A 4-1 victory for the Rams deserved without doubt but by George the opposition were poor!

At Derby, Blackpool visit; they switch off their illuminations a day early and prove to be the worst team seen at Pride Park this season by the proverbial golden mile.

Manger-less, rudder-less and lethargic, the Seasider’s are still on the beach as this game nudges into life.

Slow patient builds ups - no closing down - it is the exact reverse of last time out for the home side and we Rams lap it up. Given time and space we look good.

A low key start brings a goal as Paul Coutts threads a ball through a static line of Orange Shirts to Theo Robinson, a first time shot and Derby take the lead on twelve minutes.

Still the game chugs along at the speed of a dotto train on an esplanade. Former Ram Ian Evatt’s contribution to the match is seemingly to concede corners no matter how little danger we actually pose.

Our right side offers the most threats with Brayford and Coutts performing well and it is this combination which results in our second goal. Coutts near the bye line picks out Brayford who is perfectly positioned unmarked at the edge of the penalty area.

The Rams defender swivels and hits his shot first time into the back of the net. Two nil and half an hour gone.

Comfortably in the lead we clickety clack to the half time whistle both sides sharing possession without penetration equally.

Alarm bells, strong words, energy drinks or a good old fashioned kick up the bum later and we suddenly have a game on our hands as both teams start strongly having found the desire so lacking in the first period.

Blackpool run at the Rams and Matt Phillips goal bound shot deflects for a corner off Richard Keogh. Or so we thought. The referee though deems that Keogh’s arm has intentionally got in the way and Mr Mick Russell points to the spot.

Thomas Ince places the penalty low to the keepers left, Adam Legzdins - who had saved a spot kick at Peterborough a week earlier - gets a finger touch to the ball but cannot prevent the goal.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher then almost equalises for the Seasider’s but James O’Connor throws himself and everything else to block the striker’s goal bound effort and we can breathe again.

A mistake by the visitors, Robinson latches on to a misplaced pass and runs, runs, runs at goal. Three Orange Shirts to one White, the odds aren’t in our favour. Robinson doesn’t care; he slides the ball through goalkeeper Matthew Gilks open legs to add his second of the match and restore the Rams two goal cushion.

Brayford nearly adds his second with a dinky little chip from the centre of the “D” which is narrowly wide of the upright and bar.

Connor Sammon eventually makes it 4-1 ten minutes later with a tap in from two yards courtesy of Coutts low cross - which was made possible when he took a return pass from the excellent Robinson under pressure.

Robinson is denied his hat trick as manger Clough brings on Nathan Tyson, and further changes come with the introduction of Kieron Freeman and Michael Jacobs.

Derby finish the stronger and have three claims for penalties turned down, the first a hand ball which would have been as harsh as the one awarded against us and the second a tackle from behind on Sammon by Evatt in the box.

The third involved Jacobs who should have gone down under a challenge when he burst into the penalty area during his brief few minutes on the pitch. By then though - Mr Russell and the crowd of 21,000 Derby supporters - are obviously watching a different match.

It matters not. 4-1 then - well deserved but I’m not fooling myself - we wont play teams as easy as this every week... mark my words!

Player Ratings

Legzdins 6 - Competent and reassuring.

Brayford 7 - Excellent understanding with Coutts, was given the space and time to get forward cumulating in a great goal.

Roberts 6 - Solid and resilient looked a little tired by the end though.

Keogh 6 - Didn’t command and lead like he is capable of but still a good performance.

O’Connor 7 - Very impressive performance read the game well and should keep his place.

Bryson 7 - Here there and everywhere baby beware the January transfer window.

Hendrick 5 - Nothing really wrong, nothing that stood out either, a journeyman type game in truth.

Coutts 8 - Three assists for the goals and so much more, my star player yesterday.

Hughes 7 - Another good game by the youngster, give him space he will hurt teams.

Robinson 8 - Two goals and forming an understanding with Sammon, showed some excellent first touches and great composure for his second goal.

Sammon 7 - Worked hard and finally got his goal, let’s hope more follow.

Subs:

Tyson 6 (Robinson 67) - A run out with little end product.

Freeman 6 (Hendrick 81) - Played wide right had some useful touches.

Jacobs 6 (Hughes 85) - Nearly scored, adds width and more on the left gawd knows why Clough doesn’t rate him.

Photo: Action Images

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