3/1 To Win
Derby County Under-18’s manager Justin Walker felt that there is more to come from his side after their 2-0 victory over Stoke City.
The Rams delivered an assured performance as they appeared to be in full control during a confident performance against the Potters.
Jack Stretton clipped the post early in the tie before Lee Buchanan was able to prod home the game’s opener five minutes before half time.
Derby never looked in doubt and midway through the second-half the Under-18s doubled their advantage through Tyree Wilson who fired an unstoppable effort in.
Ten minutes from time Archie Brown almost made the score line even more convincing, but his goal bound strike cracked against the crossbar and bounced clear.
Speaking to dcfc.co.uk, Walker explained: “I thought at times we played some very good football, but we were a little bit off the standards.
“Sometimes you have to win ugly in football and I think that’s a good habit to have but at this level the performances are always the priority.
“Performance levels are essential, and I don’t think we quite reached that today but having said that we scored two very good goals.”
During the build up to Wilson’s unstoppable effort from the edge of the area, Derby patiently built up their play cleverly and waited for the opportunity to arise, which Walker wants to see more of.
“I think that that was some of the frustration from some of the periods in the game. I thought I was quite harsh with some of the players maybe sometimes but that comes with expectations because we know that that’s in the players and we see that week on week.
“When they did show the courage to play it’s amazing what happens and they’re just getting more belief.
“I just said to the lads in there I’m probably turning into a grumpy old man, but I just want them to maintain their standards and get better and better, but I was pleased with some periods of the play.
“I think the work ethic in the team is fantastic, everybody is contributing. There’s a good spirit in there, they all get on and they’re fighting to get better”.
Words: Andrew Haines
