Derby County 2-1 Barnsley - e-Derby County Flashback

Article by e-Derby County Correspondent Chris Harrison

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Two first half goals from Jeff Hendrick and Johny Russell, were enough to earn Derby another vital 3 points. With Burnley also winning, it guaranteed that the mighty Rams would be playing in this year’s play offs. Derby now only need 1 point to guarantee 3rd spot, they are now 5 points clear of QPR with 2 games go.

Derby started off very brightly in the first half creating a number of chances that should have been capitalised before the first goal. Jeff Hendrick scored his 2nd goal of the season on the 34th minute, a right footed strike from 20 yards, went past the rooted Steele, in the Barnsley goal. The opposition keeper looked to have had his vision impaired from the shot as he failed to attempt stopping the ball hitting his bottom corner.

Derby continued to dominate the midfield battles and the pace seemed to be too much for the visitors to cope with. Johny Russell doubled the lead on 42 minutes after his shot deflected off Craig Bryson and dipped over the diving Barnsley keeper. Russell scoring his 9th goal of the season and should have hit 10 after missing a penalty later in the game. His form in front of the goal proving to be exciting for Derby fans heading into the playoffs.

Derby played the 2nd half very casually and lethargic in the 2nd half, almost having a belief that the game was already won. This lead to Barnsley having more of the ball and creating more chances. They had to wait until the 80th minute for substitute Proschwitz, to score from a Lewin Nyatanga headed cross.

With 2 games to go and Derby headed for the play offs we will look to be rotating the squad and keeping all the players fresh for a vital 3 games that could send the Rams back the Premier League. With the East Midlands side unbeaten in their last 4 games and winning 6 of their last 10 matches, Derby boast the best form of any of the current play off positions and those chasing for the last available spots.

Derby could look to bring in Mark O’Brien and Zak Whitbread in central defence, as well as providing Simon Dawkins with more game time as he makes his way back from injury. It does look as though Derby’s starting 11 could be very similar to the team that started today. If that is case Will Hughes would have to settle for a place on the Derby bench in favour of Jeff Hendrick.

George Thorne looks to have cemented his defensive midfield role for the Rams and means John Eustace will miss out. Derby are also boosted that all of their loanees, Andre Wisdom, Patrick Bamford, Zak Whitbread and Thorne, have all been given permission to play in the play offs for the Rams. George Thorne earlier saying that he would be in favour of a permanent move to Derby, should they take the final promotion place.

Derby’s season has now been extended by a minimum of 2 semi final games and the possibility of a Wembley final to top this brilliant season off. Imagine what Steve Mclaren could do with a full season with this team.......

Come on you Rams!!!

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