Nigel and his Rams had to give something to the home faithful but only got it half right. Derby delivered a clean sheet but couldn’t score and while they didn’t win, they didn’t lose. So that's something... isn't it?

Derby County 0 vs. 0 Barnsley  

3pm Saturday 5th March 2011

Pride Park - Derbyshire

D. Deadman

Attendance:

26,251 (1,204 Travelling Tykes)

Teams:

The Rams:

Fielding, Brayford, Barker, Ayala, Roberts, Cywka (B Davies 84), Savage (Addison 71), Green, Pearson, Robinson, Ward.

Un-used Substitutes: Duke, Doyle, Porter, S Davies, Bueno

Yellow Cards: Brayford

The Tykes:

Steele, Shackell, Arismendi, Trippier, Haynes, McShane, Doyle, Harewood (Devaney 66), Mellis (Butterfield 59), O'Connor (Bennett 84), McEveley.

Un-used Substitutes: Preece, Gray, O'Brien, Miller.

Match Stats:

Possession: Derby 50%  - Barnsley 50% 

Shots On Target: Derby 3 – Barnsley 8

Shots Off Target: Derby 8 – Barnsley 4

Corners: Derby 6 – Barnsley 6

Fouls: Derby 11 – Barnsley 13

Most Fouls: Derby: Pearson (3) – Barnsley: Doyle (3)

I’Saw’s Match Report:

A grey day.

From high in the sky lowering to eye level only minor monochromatic shades exist and then perhaps only in your imagination.

It's grey.

Trust me.

Pride Park, the football matches the weather.

Grey on a sea of green. A becalmed sea.

The tendency to sleep, to nap, to dream is great.

Temptation resisted.

We watch.

Black and White, 4-4-2, Robinson and Ward lead the line.

Pace without control. Bluebird, Coniston water, sinking. How easily the mind drifts.

Green restored to midfield, restored to form, we tick over.

Cywka, velcro feet, felt the ball, unbelievable control. Then he stands on it Roger Davies style.

Pearson all effort adds balance on the left.

Savage puts his best foot forward.

Seconds into the second, Derby having checked the route planner play the ball on the deck through Barnsley via Theo and Ward beats Steele yet with an open goal, misses.

Our best chance.

Others, long range, spill past the goal or sit comfortably in the arms of the keeper.

At the back Barker has a second half of pure dominance. Ayala gets better too.

Brayford and Roberts complement.

Fielding finds Bywater's boots we reckon, such is his kicking. A one armed save to keep a clean sheet tells us it doesn’t matter.

Clough keeps the status quo, Addison on for Savage.

Then during a pantomime substitution “sit down” say the bench, “get up” the handle of Deadman the referee, eventually Ben Davies replaces the injured Cywka.

And whilst we want a win. We desperately need not to lose.

So the game peters out scoreless.

A valuable point.

A game not destined to long remain in the memory, even the bizarre choice of Robbie Savage as man of the match will soon be forgotten.

Coaches Reaction:

Derby Coach Johnny Metgod fronted the media after the match:

"I think today is a point gained for us rather than two dropped," said the Derby coach. When you look at the situation we are in (lost five at home in a row), to get a clean sheet and a point is very pleasing." 

"We did have chances to score today, but we will take it step by step and every little step forwards is one in the right direction. It was vital not to lose today, and we saw a team giving their all not to lose and, with a bit of luck, nick a goal." 

"It was a good, solid performance with a clean sheet, which is what we're looking for. We didn't concede which was vital, and we're looking at the positives."

Defenders Reaction:

After retuning to his regular position, John Brayford was pleased to have kept Barnsley out:

"We needed to stop the rot, so to get a clean sheet and a point is good for us. There's no doubt we couldn't afford to lose today, and although we'd loved to have won the game a point isn't too bad for us.” 

"It was quite an even game and both sides had chances, so I think a point was about fair.” 

"A clean sheet was long overdue at home, so to get one is a foundation to build on for Tuesday's game at Middlesbrough." 

"It is a big game for us, but I am sure Middlesbrough will look at it as a big one for them, every fixture is a key one for us at the moment, but we will take it a game at a time.” 

"We will take confidence from today and hopefully build on it up there."

Next Match:

Middlesbrough vs. Derby

7:45pm - Tuesday March 8th

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