Whoever coined the phrase that a week is a long time in football really wasn’t wrong. After watching from seemingly calm waters at the calamities unfolding at various other clubs in the past four years, the tsunami that ousted the good ship Clough, brought in HMS Schteve and saw a wave of goals crashing in on Tuesday night will be talked about for as long as we still have a football club to support.

With the talking done, the arguments still raging anywhere from computer screens to pub lounges and with the academy gaffer back teaching the kids, what we needed was a rip-roaring start for the new (and hopefully not as destructive) three-amigos. Thankfully, we were playing ‘The Damned.’

Walking behind the over-zealous frog march of the sixteen year old Leeds fans to Pride Park and ignoring the usual vitriol re: Clough Snr. who would have been in his later years before the youth in a Primark jacket spouting said vitriol was even a glint in his father’s eye, there was a genuine buzz in the air.

Perhaps it was the warm Autumn sunshine. Perhaps it was that somehow, the police hadn’t moved the game to 1pm. Whatever it was, the pre-match discussions (including a request for my ‘three-cheese pasta’ recipe-really!) pointed to a positive result on the return of the Mac.

Once again, sitting in unfamiliar territory in the Gordon Guthrie, I was forced to look on in horror at some ugly fat bloke from Yorkshire sat in my usual seat, something that will continue to irritate me until Mr Rush grows a pair and sorts the situation out.

Nonetheless, the teams emerged to the biggest crowd of the season in arguably its most important game so far. Showing three changes from the goal-fest of midweek, the football genius found himself on the bench for the first time this season, no doubt being rested in case of a late winner if required. Eustace and Russell also returned, and both were to see the recall more than vindicated.

From the off, we looked a different side from the one that had been so poor at home in recent weeks. The passing was immediately slick, the tempo was high and so was Steve, sat in the director’s box. The task of rallying the troops from the touchline was left to Simpson, who looks the kind of nutter that will be wearing shirts come the coldest midweek game in January.

The first chance arrived when Kenny scuffed a clearance under the influence of drugs… sorry Russell straight to Hughes, playing just off Chris Martin, who narrowly chipped over. Indeed, the system had been tweaked to generate more width, with Ward and Russell occupying the wide berths.

For all of our early endeavour, our defensive frailties almost cost us, with Stone Cold Steve Austin blazing over when unmarked after a cross from Warnock was flapped at by Grant. Eventually though, we went in front for only the second time at home this season.

Bryson, who had found space throughout the first knockings, robbed Green, who was obviously too busy counting his money, to exchange passes with Martin before drawing three Leeds defenders in and laying it on a plate for the big striker, who simply couldn’t miss.

It was a goal that Martin had deserved for his opening to the game and it was about to get better. Hughes, relishing his more-attacking role, fed Martin who produced a back-heel that can be found under ‘sublime’ in the dictionary. The work of art found Russell who didn’t even have to check stride before smashing in first time.

The midfield battle was a no-contest, with Eustace winning every loose ball. Unlike previously, there was always an option, always someone hungry to receive the ball, particularly out wide, an obvious and much needed ploy from Macca.

Sadly, we seemed to take our foot off the gas as the half neared its end, playing straight into Leeds’ grubby Yorkshire mitts. It seemed however that our luck was changing. Scuffed clearances from Whitbread and miss-communication between Keogh and Grant led to nothing instead of a goal.

Hovis also produced a wonderful seal impression, heading the ball on the floor while having his hands behind his back. You felt a mistake was the only way the Damned would score and so it proved. Another high hanging ball to the back stick provoked Grant to take a firm grasp of Pride Park thin air, leading an easy task for Pearce to nod in. 4,000 visitors to my right woke up and it was game on.

Macca’s half-time team talk would still have been a lot easier than in mid-week and soon, normal service was resumed. Our pace and neat one-touch football was too much for a Leeds side looking leggy and pedestrian and in much need of a character to ignite the ‘Dirty’ of sides past.

First following Ward’s break and cross, Hughes inexplicably tried to tee up Martin when he could have updated his Twitter account and still have had time to score. Next Russell and Martin combined for the former to shoot just wide with Kenny rooted to the spot. (Not for the first time looking at the size of him).

Mason Bennett’s introduction came as a surprise as we were looking so comfortable and it was before the 75th minute of the game! What was slightly bothering was Eric Steele having to wave a sheet of paper like a frantic man at an auction to get Steve’s attention above him for the green light.

For our domination, two nearly moments from Poleon and McCormack, both seeing Grant hurriedly off his line, underlined the need for another goal. We needn’t have worried though as the excellent Hughes sent scouts scribbling into their notepads with another brilliant finish. More good work from Bryson released Hughes who dribbled almost apologetically past Lees before firing into the far corner. Defending that would have left McDermott pulling his hair out…

Game, set and match, even with ten minutes to go. The only thing lacking was some party poppers and a few balloons (musical statues was already being played) as Pride Park partied.

There was even a clown as Diouf entered the fray for the final five. We could have added to cherry on top of the cake to put in the party bag but Bryson decided to shoot instead of squaring to any three possible takers. No matter though, as following three added-minutes spent in the same corner and that was that.

By far and away, this was the best home performance of the season. As the entire squad, subs and all, were sent out to applaud all corners of the ground, my thoughts turned to how much credit the lads deserved. A difficult week had ended with a less than difficult performance, with the midfield trio especially influential.

A perfect start to Macca’s TENure then, we played just as he inTENded. Without question, the inTENsity was much better, the tactics spot on and there was not a hint of any TENsion.

Sure, there are still the defensive issues to sort out, and we still have the annoying TENdancy to give away dreadful goals but a win against the Damned is always sweet.

How many is that in a row now?

Weston’s Player Ratings

Lee Grant- At fault for the goal & had a couple very concerning moments. Worrying - 5

Craig Forsyth- Not quite as bad as normal, good in the tackle and two decent crosses with one still travelling somewhere behind the South Stand - 6

Adam Smith- Much better than previously, seemed to enjoy making runs and people actually passing him the ball! - 6

Zak Whitbread- A few sloppy clearances which he got lucky with but seems confident on the ball - 6

Richard Keogh- A return to form from the skipper, although communication with Grant remains a concern - 6

Craig Bryson- Superb again. Box to box all game, created two goals and made Paul Green look silly. - 8

John Eustace - Excellent as in midweek. Plays the simple ball to great effect. Won majority of battles and provided anchor for Hughes and Bryson - 8

Will Hughes —Remind me how old he is? Another top drawer display from the young man in his new role. Vision, quality and skill and a brilliant finish. Weston’s Star Man - 9

Jamie Ward - Another one of our top players who played well. Final ball much better and a threat - 7

Johnny Russell - Looked very comfortable cutting in on his left foot from the right-wing. Took his goal brilliantly - 7

Chris Martin - Top display from our number 9. Won everything, scored and produced brilliant assist. Glad he got back amongst the goals - 7

Subs

Mason Bennett - Couple of glimpses when he came on. Looked decent. - 6

Jake Buxton - Not sure he even touched it…but he’s a football genius - 6

Connor Sammon - Nice little cameo annoying Leeds’ fans in the corner - 6

We said….

Rams Gaffer Steve McLaren:

"For the character they have shown from Tuesday half-time onwards, the players deserve tremendous praise and credit. We do our work and prepare the team as best we can but the players have to perform and take responsibility and they did that in the second half on Tuesday and today.”

"Staying upstairs gives me a better perspective on the game and I think that's important early when it's a new team. I'm trying to get a picture of this instead of seeing legs and bodies on the touchline and shouting when they can't hear me, or ignore me! I think it helps me make better decisions for the team. I think it was important to keep out the way and let the players do their job which is what they did.”

"In the two games we have seen all our frailties and all our strengths, and there's a lot of work to do."

They said…

Dirty Leeds Manager, Brian McDermott:

“You are disappointed when you lose the first goal, which we have done too many times this season. In the last two games we have let ourselves down away from home but before I turned up here I think we had 21 games away from home and won one.”

"We need to get a mentality away from home where we are very difficult to play against and we weren't today. We played a lot of football today in the middle of the pitch but you are judged on what you do in both boxes and we weren't good enough there. We need a winning mentality. When I was at Reading two years ago when we hardly had any points on the board after 10 games and we just clicked into place and we worked on that."

Match Facts

Crowd: 26, 204

Possession: Derby 46% — Leeds 54%

Shots (on target): Derby 16 (4) — Leeds 11 (3)

Corners: Derby 8 — Leeds 5

Fouls: Derby 15 — Leeds 15

Teams:

Derby : Grant (GK), Smith, Keogh, Whitbread, Forsyth, Eustace, Bryson (Buxton 89’), Hughes, Russell, Martin (Sammon, Ward (Bennett 68’).

Unused Subs: Deeney (GK), Jacobs, Davies, Freeman.

Goals: Martin 20’, Russell 23’, Hughes 78’.

Dirty: Kenny (GK), Peltier, Pearce, Lees, Warnock, Green (Poleon 62’), Austin, Mowatt, Tonge (Diouf 76’), McCormack, Hunt (Smith 62’).

Unused Subs: Cairns (GK), Murphy, Varney, Byram.

Goals: Pearce 45’.

Match Video Highlights:

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls