Clough praises gutsy Rams for comeback win
NIGEL Clough was full of praise for the gutsy response of his Derby County team after they beat Coventry City last night.
The Rams fought back to record a crucial and deserved 2-1 victory after they had fallen behind to Leon Best's fourth-minute goal.
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PAIR OF ACES: Rob Hulse enjoys the moment with Paul Dickov after firing his second goal last night.
Striker Rob Hulse scored twice in the second half and also saw a penalty saved.
He was playing for the first time since being laid low by a stomach bug and was one of a number of heroes on the night in what was a bruising Championship encounter.
Dean Leacock returned to the side after mumps and did well to play for 78 minutes.
The defender spent much of the half-time break being sick.
Midfielder Paul Green ran his socks off in his first start for two months following a foot injury, Stephen Pearson was outstanding in only his second start after missing five matches with a groin problem and centre-half Shaun Barker battled through much of the 90 minutes with his head bandaged after suffering a cut in an aerial challenge.
Robbie Savage had to change his shirt a number of times as blood flowed from his nose after crashing to the turf following a tackle but the skipper was again influential.
Coventry played the final half hour with 10 men after right-back Jordan Clarke was sent off for his second bookable offence.
Clough felt Derby were on top before the red card.
"We were relieved to get the three points but more impressed by the manner in which we achieved it," said Clough, whose team went into the match on the back of three consecutive defeats.
"We were a little bit shell-shocked at half-time because we had played well and yet came in 1-0 down.
"That can be tough when you have been losing games and confidence is low but the players showed a great deal of character and spirit.
"It took real character to go out and play like we did in the second half.
"Even when Coventry had 11 men we were on top and playing some good stuff.
"Rob Hulse scored two good goals and was a little stronger than Dean Leacock after illness.
"The mumps have been debilitating for Dean. We spent the first five minutes of the half-time team talk listening to him throwing up, so he did very well to get through.
"Paul Green put in a tremendous effort, having not played much in the last eight months.
"Him and Stephen Pearson made a difference for us."
The win lifted Derby to 17th ahead of today's other fixtures. They are one of six teams on 17 points.
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by Eme, Coventry
Monday, November 09 2009, 12:19PM
“Great win, scary last few minutes given our luck of late. We should have won 3-1 or even 4-1 really in the end, but things never go smoothly when your confidence is low and you've not won for a while. So all in all a great performance.
I thought Savage played very well, and maybe the reaction after the foul was too much, but unfortunately that is part of the modern game. Makes me laugh when Coventry players get all high and mighty about Savage milking it, when half of them would have done the same. People just make more of a fuss because it's savage and are always looking for a reason to hate him.
Anyways good result and performance considering a lot of players were coming back into the team and weren't fully match fit. Hopefully we can keep this level of perfromance up and also get the players in better shape after the break.
Eme”
by Ozram, Perth, Australia
Monday, November 09 2009, 1:52AM
“Great result but lack of movement and slick passing is a concern. QPR gave us a simple footballing lesson, keep the ball on the deck and move into spaces, hence our second goal.
Not sure if the right footed left winger is working, changing back inside and swinging the ball towards the keeper.
Should have skinned the youngster and he would have been off earlier without Sav's theatricals. Bywaters confidence is a concern but full marks to Moxey for his superb tackling and link-up play - My Man of the Match”
by rob, derby
Sunday, November 08 2009, 9:29PM
“it was lovely to see the old savage we used to hate working for us for once.
All those times he has got other players sent off while playing for leicester.
And on friday he managed to get an oppositions player sent off for derbys gain. You love him when he plays for you, but hate him when hes against you :)”
by goldilox, out there
Sunday, November 08 2009, 9:16PM
“.6= dickov, the difference.”
by Rob B, Rutland
Sunday, November 08 2009, 6:48PM
“Given a choice, Billy Davies comes back or We keep Nige Clough, it a no brainer for me. Cloughie is the man and I suspect we will be in a tussle at the end of the season for position with NF and LC.”