WANDERERS (3-4-1-2)

 

NATHAN BAXTER…7.

Didn’t have any major saves to make, aside for one pushed over the bar after an offside flag, but a steady display with good use of the ball.

GETHIN JONES…7.

Major step forward. Always positive on the ball and was a driving force for Bolton early on. Had to revert to defensive duties in the second half but held firm.

RICARDO SANTOS…7.

Shook off that ankle problem to take his place in the side, and coped with Waghorn admirably before the scales tipped in Bolton’s direction.

EOIN TOAL…8.

Brilliant… And even better to see him so confident on the ball on the left side of the back three. Deserve the praise coming his way.

RANDELL WILLIAMS…7.

Worked well down the left side and got himself in the action in the penalty box too. Never quite managed the composure to test the keeper but got himself into some good positions.

JOSH SHEEHAN…8.5.

There isn’t a tidier player on the ball in League One when Wanderers trust him with possession – but playing that high-risk football is not for the faint hearted.

GEORGE THOMASON…7.

Grew into the game and did not let Derby’s midfield get on top. Bringing that bit of physicality that we have all been talking about.

JOSH DACRES-COGLEY…7.

Did he mean it? Probably not. But the wing-back worked well with Jones on the right and was always an outlet. Had a couple of chances to score too.

KYLE DEMPSEY…7.5.

Might have been the most advanced of the midfield options but his work off the ball was exemplary and led the charge in the early stages of the game.

VICTOR ADEBOYEJO…7.

The penalty award was debatable – and you wonder just how many would be given were VAR to enter the EFL – but otherwise he linked up well with Charles and worked hard.

DION CHARLES…7.

Ice cool from the penalty spot in front of the massed ranks of Derby fans, it didn’t all pay off for Dion in possession but he never stops making life difficult for defenders.

Subs: Mendes Gomes 76 (for Dacres-Cogley), Maghoma 79 (for Thomason), Jerome 79 (for Adeboyejo), Morley 86 (for Sheehan), Nlundulu 87 (for Charles).

Not used: Bodvarsson, Forrester.

Tactics 7/10: Wanderers were not about to change the plan for Derby on their own turf but the execution and urgency was spot on, from the first kick. You could pick holes in the last 15 minutes – substitutions not really adding to the efficacy again – but overall you can have no complaints.

Derby County (3-5-2): Wildsmith; Rooney, Nelson, Fornah; Mendez-Laing, Smith, Hourihane, Elder, Forsyth; Washington, Waghorn.

Subs: Bradley 14 (for Rooney), Vickers 50 (for Washington), Cashin 74 (for Smith), Collins 75 (for Elder), John-Jules 75 (for Waghorn).

Not used: Radcliffe, Barkhuizen.

Attendance: 21,754 (3,139)

Referee: Charles Breakspear 7/10 – A busy afternoon for the referee, who had several shouts for a penalty at either end and pointed to the spot twice. At first glance, he got the calls right.

The red card looked straightforward, even with Wildsmith claiming the ball had hit him in the chest.