What an odd match it was between the Rams and MK Dons last Saturday afternoon. The hosts had control for the large majority of the match whilst the Rams at times, only just stayed in it.

Once again, it took a while for Derby to get going. It nearly seems as if the first whistle catches our players out with more than a few sluggish starts to games this season.

Scott Carson saved his team mates on a few occasions. Going forward the Rams struggled to muster up a spell of imposing themselves on the Dons, being reduced to largely long range passing.

It would be easy to say that MK were playing very well and thus making it hard for Derby as you’d expect but that wasn’t the case. The home side passed the ball well but missed chances frequently and didn’t look especially solid at the back, as the away side later found out. Derby simply didn’t turn up.

Paul Clement became an easy target; fans were rightly restless at half-time with the Rams riding their luck. However, the manager’s subs changed the game, Weimann, who has struggled to make an impact early this season and, Hendrick, also failing to make much of an impact so far this campaign, came on and changed the Derby side for the better.

A switch from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 also helped, with Ince going into the centre of the line of 3.

Bradley Johnson’s goal proved that money can buy quality and ruthlessness in the final third. It was a typical Johnson goal, who scored from that sort of area countless times for Norwich last season.

The new boy is just what we need, a midfielder with an eye for goal bursting towards the box. I’ve a feeling we’ll see him score a few more of those.

Not playing well and winning is of course the sign of a good side, but better sides would have punished Derby on Saturday.

In total the Rams are now only 1 defeat in 9 league matches, unbeaten away — which doesn’t sound too bad!

Despite these stats, some fans are questioning Clement’s position already, with Clement even re-tweeting (yes, a manager on Twitter!) a fan saying he; ‘couldn’t coach an under 10 team!’

At least he has a sense of humour!

No we turn our attention to the visit of Brentford and the need to secure our first home win of the season. Here's hoping that eagerly awaited victory comes today.

In other news, Rams head of football operations and recruitment Chris Evans has left his post after resigning during the week.

He was head of recruitment during Steve McClaren’s reign and, on reflection, brought some very good loan players to the club, but maybe the coaching reputation of McClaren had more influence on those moves, who knows?

Surely the manager has the final say over transfers despite having somebody in charge of recruitment?

I really don’t understand the role, most clubs manage without it — it seems it is probably just to allow the manager to do more coaching, hence the title ‘Head Coach’.

Sam Rush says there aren’t any plans for an immediate replacement, so why was it necessary to have one back when Evans came to the club?

This summer arrivals were in before Paul Clement’s appointment, which must be down to Evans. Clement must be eager to make the club his own and leave behind the McClaren era, surely Clement also has an eye for hidden gems given his work overseas.

Maybe it is just the continuing Mel Morris-isation of the club now that he owns DCFC outright!

Time will tell but whatever the case, it seems the Rams seem to be a club moving forward.

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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