One Month with McClaren; can the Rams turn their season around?

A month is a long time in professional football, eighteen of them is even longer. When Steve McClaren was re-appointed Derby County manager just one month ago, the fanbase was split. Some said his acrimonious sacking in May 2015 as the Rams capitulated at the end of the 2014/15 season was just desserts as his pursuit of the Newcastle United job made his position untenable – the fact that union was an unmitigated disaster left many fams beaming with glee. Others said his spell in charge of Derby saw the most attractive football for many a years, with promotion just a Bobby Zamora goal away.

I’m somewhere inbetween.

While it cannot be denied McClaren’s last spell in charge of the club saw plenty of goals, both in an attacking sense and towards the end of his tenure at the other end, and beautiful passing, the bleak way it ended, as the Rams slipped from the automatic promotion places, then the play-offs on the final day of the season, cannot be forgotten. McClaren had his head turned by rampant speculation linking him with the Magpies, but his refusal to comment on rumours only made it worse, as performances and results fell off a cliff.

Since then neither club nor manager have got on well; McClaren, as mentioned, was sacked earlier this year again, as his £50million spend in the summer of 2015 wasn’t enough to save Newcastle from relegation, a last-ditch effort by Rafa Benitez a case of too little, too late. Derby appointed rookie manager Paul Clement, and were sitting top of the table by Christmas 2015, but they parted ways following a small run of bad form, with academy manager Darren Wassall in charge for the remainder of the season, ending with a brave, but fruitless run to the play-off semi-finals. Nigel Pearson came in this summer, for one of the shortest reigns in the club’s history, leaving after claims of a fight with chairman Mel Morris. Enter McClaren, appointed as Pearson’s successor, with Chris Powell staying on as his assistant; but the question remains, where can Derby go with their ex-boss?

It’s obviously a loaded question, and one that a month down the line with McClaren in charge is still rather murky. In the five games since, Derby have played five, winning three games, drawing one and losing one. Ten points from five games is nothing to be sniffed at considering they’d mustered just ten from the previous eleven games prior to that.

Naturally a shift towards a possession-based style of play is slowly taking place, but the new-found defensive resilience the Rams seem to have found is also present. With just 13 goals conceded in 16 games, they’ve got the second-tightest rear end in the division, the problem there in lies with the attack, as they’ve only found the net 12 times.

A balancing act needs to take place, then, but the positive signs are there that change is happening. It also speaks volumes for just how poor the start to the season was, that despite the upturn in the team’s form of late, they still sit in 16th place, with a six point deficit to the top six and the coveted play-off positions.

The international break probably came at the best time for McClaren, as he’s had the best part of two weeks to evaluate and pinpoint areas of his squad to strengthen in the upcoming January transfer window, aswell as work out his current best starting XI. Looking ahead too, the Rams’ next run of fixtures isn’t all that bad. It reads Rotherham (H), Norwich (H), Wigan (A), Forest (H), QPR (A), Fulham (A), Birmingham (H) and Wigan (H).

There’s some very winnable games amongst them, with three games against teams in the bottom three, a team in flux in QPR and that game against local rivals Nottingham Forest. Wins against Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday show that even the visits of Norwich and Birmingham shouldn’t necessarily be a given for the visitors, Derby can battle it with the best on their day.

What success may hinge on is successful use of a target man. During his previous spell, McClaren operated a similar system to the one in place currently, playing Chris Martin up-front, and using the Scot as a focal point for his team to play off. Martin was usually key to linking attack and midfield, and was more than likely to finish off moves in the eighteen-yard box. But Martin has departed indefinitely, on loan to Fulham, and Darren Bent is the current incumbant of the position, having ousted £8million man Matej Vydra.

Fans may remember at the back end of that 2014/15 season when Thomas Ince and Bent linked up  so well to fire the Rams within a shot of the play-offs, despite such poor form. Hopefully that fire can be reignited within both, the recent 3-2 victory against Wolves showed flickers of that partnership sparking up once again, Bent notching a brilliant volley, while Ince tidied up a loose save and confidently hit home from the spot to secure victory in a topsy-turvy game.

More goals like the above would help, that much is for certain. The defence is a place of strength at the moment, Scott Carson also looking back to his most imperious. But those moments that make fans gasp in awe, that make them stand up on their feet in wonder, those are what have been missing from Derby County’s matches this season. It’s a tall ask, but the man who provided so many of these moments in recent years for Rams fans has got as bigger chance as any at restoring the side to the higher echelons of the Championship, and maybe, whisper it, the hallowed heights of the Premier League.

Return of the Mac: Steve McClaren’s re-appointment as Derby County head coach confirmed

In an extraordinary turn of events, Derby County have made former England boss Steve McClaren their head coach for the second time.

McClaren returns to the iPro Stadium just 17 months after he was sacked from the role by current chairman Mel Morris.

He signs a contract till the end of the 2017/18 season, with caretaker manager Chris Powell becoming his assistant manager. His first game will take place on Saturday at home to Leeds United.

The Englishman, 55, succeeds Nigel Pearson following his own controversial suspension and vacating of the job within the last two weeks.

He told the official club website:  “I am excited to be back at Derby County as the club’s manager.

“I have a great affiliation with the club, having been here on three previous occasions, and I am really delighted at the prospect of finishing what we started back in September 2013.

“I regret how my time at Derby ended back in 2015 and I am very motivated to put things right for the club and our supporters.

“My ultimate aspiration remains exactly what it was before, to take Derby County back to the Premier League.

It’s a decision that has already split the Rams faithful, with many fans pleased a return to the stylish, attacking football will be happening, with much of the same playing staff still at the club.

Others, however, remember the acrimonious end to the season in 2014/15, the rumours of Newcastle United’s interest in McClaren and his eventual sacking. 

The Rams were top of the tree in March, but eventually slid all the way out of the play-offs and ended up in eighth place as a shocking run of form saw them win just three of their last fourteen games.

Bradford City; a football fairytale

This is a defining week in a couple of club’s histories. There’s Swansea City, a club on the verge of reaching their first ever major final in their centenary year, could a fairytale end any sweeter? Then there’s both Macclesfield Town and Luton Town, a couple of plucky non-league clubs, the toast of the 3^rd Round of the FA Cup, and who now bravely venture on to the 4^th, with Premier League clubs standing in their way. And then, there’s our story, the story of League Two Bradford City…

Looking at their position in England’s 4^th division, a solid, yet unspectacular 10^th place, an early cup exit in the 2^nd round of the FA Cup, you’d think ‘what’s so special?’. But then, we come to their standing in the Capital One Cup, and one can see just how special this season has been for the Yorkshire-based team. As they enter the second leg of their semi-final (yes SEMI-FINAL) with Premier League Aston Villa, with a 3-1 lead from the first, it’s completely viable a Wembley cup final could be on for the Bantams, infact I’m not so sure I’d bet against them given Villa’s recent poor form. Let’s go back to the beginning, all the way back in August 2012.

In 2012/13, it began with Notts County and Watford, in any other year, a couple of massive scalps for the once Premiership greats of Bradford, but in such a golden cup year, they were simply warm-ups. League Two neighbours Burton Albion almost stopped the party, before City beat them in extra-time. Then the first big game of a mighty trio, that lead us to the present day. An away tie at Wigan Athletic, tougher than it sounds. Bradford ground out a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes of football, withstanding all Wigan had to offer, before dispatching them 4-2 in the resulting penalty shootout. Then came the draw, the mighty Arsenal were coming to visit Valley Parade…

A quarter-final against one of the biggest clubs in the county, pack the ground up, get on TV, take home the money and bow out respectably…is what most clubs of Bradford’s stature would’ve done. That’s not what manager Phil Parkinson and co, had in mind though. A more or less full strength Arsenal line-up with the likes of Podolski, Carzola, Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain, also confirmed that the Gunners were taking this mighty seriously, given it was their best chance of a trophy. Come the 16^th minute, when Garry Thompson’s opener for the mighty Bantams, the script for the evening was totally ripped up. The Premier League giants, with their galaxy of foreign superstars began to camp themselves in their opponents half, with wave after wave of attack eventually seeing captain Thomas Vermaelen equalizing in the 89^th minute. Hearts were broken, the dream done…or was it?

Extra-time was a stalemate, so to penalties it went, once again. Bradford were impeccable, producing competence, confidence and quality penalties that England could only ever dream of replicating. Ironically, Podolski missed, strange from a German, and it came down to their captain, and previous saviour Vermaelen, to score to keep them in it. He missed, and the rest is history. Little League Two Bradford City were in a cup semi-final!

Villa were the aforementioned opponents, and to be kind to them, they were battered, Bradford knowing when and where to exploit their weaknesses, grabbing a defensive double from corners, and a great opener by Bermudan striker Nahki Wells set them on their way to a drubbing. Darren Bent came on to try and salvage a consolation, and was promptly hauled off in his dire attempts to do so, before fellow striker Andy Weimann, struck late on to give the Villains some sort of hope.

By all means, the tie isn’t up, a revitalized Villa could go on a scoring spree infront of the home fans at Villa Park, Bradford could crumble, the dream could, once again, appear to be over.  But with a 3-1 lead, and said Premier League scalps already in the bag, Bradford have it all to lose, it’s in their hands, and I for one would love to see them reach the Final, in which I wouldn’t completely rule them out either, they’ve got this far on more than just a bit of luck!

Euro 2012: Play-Offs Preview

October’s final Euro 2012 qualifiers brought the long journey of qualifying to an end for 10 teams. However, those in second place in the groups, now face each other over 2 legs to decide the final 4 places. I’m going to analyse these four games, and tell you who I think will take the crucial last spaces at next summer’s European football festival…

Turkey v Croatia

Two teams that last played each other at the previous championships in 2008, the teams have history. It was Turkey who took the victory after a last-minute extra time equaliser, and a penalty shootout victory. Croatia, then will be vying for revenge, with highly-rated manager Slaven Bilic perhaps quitting his posr if his team don’t achieve their place in the tournament. Bilic has been at the reigns for 5 years now, and has constantly been linked to former clubs Everton and West Ham, ever since him and his team knocked England out of the running in qualification for Euro 2008. Even without Bilic, Croatia look to have a fine future, with a side consisting of the likes of Luka Modric, Spurs little magician, Darijio Srna and fellow Spurs player Niko Kranjcar. Former Arsenal man Eduardo is the spearhead of the attack and follows the unpredictable nature of the side.

Turkey have a world-class manager too, albeit one with much more experience. Guus Hiddink, the well-travelled Dutch coach, will hope to take his recently adopted nation into the finals to make Turkey the third team he has managed at a European Championships. A Turkish side with no real star names, the most famous being Hamit Altintop of Real Madrid, and mainly based in the home country, bar the likes of Arda Turan at Atletico Madrid and a couple of others, means that Hiddink has once again worked magic with the underdogs, they shouldn’t be taken for granted, and will have every chance of securing victory with their team bond.

Star Man: Luka Modric (Croatia) My Prediction: Croatia 3-1 (on aggregate)

Estonia v Republic of Ireland

The surprise package of the play-offs Estonia, face the nearly-men of Ireland, in a clash that the Irish must fancy their chances in, however the underdogs mustn’t be underestimated and pose a threat to the Islanders. Estonia have surprised many to get this far, amassing their biggest ever qualifying points total, and beating the likes of Slovenia, Serbia and Northern Ireland, all strong qualifying teams over the last few years-they even gave the aging Italy side still licking their wounds from a woeful World Cup 2010, a run for their money taking the lead! They’ve won their last three competitive matches, although a loss to the Faroe Islands show a certain level of inconsistency that could see them struggle of two legs.

The Irish haven’t been lucky or conisistent for a long time prior to this compaign. Thierry Henry + handball are three words that are enough to make fans blood boil with anger. However, in this section, Ireland have had a lot of the luck they so desperately need. They managed to dispatch wins over minnows Andorra and Macedonia fairly easily and the defensive prowess that coach Giovanni Trappatoni has instilled in the team has shone through in the goalless draws with Slovakia and Russia, points which proved crucial to get this far. Trappatoni may have divided fans with his typical Italian style of play, very defensive, but the results cannot be argued against, two play-offs in two qualifiers is impressive, and a tournament qualification for the first time in 10 years looks on the cards for the Republic, provided no slip-ups in what should be a fairly tight, but straightforward couple of games. Top scorer Robbie Keane’s return from injury will certainly boost a quiet frontline.

Star Man: Robbie Keane (Ireland) My Prediction: 2-0 Ireland (on aggregate)

Czech Republic v Montenegro

The name Montenegro will bring chills down the spine of any England fan. The world’s newest international side, as a result of the independence gained from Serbia in 2007, shocked the ‘inventors’ of football denying them victory twice with a 0-0 draw at Wembley, and a stoppage-time equaliser in the return fixture at Podgorica. They’re a difficult team to break down and always seem dangerous on the counter-attack with Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic leading the line and the top scoring charts with 11 for the new nation. Podgorica, too is a dangerous place to go, as the small, yet vocal crowd fully get behind their team, intimidating the English in particular. They seem fairly capable in defence too, important in these two-legged games.

The Czech Republic aren’t quite the team that they used to be, and as a result of a huge slice of luck against the Scots, they scraped 2nd place in Group I behind World and European champions Spain. In said match, they were awarded a dubious penalty for a dive, whilst Scotland were denied a pretty blatant penalty, with that saving the Czechs a point. This, for a nation once rated 4th in the world, shows how far they’ve fallen. They still have capable players with the likes of Petr Cech and Tomas Rosicky, but these are ageing stars who are not as sharp as they used to be. That being said, it’ll be tight in both games, as both sides, Montenegro for the first time, will want to desperately be there in Poland & Ukraine next year.

Star Man: Mirko Vucinic Prediction: Montenegro 1-0

Bosnia-Herzegovina v Portugal

Bosnia have been quietly going about their work in the last few years, only being denied a place in South Africa last summer due to the same opponents defeating them over a two-legged play-off. Since then, star man Edin Dzeko has changed clubs, now drawing attention to the mega-rich Manchester City, and the team really pushed Group D winners France all the way, finishing only 1 point off the Blues. They’ll have been gutted to draw Ronaldo and co, but will fancy a home victory at the fortress that is the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, a tight, small stadium that provides a cracking atmosphere.

Portugal come into the play-offs after a lacklustre campaign, finishing second to Denmark, losing to the Danes and Norway along the way. Their hopes mainly rest on superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, with supporting stars like Nani, Danny and Fabio Coentrao there to set the Real Madrid man up. It all depends on which Portugal side will turn up on the day, will Ronaldo step up to the plate to deliver the amazing form which has seen him score 12 hattricks in 2 seasons for Madrid, or will it all go wrong, leaving the Portuguese failing to qualify for a major championship for the first time since the 1998 World Cup? Only time will tell, but this is by far the tightest match out of the four.

Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo My Prediction: 2-1 Portugal