In an often frantic, high intensity game, Derby put in a spirited performance inspired by an injury-hit Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s goal to move into the top two.
Paul Warne made three changes to the XI that started against Cheltenham last weekend and started with the 3-5-2 that his side played for the final half hour versus the Robins, matching Charlton. Joe Ward and Sonny Bradley came in to the side to facilitate the system, whilst there was also a debut for Ebou Adams, who joined the club on loan from Cardiff on Wednesday.
In an incident which would cause much stoppage time to be added at the end of the first half, Ashley Maynard-Brewer went down after a collision with Curtis Nelson, rising to meet a tempting delivery from Joe Ward on the right. Already wearing a mask, the Australian goalkeeper would receive treatment before his head was bandaged up so that he could continue.
The Rams didn’t start badly, it was simply solid. By the halfway point in the first half, both sides had entertained, despite a lack of chances. Charlton’s £1 million man Conor Coventry was constantly looking to be progressive, searching for Alfie May, who had been linked with the Rams in the summer. But debutant Ebou Adams was even more impressive in the Rams’ midfield, breaking up play well, and displaying an impressive ability to read play, scanning the pitch constantly to check no Addicks man was left unmarked.
After 25 minutes, a worrying moment for the visitors, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing going down. He was on his back receiving treatment for a couple of minutes, appearing to have suffered a cut to his right foot, before limping to the sideline. As a result, Kane Wilson and Tom Barkhuizen started warming up, but Mendez-Laing would come back on, now sporting odd boots, and would make the difference with his injured right foot.
Just after the half hour mark, Max Bird, won the ball back high up the pitch and threaded the ball through to Mendez-Laing. He burst into the box before slotting it past Maynard-Brewer and into the bottom corner, right footed. Still affected by his injury, the Guatemalan international was substituted after 38 minutes, Tom Barkhuizen coming on to play alongside James Collins up top instead.
Ten added minutes were played at the end of the first half, with stoppages in play due to treatment being required by Maynard-Brewer, Mendez-Laing and Curtis Nelson. In this time, Derby had a couple of corners whipped towards Sonny Bradley at the back post. After some wrestling at the back, one led to a Charlton free kick to the dismay of Sonny Bradley and the travelling flock of over three thousand. The other saw Bradley head on target, forcing a save from Maynard-Brewer.
For the second half, Tayo Edun was replaced by striker Daniel Kanu, and Alfie May dropped into the number ten role as interim manager Curtis Fleming seeking to get his side back into the game. May forced Josh Vickers into a save from 20 yards four minutes into the second half, the former Cheltenham Town man more involved in the second half, his side able to set the tempo early on. Two further chances fell to Charlton a few minutes later, when Kanu managed to shake off Cashin, but Josh Vickers tipped his effort over the bar.
Derby would manage to shift the momentum back into their favour just after the hour mark. Max Bird, who started his first game since sealing a move to Bristol City on deadline day, danced through opposition defenders and had his shot from range cleared for a corner by Conor Coventry, from which Ward hit a high ball looking for Bradley. His appeals for a penalty were denied as the hosts cleared the danger. Derby would be straight back on the attack, though Max Bird having another go, this time on his favoured left foot, his effort just past the right-hand post.
From this point, Derby managed the game well, tweaking the shape to include two holding midfielders and not taking unnecessary risks, to see out the win and move into the automatic promotion places.
In his post-match interview Paul Warne told BBC Radio Derby that he was “really proud” of his team, and rightly so. It was a battling performance away from home, in which a line up nobody could have predicted impressed, with, as Warne told Rams TV, a “performance level significantly higher” than last week’s disappointing display.
Curtis Nelson and Eiran Cashin have been seen by many to be the best centre back partnership in League One this season. With Sonny Bradley joining them in a back three, he has looked much better after a shaky start to his Derby career. Louie Sibley and Joe Ward, playing as wing backs, were relentless down the flanks, as Warne expects, as was James Collins up top, who continues as the Rams only fit striker. The most praise, though, must go to the midfield.
The balance of Derby’s midfield looked much better today. Ebou Adams appears to be the player Derby have been crying out for. As I stated earlier in the week, he is the right profile of midfielder, with energy, bite and tenacity, all qualities which he displayed in abundance alongside footballing intelligence. If Adams can continue to make such an impact, he’ll be a fans’ favourite in no time. His introduction freed up Conor Hourihane and Max Bird, able to at last play their natural game, and the whole team benefitted. To go with his assist, Bird could have had a couple of goals, and was exceptional overall. To think some were questioning his commitment following his signing by Bristol City. He very much disproved the doubters today. Staying with Derby on loan for the rest of the season, what better way would there be for him to bow out than winning promotion?
Charlton (3-5-2): Maynard-Brewer (GK), Ness, Thomas, Gillesphey (68’ Ramsay), Watson (78’ Campbell), Edmonds-Green, Coventry, Bakinson (78’ Watson), Edun (46’ Kanu), May (C), Ladapo (90’ Fiorini).
Derby (3-5-2): Vickers (GK), Nelson, Bradley, Cashin, Ward (89’ Nyambe), Adams (72’ Thompson), Bird, Hourihane (C), Sibley (72’ Elder), Mendez-Laing (38’ Barkhuizen) (89’ Wilson), Collins.
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