Clough: It Wasn't Inspired

Derby sub Jay McEveley came on to secure us a 1-0 win over Doncaster on Saturday, and a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup, but Nigel Clough says the move wasn't inspired.

"It wasn't inspired, it was enforced. Dean has been off all week with a bug and we didn't think he would last the game.

He felt a bit rough before the game and at half time but we asked him to give us a shout when he couldn't do any more which he did with 15 minutes to go."

The Rams boss was more than happy for us to avenge our Championship defeat against Doncaster but pleased most by the defensive strength we showed, he now wants to see a little more in the attacking area.

"We didn't give a goal away today which we had in the previous home games. If you go into the last five or 10 minutes at 0-0, you've got a chance of nicking it and we gave ourselves that chance.

If our decision making in the final third had been a bit better, we would probably have got something a bit earlier.

We want to improve in the league and try and get to halfway and we can do that in tandem with a cup run as well."

Clough was talking after the match.

We got the job done didn't we, inspired move by Clough or not, and that's the most important thing. Any victory is a welcome boost at the moment and this is a welcome distraction if you ask me.

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