A slow start but plenty to build upon – Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Derby County

Paul Clement’s first game in charge at Derby County was at the Macron Stadium against Neil Lennon’s Bolton Wanderers. His ambition is to get Derby County out of the SkyBet Championship supported by new chairman Mel Morris with the signings made during the summer months; debuts were handed out experienced duo of Scott Carson and Chris Baird.

Article by Fred Gough - Bolton Wanderers [0] Derby County [0] Attendance: 17,162 

**We are looking for Bolton Wanderers and Derby County fans as writers. Interested? Click Here!**

Wearing their “nightshade” purple away kit, Derby were full of confidence prior to kick off and the former right hand man to experienced Italian Carlo Ancelotti was proud of his squad’s pre-season and attitude ahead of the campaign and new captain Chris Baird was also expecting the club to be at the top end of the table.

Early exchanges saw the home side start on the front foot before the swagger of Derby’s established unit buoyed on by 3,608 supporters making the trip to Lancashire came stronger as the first half wore on.

An early change due to an injury to Craig Bryson’s knee saw Irish midfielder Jeff Hendrick called upon to fill in the midfield role.

Johnny Russell had the game’s first real chance after 27 minutes showing the class that The Rams have in an abundance going forward in their midfield and striking options, however couldn’t find the back of the net.

Last season’s player of the year Will Hughes’ season started in unfortunate circumstances being stretched off with a knee injury after the half hour mark, meaning Northern Ireland international Baird moved up to the midfield and Ryan Shotton taking the right back slot.

The first half ended with both sides goalless but Derby’s defensive and midfield unit looked in control of Bolton however the loss of two players to injuries early in the game possibly made it harder to slice open the Trotters’ defence before the break.

Half Time: Bolton Wanderers 0 Derby County 0

An end to end start to the second half saw both sides pulsating to break the deadlock in the early stages, as frustration grew to start the season brightly. Bolton’s direct play making the better of chances that from the midfield tussles.

The Rams showed spells of dictating the tempo and were able to carve the odd chance but Chris Martin found the goal at his mercy before firing over just after the hour mark after a low cross by Baird found the Scotland international.

Bolton substitute and experienced striker Emile Heskey crashed a header against the crossbar as the game started to swing one way to the other. A few moments later his strike partner Gary Madine beat Carson but his header hit the woodwork too another couple of times.

With five minutes to go Jay Spearing attempted to win a penalty, however the referee spotted that the former Liverpool battling midfielder dived and was sent off for a second yellow card.

Despite having a great opportunity in the final moments, Derby couldn’t capitalise in a scrappy but fair opening day performance which certainly will give Paul Clement plenty to consider and learn from going onwards and build upon into the Capital One League Cup tie at Fratton Park on Wednesday evening.

Give Derby time to settle, gain match fitness and find their groove and I’m sure that The Rams will be looking upwards.

Full Time: Bolton Wanderers 0 Derby County 0

Teams:

DCFC [4-4-2: Diamond] – Carson, Baird (capt), Keogh, Shackell, Warnock, Thorne (y/c – 90), Bryson (Hendrick - 21), Hughes (Shotton – 32), Ince, Martin & Russell (Weimann – 67); Substitutes - Grant, Forsyth, Hendrick, Bent, Pearce, Weimann & Shotton.

BWFC [4-4-2: Diamond] – Amos, Wilson (y/c – 15), Prince Gouano, Dervite, Moxey, Spearing (y/c – 46; s/o – 85), Pratley (capt) (Trotter – 90), Danns, Feeney, Clough (Heskey – 73) & Madine; Substitutes - Fitzsimons, Vela, Davies, Trotter, Heskey, Dobbie & Holding.

© e-Media Group 2015 All rights reserved no part of this document or this website may be reproduced without consent of @e_media_group