond or to give the ball to Andrews. The latter is neat enough on the ball but he's no Abdi and wasn't helped by players ahead of him either not finding space or not competing hard enough for 50/50 balls.
We did final come to life after an hour or so, though why that spark wasn't evident straight after the interval is a mystery. As everyone has said Munari and Vydra must have been outraged by what they were watching. They certainly showed passion and energy when they came on. The goal was a lovely bit of football and the Derby winner a cracking shot, though the efforts to close the shooter down were half-hearted. Defensively we have glaring weaknesses - full backs who forget where they should be and who can't tackle and central defenders who often seem bewildered about where they should be when facing corners and free kicks. A word about our captain who spent more energy arguing with the ref than doing what he's really there for. He looked sluggish on the ground and not as convincing in the air as usual. Perhaps he needs reminding a captain should be able to provide example and encouragement as well as criticism. FF I'd exempt from some of the criticism to the extent that he never gave up trying BUT he still falls over too easily and, despite his obvious skills, he's like the punters on a hide the thimble scam...offer him the choice of dribble, shoot or pass and he generally chooses the wrong one.
Sorry if this sounds very negative...my match experience wasn't helped by the relentless tirade of negativity from the braindeads in the row behind. If I was a younger man, I think I might have offered to flatten one or two of them!