
Derby County 1 West Ham United 1
Wednesday, 29th September 2004
by Richard Osborne
Derby have such a nice ground, it didn't matter that several wallies tried to obscure our view by standing up.
Teddy started which was a shocker, with Lomas on the bench which was an even bigger shocker (after he single-handedly contrived to lose us the game at Forest).Derby started brightly and created one or two opportunities before the ball went into the net after just five minutes. The Rams winger and strikers were making mincemeat of the floundering Mullins, who was continuing his shocking 2004/5 form. Their goal came from a long ball into the area, deftly headed on by Repka into the path of on oncoming opponent. Fingers were pointed at the unguarded far post, whilst Chadders sneaked back to the centre-circle for the kick-off.
At this point we decided that enough was enough and started to get the ball down and play. Within minutes, we'd turned the game on its head. From Derby looking a pretty good side initially, they started to struggle. They dropped deep and paid the consequences on 11 minutes later with Ethers squeezing the ball past a defender and the unfortunate keeper.
We had the lions share and we looked great. They were content with a point from the 10th minute on - but we could not find the finish. Our defending and build-up play was good, but we do not appear to have the hunger where it counts. Harewood sprung to life in the second when he knew he might get called off and looked like he might score. But with his drought in full swing it was not meant to be.
Pards stunned the crowd yet again by failing to replace the effective but knackered Chadders from the 60th minute. It was screaming for Rebrov, who one would hope would have made an immediate impact. Zamora replaced Teddy with 15 minutes left to run - what was the point in that?!?
Zamora has been scoring and Rebrov has been playing well, they get rewarded by sitting on the bench. No favourites? I think not, Mr. Pardew.
Ref watch
Graham Poll (4) Unbe-smegging-lievable. Booked Z-man for a 50-50. Booked an opponent in the same incident for racing 100 yards across the field to head butt Z-man. We had very good penalty shouts, of course not given. No 50-50s went our way. Their throw-ins were made with their feet inside the field of play... oh I won't bother carrying on.
Manager watch
Alan Pardew (4) After claiming he does not have favourites, he picks Lomas for the bench, plays Mullins, sends Anton and Adam out on loan, plays Harewood, plays an unfit Chadders the full 90, and leaves the likes of Zamora and Rebrov on the bench. When teams play with 10 men behind the ball like they did for 80 minutes last night we have to attack. Rebrov in the hole with Z-Man and Harewood up front would have been ideal.
Sorry Alan but I am started to get a little frustrated with your decisions. Even the crowd was calling for Zamora after 55 mins ...




Player Ratings
Stephen BywaterIs looking the business. A few wayward kicks, straight from the Ludo book of kicking. Else a very good performance.

Hayden Mullins
Our worst player last night. Lost on pace, tackles and can't remember him completing a pass. Is he wearing the wrong size boots this season?

Chris Powell
A really good performance. Great tackles, got forward, crossed the ball, was dangerous and solid all night.

Tomas Repka
Solid, but for the first time in a while looked shaky.

Calum Davenport
We can only dream of owning him.

Carl Fletcher
Looked shaky to start then found his rhythm. Solid performance.

Nigel Reo-Coker
So nearly scored, a mazy run from a Marlon Harewood pull-back. Turned and shot, shot deflected, agonisingly trickled towards the goal. After 15 minutes they cleared the line.

Luke Chadwick
Industrious and was being a real handful. Links up with Teddy so well. Lost his puff on 60 minutes, and should have been replaced.

Matthew Etherington
What can I say ... he's back. (and not just for the goal).

Teddy Sheringham
Was everywhere, made everything, only thing he didn't do was score.

Marlon Harewood
He is simply not scoring. Looks threatening when he gets the ball, but that won't win us games.

Substitutes
Bobby Zamora(Replaced Sheringham, 77) On for Teddy, impressed and looked like the only player that was going to score.

Jimmy Walker
Did not play.

Andy Melville
Did not play.

Steve Lomas
Did not play.

Sergei Rebrov
Did not play.

Match Facts
West Ham United: Stephen Bywater, Hayden Mullins, Chris Powell, Tomas Repka, Calum Davenport, Carl Fletcher, Nigel Reo-Coker, Luke Chadwick, Matthew Etherington, Teddy Sheringham, Marlon Harewood.Goals: Matthew Etherington 11 .
Booked: Tomas Repka 84 Bobby Zamora 84 .
Sent Off: None sent off. .
Derby County: Camp, Konjic, Kenna, Johnson, Talbot, Bolder, Huddlestone, Idiakez, Reich, Smith, Rasiak.
Subs not used: Grant, Vincent, Junior.
Goals: Johnson (6).
Booked: Konjic (84).
Sent off: None.
Referee: G.Poll.
Attendance: 23,112.
Man of the Match: Matthew Etherington.