On Saturday afternoon, Rams fans endured a frustrating afternoon against Millwall. It all ended 0-0 and there are a few points about the game I feel are worth highlighting.

Derby began the game very positively but let things fizzle out a little in the second-half. Still on home soil - the Rams struggled to get an early goal to ease the difficulty presented by sides that come to the iPro to defend, defend and defend some more.

One statistic in particular shows Derby has had trouble making an early impression in matches. Out of the 14 home goals scored so far this campaign, McClaren’s side have only bagged 2 of them in the first 45. Our home record is spectacular but this is one area I am sure Steve and his team would like to improve on.

I have long called for more game time for Real Madrid loanee Omar Mascarell but on the weekend, John Eustace got the nod again. When Derby has a lot of the ball (63% v Millwall) at home, I feel Omar may provide more creativity and do a better job overall. The role isn’t just about defending; George Thorne proved that and added more quality to the overall performance.

The Spanish midfielder has only made one sub appearance in the last 7 league games. Has something happened behind closed doors that we’re not aware of or perhaps he is not putting the work in during training?

Crosses especially seemed awful against the Lions with Craig Forsyth a major culprit, seemingly unable to hit a decent cross. It is similar with set pieces, despite having 12 corners in total, Derby never really look threatening and can’t seem to use them to their advantage.

Jordan Ibe, unlike his dazzling performance in the last round of the League Cup, failed to impress. What the referee deemed to be a dive was difficult to see for me. Putting that aside, he does have a lot of pace and clearly plenty of skill but, at times, it all goes to waste on making the wrong decision or just simply going too far on his own. Hopefully it was just a one off and he will light up the team again soon.

McClaren’s substitutions also didn’t have anywhere the same impact as they have previously. Leon Best’s early season glimmers of class are proving to be a distant memory.

Yet, I do have to admire the manager’s positivity with subs, in contrast with the previous manager. Jeff Hendrick, Leon Best and Johnny Russell were all thrown on within around five minutes of each other.

Having said all of that, it was another clean sheet and the fourth in a row after shipping goals in four consecutive matches prior to that. Steve McClaren can’t seem to make his mind up about who should partner Richard Keogh. I sense that, because of that, when Jake Buxton is ready to go he’ll be back in the starting XI.

Millwall clearly haven’t changed their mentality from their visit last season, when they became one of only two sides to beat Derby under the guidance of Mac, Simmo and Steele. The Lions deployed the same tactics; excessive time wasting and a willingness to sit back and defend.

I feel for fans that travel to watch Millwall home and away, it must truly be an awful experience. They go to watch the opposition play because, clearly, their side don’t. They just stop the others from playing.

However, you do have to admire their organisation and ability to play like that for a whole game in defence! I understand moderate time wasting towards the conclusion of a match, every side does it, but Millwall take it to another level.

To look at this match in isolation is looking at the narrow picture. Looking at the wider picture, it has been a good start to the season; unbeaten at home, just one defeat and sitting well placed in the top 6.

I can’t wait to see the Rams when they really get going, the rest of the league should be ready - because it’s coming!

Now it is time for the international break. I’m sure I’m not alone in loathing frequent international breaks. Club football all the way for me.

See you on the other side!

For more of Nathan's articles you can read his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him via @ramscorner on Twitter.

Photo: Action Images

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