Dull and monotonous: two words often used by English football fans to describe international breaks. But even those who have most desperately yearned for the return of Championship football over the past fortnight would have to admit that Preston’s 1-1 draw at home to Derby was a worse spectacle.
Frankly, I’m assuming that you are reading this having nodded off during the match hoping there was uptick in quality at Sleepdale. Sorry, I meant Deepdale.
There wasn’t, but the Rams have come away with another point on the road after Jerry Yates scored his third goal in as many games.
Kaine Kesler-Hayden was the first to test Jacob Widell Zetterström in the 10th minute, with a shot from 20 yards, which was comfortable for the Swedish ‘keeper.
The Aston Villa loanee was the hosts main outlet at left wing back and set up the opener with a pacey cross towards Sam Greenwood, who looped his header over Zetterström.
Derby were on level terms just six minutes later, following a successful set piece routine: Ben Osborn’s free kick was headed down by Eiran Cashin to Yates, who had made a great run to the edge of the six-yard box from where he finished with a diving header.
With five minutes of the half to play, came the only other moment of quality, desperately needed by the increasingly restless home fans. Greenwood played a one-two with McCann from a corner before drifting inside and shooting towards the near post. forcing a save.
Derby countered from the following corner and Liam Thompson’s cross was nearly turned in for an own goal.
At half time, boos from the home fans, sighs and groans from Rams fans across the globe.
With both sides struggling to keep the ball, often turning over possession after just a couple of passes, these reactions were warranted. But there was also a sense that if one side could improve this, the game would be theirs for the taking.
But, alas, this never came, Derby’s pass completion percentage remaining at 70, with Preston’s improving three per cent to 74.
Perhaps a good way to illustrate the lack of cutting edge is that Ebou Adams’ effort that rolled wide of the post from 20 yards was probably the second-best chance of the half behind Marcus Harness’ stoppage time volley from a similar range.
Analysis: If you can’t win… don’t lose
Preston started the day in 21st, winless in their last five league games. Derby were looking for consecutive away wins in the second tier for the first time since July 2020, when a Wayne Rooney free kick was the difference at Deepdale.
In a game that was a poor advert for the Championship, a moment of individual quality was similarly going to be needed. Could the close control and impressive passing range of Kenzo Goudmijn or the pace of Corey Blackett-Taylor have made a difference?
Given Preston’s situation, this will be seen, like Plymouth a fortnight earlier, as a missed opportunity. But, conversely, how many other places could Derby leave with a point after playing that sloppily?
Comments