Defensive Issues Again To Blame

Nigel Clough was again left bemoaning the defensive errors that cost Derby on Wednesday, as we again shipped four goals in a 4-1 defeat at Cardiff.

"Overall, our performance was very good, generally speaking.

"It seems glaringly obvious, certainly to us, that the main difference between the two sides was the centre-halves - their two centre-halves were outstanding."

"We had three or four efforts on goal before they even threatened. None of those went in and then, as usual, we conceded.

"The second one was poor defending as well - our centre-half had an opportunity to clear the ball. Unlike theirs, who cleared the ball 60 yards all night, he cleared it 20 yards, which led to the goal."

This isn't anything new to Clough, he knows the problems but his hands are tied so he is just looking for us to push through the season and get the points we need to stay up, with this no longer looking a formality it might have been!

"It is the same problem we have known about, we just can't do anything about it at the moment.

"On Saturday, we restricted Burnley and kept a clean sheet before that against Barnsley.

"It just seems, at certain times, we are very vulnerable, as we looked tonight, but there is not much we can do.

"We cannot change the personnel because we haven't got any options, so we'll try to get through the next six games."

Despite losing 4-1, the defending aside, it wasn't really a 4-1 scoreline and this did flatter Cardiff and I think they'd be the first to admit this.

"We were delighted with some of the football. We have come here to one of the best sides in the Championship, similar to Burnley, and played some good stuff again.

"It wasn't just keeping the ball, it was good penetrative football.

"We were very, very pleased with that aspect of it.

"We have lost 4-1 and people will look and say, 'well, it's comprehensive' but it was not a 4-1."

Clough was talking to the Evening Telegraph.

We need to get that final win, which should be enough, then we can get this season out of the way and Clough can move on those that we don't really need any more, hopefully bring in some players that he wants and we can show what we can really do next season.

At times we have played some really good football, but I think this will be a season, a couple of seasons really, we'll be glad to see the back of so we can start afresh.

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