Derby's dreary Oxford defeat

Outplayed. Outbattled. Outclassed.

This was not against a high-flier such as Stoke or Coventry – Derby were more competitive against them.

This was Oxford. The first of four fellow-bottom-six sides The Rams will play before the November international break. A side, like Derby, who were yet to win at home this season.

Any green shoots from The Rams three consecutive draws were trampled by Rowett’s U’s – perhaps they lacked the steel of injured captain Lewis Travis?

Despite Travis being replaced by vice-captain Adams, John Eustace’s side were boosted in attack by the returns of Rhian Brewster, and Brereton Díaz. But the front four lack rhythm as of yet.

Their best moments came in the opening 15 minutes with the Chilean international causing problems down the left but lacking the final ball.

Gary Rowett’s men soon wrestled control of the game, though, causing havoc with swift breaks down the flanks and swarming into the box.

In net, Zetterström stood strong, denying Stanley Mills and Brian De Keersmaecker, who had already teed up the youngster with a reverse pass.

As the barrage continued, lightning struck twice – and this time Derby weren’t so lucky: De Keersmaecker’s pass allowed Mills to drive inside, and fire low into the goal’s near side.

Yet again, Oxford had caught the visiting defenders off guard with a fast counter. The final line of defence was always going to be breached eventually.

The only Ram to leave Oxfordshire with additional credit, Zetterström was undeterred, diverting Michal Helik’s half-volley on the stroke of half-time after Ciaron Brown and Nik Prelec missed the target.

How different the game could have been if the Swedish shot-stopper’s team-mates could have matched his intensity. But too often, the play was as laboured as a jet-lagged sloth.

Speaking to Sky Sports post-match, John Eustace admitted that his side “didn’t deserve to get anything”, after “losing too many duels and not being aggressive enough.”

Alas, the second half followed the same theme. Both Zetterström’s brilliance, and Oxford’s wastefulness meant the scoreline suggested the game was not out of sight.

The Rams ‘keeper saved efforts from Prelec and captain Cameron Brannagan, while Will Vaulks blasted an effort over the bar and a handful of headers flew wide.

But anyone watching the game could sense it was effectively done. Carlton Morris’ shot which curled wide in the 79^th minute was Derby’s first in 50 minutes.

There were a handful of late corners for Eustace’s men, Morris and Salvesen seeing headers deflected behind, but Zetterström’s efforts to keep his side in the game didn’t earn Derby a point.

Analysis: A crucial couple of weeks

Whether you see them as excuses or valid mitigating factors, many of the reasons given for Derby’s sluggish start are no longer applicable.

A tough run of fixtures, an abundance of injuries, or a lack of time on the training ground. Now Derby’s injury list stands at four (including Lewis Travis who will be out for around six weeks). There have been multiple international breaks to build fitness and work on team cohesion. Plus, the next five fixtures – on paper – are favourable.

Now it gets real: the touchpaper must light.

After a performance such as the one at The Kassam, something must change: Derby must regain the tenacity that characterised the great escape. Perhaps with Sondre Langås’ return, the 3-5-2 that was so effective in that period could return?

Eustace’s side were so much more solid in that shape; how many times  was the head coach heard saying something along the lines of, “I was confident we wouldn’t concede after going in front”? Instead, now it often takes a goal being conceded for Derby to find another gear, which they didn’t do on Saturday.

Strikingly, Derby would be seventh in the Championship if only second halves counted – and the 1.6 points per game is a higher figure than the playoff-worthy form of Eustace’s tenure last season.

To build on earlier metaphors, the fireworks cannot keep taking 45 minutes to go off when they do.

Make no mistake, with three more bottom-six sides to play in the coming weeks, this is now a period which could heavily define the trajectory of Derby’s season.

Oxford (4-3-3): Cumming (GK); Spencer, Helik, Brown, Currie; Vaulks, De Keersmaecker, Brannagan; Mills (Placheta 71’), Prelec (Harris 89’), Dembele (Davies 89’).

Unused Substitutes: Ingram (GK); Leigh, Long; Goodrham, Krastev; Lankshear.

Derby (4-2-3-1): Zetterström (GK); Johnston, Sanderson, Clarke, Forsyth (Elder 85’); Adams (C), Ozoh (Blackett-Taylor 71’); Weimann (Agyemang 61’), Brewster (Salvesen 85’), Brereton Díaz (Clark 46’); Morris.

Unused Substitutes: Vickers (GK); Batth, Langås; Jackson.