Clough pleased with Rams spirit but knows it's all about results
NIGEL Clough feels the spirited show against Ipswich Town showed everybody that Derby County are alive and kicking in the Championship despite a poor run of results.
Defeat by struggling Ipswich, who tasted victory for the first time this season, left the Rams down in 20th place.
They have lost three consecutive matches and eight of the last 11.
"Results are everything because that is the face of the club," said Clough.
"People won't know we put in a performance against Ipswich, people won't know we have 16 players out, they will just see Derby have lost again and that is the reality of it.
"Yes, it is going to get tight down there but it is no different to last season.
"I think we went into the bottom three last season after the defeat at Birmingham and when we got some players back on the pitch, we got towards halfway.
"I think it will be the same pattern this season."
Clough was encouraged by the performance at Ipswich.
"The lads could not have given any more than they did," he said.
"We possibly created the better chances and probably had the lion's share of possession.
"We thought we did enough to get something out of the game but when you are in a little run, as we are at the moment, little things go against you.
"It was an extremely spirited performance and bitterly disappointing that we were on the wrong end of a defeat.
"Their goalkeeper had a very good game and it was a case of the ball not dropping for us at the right times."
Ipswich left-back David Wright headed the home side's winner after 66 minutes when he met a cross from right-back Liam Rosenior.
"Generally speaking, we defended well," said Clough.
"Stephen Bywater made a couple of good saves when called on but we did not feel too much under threat.
"We failed to deal with one cross and got punished for it.
"The first goal was always going to be crucial.
"Ipswich were also able to bring on two fresh strikers. We had Paul Dickov, 37 at the weekend, up front. He battled away on his own and did very well but injuries and illness meant we had no other striker to come on and give him a hand. That was the difference as well.
"The players kept going right to the 95th minute when Bryan Hughes had a chance at the far post.
"It showed everyone that maybe not in terms of results just now but we are alive and kicking.
"We will probably play worse than that and win.
"As long as the players keep putting that effort in and we get a few of the injured players back, we will be fine.
"Ultimately it was a defeat and it is strange coming on the back of a defeat to be encouraged by what we saw."
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by john, euro 96 penalty spot
Tuesday, November 03 2009, 12:23AM
“Terry, i hope to god that you r wrong about gareth southgate because he is a born loser and will provide nothing different to NC, all he managed to do at Boro was take them from a mid table prem team which made the uefa cup final to an average championship outfit, with that sort of record we may as well get ready for a relegation battle in league one next season. I think we need to stick with NC but bring in an older, experienced assistant to help him through these tough times.”
by Canada Ram, N.S. Canada
Monday, November 02 2009, 11:32PM
“Well said Doomed for Life, Mos Eisley. Billy Davies only does what's best for Billy Davies. Seems like some people have forgot about him saying ' when he won promotion with Derby he was wishing it was Preston not Derby '.
F*rest fans will find out soon enough what Davies is really all about. But enough about the red dogs, GET BEHIND THE LADS and show the world why we are the best fans in the country. UP THE RAMS!”
by paul, clacton
Monday, November 02 2009, 6:45PM
“Can anybody say why Prijovic was not on the bench at ipswich surely it was a good opportunity for him,or is he another one like Dickinson never to play for us.”
by clobtheram, Chester Green ,Derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 6:00PM
“Jeeeezzzzzzz
some of you , so called rams fans, truly need a reality check , we have 16 players out majority are Key players , we had no forwards against Ipswich 'apart from Dickov ,who i imagine ,was bought in to be a impact player from the bench , not starting game after game ,
The players we have out , the key players such as Leacock, Addison ,Commons,Green,Porter,Barnes,Davies,and now Hulse ,would and will make a massive diffrence to team , for one Clough will have Subs and another ? Clough will have more tactical options , seriously fellow rams , if we got rid off Clough today , what do u think would happen ,would all our players get fit and stay fit all of a sudden ,
i could go on and on , but whats the point ,some of you are just set ,on Change ,change , change,
Give Clough the time or at least a full fxxking season,
p,s any and all Red dogs ,who comes on here giving it the biggun , its ok , we understand your in dizzy league standings ,and you want to let your big brother know about , But remember this 'there is a natrual food chain in the football world and it wont be long before our injuried players come back and we start to climb the CCC,
Ask any red dog this , would there poxy little club ,if they had 16 players out could they cope any better , NO CHANCE ,
NC 100%”
by Doomed for Life, Mos Eisley
Monday, November 02 2009, 4:35PM
“Billy Davies is a very telented manager and has the ability to motivate players to perform beyond thier recognised abilities. FACT, He has proved this at Preston and Derby. The flip side is that he can only do this short term and when the plan starts to stall, as it always will, Billy runs out of ideas, suffers a crisis of confidence and starts blaming everyone else, FACT. It is really quite galling to see Florist doing well under his leadership but i for would never like to see him back in charge at Pride Park. It's not sour grapes, it is just recognition of what a poisonous, self centered indiviudal he is. Preston fans happily predicted how his reign and Derby would end and how right they were. Billy's performance after the play off final ws the most bizarre thing i have ever seen. This also brings the question of how BD would have handled the current injury problems at Derby....sign a load more players in haste and then work his ticket out once they had proved inadequate. Move on people, move on.”
by jb, the brook
Monday, November 02 2009, 4:17PM
“James of spondon why do you think that BD would go back to Derby. Hes building an exiteing YOUNG team the other end of the A52 who matched cardiff city and were unlucky with some dodgy ref pen decisions. Why leave a place where people believe he can wlk on water to take over a shambles”
by V Poor, derby
Monday, November 02 2009, 3:53PM
“Ultimately it was a defeat and it is strange coming on the back of a defeat to be encouraged by what we saw.....errrr well put Mr Clough!!! whatever you meant by that! Your now getting excited by back to back defeats?!!! Well here's to many more of them then NOT!!!”
by Oohahhvanderlaan, USA
Monday, November 02 2009, 3:53PM
“Clough certainly can't help it if players have mumps or a stomach bug keeping them out. Don't you think they're seriosly looking at the injury situation and shaking their heads, wondering why? They're not idiots. The team is trying to stay positive despite the overwhelming problems. Give Clough more time. NOTHING good has ever come at Derby County from sacking a manager this soon. The only other option is to get behind him and the team.”
by Alex, looking forward to league 1 football
Monday, November 02 2009, 2:50PM
“ROB -" no knee jerk decision based on results" FOOTBALL IS A RESULTS BUSINESS AND WE'RE NOT GETTING RESULTS. TIME FOR CLOUGH TO GO.
and u lot that say ur real fans and support nc, ur probably sit in the west or north stand thats like sitting in a library”
by Alex, looking forward to league 1 football
Monday, November 02 2009, 2:43PM
“TERRY,U CHAT SHÎT”