Sometimes it’s just not your night, and last night it wasn’t ‘Pool’s. We just couldn’t seem to get going, and never really got at Derby – preferring to pass the ball square/back rather than running or passing the ball forward/into space. Not pretty viewing.
By contrast, Derby were well organised, tight at the back and threw numbers forward when they could, attacking with pace and confidence. In many ways, an exemplary away performance from Nigel Clough’s side.
Following his error on Sunday, Craig Cathcart was dropped, with Matt Hill replacing. Chris Basham came onto the bench, as did Tom Ince.
The game, all told, was boring, with few chances at either end… I legitimately can’t think of anything to tell you about the first half!
Moving into the second half, Kevin Phillips fizzed one wide from distance, whilst the other end Jamie Ward hit the bar with a great effort from 25 yards.
Billy Clarke was then sent on for Brett Ormerod, who it pains me to say is now ‘past it’ at this level – it looks like his legs have gone.
Matt Hill – otherwise impressive – then gave a freekick away close to our 18 yard box, and Steven Davies fired it in. Matt Gilks palmed it away, but a static Seasiders defence had failed to track Craig Bryson who ran in and tapped home the rebound.
Tom Ince then replaced Elliot Grandin as ‘Pool tried to get back into the game, but it was only really Gary Taylor-Fletcher who attacked with any real vigour.
Craig Sutherland then replaced Hill late on, but it was too little, too late – the 100% record had gone.
A much better performance will be required this Saturday at Brighton.
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Not the best write up of a football match this. Derby came to stifle us and did so impressively. You mention about passing the ball back or square, this can’t be helped if there isn’t sufficient movement to play a forward pass. The lads looked a little subdued last night, lets just hope it was a bad day at the office. One thing i noticed about 8 or 9 times was our lads slipping on the surface, this is completely unacceptable. The whole team will have been aware that the grass must have been watered prior to the game and the correct footwear should have been worn. Another thing although Human Weetabix Gilks had a good game, the save from the free kick looked a good reaction save, but don’t palm it straight back into the danger zone, that is basics of goal keeping- however it was a stupid free kick to give away in the first place by Matt Hill, especially whilst goal side. He had a good game otherwise. I feel we are desperately short of pace up front and this is something that needs addressing. Grandin now needs to come of age, as the attacking midfielder he needs to start doing more with the ball. Again nothing to worry about yet, it’s how we bounce back from this defeat that counts.
Agree with Royster, not a great match report.