Match Report: Derby County 0-3 Blackburn Rovers (FA Cup 4th round)

Blackburn breeze past a poor Derby side

Coming into this game Derby had only lost 3 games at home in all competitions, whilst Blackburn have had 3 different managers this season already! With Derby needing to win to boost their financial status they came into the game as favourites,but anything can happen in the fa cup. In the 3rd round Derby smashed Tranmere 5-0, and Blackburn saw off Bristol City 2-0. 

Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O'Brien (O’Connor 82), Roberts; Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes (Davies 74), Bryson; Ward (Jacobs 73), Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding, Freeman, Bennett, Doyle.

Blackburn Rovers: Kean; Lowe, Dann, Hanley, M. Olsson; M. Olsson (Dunn 82), Pederson, Murphy; King (Rochina 10), Rhodes, Kazim-Richards.

Subs Not Used: Usai, Givet, Nunes, Gomes, Goodwille.

Attendance: 14,013 (1,287 visiting supporters)

The game started even for both sides with no real chances, Derby got the ball down well and tried to play football but the Rams midfielders were just not up for it. Will Hughes the 17 year old who is getting interest from around the country had a poor game in the middle of the park getting muscled off the ball every time he had it, Pederson and Murphy managed to keep the youngster quiet all game. Coming up to half time there were not real efforts from either team, Blackburn came the closest with Pederson hitting a free kick well but Legzdins got a hand on it. A goal did finally come when Keogh was out strengthened by Kazim-Richards who converted the ball home to send Blackburn 1-0 up. 

Half time: Derby County 0-1 Blackburn Rovers   

Coming into the second half the fans would of expected the Rams to put up a fight against the former Premier League side but that didn't happen, Blackburn matched Derby in every department and Derby struggled the get playing. Both the Rams and Blackburn had efforts but none of them were trouble for both goal keepers. On the 66th minute another goal arrived for Rovers with Scott Dann smashing his effort home making it Derby 0-2 Blackburn, the Derby fans certainly weren't expecting this. With the Rams being very strong at home this season their luck finally ran out as Blackburn got another in the 71st minute the highly rated striker Jordan Rhodes got the 3rd which sent the Blackburn fans crazy and the Derby fans out the ground. Derby tried to get back into the game but couldn't create any chances. 

Full time: Derby County 0-3 Blackburn Rovers 

My opinion on why we lost the game

I felt that we lost the game because of the formation and the players that Clough decided to play, playing 4-5-1 at home cost us as we didn't really attack Blackburn and show them what we can do. I would have dropped Hughes and gave him a rest as he looks to be getting tired and replaced him with Michael Jacobs. Playing 4-4-2 would have been better as Sammon would have more service upfront,Clough's tactics have been costing Derby as of late with him deciding to play 4-5-1 against Nottingham Forest but changing it to 4-4-2 after we were 1-0 down. 

As the transfer window is nearly closing here are some possible targets:

• Simeon Jackson (Striker-Norwich)
• Jack Robinson (Defender-Liverpool)
• Luke Moore (Striker-Swansea)