Derby County Player Ratings: A Frustrating Draw at Stoke
Ugh, another draw. Derby County fought hard against Stoke City but couldn't quite get the win. It was a scrappy match, and the Rams' performance was a mixed bag. Here's a look at how the players performed.
The Good
David McGoldrick (7/10): McGoldrick was a constant thorn in Stoke's side. He was a real nuisance up front, winning headers, holding up the ball, and creating chances for his teammates. He looked lively and hungry, and his goal was well-deserved. Let's hope this is the start of a good run for him.
Max Bird (7/10): Max Bird was a calming influence in the midfield. He kept things ticking over nicely, recycling possession, and putting in some crucial tackles. He showed maturity and composure beyond his years.
The Bad
Curtis Davies (5/10): Davies had a few shaky moments in the game. He got caught out of position a couple of times, and his passing wasn't always accurate. He's still a veteran presence, but it's fair to say he looked a little off his game.
Louie Sibley (5/10): Sibley struggled to get into the game. He was quiet on the ball and didn't really make much of an impact going forward. He needs to find his rhythm quickly if he wants to start consistently.
The Rest
Ryan Allsop (6/10): Allsop did his job competently enough, but he wasn't tested too much. He made a few decent saves but wasn't called upon to make any real spectacular stops.
Craig Forsyth (6/10): Forsyth put in a solid shift, but he wasn't particularly noticeable. He did his defensive duties well but didn't offer much going forward.
Tom Lawrence (6/10): Lawrence had a few good moments but was ultimately inconsistent. He went missing at times, but also showed some flashes of his quality.
The Verdict
It was a frustrating draw for Derby. They had enough chances to win the game but couldn't put them away. There were some bright spots, like McGoldrick's performance and Bird's midfield control. However, the team needs to be more clinical in front of goal if they want to start climbing the table.
Let's see if they can put this performance behind them and get a win in the next game. Come on, you Rams!