Derby County v Northampton Town: Player Ratings

[Ellafella]

Half-marks allowed; please rate all subs. Closes Thursday @ 18:00. Results by Thursday 22:00. Average is 6.00. Therefore, when a sub steps on the pitch he is on 6 - that's the baseline. Also indicate ATG (at the game) or TV (Tv).

1Wildsmith

24Nyambe

23Ward

35Nelson

5Bradley

3Forsyth

4Hourihane

22Fornah

12Smith

7Barkhuizen

8Bird 🦅 

39Brown

11Méndez-Laing

16Wilson

14Washington

9Collins

[Ellafella]

1Wildsmith 6. Watched the grass grow. Caught a cross in the 67th minute.

24Nyambe 6.5 Solid.

23Ward 6. Dinked in some nice balls. 

35Nelson 6.5 Imperious.

5Bradley 6.0 Saw plenty of possession early doors & looked polished; Bullet header wide 2nd half with the net gaping.

3Forsyth 6.0 Busy. Some angled crosses begged to be bagged.

4Hourihane 6.0 Mobile & cultured passes.

22Fornah 6.0 Back on it & looked hungry though the game was done.

12Smith 6.0 Wisped about a bit. 

7Barkhuizen 7.0 Stretched them and looked a threat.

8Bird 🦅 8.0 MOTM Guile & endeavour.

39Brown 6.0 Late show and competed.

11Méndez-Laing 6.0 Busy. 

16Wilson 6.5 Energy and intelligence.

14Washington 7.0 Very bright first half.

9Collins 5.5 Needs to occupy the box.

4 goals, 3 points & a clean sheet but Northampton were poor tonight and really didn’t muster any kind of opposition. I doubt they’ll be that bad again this season. 

[Srg]

1Wildsmith - 6 little to say on him, didn’t do anything  

24Nyambe - 6.5 steady

23Ward - 5.5 tried a few too many Hollywood crosses

35Nelson - 7 consistent

5Bradley - 7.5 easily his best performance in the shirt. Added impetus to attacks with positive passes into the middle of the field

3Forsyth- 6.5 typical Forsyth performance

4Hourihane - 7 good assist, turnstile out of possession though 

22Fornah - 6.5 kept hold of it

12Smith - 6.5 some decent movement first half

7Barkhuizen - 7 good off-ball movement, good assist

8Bird 🦅 - 8 two fantastic goals

39Brown - 6 didn’t do much, should’ve been on earlier to play with more starters when the game hadn’t completely died

11Méndez-Laing - 6.5 well taken goal

16Wilson - 6 lively, could’ve made some better decisions

14Washington - 7.5 lots of runs into channels, pressing, tracked back too, great goal

9Collins - 2 missed a sitter, didn’t bother throwing himself at a tap in and several pointless fouls. Useless. 

[sage]

1 hour ago, Ellafella said:

Half-marks allowed; please rate all subs. Closes Thursday @ 18:00. Results by Thursday 22:00. Average is 6.00. Therefore, when a sub steps on the pitch he is on 6 - that's the baseline. Also indicate ATG (at the game) or TV (Tv).

1Wildsmith 6

24Nyambe 6

23Ward 5.5

35Nelson 6.5

5Bradley 7

3Forsyth 6

4Hourihane 6.5

22Fornah 6

12Smith 6.5

7Barkhuizen 7

8Bird 🦅 8

39Brown 6

11Méndez-Laing 7

16Wilson 5

14Washington 7.5

9Collins 5

 

[Rampant]

1Wildsmith           6.5

24Nyambe           7.5

23Ward                6.5

35Nelson              7

5Bradley              7.5

3Forsyth                7

4Hourihane         7.5

22Fornah               7

12Smith                 7

7Barkhuizen          7

8Bird 🦅                 9

39Brown               6.5

11Méndez-Laing    7.5

16Wilson                6.5

14Washington       8.5

9Collins                    6

[CBRammette]

1Wildsmith           6 little to do

24Nyambe           7

23Ward                6.5

35Nelson              7

5Bradley              7 like different player

3Forsyth                6.5

4Hourihane         6.5

22Fornah               6.5

12Smith                 7

7Barkhuizen          7.5

8Bird                   9

39Brown               6.5

11Méndez-Laing    8

16Wilson                5.5 not as good as normal

14Washington       8

9Collins                    4

[1of4]

ATG.

1Wildsmith:-6

24Nyambe:-7

35Nelson:-7

5Bradley:-7

3Forsyth:-7.5

4Hourihane:-6

12Smith:-6.5

7Barkhuizen:-7

8Bird:-8

11Méndez-Laing:-6.5

14Washington:-7

9Collins:-6

23Ward:-6

2Wilson:-6

22Fornah:-6

39Brown:-6

[Guest]

1Wildsmith - 6 - had little to do

24Nyambe - 7 - did enough work for two

23Ward - 6.5 - one brilliant cross

35Nelson - 7.5 - in defence he's the boss

5Bradley - 7.5 - his best game by far

3Forsyth - 7.5 - one assist; back on par

4Hourihane - 6.5 - mixed bag; great assist

22Fornah - 6.5 - there's the Fornah we'd missed

12Smith - 7 - industrious throughout

7Barkhuizen - 7 - how'd the Cobblers keep him out?

8Bird - 8 - what a game; what a brace!

39Brown - 6 - he'll get used to the pace

11Méndez-Laing - 7 - well-taken goal; not bad

16Wilson - 6.5 - decent show from the lad

14Washington - 7.5 - great goal; lots of fight

9Collins - 6.5 - that header was sh...ocking!

 

Special thanks to Jon Brady/Northampton Town for not watching the Stevenage game and taking advice from whoever prepped Exeter last week too. We definitely hate it when you give us time on the ball and space to play in, and the plan to reel us in by pretending you were neither any good nor interested probably would have paid off if we hadn't first taken one of our chances (or four of them). Cheers! Same again at Sixfields?

Oh, word for the ref too: hardly noticed him/his team. Usually a good sign.

[trappatoni]

ATG

 

1Wildsmith. 6.5.   

24Nyambe 7

23Ward 6.   

35Nelson 7

5Bradley 6.5. Did well but a poor back pass so lost half a point 

3Forsyth 7

4Hourihane 7. 

22Fornah 7

12Smith 7

7Barkhuizen 7.5

8Bird 7.5

39Brown 3.  I feel bad giving him 3 but he looked lost - would like to see more of him. 

11Méndez-Laing 7

16Wilson 7.5.   looks a good player - made a couple of runs in behind Ward didn't spot

14Washington 7.5

9Collins 4 He'll be frustrated not to have scored

 

 

[Andrew3000]

1Wildsmith  6.

24Nyambe 6.5  Solid. Defensive nous and consistency.

23Ward  6 Keen to make an impact. One peach of a cross,  some poor ones from too deep.

35Nelson 7 Calm, assured and reads the game well.

5Bradley 6.5 Good passing, decent heading. Wasn't pressed or put under too much pressure, but what he had to do he did decisively. Lost half a mark fir nearly gifting them a goal with a sloppy backpass. Doesn't seem powerful or aggressive/tenacious somehow, hope he's got that in him if needed.

3Forsyth 6.5 Good passing and crossing. Key player for us.

4Hourihane 6.5 One great assist, some nice crossing but generally seems to slow us down.

22Fornah 6.5 crisp passing, tidy feet in tight spaces, good touches, helped us keep possession. I prefer him over smith and hourihane.

12Smith 6 Some decent passing, but as for Hourihane can't help but feel he weakens the midfield.  Don't like them together as it looks ponderous and powerless.

7Barkhuizen 6.5 Love him in the team in this formation, pacy, good feet, great assist and great ball in to Washington first half. Missed a chance and I really felt for him.  Needs to feel loved I think.  loses half a mark for the chuckle brothers routine with Collins when in a great position he passes to him when clearly offside instead of going himself. Embarrassing.

8Bird 🦅 8 2 great goals, the second a wonderful first time finish, great technique. Could he be the one example of a player improved under this management? 

39Brown 6 no time to assess 

11Méndez-Laing 7.5 some great passing and skill. Great first time finish. Look sharp and dynamic.

16Wilson 6 OK.needs an assist or goal to boost confidence. I sense he is still trying to find his own rhythm and get in synch with team mates. Bizarre to see him and ward down the right. Won't happen too often.

14Washington 7.5 Great assist, great goal. Looks sharp, strong and takes the ball well. Makes such a difference to have movement and mobility up there. Should get an extended run now.

9Collins 6. Usual stroppy cameo. Missed a good headed chance. Did a good piece of link up. Also him and Barks are developing as a comedy duo of sorts. Stop it.

 

ATG.

Edited November 1, 2023 by Andrew3000

[angieram]

1 Wildsmith 6 nothing to do

24 Nyambe 7.5 oozed class, good to see him getting forward to support the attack but solid defensively too

23 Ward 7 great accuracy with his crosses, will get fitter

35 Nelson 7 neat and good distribution, almost taken for granted

5 Bradley 7 strong headers and better distribution,  just one misplaced pass. This game will have done him good.

3 Forsyth 6.5 distribution a bit off at times but an assist and didn't show tiredness in his third game in eight days

4 Hourihane 8 I thought he was excellent last night, started all the moves and a sublime ball for Bird's second

22 Fornah 6.5 worked hard, keeps the ball well but didn't seem sure of his role further forward

12 Smith 7 he harried tirelessly, won the balls and got them to Bird or Hourihane. Job done.

7 Barkhuizen 7.5 stretched their defence time and again, another great assist. Bit unlucky not to score, just needed a bit more composure

8 Bird 🦅 8.5 ran the show; pressed, distributed, great energy and scored with two cool finishes. Reads the game so well. MOTM

39 Brown 6 layed off the ball under pressure and won headers a couple of times but didn't get the opportunity to do much more

11 Méndez-Laing 8 strong, swift, confident and looks to be enjoying his football again. What a difference that first goal has made to his season. Kick on, Mendez, you can be our hero this year.

16 Wilson 6.5 always looks to attack, we were running out of steam and he injected some at the end. Is a good cheerleader from the touchline! 

14 Washington 8 a refreshing change to our forward play - running in behind, great touch, fantastic goal and an assist. Well played

9 Collins 5.5 It was a shame he couldn't join the goal party

ATG

 

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, Andrew3000 said:

8Bird 🦅 8 2 great goals, the second a wonderful first time finish, great technique. Could he be the one example of a player improved under this management? 

Enjoyed your take on the match 😊
To be fair, a large proportion of the players were fairly new to us but fairly old when PW took over. I could make a case for Thompson's best football being just before he most recently got injured; Wildsmith (if we forget about Stevenage) is perhaps as good as he's ever been, and Fozzie has been consistently good under Warne (although he was brilliant under Steve Mac I). But yes, Bird has improved, albeit time and experience should also play a part there (although see "The Sibley Enigma" for a deeper philosophical analysis of such things 😬)

[bcnram]

Wildsmith  6

24Nyambe  7

23Ward  6

35Nelson  7

5Bradley  7

3Forsyth  6

4Hourihane  7

22Fornah  6

12Smith  7

7Barkhuizen  6

8Bird 🦅 8

39Brown  6

11Méndez-Laing  7

16Wilson  6

14Washington  7

9Collins. 5

[YorkshireRam]

1 Wildsmith - 7 - Good distribution but not much to save.

24 Nyambe- 7 - Battled well

23 Ward - 7 - Looked surprisingly solid as a traditional fullback, both defensively and offensively. 

35 Nelson - 7 - Solid as ever.

5 Bradley - 8 - Superb passing and won everything he needed to. Should have scored and nearly a howler at the end but this is the game he's needed. Hopefully more to come now. 

3 Forsyth - 7.5 - Mr Consistent. Another fine assist and contributes brilliantly to overall team play.

4 Hourihane - 7 - Terrific ball over the top for his assist and pulled the strings first half. 

22 Fornah - 6.5 - Tidy and kept the ball well.

12 Smith - 6.5 - Kept things ticking nicely.

7 Barkhuizen - 7 - Really coming into own at the moment, establishing himself as first choice. Good interplay and great assist. 

8 Bird 🦅 - 9 - A constant threat. Great movement, incisive passing, and clinical in front of goal. A seminal performance for him in the more advanced role. 

39 Brown - 6 - Didn't have time to do much but battled well.

11 Méndez-Laing- 7.5 - What a vein of form he's hitting. Made himself a nuisance and finished his chance well.

16 Wilson - 6 - Didn't have as much guile as usual but tried to be positive.

14 Washington - 8 - Thoroughly impressed. A central forward that can beat a man for pace. There's something about his last 2 goals that I really, really love- just grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and did it all himself. Showed more of his game last night than previously and thought he shone due to the defenders not being too tight. 

9 Collins - 6 - Should have scored but hey ho. Still love Jimbo. 

 

ATG

[MadAmster]

1Wildsmith 6. One shot on target all game and that was a slow grass cutter from 40 yards that wouldn't have troubled me and I'm just 4 months off 70.

24Nyambe 7 

23Ward 6. 

35Nelson 7 Imperious.

5Bradley 8 Showed why both PW and the fans wanted him in, in the summer.

3Forsyth 7

4Hourihane 7

22Fornah 6.0 Back on it & looked hungry though the game was done.

12Smith 7

7Barkhuizen 7

8Bird 🦅 9

39Brown 6

11Méndez-Laing 7.5 

16Wilson 6.5 

14Washington 7.5

9Collins 5.5 

RamsTV

[Carnero]

Wildsmith  6

24Nyambe  7

23Ward  6

35Nelson  7

5Bradley  7

3Forsyth  7

4Hourihane  7

22Fornah  6

12Smith  7

7Barkhuizen  7

8Bird 🦅 9  ⭐

39Brown  6

11Méndez-Laing  7

16Wilson  6

14Washington 8

9Collins. 6

[admira]

1Wildsmith 7

24Nyambe 7.5

23Ward 6.6

35Nelson 7

5Bradley 8

3Forsyth 7

4Hourihane 7

22Fornah 6

12Smith 6.5

7Barkhuizen 7

8Bird 🦅  8.5

39Brown 6

11Méndez-Laing 7

16Wilson 7

14Washington 8

9Collins 6

[England Ram]

ATG 

1Wildsmith - 6  Nothing to do  

24Nyambe - 7 Really like this lads defensive stability. I’m sure he will continue to frustrate going forward but for the job he’s paid to do which is defend you can’t argue at all. 

23Ward - 6 Tried to get stuck in and get up to match speed. One brilliant cross, a few put in a bit early but a nice steady average performance for one coming back from such a long lay off. 

35Nelson - 7 Solid. Quietly going about having a very good season. 

5Bradley - 7 Solid as well. One errant pass but 3/4 others to really put us on the front foot and leading to a goal or tow to add to his strong defensive display. 

3Forsyth - 7 Lovely pass to set up Wash. Nice and solid defensively and an occasional outlet. Errant clearances that put us under pressure a couple of times, but made up for it with the rest of his contribution. 

4Hourihane - 6  Couple of great passes leading to a goal and an assist of an assist. Lots of his other play was mixed with poor short passes that put us under pressure giving the ball away and general play seemed to slow us down. I’m not as down on him as others are, especially when he puts a ball in like that for Birds second goal, but he is a clear step below Bird. 

22Fornah - 7 Did his job well and Rees the play around him well. Made himself available and never looked like losing the ball. More of that please. 

12Smith - 5 May seem harsh but he’s the weak point of out midfield. Even with Hourihanes weaknesses he still can pull out some sublime passes to bump his score up. Smith is limited and ineffectual most of the time and for playing further forward as he did for much of the night he doesn’t have the skill or guile to be effective there. He takes too long to decide what to do with the ball and constantly looks lost and out of position. And on the eye he seems to lose more challenges than win them and that puts us under more pressure.  

7Barkhuizen - 7 Some great attacking  play. Constant threat. Great assist and could have had a goal and another assist. 

8Bird 🦅 9 One of the best performances from him for a very long time. Play him there more often and we will be shooting up the league. Some majestic passes and control of midfield, brilliant positioning, eyes constantly up ready for the pass on. Two well taken goals. Let’s hope he signs a contract to extend his stay. 

39Brown 6 No time to impress. Although his movement up front was good. 

11Méndez-Laing 7.5 Same as Barks with a goal to add to his forward play. 

16Wilson 6 No time to impress more than average. 

14Washington 8 some great forward play. Played the role of the centre forward better than Waghorn on Tuesday and better than Collins has all season. Well taken goal, assist and general play. The fitter he gets after no pre season the better he will be. 

9Collins 5 Missed a sitter or two, as usual. Petulant when clearly fouling their players putting us under unnecessary pressure toward the end. One we definitely need to replace come January. 

 

[Ilsonram12]

1Wildsmith 6

24Nyambe 6

23Ward 6

35Nelson 7

5Bradley 7

3Forsyth 7

4Hourihane 7

22Fornah 6

12Smith 7

7Barkhuizen 7

8Bird 🦅  8

39Brown 6

11Méndez-Laing 7

16Wilson 6

14Washington 7

9Collins 6

[VulcanRam]

1Wildsmith 6 nowt to do really

24Nyambe 7 had his man in his pocket and covered well on the odd occasion he needed to

23Ward 6 got into good positions but crosses weren't great

35Nelson 7 solid, easy game

5Bradley 7.5 similar, though an extra half point simply because of the troubles he's had. 

3Forsyth 7 see Nelson

4Hourihane 6.5 great assist for Bird's second, kept the team ticking over

22Fornah 6 neat and tidy

12Smith 6 combative in the midfield but a but hit and miss

7Barkhuizen 7.5 our liveliest outlet, thought he had a really good game, looks as fit as at any time in his Derby career

8Bird 🦅 8 two great goals, some lovely interplay. 

39Brown 6 Little chance to impress

11Méndez-Laing 7 Busy and scored a good goal

16Wilson 6 Didn't impact the game

14Washington 7.5 Led the line well, scored a good goal

9Collins 5 Missed a sitter, did all his work outside the box, didn't provide much of an outlet so our attacking play faltered. I don't know what the answer is.