Match Report: Most complete LJ performance yet leaves Derby well beaten

[Olé]

Lee Johnson has had his share of impressive away performances - at Fulham in his first full season, and at Sheffield United and Middlesbrough as part of fine away form last campaign, but this was easily the most complete performance ever produced by the City manager.

The two teams finished last season head on for a final play-off place and while City were second best then, the roles were convincingly reversed now as Johnson’s new look - and imperious - side made their Derby hosts look distinctly second best in every phase of their meeting.

Where Johnson made his team an attacking threat in his early years, and a defensive, grind-it-out winner away from home last campaign, today he oversaw a complete display of football, energetic players at both ends in full control, and 18 year old Han-Noah Massengo a revelation.

It is testament to the City manager’s bold transfer dealings, finally shuffling the pack on his remaining League One assets and quickly fashioning a new, determined, well organised, high class side, that made relatively easy work of a disappointing Derby team, who were well beaten.

Indeed City completely bossed a one sided first half, getting Afobe in behind the defence after just 5 minutes on a channel ball, muscling past a defender, storming along the byline and crossing deep - from the header back Weimann unleashing an early shot that was well blocked.

Already teenager Massengo was influential, winning the ball twice as Derby tried to break, and after 10 minutes the dangerous Weimann saw an early shot blocked, Massengo recovering to beat his marker, and cut back to Palmer, who flashed a 30 yard low show just wide of goal.

It was one way traffic and minutes later Baker came racing out to meet a header in his own half and headed decisively on for Afobe, who was chopped down, but the referee waved play on and Weimann, increasingly the pick of City’s attacking threats, charged in at the Derby defence.

After the quarter hour City’s darting runs and clinical passing told, as Palmer, a maestro at the heart of City’s midfield, threaded a 25 yard slide rule pass behind the home defence, but Hunt wasted the cross, only for Afobe to seize on the clearance and head City back into possession.

Palmer again tried his luck, but this time the ball span invitingly for Weimann with just keeper and defender to beat at close range, and the former Derby man took his time to turn his opponents before steering a shot unerringly into the far corner, putting City into a deserved lead.

The game deteriorated as Derby, obviously second best when City played both with pace and ability to quickly step into intercept their passes in midfield, became increasingly desperate, flying clumsily into challenges and drawing a succession of fouls, particularly off Kasey Palmer.

Their fans, perhaps starved of the repeated advantage referees delivered them in the run in last season, became more and more incensed at the match officials, failing to spot the difference between crude challenges on Palmer, and City’s routinely fleet footed interceptions of host players.

Derby’s best chance of the half came before the break as Lawrence was given space to attack from the left, racing into the area to draw a save from Bentley. At the other end despite Derby’s ongoing howling protests, the ref actually aided the hosts, turning a clear corner into a throw in.

But it was still only City who were seizing on possession and breaking, and just before the interval Rowe made a bursting run into the box, lifting a ball across which was cleared to Brownhill, who shimmied past a couple of markers on the edge of the box but couldn’t convert the volley.

And on the stroke of half time the visitors deservedly went further in front against their by now shell-shocked hosts, full back Hunt intercepting on the right and lifting a fast cross into the box, which goalscorer Weimann dummied, leaving a clear bounce for Brownhill to fire home from 20 yards.

Relative to a largely one-sided first half - which had been bossed by the vision and pace of Palmer and Massengo, and the tireless running of Weimann - the second period was short on action and high on the sort of first-ball defending which characterised Baker and Kalas on Saturday.

As well as heading clear anything which arrived in the City box, the visitors were also stepping in to intercept attacks around the box through Palmer, Brownhill and Massengo, giving the home team little scope to mount a serious comeback, and leaving plenty of room to counter attack.

On 55 minutes in a rare moment of threat, Weimann wriggled clear on the left and lifted an inviting ball for Afobe who had 3 defenders in close attention but managed to strong arm space to run in on goal, for a moment going clear, only to be ensnared by his markers as steadying to shoot.

Minutes later careless Derby gave possession away cheaply again and the tireless Weimann ran at the hosts backline before trying to feed the relentless Massengo, only to see the pass deflected. By now faultless City were tiring and the first change saw O’Dowda replace an exhausted Palmer.

City were still coping admirably with Derby corners and crosses and on the midway point of the half sub O’Dowda set off on the left before exchanging passes with Rowe, momentarily losing possession, then recovering and skipping into the box before firing a right foot shot across goal.

The sides both revised their front-lines - Derby introducing super-sub Marriott and City bringing on out of favour Diedhiou, and for once the latter really did look like the weak link, static up front and easily brushed the ball as the home side finally started to exert some control on the fixture.

City’s back three were doing fine work of blocking, heading clear, or tidying up Derby attacks but not long after the visitors final change - Pereira for Hunt - sub Marriott got the hosts back into the game, striding onto a pass inside the right of the box, and curling decisively into the far corner.

By now the away fans were singing relentlessly about Massengo - who continued to charge round like a man possessed, intercepting passes or finding neat touches to open space for teammates - and with this endeavour, and his teams belief, it was inevitable Johnson’s men would hang on.

Derby fans, who resorted early on to continually haranguing the referee as a result of their own teams lack of speed or quality in the challenge, were already by now streaming out, a fitting acknowledgement that despite being only one goal in it, they had been well well beaten by Bristol City.

For Johnson, the sight of his new look side in a commanding all round performance: a second consecutive imperious display from Taylor, Kalas and Baker, and a stunning impact for star teenager Massengo, means that shuffling his deck has created a hugely enhanced Championship contender.

 

Bentley 9 Handling calm and comfortable when called upon, rarely tested by Derby but always ready to deal with it, and controlled game speed

Kalas 9 Same as Saturday, sticking every part of his body in front of forward balls at the first opportunity, Derby were never able to beat him

Baker 9 Same as Kalas and same as Saturday, attacked everything, also a very clean game by his standards, hard to beat but professional with it

Moore 9 Improving and best performance yet in City shirt, neat and tidy in possession, mature cutting out attacks, not least final few high balls

Hunt 9 A couple of times they got in behind him - as always the way - but crucial to setting up our second, and overall much more controlled

Rowe 9 A fine performance, got up and down and stayed closer to markers than previous games - looked unlikely to last but never stopped going

Brownhill 9 Got stuck in off the ball all the time, broke up plan, there to tee up Palmer, and decisive finish for the second goal on stroke of half time

Massengo 10 Not truly a 10/10 performance but based on his age and experience of the Championship he was comfortably in the perfect bracket

Palmer 9 Never stopped picking up the ball in our own box and attacking, drew plenty of fouls, the odd loose touch, but just a nightmare to play against

Weimann 9 Probably a 9.5 if I’m honest, took his first goal well under pressure, and did even better with the dummy to allow Brownhill to grab second

Afobe 9 Didn’t have the clear chances today but in terms of speed, mobility and physicality ran the line better than anyone we’ve had for a while

 

O’Dowda 7 One good run nearly contrived a third, didn't quite have the same speed and tenacity as those around him

Diedhiou 4 When given the chance to contribute to a battling, energetic performance, he appeared to arrive and look unwilling to run or focus

Pereira 5 Not asked to do much when on, Hunt having a good game made it hard for him to improve on that

[Simon bristol]

Excellent stuff, messengo looks frightening!

[The Original OTIB]

Fam was truly woeful. It was more like 10 v 11. A game where the departed Taylor would have been such a busy and waspish asset. Maybe Semenyo can do that Job in similar scenarios. 

[EmersonsRed]

Agree with most but Afobe blew a couple of excellent chances including a 1 on 1.

[J-mat]

Outstanding Rob. 

 

I would however say that Fam won 3 free kicks and probably should have had 2 more. Those set pieces are up at least 5 minutes of time and helped win us the game. He was also more isolated than Afobe had been as we were sitting much deeper. Agree he could have put himself about more in terms of pressing, but I can't help but feel that we were more than happy to let them boot it long into our crowded box towards the end as Baker, Kalas and Moore had the beating of their forwards all game long.

 

 

[Vespa Red]

I was unconvinced by Hunt, thought he was wasteful in the Derby third with many of his passes going astray.  Was better defensively which is odd for him.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, The Original OTIB said:

Fam was truly woeful. It was more like 10 v 11. A game where the departed Taylor would have been such a busy and waspish asset. Maybe Semenyo can do that Job in similar scenarios. 

Has Fammy had a go on your missus? It seems you want to just keep having a go at him. Yes he didn't do a lot last night, but he was left up front isolated and balls were just getting lumped high in the air. Unsure what some people expect him to do when playing that role.

I couldn't give Hunt a 9, in the first half he rarely found a pass to a team mate, but he did pull the ball back nicely for the second goal.

[miketh2nd]

Thank you Ole sounded  like a peak LJ away team perfomance although last season we may drew at the end.

For me LJ really is being bold in his midfield options , a very exciting season with the depth we have in midfield and Weimann having a striker partner on his wavelength . 

 

[cidered abroad]

As I only now do away games via Radio Bristol, I look forward to your extremely detailed match reports.

I suspect that you've given every starter a 9, to emphasise how much the win was due to a superb team performance rather than any one individuals brilliance.

Life is full of "if only's" and if our opening home game had been against a poor away side instead of Leeds, we could have been sitting on top of the table already.

I'm a bit concerned that our squad has a couple or three positions with poor depth, and that we have already lost two important members due to injury.

However, to win at Derby is a big statement of intent. Thanks to everyone from City who was there, management, players and supporters.

We could be seeing the beginnings if a very good season!

[KingLear]

I think the criticism of Diedhiou is a little unfair, seeing as he came into the game at the point where it was all Derby pushing for a goal.

Granted he didn't cover himself in glory, but won free kicks and put himself about a bit. He couldn't really do much more under the circumstances.

Also, I think the fans would have immediately been comparing his performance to that of Afobe who had a terrific game I thought, but was playing under very different circumstances.

Anyway onwards to Hull! COYR!

[Up The City!]

6 hours ago, EmersonsRed said:

Agree with most but Afobe blew a couple of excellent chances including a 1 on 1.

Hence why he is playing in the Championship and not the Champions League!

[Kodes]

Great report.  I would only have added how impressed I was with Moore last night. Early days I know but he's making a serious attempt at replacing Webster with his excellent footwork and those forward runs.

[!james]

Cheers Rob @Oléanother good write up! just curious do you take notes during games for your write ups? or is it something you remember and write after the final whistle? 

[maxjak]

Blimey Ole!  9 for Hunt.......are u sure?    Anyways another excellent report, which is always my default go to, for every away match.  Thanks.

[BTRFTG]

8 hours ago, EmersonsRed said:

Agree with most but Afobe blew a couple of excellent chances including a 1 on 1.

Never criticise a striker wholly for failing to convert. If they get into the right position and are prepared to have a go then they're 2/3rds of the way there.

Adofe showed last night what we've been missing and never was that more evident than when he went off.

[cheshire_red]

I thought it a very poor second half all round. We sat in and invited the poorest Derby team I've ever seen to come at us. Yes we coped pretty well other than giving Marriot a couple of yards space in our box. Hunt was more a 5 than a 9 with a couple of decent forays forward but poor passing and defending overall. O'Dowda is not the central midfielder to come on and sit in defending a lead. Fammy got bossed by Keogh and once again did not play his weight. The back three and Bentley were imperious throughout. Brownhill, Massengo and Palmer bossed the first half but appeared to stand off in the second, why? We could have taken them for 4 or 5 so poor were they and so good were we first half. 

Miserable git of Cheshire 

[Guest]

It was a good performance. But for me 2 players played poorly - our wing backs. Derby were far worse than last season. Said before the game we should be winning this as I thought we had the better team on paper. Of course credit to LJ who put this side together. We did a good job. But there's been better performances under LJ imo, especially considering we've had much worse sides than this that have beaten much better opposition.

[Monkeh]

48 minutes ago, cheshire_red said:

I thought it a very poor second half all round. We sat in and invited the poorest Derby team I've ever seen to come at us. Yes we coped pretty well other than giving Marriot a couple of yards space in our box. Hunt was more a 5 than a 9 with a couple of decent forays forward but poor passing and defending overall. O'Dowda is not the central midfielder to come on and sit in defending a lead. Fammy got bossed by Keogh and once again did not play his weight. The back three and Bentley were imperious throughout. Brownhill, Massengo and Palmer bossed the first half but appeared to stand off in the second, why? We could have taken them for 4 or 5 so poor were they and so good were we first half. 

Miserable git of Cheshire 

Wouldn’t say we were poor second half I thought we always looked comfortable until Marriott scored a worldie we defended from the front 

[finbarr_in_z]

Seems like a fairly accurate report. I've never seen us so confident, or dominate a game so much as we did in the first half. We hardly ever win at Derby either so this was great.

 

 

I'm having an excellent day at work today

<--------

[cityexile]

Well, as my first watch live, loved every moment of that.

Difficult to pick out to many players for praise as it was a real team effort. So much movement in the first half compared to last season it was scary. Hunt I was very worried about first 20, but n9 lack of effort all game.

Still work in progress. First half was style, second half was just grit and determination. Time and time again they were forced wide, got a cross in, we headed it away and then belted it forty yards,  middle three immense. That is the bit that will hopefully improve in terms of controlling the ball better and contnuing to carry a real threat in the break. 

Is a side that will make mistakes as they learn, but frankly even if we finish about were we did last year, this is going to be so much more of a fun side to watch.

Last thought, sounds minor in some ways, but this is for the first time in ages, our side (or can be with Afobe), Given average luck with things like injuries, we might have a chance.

Shout out to the fans, one of those nights trying to get asleep with ‘La Bamba’ just going through my mind making it difficult.

[Robbored]

23 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

Wouldn’t say we were poor second half I thought we always looked comfortable until Marriott scored a worldie we defended from the front 

Just watched the highlights on the OS and Marriott goal was superb. You could say that maybe Kalas or Baker should have got closer to him but his quick turn and strike did for our defenders. 

That wonder goal apart our back line was superb throughout.

[1960maaan]

If someone comes to the Gate and did that, I’d be saying perfect away performance. Watching it, even though Bentley makes one real save and the goal is from next to nothing, it was tense. Just down to not getting enough of the ball and not being able to get out, but.... we didn’t need too. 

3 CB’s were immense, TM was just superb bringing the ball out and (buzzword alert) breaking lines, really stepping up. I think the criticism of the WB’s is unfair, as they aren’t really that, Rowe was good, the winger had a lot of the ball and did next to nothing, and Hunt did get a good assist. Add Bentley making two important saves in the two wins at important times.

The midfield, although noticeably short on cover did well. Palmer loves that threaded pass , Brownhill seems to have matured and HNM, I don’t need to add anything. 

Weimann’s stamina is amazing, and Afobe shows what a mobile forward can add. My one criticism would be we don’t shoot when we have the chance, minor gripe but it could have been a slightly more relaxed last ten.

i do worry over the MF options, but what what’s new. Having neither Walsh or Bakinson on the bench is odd too. Just hope we can keep the ones that are still standing, fit for the foreseeable.

Nice too see experts praising us too.

 

[Monkeh]

6 minutes ago, 1960maaan said:

If someone comes to the Gate and did that, I’d be saying perfect away performance. Watching it, even though Bentley makes one real save and the goal is from next to nothing, it was tense. Just down to not getting enough of the ball and not being able to get out, but.... we didn’t need too. 

3 CB’s were immense, TM was just superb bringing the ball out and (buzzword alert) breaking lines, really stepping up. I think the criticism of the WB’s is unfair, as they aren’t really that, Rowe was good, the winger had a lot of the ball and did next to nothing, and Hunt did get a good assist. Add Bentley making two important saves in the two wins at important times.

The midfield, although noticeably short on cover did well. Palmer loves that threaded pass , Brownhill seems to have matured and HNM, I don’t need to add anything. 

Weimann’s stamina is amazing, and Afobe shows what a mobile forward can add. My one criticism would be we don’t shoot when we have the chance, minor gripe but it could have been a slightly more relaxed last ten.

i do worry over the MF options, but what what’s new. Having neither Walsh or Bakinson on the bench is odd too. Just hope we can keep the ones that are still standing, fit for the foreseeable.

Nice too see experts praising us too.

 

Messengo and nagy partnership is going to be immense

[1960maaan]

2 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

Messengo and nagy partnership is going to be immense

From my first few glimpses I thought that, could be very special 

[cityexile]

8 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

Messengo and nagy partnership is going to be immense

I do wonder if Plan A was for Nagy to be thrown in from the start, with Massengo being introduced more slowly. If we are already up to Plan B on this one, what an impact the youngster has had already having to step up to the plate. Just has that energy of a youngster who wants to play every day and seems to be loving it.

[Ska Junkie]

7 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

Messengo and nagy partnership is going to be immense

I don't disagree Monkeh but who do you drop to put them both in? Nice problem for LJ I suppose.

[Monkeh]

5 minutes ago, Ska Junkie said:

I don't disagree Monkeh but who do you drop to put them both in? Nice problem for LJ I suppose.

Depends on the formation or opponents but it’s a coin toss between Palmer and brownhill for me,

both very good players,

brownhill because he isn’t quite as good as the other two but still a solid midfielder 

and Palmer because he’s more of a luxury player, I’d rather not have him in if we are defending for our life, he’d be wasted in that sort of game hence why he came off last night 

[Ska Junkie]

14 minutes ago, Monkeh said:

Depends on the formation or opponents but it’s a coin toss between Palmer and brownhill for me,

both very good players,

brownhill because he isn’t quite as good as the other two but still a solid midfielder 

and Palmer because he’s more of a luxury player, I’d rather not have him in if we are defending for our life, he’d be wasted in that sort of game hence why he came off last night 

I agree fella. Let's be honest, any 3 from those 4 would be decent, some more creative than others, some better defensively that others. Very nice options. 

[BobBobSuperBob]

1 hour ago, Robbored said:

Just watched the highlights on the OS and Marriott goal was superb. You could say that maybe Kalas or Baker should have got closer to him but his quick turn and strike did for our defenders. 

That wonder goal apart our back line was superb throughout.

It was tommy Rowe who didn’t close him down tightly / quickly enough, but would be harsh as the touch and turn really top drawer 

Really exceptional goal / finish 

And nice to see you posting sensibly today

 

 

 

[Monkeh]

Damned if you do damned if you don’t there really, hard to pin the blame