In Form Bryson Praised

Scottish midfielder's early-season displays praised by Rams boss.

Nigel Clough says the early-season form of midfielder Craig Bryson is just one of the positives to come out of Derby County’s opening ten games of the npower Championship season.

The Scottish midfielder, who claimed last season’s Jack Stamps Player of the Season Award after an impressive first season at Pride Park following a summer switch from Kilmarnock, has taken his form from last season into the new campaign.

Bryson, who turns 26 in November, has scored two goals in his last four outings and has also contributed with two assists in recent weeks – and Clough believes Bryson is a player who can make a big attacking influence.

Clough said: “The way Craig is playing at the moment he is making it very easy for whoever plays in midfield alongside him; he has been superb.

“He’s got himself a few goals and assists already this season and although he’s having an influence on games it really shouldn’t be a shock, as he did that last year too.

“When you have a midfielder with that sort of energy, it gives you the flexibility to play different systems because he can be like a second striker at times.

“Looking at the stats in terms of ground covered, he actually covers more ground when we have three in midfield compared to when we have two – which means he’s revelling in the license to get forward with the frontmen and make things happen.

“Interestingly, he links up very well with Conor Sammon which is obviously something they built up together at Kilmarnock.”

Clough has also challenged Bryson to continue to add goals to his game.

Having scored six goals last season, the Scottish international now has eight goals for Derby and the Rams are yet to lose a match in which he has scored.

Clough added: “What he is doing is getting in the six-yard box more and his two goals this season have come from doing just that, against Charlton and Forest.”