Boss: Ball, Tyson can be perfect partners for Rams
NIGEL Clough is ready to turn to the strike pairing of Nathan Tyson and Callum Ball as Derby County look to end their goal drought.
Derby have failed to score in five of their last six matches and have drawn a blank in the last three League games.
They are also without a win in six in all competitions ahead of tonight's Championship clash against East Midlands rivals Leicester City at Pride Park Stadium (7.45pm).
The Tyson and Ball partnership is one of 11 tried by Derby this season – but it was the pairing that helped to sink Leeds United and West Ham United in back-to-back home games over the festive period.
And it is a pairing Clough is keen to take a closer look at.
"We'd like to see more of Nathan Tyson and Callum Ball, the big one and the quick one. It would be nice to see that pairing for half a dozen games," said Clough.
Tyson started up front in the 4-0 defeat at Southampton on Saturday alongside Jamie Ward, who has played wide left for much of the season. Callum Ball was on the bench.
"We still think Jamie's major threat is from wide or even in the hole. We would like to get to the situation where we could play two strikers and maybe Jamie behind them because he is versatile in that way," said Clough.
Ball is set to return to the starting 11 tonight, which would see Ward switch back to the left.
The 19-year-old's run of 11 consecutive starts came to an end at Southampton but he impressed in his 30 minutes as a substitute and Clough was pleased with the player's response to being left out.
"It was not a case of Bally being left out because he had been rubbish for three games," said Clough. "We left him out because he was tired against Reading but when he came on at Southampton he looked lively.
"He has been almost ever-present since he got into the side and that is an awful lot for a 19-year-old playing for the first time at this level.
"Next season, we hope when he is a bit fitter and more used to playing in the Championship, he will be able to play even more games."
Clough believes that in a few years Derby will have some of the best talent around and points to Ball and midfielder Jeff Hendrick as examples.
The manager hopes Ball can develop into another Rickie Lambert, the Southampton striker who is top scorer in the Championship.
"We played against probably the best striker in the division on Saturday in Rickie Lambert," said Clough.
"Callum Ball is 19 and in his first season. We hope in three or four years he will be another Rickie Lambert but we have to wait for him to get to that stage.
"Jeff Hendrick put in another very mature performance in midfield up against Jack Cork and Morgan Schneiderlin, who both cost Southampton a few quid.
"In two or three seasons, Jeff will be easily as good as them. He is not far off now."
Ball and Hendrick have progressed through the Rams Academy.
Ball has made only 12 starts for the first team. He has made 24 appearances in total and scored three goals.
While Ball is just starting out, Lambert is 30 and has also played for Blackpool, Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Rochdale and Bristol Rovers.
He has made 530 appearances in his career and scored 193 goals.
Derby have scored 33 goals in 31 league fixtures – only six clubs in the division have scored fewer – but their search for a combination up front has been affected by injuries.
Tyson, Steven Davies and Theo Robinson have all been sidelined at times.
A persistent groin problem ruled out Tyson for virtually all the first half of the season and Davies missed four months of first-team action with a fractured skull.
Fifteen-year-old Mason Bennett, Chris Maguire, Ryan Noble and Tomasz Cywka have all started up front.
21 Comments
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by Adamdcfc84
Friday, February 24 2012, 12:29PM
“Perfect partnership? so play Tyson on Right wing and play an inexperienced young lad up front on his own..
THIS ISNT CHAMPIONSHIP MANAGER CLOUGH!”
by Rams4Ever1
Thursday, February 23 2012, 10:12PM
“Doesn't that mean that they actually have to play alongside each othe Mr Clough rather than Ball on his own up front and Sicknote on the right instead of Greeny !”
by William27
Thursday, February 23 2012, 8:37PM
“you are **** and losing to a better side”
by msg2003
Thursday, February 23 2012, 7:40PM
“Is Bailey injured?”
by derbygaz
Thursday, February 23 2012, 6:54PM
“"and next season he'll be able to play in even more games"
TREMENDOUS
So we re not looking for a decent striker then
Season ticket holder whos had enough here,the yanks have took the p@ss for too long and ive had enough. '
Wasnt conned into buying a season ticket to watch the likes of tyson and ball as our 'strikeforce'
No ambition, from top to bottom,absolutely rudderless and run by amateurs in the directors box with no money, no concerns and no real interest in Derby County.
No money? for gods sake we average about 25000 every time we play at home!! They must be bankrupt all those clubs who dont get anywhere near our support, love to see whats being syphoned away,must have really pi@@ed the yanks off when they didnt manage to offload greenie for their bi-annual transfer day sale
GET OUT NOW YANKS AND DONT COME BACK, YOU WONT CON ME AGAIN,AND I WONT BE BACK TILL YOUVE GONE
NO WONDER SIR PETES ANGRY NOW THAT HE SOLD TO YOU LOT, CON MEN, SIMPLE AS THAT”
by Derby_Stu
Thursday, February 23 2012, 4:23PM
“spot on johnfish, our midfield again will get out muscled tonight and then we'll be under constant pressure.
Would like to see Ball, Tyson and Robinson or Bennett upfront tonight. If we can't match them then let's make them think about our pace on the counter attack.”
by 60yearramsfan
Thursday, February 23 2012, 2:31PM
“I am still undecided about whether Nigel can take us any further forward even after 3 seasons in charge as he has been spending almost all that time clearing out the old and bringing in the new. I agree that he has been hamstrung by the board who seem to feel that modest investment for a striker is a step too far. What Rams need is an experienced midfielder to organise and direct the attacking element of the side and a striker who knows how to finish it all off however we are told that this is beyond our resources.
This policy is frustrating for all concerned who care about Rams future, and whilst there are many who would advocate that the present austerity policy is the way to proceed, I personally feel that a small amount of investment is what is needed if the club are to make progress otherwise we are consigned to lower Championship status for some time to come. The idea of bringing youngsters through is great and very commendable, provided you don't cave in when the vultures appear with their chequebooks, as such a system takes a long time to bear fruit.”
by JohnZFish
Thursday, February 23 2012, 1:33PM
“With Bryson injured & Green at full back, we don't have much in midfield hence playing with 3 attackers. However attack heavy teams are not actually attacking if there is too little in midfield to gain any possession.”
by JohnZFish
Thursday, February 23 2012, 1:31PM
“Good to know that all of these guys played so well against Southampton, good job they didnt play poorly otherwise we could have lost heavily.”
by paul72
Thursday, February 23 2012, 1:28PM
“nigel was quick to point out how much lambert & sharp cost and we have tyson on a free and ball.sorry but for me there are alot of our first team who wouldnt get into many top8 sides .some fans say we are happy with board but for me this board are holding nigel and this great club back .we have alot of average and overated players then we have the likes of buxton doyal b davies naylor .”