Beaten, Bruised and Without Pride

Derby Defeat
By Chris O'Brien
August 24 2005

Cardiff City were outplayed at Pride Park and can be thankful for escaping Derby with a defeat by only the narrowest of margins. Cameron Jerome's late acrobatic strike meant the Bluebirds were beaten 2-1 by County.

Cardiff City succumbed to back-to-back defeats after a 2-1 reverse at the hands of promotion hopefuls Derby County. The hosts cruised to a two-goal lead at the interval courtesy of goals from Morten Bisgaard and Inigo Idiakez though a late strike from Cameron Jerome meant a nervy finish for home supporters,

The Bluebirds were poor in defence, out battled in midfield and looks disorganised. The scoreline in the fourth Football League Championship clash appears respectable, but the Rams have themselves to blame for not winning by a much bigger margin with the forward line a yard off the pace and finishing was very mediocre.

Jason Koumas, despite problems with fitness, was handed a surprise start as City manager Dave Jones looked for creativity in midfield. However, the on-loan midfielder struggled to get into the game with Kevin Cooper again poor and Neal Ardley offering little but effort. Paul Parry and Cameron Jerome were largely ineffective when it counted up front.

In defence, City were frail. The centre-half pairing of Cox and Purse is solid on paper, but looked slow and Derby were allowed to attack in numbers. Jermaine Darlington had his worst game since his move from Watford whilst Chris Barker struggled to get involved. Had City faced Phillip Brown's side on top form, we could have taken a real confidence-shattering hiding.

After a brief surge from the Bluebirds, Derby soon settled and were piling on the pressure. The deadlock was broken on 21-minutes as Bisgaard ran rings around the poor Darlington before skipping past a Cox tackle and sending the ball past a helpless Alexander. You could see City getting nothing from this moment on.

The defensive calamities continued as Derby earned a penalty moments before half-time. Tommy Smith was allowed to surge into the box before being pulled down by the panic-stricken Darlington. The referee had no choice but to give the spot-kick and Idiakez did the rest by sending Alexander the wrong way with the penalty.

The shocking attendance of below five figures for the Watford game was bad enough. Seeing supporters leave at half-time having travelled two hours to watch such shite was much worse. Police didn't block their way. They didn't want a fight, they didn't want trouble, they simply wanted to get out of Pride Park as Cardiff City imploded on the pitch. Nightmare.

Dave Jones through on Alan Lee in replace of Parry as City switched to a flat 4-4-2 and tried to play with a more attacking approach. The Irishman looked an improved player despite his desperate haircut and must surely be in line for a start against Wolves. However, as a unit Cardiff changed very little and didn't deserve anything from the game. Luckily for Derby, despite their inept finishing, that's exactly what we got!

Derby missed chance after chance. Willie Boland replaced the dreadful Cooper but he added little in midfield as the Rams continued to dominate. Idiakez missed a hatful of chances and questions must be asked of the Midlands outfit as to how they didn't finish this game sooner. Frustration from both teams was evident as ten bookings were flashed during a heated clash. Purse, Parry, Boland, Cox, Whitley and substitute Lee all saw yellow for City.

Jerome gave the Bluebirds some undeserved hope with seven minutes to go as he bundled home his second goal of the season. Ardley whipped in a corner to Lee who knocked the ball down to 'The Bullet' with his head and the teenager turned acrobat to turn the ball past Derby's Camp. It proved scant consolation and City must show big improvements if Championship chasing Wolves are to be turned over at Ninian Park.

Full Time - Derby County 2-1 Cardiff City
Attendance - 23,153

Derby County: Camp, Edworthy, Davies, Michael Johnson, Jackson, Bisgaard (Tudgay 71), Thirlwell, Bolder, Idiakez, Smith (Seth Johnson 84), Rasiak.
Substitutes Not Used: Grant, Mills, Peschisolido.

Cardiff City: Alexander, Darlington, Purse, Cox, Barker, Ardley, Whitley, Koumas, Cooper (Boland 57), Jerome, Parry (Lee 46).
Substitutes Not Used: Margetson, Loovens, Mulryne.