28/12/09 – Newcastle United 0 Derby 0. That’s much better, Rams. Thank you.
After the feckless home shows against Doncaster and Blackpool, a side with an away record as dire as ours could hardly be expected to get anything at St James’ Park. Could they?
In fairness, on another day, Newcastle could have won by two or three. Perhaps they should have done. Ryan Taylor should have done better than hit Bywater when put through one on one. Steven Taylor planted a strong header straight down the keeper’s throat from ten yards. Myriad free kicks and corners were swung into the Rams’ box, many won by the ‘artistry’ of Argentina winger Jonás Gutiérrez.
Hulse, McEveley and Buxton all made crucial last-ditch interventions. Savage took a booking, but his very next act was a rousing, perfectly-timed diving block. McEveley ultimately put in a tackle too many and received a second yellow. But by then, it was stoppage time and the centre halves, Buxton (who is all heart) and Addison, had done their job.
Future captain of DCFC - but which gobshite Notts Forest manager never picked him during his tenure at Pride Park?
It was the commitment that stirred the soul. If their quality had matched the effort, Derby could have even nicked it, but the Rams’ numerous counter attacks invariably foundered, as Green, Pearson or Hendrie picked the wrong ball from promising positions. Only once did Derby get round the back, when Pearson stormed past the ponderous, be-permed Coloccini and cut back for DJ Campbell, who had ghosted into space. His smart drive was bettered by a good block from the stalwart goalkeeper Steve Harper.
DJ Campbell - doing OK. But he's not our player...
The major plusses were the returns from injury of Kris Commons – a twenty-minute cameo – but mostly Addison, who showed us exactly what we’ve been missing. Strong, purposeful, assured, he shored up the backline and though he was clearly playing through pain by midway, made several storming runs from the back. Enthusiasm, drive, power, spirit… cojones, basically, the sort of passion that was sadly missing in the previous two matches. Miles has the sort of spirit that could drag the club out of its current rut.
It’s difficult to see a way back into the starting team for the wingers who were dropped for this match. Now that Commons has returned and Green is fit again, you’d imagine they’d be first choice to play wide. I know Green’s best position is central midfield, but with Pearson and Savage automatic picks (and Addison another contender, if any of the other centre backs get fit again).
Any road, having flamed them for their execrable efforts on Boxing Day, it seems only fair to praise them for putting in a proper shift against the Toon. Now, we must watch and wait to see what develops in January. Not only the annual horse-trading (or loaning, in our case) binge that is the mid-season transfer window – we also look forward to crucial home games against Scunthorpe United and dear old Forest, as well as away trips to struggling Peterborough United and Plymouth Argyle. The absolute minimum expectation from those four games has to be eight points. It would also be nice to avoid the numbing misery of being knocked out of another cup competition by a lower league opponent. Millwall will fancy their chances.
We will know much more this time next month.
