What’s that old footballing cliché? ‘You can only beat what’s in front of you.’ That was certainly true in this one as the Rams easily swept past a Blackpool team on the big dipper down to League 1.

With this said, that should only take a little, if any of the shine off a much-improved Rams display, which might just reignite the belief and feel-good factor around the place.

On an evening perfect for football, we had the perfect start. Taking to the field showing four changes, with Shotton, Whitbread, Lingard and Dawkins recalled, it was one of last season’s heroes who started the ball rolling.

Hendrick nicked in to toe end the ball to Bryson thirty yards out. Moving forward, with as much chance of being tackled as Forest making the playoffs, Craig let fly left-footed. Aided by a small deflection, the ball seemed to travel in slow motion to beat the flat-footed Parish and nestle in the onion bag. Bryson’s celebration seemed to be a show of defiance to those with short memories…

An early goal was just what we needed and the game soon settled into an open an entertaining contest, due largely to Blackpool’s formation having more holes in it than Augusta National. Still, it was the Tangerines who fashioned the next chance, with Dunne sweeping a corner wide.

Back came Derby and after a sustained bit of pass and move, Ince teed up Dawkins, whose rasping drive stung the palms of Parish. Next, it was Ince’s turn to fire at the Tangerine goal. After jinking passed his man in the box, young Thomas finally discovered he has a right foot, but could only send his strike over.

As the game continued to sweep from end to end, our beleaguered visitors really should have been level soon after. Another corner caused panic in the Derby box and centre half O’Dea somehow planted a free header from the middle of the goal over the top. O’Dea indeed!

That signalled the first, but my no means, time that Rams and the 108 Tangerine fans joined voices to vent their frustration towards Blackpool’s owner. A truly unbelievable situation that has somehow been allowed to end up with relegation. Still, there was little time for sentiment on the field, as soon after we were in total control.

Superb play from Shotton on the right wing saw him dink a lovely ball past two defenders straight on to Ince’s preferred foot. With consummate ease, he rolled the ball effortlessly into the far corner, before showing his own respect for his former employers by looking as glum as Lee Clark on a good day. If that was all but game over, within a minute… it truly was.

From kick off, Perkins rolled the ball back to left-back Dunne, who proceeded to pass the ball effortlessly beyond the last defender, right into the path of Bent, who finished brilliantly first-time on his weaker side. Superb anticipation yes, but it summed up Blackpool’s season in one pass. Perhaps the powers that be will credit Dunne with the assist?

There followed a dominant end to the half with Derby, aided by a new midfield general by the name of S. Dawkins, looked to turn the screw still further. Still, Blackpool got to the break with no further breaches of their ‘defence.’

One could have excused both teams for knocking the second half on the head. A comeback was as likely as seeing Steve McClaren in the hairstylists. Still, it was all about professionalism and thankfully we came out with the same pleasing tempo, hungry for more goals.

First, Dawkins combined well with Lingard before shooting just wide of the far stick and missing out on the goal his display had warranted.

It was Lingard though who proved to be the most wasteful in the next attack. His excellent burst from the left saw him break into the box and find Ince, Tom’s shot was well saved but the rebound fell extremely kindly for Lingard who proceeded to somehow shoot over an open goal. Even Leon Best would have scored… maybe.

Shotton very nearly then gave the 108 Tangerines something to cheer, or at least celebrate, as his short back-header saw Madine just prod the wrong side of the upright. Still, it was just a minor hiccup as we were enjoying the freedom of the park.

Whitbread was proving a calming influence at the back, with his passing forwards particularly impressive. Shotton too was looking good down the right and it was he who had a hand in the fourth.

More good football saw Warnock released down the left. His excellent cross (he’d obviously been practicing since Saturday!) evaded Bent but found Shotton, who was carelessly hauled down in the box by Orlandi.

I really hope somebody videoed the penalty, as it should be used as an example to all children on how to take the perfect spot-kick. Bent stepped up and slammed it into the top left-hand corner.

4-0 and time to rest some of the big-guns.

Well that was the plan at least, but Bent still had time to almost chalk-up a hat-trick. Released well by Hendrick, Bent seemed clear of the last man, but his shot was deflected off Clarke and dropped just wide. That was to be his last action as he was replaced by Russell. Ince and Hendrick soon followed, with Ward and Thomas replacing them.

And with that, the game meandered to a finish. There were perhaps a couple of half-chances for both sides (and a pretty poor Ward tackle) but the job was done, arguably ever since the 3rd minute.

As such, the game felt like a cup tie against lower league opposition, with a few more empty seats than normal-people obviously thinking, ‘well it’s only Blackpool.’

As the full-time whistle blew however, there was no denying that this was Derby not at their best, but far better than in recent weeks. The tempo, the flair, dare I say the belief seemed to be back.

Maybe, just maybe, we’ll be feeling a lot happier in late May this year. To quote another footballing cliché, we’re approaching; ‘squeaky bum time.’

Weston’s Player Ratings:

Lee Grant — 7: Not a deal to do but distributed well.

Ryan Shotton — 8: Very solid on his return.

Richard Keogh — 7: Another good performance from the skipper.

Zak Whitbread — 8: Assured display, excellent passing.

Stephen Warnock — 7: Good again, better crossing and defended well.

Craig Bryson — 7: A game made for him. Good to see him score.

Jeff Hendrick — 7: Controlled display.

Simon Dawkins — Weston’s Star Man 9: One of the best game’s I’ve seen him play. Kept the ball, went past players, tackled well. Brilliant!

Tom Ince — 7: Very good yet again. Lovely finish.

Jesse Lingard — 7: Lively but shooting needs sorting out!!

Darren Bent — 8: Two well taken goals and looks sharp. Could be our key man.

Subs:

Johnny Russell — 6.

Jamie Ward — 6.

Kwame Thomas — 6.

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

3:00pm — 18th April 2015

COYR!!

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls