Cod Almighty | Match Stats
Tuesday 9 August 2016
League Cup (R1)
Derby County 1 Keogh (60)
Grimsby Town 0
Attendance: 11692 (1734 away fans)
McAllister had been perfectly fine, and Berrett finely purring in the spaces between the white lines. But for joint excellence Pearson and Boyce must take plaudits, nullifying the lumbering threat from two Tortoises.
"I think we worked extremely hard to limit them as much as possible. Certainly the first half, what we spoke about, worked pretty well.
"It was a good night – despite the defeat, because I never like to lose whoever I'm playing against. And I was very proud of the players' efforts – you've got to be."
"I want to be more ruthless everywhere, in terms of how we defend, how we use the ball in the middle third and how we finish moves. I'm not one for allowing our opponents dictate the pace of games."
We kept us negative shape and mission accomplished: an unembarrassing defeat.
Boyce and Pearson were admirably unfussed, while the midfield mithered these Midllanders marvellously, and pitter-patted nicely until they got within 45 yards of the Derby goal. Poor Omar was cast away in a canoe without a paddle and it was only when the substitutes arrived and Town moved to 4-4-2 that there were hints and squints at a better world.
We won't be running on empty with Jackson Browne around.
The Rams trotted out a simple, but distinctly dour display. It was a gentle pre-season kickabout for them. They even threw in a comedy cameo from Darren Bent, just for a laugh, just to keep the score down.
This wasn't much of a test for them and they did enough to drift through. Derby were too quick of foot and mind and corralled attacking Townites like yummy mummies with a mochachino and a mobile.
Darren Bent. You have to laugh. Even the locals couldn't stifle their guffaws.
Like us, hate us, but you'll never change us. We are never gonna be respectable.
Mr B Toner (Lancs)
There wasn't anything for the pootling peepster to do apart from start the game and stop it so we could go home. Why not say 7.501? No reason not to.
A non-aggression pact signed in a sports hall and avoiding low bridges.
In a word: passable
Derby County: Carson, Christie, Keogh, Pearce, Forsyth, Blackman (Ince 71), Bryson, Hughes (Hendrick 82), Russell, Martin (Butterfield 71), Bent
Subs not used: Grant, Johnson, Lowe, Shackell
Town: McKeown; Davies, Pearson, Boyce, Andrew; Berrett, Summerfield, McAllister (Browne 55); Vose (Jackson 73), Chambers (Bolarinwa 81), Bogle
Subs not used: Jones, Warrington, Venney, Vernon
Booked: Pearce