Are The Rams A Force Awoken Or Just A Phantom Menace?

First of all I must apologise for the cheesy Star Wars references used in the title but it seemed appropriate. As die hard fans we want to know whether the thumping of Hull is a new dawn or just another false hope.

I am not a rabid Star Wars fan, but like the fans of that franchise after the prequels were delivered, we have been left wondering if there is any chance of seeing a return to form. Many of us had started to believe that the type of football we saw Tuesday night was as likely as a visit from aliens from a galaxy far, far away.

What we saw at the iPro pretty much included everything we have all been dying to see, we knew they are a team capable of great things, but no one seemed to know what was holding them back?

We had been demanding skill on the ball, clever passing, tricks, confidence, pressing, tempo, pace and most importantly of all…. Goals.

Against Hull we got everything we wanted and more!

A brace from Johnson in the first half was the cherry on top of a great night for the much maligned midfielder, who set the world on fire when arriving at Derby, only to become a pale shadow of himself in recent months. Against the Tigers he returned to form in fine style and we must keep our fingers crossed that it is not just a fleeting visit.

In the second half Martin and Bryson bagged the other two goals with our number 9’s effort being a rocket of a shot from the edge of the area, while Bryson’s was a tap in after a well worked move as the game drew to a close.

If you weren't lucky enough to be there, make sure you watch the highlights below for all of the goals and some other fine efforts by the Rams during 90 minutes of sublime football. Its a must see!

Besides the goals, the individual efforts and more importantly team work were nothing short of scintillating. The Rams cut open Hull and then rubbed salt in the open wounds, as the scoreline could have easily been more. Yes the visitors were down to 10 men for much of the second half but the damage had already been done.

The team once again looked like the cohesive unit they have always threatened to become and very similar to the McClaren model at its absolute best.

The big question now is can Derby continue this type of output or at worst find a consistent level of tempo and pressure that their 2016 performances have sorely lacked.

There is no doubt the energy of Craig Bryson will have been a major factor in any turn around, since returning from injury he has led from the front and along with fitness, the quality of his performances seems to also be returning.

Alongside Craig, Martin, Ince, Johnson, Thorne and in fact pretty much the whole team, worked their socks off and all contributed to make the Rams look like a well oiled machine rather than a one ready to fall apart.

Perhaps the Redknapp service and oil change is kicking in, his tinkering and influence helping things to click or maybe that is selling Darren Wassall short, who may finally be making genuine progress and turning the ship around?

It is still too early to suggest a miracle turn around has occurred but you can hope can't you?

All we can hope for now, like the Star Wars franchise, is that we are getting the return to form we deserve, instead of new material that looked promising but over the journey delivered nothing.

Perhaps the imminent return of Will Hughes will prove to be the return of Luke Skywalker, coming back to save the day or in this case… season.

Considering the opening day clash against Bolton arguably caused a lot of our squad issues by crippling both Bryson & Hughes, let’s hope come Saturday it will be more ‘Return Of The Jedi’ instead of them once again being the equivalent of a Death Star to our players health.

Yes I know… enough already.

Here’s to the Rams going on a run and proving this was not just a one off but instead a sign of things to come.

May the force be with them.

Sorry!

COYR!!

Match Highlights:

Gaffer Interviews:

Darren Wassall was overjoyed with the win and performance:

Bradley Johnson was pleased with his return to form:

COYR!!

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