Still a missing ingredient for Rams despite taking point on south coast

FOR THIRD GAME ON TROT COCU’S MEN CAN’T HOLD ON TO A LEAD

A THIRD successive 1-1 draw, this time against Bournemouth, means Derby County are unbeaten in three matches but they have won only one of their nine Championship fixtures.

Graeme Shinnie, with his first of the season and only the Rams’ second goal from open play, put Phillip Cocu’s team ahead in the 13th minute.

Rodrigo Riquelme, a winger on loan from Atletico Madrid, came off the bench to score his first goal for Bournemouth after 81 minutes.

Derby would have regained the lead but Bournemouth captain Steve Cook somehow blocked Lee Buchanan’s drive on the goalline, the ball smacking the defender firmly in the face.

Here is what stood out at Bournemouth:

MIXED FEELINGS

On the face of it a point from an away game against unbeaten Bournemouth, relegated from the Premier League last season and with eyes on an immediate return, is a good point but nagging against that view is the fact Derby went one up for a third successive match only to be pegged back.

The 1-1 draw means the Rams’ previous three games have finished with the same scoreline.

They started brightly against Nottingham Forest, Cardiff City and Bournemouth but they failed to build on it or maintain it and found themselves pushed back.

Derby have yet to score more than once in any game this season. They have struggled to kill off contests when on top, and that remains frustrating and costly.

MISSING INGREDIENT

The attitude and fight of the Derby players cannot be faulted.

There has been a marked improvement since the worrying, loose performances against Reading, Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town earlier this season when they were too easy to play against, too easy to beat.

The team are now displaying a greater resilience, a desire and determination to dig in when needed.

Derby did this at Bournemouth, especially in the second half, epitomised again by midfield pair Graeme Shinnie and Jason Knight along with the defenders, notably Matt Clarke.

The Rams are a tougher nut to crack but the decision making and the quality of the end product means they have been unable to capitalise on leads.

They have to do more, do it better and for longer if they are to start winning games. This remains the missing ingredient. Can they deliver?

SIGNING OF THE SUMMER

David Marshall is proving to be the signing of the summer for Derby.

The experienced Scottish international goalkeeper was one of seven new faces added to the senior squad.

Kelle Roos and Ben Hamer, on loan from Huddersfield Town, split the keeper duties throughout last season.

Both had good spells but both had

shaky spells, making it important that Derby signed a number one.

Marshall is that number one and he did as much as any Derby player in securing a draw at Bournemouth by making three excellent saves. He denied Dominic Solanke and Arnaut Danjuma twice.

HUGE WEEK AHEAD

When a team have won only once in nine League games and have bagged only six points from 27, they have to take advantage when opportunity knocks.

This is why the coming week is huge for Derby boss Phillip Cocu and for the players.

Queens Park Rangers and Barnsley visit Pride Park Stadium in the space of four days, consecutive home fixtures that could either kickstart Derby’s season or significantly increase concerns going into an international break.

The point against Bournemouth can only be judged a good one if Derby back it up with a muchneeded home victory over QPR.