Derby 0 – 2 Barnsley

A professional job from the super reds ensured a 2 – 0 victory at bottom club Derby to make it 9 points from a possible 12 for the new gaffer.

A Derby mistake gifted Chaplin the opening goal to give the reds a 1 – 0 lead at the break. It was a mistake for familiar with Barnsley in the early part of the 2019/20 season, but thankfully it is the type of mistake we seem to have cut out.

I felt Chaplin had his best game for a long time and the goal seemed to give him a bit of confidence. Hopefully he can continue like this as he had been poor for a while prior to this game.

I felt we were lucky to be leading at the break and that Derby had dominated the first half.

The second half was slightly different. Derby continued to dominate possession but didn’t create any chances as they had in the first half.

Without doubt all of the best chances fell the way of Barnsley in the second half. And I know I have just praised Chaplin, but he messed up possibly the best of the all when he had so many options.

We also defended extremely well in the second half and showed if you do your jobs at the business ends of the pitch then possession means absolutely nothing.

I was worried in mid-week when the manager said we would no longer be looking for a striker with Woodrow being fit and the progress of Victor.

Well Victor eased my worries as he came on and finished superbly to secure all three points. He also looked good with his back to goal in terms of his old up play so maybe he will become the real deal.

Matty James despite showing glimpses of his undoubted quality still looks to be struggling for match fitness and at times can struggle to impose himself on games as much as he would like. Hopefully the international break will do him some good as I think if we had another game that he would need a rest.

Not that that would be a problem as we could move Styles in to midfield and play Odour at wing back. I personally would still like to see a midfield three of Mowatt, Styles and James with just two up top.

I know however that the manager won’t change from his preferred formation. And to be fair, why should he with the start that he has had.

Brittain continues to look a terrific signing. Could he play further forward when Williams is fit? I don’t see the point in moving him for the sake of it but I think he looks good going forward and could possibly be better than the likes of Frieser as a wide forward.

A little break now for some of the lads to build up some fitness and hopefully we can pick up where we left off after the break.

COYR