The Rams finally found some touch and resurrected a bit of the bully in them, as they delivered a 4-0 thumping of Blackpool at the iPro last night. But is the bully back for good?

Derby needed to find some form, as their hopes of automatic promotion ride off into the sunset, desperately requiring confidence and goals. Both of those things came in abundance against Blackpool and will hopefully help send the Rams on a rejuvenating run as they head into the play-offs.

Once again McClaren shuffled the deck with his team selection, partly required because of injuries, partly due to form and the need to find a spark.

Shotton, Whitbread, Dawkins & Lingard replaced Albentosa, Forsyth, Russell & Martin, with all but Martin sitting on the bench (how much should we worry?).

Derby needed a bright start to take away any wind that Blackpool may have had left in their sails — and that wind was well and truly knocked out after 2 minutes.

Craig Bryson looked like the player he has not been for much of the season when he ran at retreating defenders, after attacking unchallenged for around 20 yards, the Scot unleashed a thumping 22 yard strike that beat the Tangerines keeper and secured the Rams the early lead they desired. 1-0.

Blackpool looked like a relegated team, they had turned up and were trying to look like they were trying, but Derby were pretty much dictating play. This was made more obvious when Dawkins easily wandered into the box and should have scored. His shot was saved and so was Ince’s follow up effort but the game was starting to unravel for the visitors and it was not going to improve.

The Rams nearly let in another of their trademark ‘poorly defended’ goals when Cameron was left unmarked only to send his header over the bar. But that near death experience seemed to spark Derby to a higher tempo as they suddenly and ruthlessly, took the game away from Blackpool.

Shotton flew down the left at the constantly retreating Tangerine defence, he found Ince who curled a majestic shot around the keeper and inside the far post on 28 minutes. 2-0.

Only a minute later Blackpool’s Dunne fluffed a back pass that allowed ultimate goal poacher Darren Bent into the race. The Rams forward galloped onto the ball and placed his shot perfectly to make it 3-0 on 29 minutes.

Lingard missed the opportunity to make it 4 when he blazed over from close range, after a shot from Ince had rebounded and found him in a perfect position to score.

Derby were in total control and very comfortable at half time. There was a nice relaxed feeling around the iPro, a nice change after more than a month of stress in the stands.

HT: 3-0

In the second half Shotton almost let Blackpool back into the game when a header back to Grant nearly ended in disaster as Orlandi pounced on the weak effort but could only shoot wide.

Shotton made up for his howler when he again lurched forward with a probing run that found him in the box and dragged down by Peter Clarke.

Penalty given and Bent stepped up to make it 4-0 on 65 minutes. That goal made it a dozen for Darren in only fifteen matches, since arriving at the Rams on loan, I shudder to think where our season would have ended up without him.

The game was over and McClaren removed Hendrick, Ince & Bent for Russell, Ward and Thomas in quick succession. No point in risking key players before what will be a crucial final 3 matches.

Derby went through their paces during the last 20 minutes and could have made it a cricket score but the tempo drifted and everyone’s mind turned to the games to come and securing that top 6 spot.

FT: 4-0

With Wolves and Brentford beaten in their matches, a 4 point buffer has suddenly opened up between Derby and the chasing pack. One more win might be enough, two would make sure of a play-off position.

Derby must do everything they can to improve their table position but it seems 4th may be the best they can hope for, but even that would require a lot of results to fall their way. At this stage just being involved will be the main focus until they are mathematically secure.

Whatever happens from here, we can only hope this result will be the start of the revival of both form and confidence that Derby can take into the play-offs.

More of the same please boys!

Ryan Weston was at the iPro for RamZone - and once he has finished crying with joy after seeing 4 goals go into the right net for once - we will present his comprehensive report of the match.

COYR!!

Match Info / Rams Team:

Ref: Oliver Langford

Crowd: 27,227 (inc. 150 travelling Tangerines)

Derby: Grant, Keogh, Shotton, Whitbread, Warnock, Bryson, Hendrick (Thomas 78’), Ince (Ward 74’), Lingard, Bent (Russell 68’).

Unused Subs: Roos, Christie, Forsyth, Albentosa.

Match Stats — Derby / Blackpool:

Goals: Bryson 3’, Ince 28’, Bent 29’ & 65’(pen)

Possession: 61% / 39%

Shots On Target: 8 / 0

Shots Off Target: 10 / 10

Corners: 5 / 4

Fouls: 9 / 10

We Said / They Said - Match Reaction:

We Said — Steve McClaren:

"This was the genuine article. We kept a clean sheet, we worked, we passed and moved, we played at a good tempo and we got our reward."

They said — Lee Clark:

"We need to change everything and restructure the whole club. This will mean a very busy summer but we have already started talking about players and I have never been knocked back whenever I have asked for support in bringing people in."

Highlights / Post Match Interviews:

Up Next For The Rams:

Huddersfield vs. Derby

John Smith’s Stadium

3:00pm — 18th April 2015

COYR!!

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls