Everyone knows my admiration for England star Darren Bent, and my dismay earlier in the season when Ian lead me to believe Dazzler (as he is affectionatley known) was signing for us, only to be cruelly told it was in fact Millwall he was heading to. Well he headed there, and then headed right back out and caught a train for Derby County, our opponents on this Tuesday night. Not only was Dazzler on loan at Derby, no doubt still picking up his £80,000 a week paycheck from someone, but England Under 21 starlet Tom Ince found sitting on Hull's bench was giving him splinters and also made the loan move to Pride Park.
Dazzler scores for England
Tom Ince on England duty
Tom's wages are a snip at a mere £25,000 a week, but what a strike force Derby County have. Of course, we have our own deadly duo of Derbyshire and Sammon. When Derbyshire was playing poorly just a few short weeks ago people were pointing to his reported £4000 a week and calling it a colossal waste of money. Now it seems like pretty good value. Unfortunately there was to be no opportunity to feed the fish as Connor was not allowed to play for the club that pays nearly all his wages. No matter, that left an opportunity for young Danny Ward, a player we actually own. Steve also seemed to agree with me that Richardson and Newton were rubbish against Blackburn, and both were dropped in favour of Hunt and a returning Rob Milsom. (Returning from where I'm not sure as we haven't seen him for months, Bury maybe?).
A full working day meant the usual gobbling down of tea and lift from Chris. We were joined, surprisingly midweek, by Vicky who simply could not miss a game against a team pushing for automatic promotion. OMOTE was waiting, we nodded to each other, and the Wolversons arrived en masse shortly after us, Kathy just can't keep away. The tweeters had brought along a friend, a very annoying female friend who, when she wasn't talking about make-up or Coronation Street, felt the need to shriek in a high pitched tone. The ref was our old friend Mr Miller, you may recall he looks like our Howard and refereed his last game at the New York with aplomb. (I.e he gave us all the decisions). Shame he felt the need to ref this one without aplomb.
Frank sang, we kicked, and Mr Miller blew right on time as the last note ended. We were off. 'Come on Ben' shrieked the tweeters friend (TF). 'That's Ben Pringle, the only one I know!'. Vicky and I rolled our eyes and covered our ears. Straight from the off Steve and Paul were in trouble with the fourth official, they were getting their complaints in before the incident happened no doubt. Very wise it transpired, when Mr Miller did an Arsene Venger and 'did not see it' as the ball hit a Derby players arm in the area. Another big decision had gone against us. 'Ahhhhh' shrieked TF, 'what happened?'.
Referee!
Dazzler and Tom were shooting towards us, but it was Derbyshire and Ward that looked like the big money earners as they constantly caused Derby problems battling for every ball. The midfield looked strong with Smallwood playing particularly well, and the defence was holding out. We had started well. After about 15 mins Ince got a shot away that flew wide. 'Ahhhhhhh' screamed TF, but young Nicky Hunt stayed down in the area, the ref called on the trainer and it didn't look good. Eight minutes later, after lengthy treatment he was carried off on a stretcher to applause from both sets of fans. Kieran Richardson had to come on. Despite this we still pushed on and won a free kick on the right. Ben Pringle took it and planted it on the head of Clubfoot, a late replacement for the ill Captain Morgan, who headed down to an unmarked Paul Green. He side footed home and we were winning 1-0.
Paul Green scores......
And celebrates
All the players went mad, as did the fans. We got back in position, Derby kicked off, broke up the right, Ince got the ball and curved a wonderful shot past Colin. 62 seconds after we had scored it was 1-1. The Derby players went mad, as did the fans.
Tom Ince is mobbed
The ref added 8 minutes for the injury to Hunt then brought it to a close at 1-1. We were all in agreement that it had been a great game, that Tom Ince is a wonderful player but we had kept him quiet, apart from one peace of skill, and that TF is very annoying.
The first 15 mins of the second half produced some of the best football of the season so far. We attacked with purpose and went close on a couple of occasions before winning a cheap,free kick just below us near the corner flag. Up stepped Ritchie Smallwood. He sized up the angle. 'Have a shot' screamed Ian. He had a shot, the keeper came and flapped, the ball slipping through his outstretched hands and into the net. 2-1.
Butterfingers
And still we pressed, causing their on loan Real Madrid defender to head straight into Matt Derbyshires path. Of course he ran on and slotted calmly through the keepers legs, then celebrated as if he was glad to score a goal for the team that pays his wages. 3-1 and we were in heaven. Even OMOTE was on his feet, leaping about on his gammy leg. We almost hugged!
Derbyshire scores....
And celebrates!!!!
As does Steve....
At this point Steve McLaren decided that drastic measures were needed to stop the force that is Rotherham United and made the dreaded Triple Substitution. This is a statement that your team is being outclassed and that you are going for broke. It turned out to be a master stroke as it changed the game completely. We sat back and Derby pressed, and pressed, and pressed, until a cross was turned in wonderfully by Tom Ince. 2-1 and we were worried. Still they poured forward and it was only a matter of time. There could be only one scorer couldn't there? Another cross from Richardsons side and Dazzler found himself with time and space to tap home from a couple of yards.
Dazzler scores against Rotherham
It was inevitable really. 3-3, and only one team looked like winning it. What a game. Both sets of fans tried to lift their side and the atmosphere was electric. I looked to the side to nod sagely at OMOTE in silent tribute to the performance, only to find that he had left! Mr Miller decided there should be five added minutes and we began to bite our fingernails. Every clearance and throw was met with huge cheers until finally the whistle blew. 3-3. We would have taken a draw before the game, were disappointed to be pegged back, but were highly delighted to not get beaten in the end by a top class, almost top of the table, Derby with Darren Bent in the team. Next up Wolves away and Nouha Dicko.
Men of the match
Ian - Ritchie Smallwood
Jackie - Danny Ward
Vicky - Danny Ward
Ians award
General bias toward the bigger team, plus the non penalty.
Quote of the day
Steve McLaren Derby Manager
"That could turn out to be one of the most valuable points we get."
If I'm following it right 2-1 should read 3-2 shouldn't it?
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