Derby 0-0 Bolton Wanderers - e-Derby Review

Article by e-Derby Correspondent Chris Harrison

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A first clean sheet and point, in 3 games, was all Derby could take from this goalless draw at Pride Park Stadium. The score line would suggest a boring game but at times Derby’s play had Bolton dazzled. Derby unfortunately could not make it count in the opposition 18 yard box.

For a second successive game Derby controlled the play with over 60% possession. The control in play that saw Derby have 18 shots, but could only manage to get 6 of them on target. The lack of goals for Derby will be of concern for a Derby team that were leading the scoring charts with a 10 goal advantage, prior to Christmas.

An area that has improved since Christmas is Derby’s defence, keeping 4 clean sheets in the last 6 matches. The improved defence reduced Bolton to long range shots which never looked like troubling Lee Grant’s goal.

Derby started off brightly, as they did during the Millwall game, but Derby maintained this standard throughout the match. Crosses were being put into the box but not finding a man and Bolton had an easy task of intercepting each attempt.

The Rams came out for the second half with more intent to get their first win in 3 games. Derby made attacking changes, which saw Patrick Bamford, Johny Russell and Conor Sammon during the second half. Derby had more chances during this time but nothing that troubled Bogdan in the Bolton goal. Conor Sammon wasted the best of Derby’s chances in injury time. The ball rolled to Sammon, in space, on the penalty spot, but could only get a weak shot at the relieved Bolton keeper.

The full time whistle came to a round of boos from sections of the Pride Park crowd. Winning becoming the high standards amongst these fans following Derby’s early season form and current league position.

The fortunate news of these dropped points was a defeat for QPR and Nottingham Forest only managing a draw at Middlesbrough. Derby may be concerned by Readings 4-2 win at Leeds, with the Rams travelling to face the Royals this weekend. Reading are now only 7 points behind Derby and will be looking to make the gap 4 points come 17:00 Saturday afternoon.

Steve Mclaren will be making sure his team work on their shooting and attacking prowess in anticipation of Saturdays match. A failure to win for a fourth successive game is not ideal for an East Midlands Derby the following week.

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