Rams take 'Easy' route at last

All season, Derby's ongoing debacle has been held up as a prime example of how tough it is to survive in the Premier league. Sure, we've had a bit of bad luck along the way but what chance did we have?

The hype surrounding the, self styled, greatest league in the world is relentless and as Derby miserably fail to compete, you begin to believe it yourself. How can a team like Derby possibly live with the likes of Torres, Ronaldo or Fabregas or for that matter Benjani, De La Cruz or Robbie Keane? It might not be as complicated as Rams fans had been led to believe. 

Example A) Our previously rock solid stopper, Steven Bywater, has made one or two errors this season but has largely not been to blame for any defeats. He has made 4-5 flying saves in most games and never gets any help from his defence when he makes a great parry only for an apposing striker to slam home the rebound. Now lets look at Roy Carrol - I don't think I have seen him dive in 4 games now as he has basic positional sense. There have been no unlucky rebounds because Roy tends to hold or punch away the ball. There have been no mix ups because Roy shouts at his defence.

Example B) The Rams defence has been rightly slaughtered this season and are so far out of their depth its unreal. Neanderthal "stoppers" like Moore, Davis and Todd shouldn't be anywhere near the Premier league and even when we play well our luck runs out at the death. Step forward Alan Stubbs a tremendous defender who does three things very well, wins tackles, wins headers and clears his lines with the minimum of fuss. It's not rocket science.

Example C) As mentioned previously, Derby have been ran ragged all season by far superior players who we don't have a hope of competing with. On Saturday Darren Moore was faced with the unenviable task of marking the much lauded Kenwyne Jones. What chance could an ageing lummox like Moore have against the all action, giant front man?  Again, its not difficult. He simply stayed tight, won his headers and tackles and (here's something you don't see nowadays) basically roughed him up a bit. Jones was anonymous.

It's often said Football's a simple game, perhaps it's just Derby County season 2007/2008 who have been making it look difficult.

C Spaceram
www.ramspace.co.uk