What a crazy game of football! 0-3 up and cruising, quickly capitulated into a 3-3 draw with Leon Best deeply embarrassing his old team mates.
The question everyone was asking was how on earth did it happen?
The substitutions and formation change clearly played a part. At 0-3 it isn’t a surprise that subs were made, of course with an eye on the Forest game next week, thinking about appeasing our huge squad and George Thorne’s fitness in particular. But the formation change was perhaps the difference and certainly more than questionable.
It’s quite easy to place much of the blame at Darren Wassall’s door, his inexperience and Neil Warnock’s experience were perhaps on show. Don’t forget the players too, whoever is on the pitch, no team possessing Derby’s quality should end up all square from that position. Look at the experience out there, the core defensive players of Keogh, Shackell and Carson alone should have been enough.
Turning back to the manager, I think his post-match interview did little to reassure fans, it was awful to listen to and only exacerbated fears that he is out of his depth. He is rapidly losing the confidence of supporters, even those who have tried to support him and give him time to turn things around.
I disagreed with the sacking of Paul Clement, thinking he deserved more time, so it would in some ways be inconsistent to not give Wassall the remainder of the season. Having said that, things have changed, the feeling around the club has only got worse and, unbelievably, the season is still there for the taking with Derby remaining in 5th place.
Others may argue that the season is beyond repair, yet whilst it’s still possible, I will always hope that the club can rescue a top six finish.
Following the match footage emerged after the match of Jason Shackell reacting to Darren Wassall on the sidelines (see video below). To say the least it is poor behaviour on a football pitch from a professional footballer.
It will be interesting to see if there is any action taken against Shackell as surely there has to be something done? It can’t just be glossed over and forgotten, especially now most fans have seen what unfolded.
This also raises the question as to what goes on behind the scenes, especially regarding Shackell, who was previously shipped out by Clough amid rumours at the time of a massive falling out with Clough.
Over the majority of the season Shackell has been pretty solid in defence and is seen as a senior figure but even if he has a dark side to his personality, the footage raises questions about Wassall and if he commands the respect of the whole squad?
Mel Morris has described him as a good motivator but is that enough?
The bad feelings around the club are hardly ideal going into what is normally a massive week, with Nottingham Forest coming to town on Saturday.
Ironically Forest sacked Dougie Freedman yesterday after less than a year in charge and working with his hands tied by the clubs transfer embargo. Former Ram Paul Williams has been put in charge till the end of the season... sound familiar?
For once both sets of fans may be talking more about who is steering their respective ships than what will unfold on the pitch. Come 12:30pm that chatter may cease temporarily but by 2:30, depending on the outcome, fan unrest may become a deafening roar.
What a mess!
An experienced manager wouldn’t solve everything but it’d be a start.
But if Wassall is pushed aside, who is available?
As the voices of dissent grow louder and more in number, that question may be answered sooner than later.
For more of Nathan's articles you can read his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him via @ramscorner on Twitter.