Clarke's header rescues a point against The Addicks

In his programme notes, John Eustace wrote: “Nathan Jones’ sides are notoriously difficult to play against.”

Isn’t that the truth?

Following a draw at Wrexham in frustrating circumstances, The Rams hosted newly-promoted Charlton, while still looking for a first home win of the season. But the evening ended similarly to that afternoon in North Wales.

Derby started brightly from kick-off, when Callum Elder (who came into the starting XI with Bobby Clark) put in a deep cross for Carlton Morris, who could only head wide.

Moments later, Ben Brereton Díaz beat his marker down the left, but saw the final pass cut out, before Agyemang’s effort deflected behind for a corner.

The American international was a handful throughout the first half looking to pick up pockets of space, but he was always marked tightly, so struggled to control the ball at times. A good example of this was Max Johnston’s 18^th minute channel ball, as he looked to break The Rams out of their low block, which Agyemang couldn’t quite reach.

Though there were more than a few instances in which it appeared that he had been fouled, only for the referee to wave play on.

Another theme of the first half were nervy moments for goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström, who twice nearly fell victim to the visitor’s high press, the second after a miscued Lewis Travis backpass.

James Bree broke the deadlock in the 37^th minute, with a half-volley that was both very difficult to score, and to stop. Kelman was allowed acres of space and far too much time to bring down Kaminski’s long ball and find Campbell, before some good interplay to move the ball across the box to Bree, who found the top-right corner.

Going behind seemed to spark some life into John Eustace’s side, the first half ended with a flurry of Derby crosses being headed away, proceeding a second period in which even Nathan Jones admitted that his opponents were “probably the best side”.

With the introduction of David Ozoh, and Morris returning to a number nine role, The Rams had a better balance to their play, looking both more comfortable on the ball and threatening in front of goal.

After Zetterström dived to his right to deny Charlie Kelman four minutes after the break, Derby went straight up the other end. Brereton Díaz had a header across goal, cleared off the line to prompt Preston-related déjà vu.

But the Chile International could not replicate his Wrexham heroics two minutes later. Having been found in acres of space on the counter by Agyemang, the Southampton loanee drifted in from the inside-left and looked to curl the ball into the top-right corner. However, his effort was off target.

Thomas Kaminski had to make a spectacular save to deny Bobby Clark from 15 yards, getting down low to his right, but there was no stopping the equaliser a minute later.

Elder’s corner was only headed as far as Travis on the other side, who dropped an in-swinging ball onto the edge of the six-yard box for Matt Clarke to head into the bottom right corner.

There were stoppage time chances for both sides as Clarke headed over the bar from Joe Ward’s long throw, and Issac Olaofe fired wide of Zetterström’s left-hand post, but no-one could quite find a late breakthrough.

Analysis: Too predictable?

John Eustace admitted in his post-match press conference that “We’re not playing as well as we want to be playing.”

Given the amount of money spent this summer, and the optimism coming into the season, that is clear to see. And this likely doesn’t help the “tension” and “pressure” that the head coach says comes “when you haven’t won at home yet”.

He said "We have to be braver and better on the ball.

“We have to defend better.

“[In] the Championship games are always won with really tight margins.”

In truth, Derby looked disjointed, too slow in their play, and too predictable. While their crossing left a lot to be desired, there was a deeper problem in their wing play; it was too obvious as to which flank they were going to attack down, allowing Charlton to swarm over to that side of the pitch and outnumber them.

The Rams were better in possession in the second half, with David Ozoh bringing some more control to the middle of the park, in turn allowing Carlton Morris to operate in his more natural striker role.

On this front, I was struck by something Nathan Jones said post-match.

He said: “I signed Carlton Morris, and he did that [providing an aerial presence] for me week in week out.

“He’s dominant in the box, one of the best I’ve ever worked with, in terms of that, so he’s a threat.”

On Tuesday night, Derby had 18 shots, of which just three were on target. Morris is Derby’s best finisher, and biggest threat in the box. But in the first half, he dropped deep into midfield in a Harry Kane-like fashion at times and with Agyemang drifting into channels that left no-one in the box to attack admittedly poor crosses on a difficult night for the full backs.

If Ozoh can continue to provide balance in the midfield, Morris may be able to play to his strengths, as he did more in the second half, continuing to be among the league’s best box threats.

But it is, another point on the board, that keeps The Rams above the dotted line ahead of the visit of surprise strugglers Southampton on Saturday.

The hunt for a first home win continues.

Derby (4-2-3-1): Zetterström (GK); Johnston (Ward 68’), Sanderson, Clarke, Elder; Travis (C), Adams (Ozoh 46’); Clark (Jackson 84’), Morris, Brereton Díaz (Weimann 68’); Agyemang (Salvesen 87’)

Unused Substitutes: Vickers (GK); Forsyth, Batth, Nyambe.

Charlton (3-5-2): Kaminski (GK); Jones, Ramsay, Gillesphey; Bree (Burke 57’), Carey (Knibbs 57), Coventry, Docherty (C), Bell; Kelman (Leaburn 57’), Campbell (Olaofe 77’).

Unused Substitutes: Maynard-Brewer (GK); Rankin-Costello, Berry, Apter, Anderson.