The Weston Report: Tighter Than Arsene In The Transfer Market!
Monday, 24th Nov 2014 06:58 by Ryan Weston

As away trips go, this was up there with one of the most enjoyable. A painless journey down the M1, complete with a couple of ‘light refreshments’ and cheese buns set the tone.

The standard Saturday morning browse of the betting tips - suggested that you could put your house on both teams scoring. It was hard to disagree. My prediction of 2-2 was widely accepted… for once!

A painless trip meant an early start in the boozer, more than conveniently situated a stones-throw from the away end. The drizzle and bilge of Sheffield Wednesday vs. Huddersfield couldn’t dampen the spirits, as fans of both sides chatted optimistically of an open game.

A win for the Rams would lay down a marker, a win for the Hornet’s would make the top of the table tighter than Arsene Wenger in the transfer market.

The teams came in, with the Rams sensibly showing one change from the side that destroyed Wolves. Ibe replaced Dawkins, who had been on international duty in Jamaica.

After a lengthy queue for more refreshment, it was time. Beer supped. Yards walked. Away end. In.

A glance at my seat number gave me the slow realisation that I was to be based in the lower tier. When disappointingly trudging down the stairs, it quickly dawned on me that I was going to be one of the unfortunate people that would be first in line to be smashed in the face with a wayward shot.

Sure enough, I took my position on the front row, so close to Jack Butland I could tap him on the shoulder and ask him the time. As I sought higher ground, the teams emerged.

Surprisingly, Watford had left Messrs Anya and Vydra on the bench. With my search for loftier climbs fruitless, I had a front low seat for a first half which was controlled by the away side. Mascarell, collecting minus points for wearing gloves, set the tempo as the football feast talked of beforehand played itself out.

From early, it was clear that Russell and Ibe had their full backs on toast. Our first real chance though came from Hendrick, driving low after a good set up from Russell. From my ‘vantage’ point, the net was sure to bulge. Not so, as Bond in the Watford net was shaken not stirred, pushing onto the post.

Deeney threatened for Watford soon after, his low drive from inside the box was well saved low down by Butland. Soon after Forestieri was played in on the right, but took more time than the paint took to dry in my lounge, as Forsyth got back to shut him down.

Derby were the aggressors though, led from the front by Martin, who looked as if he had a point to prove following his midweek defeat against the mighty England. The big man nearly got the goal he deserved, cleverly spinning his man before driving into the box before shooting low left-footed. Once again, Bond was heroic, a strong left-hand keeping us out.

Soon after though, we had our rewards. Another ball was switched out to Ibe on the left. Leaving his defender on his backside, he cut inside and tried his luck. Even from my position, you knew it was a beauty, curled expertly into the far corner.

Half-time came with us comfortable, but expecting a Hornet swarm.

Sure enough, Vydra was introduced after the interval - where the Vicarage Road bathrooms had become the smoking section.

After a further ten minutes, there wasn’t much to suggest a home onslaught as Derby continued to press, with first Russell driving a ball across the box and then Martin squandering a real chance to double our money.

Pouncing on a mistake, Martin was in on the right of the area. With the corner of the net being pointed at by yours truly, like an air traffic control pilot, instead Chris tried to take it around Bond. Watford though would 'Die Another Day' as the keeper pounced on the ball.

That threatened to be the turning point. Forestieri became the catalyst in Watford’s resurgence. First he shot wide before picking out Deeney who forced a save from Butland.

Bryson was introduced to wrestle the initiative back but immediately, the door was opened. A slick passing move saw the Rams chasing shadows as sub Munari was played in to lash into the top corner.

Game on. And very nearly game to drag out of the fire, as another move saw Vydra crash a shot just wide.

Finger nails were being bitten in the front row but roared on by another excellent away following, you felt there were more chances to come. Soon one came, as Russell played a super through ball to the rushing Forsyth, whose toe-poke was straight at Bond.

No worries though - the winner was coming.

A winning goal that was worthy of cementing any side - a place at the summit.

Good possession following a throw on the left saw Forsyth find Bryson on the edge of the box. His first touch looked as though it would lead him to be tackled by the referee. Not so, as Craig let fly a bullet of a drive.

Suddenly I was happy for my position as the ball arrowed right towards me on the angle. Thankfully there was a net between us and the ball crashed into it.

A strike that was celebrated as wildly on the pitch as it was in the stand.

As party time started, so did the squeaky bums as the yellow Alamo hit back. Butland tipped over a Deeney header as corner after corner rained down on our area. Showing the fight of, dare I say it… Champions, the Rams resisted!

After what seemed forever (4 mins of injury time that became 6!) - it was over.

Watching the jubilant scenes, it really felt as if a marker had been thrown down. Not many teams will go to the Vicarage and come out with maximum points.

We’re Derby County. We’re top of the league.

Catch us if you can!!

Weston’s Player Ratings:

Jack Butland — 7: Some good saves and good handling / distribution in his final game for the Rams.

Cyrus Christie — 7: Kept Dyer and then Anya well marshalled.

Richard Keogh — 7: Very solid and a good battle with Deeney.

Ryan Shotton — 7: Certainly grown into the role more over the weeks. Good again.

Craig Forsyth — 7: Another good display.

Omar Mascarell — 8: Another who has grown into the role superbly. Class again.

Jeff Hendrick — 7: Got better as the game went on.

Will Hughes — 7: Kept things ticking nicely.

Jordan Ibe — 7: Fantastic goal and looked a threat all game.

Johnny Russell — 7: Sharp and dangerous.

Chris Martin — 8: Excellent for 70 mins. Should have had a goal.

Subs:

Craig Bryson — 8: How many other Championship teams have the class of Bryson on the bench? Wonder goal to take the points.

Simon Dawkins — 7: Provided another threat.

Paul Coutts — 6: A late introduction.

Match Info / Teams:

Ref: K. Stroud

Crowd: 17,421 (inc. 2004 travelling Rams)

Watford:Bond, Paredes, Ekstrand, Bassong, Doyley; Andrews (Munari 62’), Tozser; Dyer (Anya 73’), Forestieri, Ighalo (Vydra 45’); Deeney.

Unused Subs: Gilmartin, Angella, Cathcart, Murray, Anya

Goals: Munari (67’)

Derby: Butland, Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth, Mascarell, Hendrick, Hughes (Bryson 66’), Ibe (Dawkins 73’), Russell (Coutts 90’), Martin

Unused Subs: Roos, Buxton, Eustace, Best

Goals: Ibe (39’), Bryson (81’)

Match Stats — Watford / Derby:

Possession: 48% / 52%

Shots On Target: 6 / 6

Shots Off Target: 9 / 5

Corners: 6 / 9

Fouls: 17 / 12

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"I thought we'd lost our moment. We needed a second goal and we should have had that. We were losing it, having dominated the game for an hour.”

"We played great possession football, some great chances, a great goal and were in the driving seat and in control. But you can't go through 90 minutes at a place like Watford with the quality they've got and not expect to come under some pressure."

They said — Steve Jokanovic:

"We played the first 45 minutes without energy. We didn't play a good game and we didn't press them really. With the goal, we were a little bit scared.”

"We weren't being brave and played many passes at the back slowly. We had many problems in the first 45 minutes."