Match Review - Middlesbrough (h)

[Jourdan]

Derby 0-1 Middlesbrough
By Jourdan Rhule

Tuncay’s crisp first-half volley earned Boro their second away win of the season and left Derby’s survival bid in tatters.

In what was a dismal game to watch, both sides began nervously and seemed to lack composure and conviction in both defence and attack. Tuncay picked out Gary O’Neil in acres of space early on down the right, but after closing in on goal the former Portsmouth star could only fire into the grateful arms of Rams keeper Stephen Bywater. The Rams responded with an effort of their own but Giles Barnes’ speculative drive from long range was all too easy for the returning Mark Schwarzer to gather low down to his right.

The lack of attacking quality and cohesion within both sides was there for all to see as the chances began to dry up from there on. Stephen Pearson and Jay McEveley were denied as Derby failed to make a spell of dominance midway through the half count. And the hosts were left to rue this as Boro stormed ahead in style on 38 minutes with Turkish international Tuncay slamming home Stewart Downing’s volleyed left-wing cross with a delightful volley of his own. Derby almost made an instant reply but Kenny Miller’s left foot shot from the edge of the area clattered against Schwarzer’s right hand post in the last moment of note during the first half.

The second half began with Derby needing two goals to reverse their fortunes and Middlesbrough looking for a second to put the result beyond doubt. And it was Middlesbrough who showed signs of extending their lead as Derby survived several scares. Downing was superbly thwarted by Bywater as after being teed up by goalscorer Tuncay - his fierce left foot shot was turned around the post. An almighty scramble occurred as the home defence struggled to clear Fabio Rochemback’s corner. Moments later, George Boateng headed Rochemback’s deep right wing cross against the post as the visitors pressed on.

Rams manager Paul Jewell made his second substitution of the afternoon as away-goal specialist Steve Howard came on for Gary Teale. But even his introduction couldn’t inspire a turnaround as the Rams showed plenty of purpose but posed few problems for Schwarzer in goal. Substitute Robert Earnshaw was prevented from scoring his first of the season as Schwarzer raced off his line to smother Howard’s inviting flick-on before the Welshman could pounce. Barnes made a series of enterprising runs down the right but was never in danger of supplying or scoring the equaliser bar a powerful close range effort which Schwarzer handled with confidence.

With that went Derby’s last genuine opportunity as the Teesiders comfortably negotiated the latter stages of the match yet Jeremie Aliadiere couldn’t put gloss on the scoreline – he slid the ball under Bywater from an acute angle only to see it ruled it out for handball. But this was of little concern as the visitors held on for the three points to the disappointment of the Pride Park faithful.

After today’s Premier League results, the Rams find themselves in a perilous position – they are 8 points adrift of 17th placed Sunderland and 6 points behind Wigan in 19th place. Although we are not mathematically relegated, it hurts me to say this but I feel we are down. We are simply too far behind all the other sides in every department. We look incapable of keeping a clean sheet and incapable of scoring, even against the sides around us. This Middlesbrough side was nowhere near brilliant, yet the ease of their victory should leave the Rams players red-faced. Every opposing fan in the Premier League must rub their hands in eagerness ahead of a trip to Pride Park. It has become such an easy place to pick up an away win. We are simply not making ourselves difficult enough to beat. Surpassing the lowest points total in Premier League history seems less likely with each passing game. For me, May can’t come quick enough.

Player Ratings

Bywater – 5 – Had no chance with the goal, made some smart saves but his distribution left a lot to be desired.

Mears – 5 – Showed good intent going forward but was unconvincing up against Downing.

Moore – 5 – Tidy defensively but his distribution from the back was useless.

Davis – 4 – Never looked comfortable and seems alarmingly prone to mistakes.

Griffin – 4 – Anonymous until his first half substitution.

Teale – 4 – Never looked like unlocking the Boro defence.

Leacock – 5 – Hit and miss in his defensive midfield role.

Oakley – 6 – MOTM - Put himself about and gave it his all but even that was simply not enough.

Pearson – 4 – Doesn’t possess the physique or craft to be a threat going forward.

Barnes – 5 – Full of running and trickery but where’s the end product?

Miller – 5 – Not suited to our “hoof-ball” approach as it leaves him isolated, frustrated and clutching at straws.

Subs.:

McEveley – 5 – Got forward well delivering some good crosses in the process whilst performing steadily in defence.

Howard – 4 – Won a few headers but little else.

Earnshaw – 4 – Clearly lacking in confidence, he didn’t see much of the ball and when he did – he disappointed.

[MossytheRam]

Hmm bit surprised at some of your ratings and descriptions. I thought DEANO was our best player, got stuck in and sprayed it about well to say hes not a midfielder but i hate square pegs in round holes!!!!! And i thought big Stevie Howard put himself about when he came on. He caused the Woodgate more problems with his strength and flick ons. Also i thought Earnie did well with the 18 minutes he had lol. Had a couple of efforts on goal, kept the ball and nearly ohhhh so nearly got on the end of a Howard flick on. More games under his belt and he would of been on that!
But im sorry, Darren Moore is just DIRE!! My 8 year old cousin has better technique at kicking a football than him and im being serious. You no exactly what is going to happen when he gets it..... HOOF HOOF HOOF HOOF and he hasnt a clue where hes kicking it. He knows hes not good enough to bring it out and play so he just kicks it anywhere it is just PI*S POOR at that standard!! Poor old Kenny Miller eh, i feel for the lad. You can see he is so frustrated because he is getting no service whatsoever. He has got to be thinking... 'why the fu*k have i come here' because i would be lol. Why we are playing long balls up to him i just have no idea and he must be thinking the same. Hes trying to get onto the scraps all the time. He almost made a goal for himself by hitting the post, thats they way it is for us because we are at the bottom when you get no luck at all!!
I think he will hand in a transfer request in January, because if Rangers and Birmingham make their interest public then i dont think he will hesitate. It will be a sickener if he does go to Brum because they are nowhere near as big a club as us..... fanbase, facilities, stadium we have the upper hand. But as for the teams then we dont have the upper hand which is a shame as our fans deserve it!!

I dont no what else to say im just so down in the dumps

[Ramshackle]

Very well put Mossy, i will disagree with 1 part that although deano did a gr8 job in his role, it seems to keep oakley out of the game, and thus far this season he has been a player of the season, as for MOM it has to be Jay McCevely(However u spell it) When he came on we seemed to have a lot more going forward