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Preston North End reaction said it all as Derby County target welcome transfer move
Jerry Yates rescued a point for Derby County as they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Preston North End in a dismal game at Deepdale.
In a game desperately short of attacking quality, Kaine Kesler-Hayden was the first player to threaten when he fired in a 20-yard drive that was easily dealt with by Jacob Widell-Zetterstrom.
With their next meaningful attack, Preston were ahead when Sam Greenwood used the pace of Andrew Hughes' cross to give the hosts the lead. But it was not long before Derby were level when a free-kick was floated towards the edge of the box and knocked down for Jerry Yates to score with a header.
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Liam Thompson then went close when his cross to the near post was nearly diverted in as Derby attempted to find a second goal. The level of quality both sides produced in possession after the interval was dreadful with both guilty of unforced errors with their respective goalkeepers reduced to being virtual bystanders.
Preston fans were growing restless at the lack of quality although Derby were not much better as Curtis Nelson thrashed a ball out of play under no pressure whatsoever. A scuffed shot from Ebou Adams briefly raised heart-rates in the away end, but that trickled wide of the post in what was a rare attempt at goal from either side.
Marcus Harness then came close right at the death as he just cleared the bar with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box.
Here's all the major talking points from the game.....
One to forget
We may only be into November, but it's safe to say that we would be pretty unlucky to see a game as bad as this from now until the end of the season. Both sides were as bad as each other when it came to quality in the final third in which both goalkeepers could have whipped out a duvet and a pillow given how rarely they were troubled.
In fairness, both managers agreed that nobody deserved to win the game, so a point was the correct result, one that you could perhaps argue suited Derby much better than it did Preston where the fans' disgruntled reaction told its own story.
Your view on how you will treat it will depend on whether you are glass half-empty or half-full sort of person, but the fact remains that after a tough introduction to life back on the road in the Championship Derby have now lost just once in their last five outings away from Pride Park.
This result lifted them up to 11th in the table, a position that surely every Derby fan would have taken at this stage of the season before a ball was kicked. Even the pundits had them down as cannon fodder in the summer. The ambition has always been to survive this season and then thrive as the search for investment continues. They are currently on track to do that with a team that has largely been put together on free transfers and loan signings.
Hole to fill as Rams target deal
Jerry Yates is bang in form having scored in his last three games but he will absent from the game against Swansea in midweek as he cannot face his parent club due to the conditions of his loan.
Who will fill his role as the leading number nine is something Warne will consider before he attempts to land a striker in January. Does he go with Dajaune Brown, who is still learning his trade? Or will he go for James Collins, who has the experience but has largely been used as a sub this season?
If the manager wants mobility, he could put Nathaniel Mendez-Laing down the middle to join Brown, providing he sticks to a 3-5-2 system.
But it does underline the fact that Derby's options for the number nine role are extremely limited and is not what you would consider a Championship-level forward line. Yates' absence on Wednesday has only underlined there is plenty of work to do in January and a forward is on their list. That would be most welcome.
Set-play kings
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom admitted in his post-match press conference that Derby were a "massive" threat from set-pieces and they are undoubtedly one of the best in the Championship at scoring goals from deadball situations.
Yates' goal here stemmed from another set-piece as he snuck in unchallenged to guide a deft header beyond Freddie Woodman.
Set-plays have become increasingly important over the years and it is estimated that a third of all goals in the Championship come from corners and free-kicks. Even in the glitz and the glamour of the Premier League, Arsenal have received significant praise for how many goals they have scored from deadball situations.
Derby have certainly posed a real danger and Warne admitted that is not just a result of their work on the training ground but the bravery of his players to put their bodies on the line. That is something you cannot coach.
Brilliant backing
Given that Storm Bert made its presence felt all over the country on Saturday, driving conditions were pretty treacherous as the rain fell heavily all day.
But despite the torrent, which perhaps contributed to the quality of this game, Derby's backing was absolutely phenomenal. You didn't hear a peep from the Preston fans who were comfortably outsung all game. The Rams' fans have been a credit to themselves and the club.
