Bristol City manager Dean Holden believes Derby County should be near the top of the table after giving his side their toughest game of the season, Bristol Post report.
The Rams remain bottom of the Championship table after losing 1-0 at Ashton Gate.
Derby looked like the dominant side at Bristol City, dominating possession and getting into multiple good opportunities only to be let down by the final ball.
Some felt it was a case of Deja vu for a team with only five league goals in 12 games.
Queens Park Rangers boss Mark Warburton heralded Derby’s attacking quality, and now Dean Holden has gone one further by claiming the Rams should be near the top.
I don’t think it was ever going to be a 5-0 victory today, I think people think ‘Bristol City have started the season well, they’re playing a Derby team who are bottom of the league.’ Look at the squad of players they’ve got. The preparation we’ve had for this game has been terrible. It’s been a terrible preparation for a game. It’s as simple as that. I’m a little bit surprised at your question, but it’s a great 1-0 victory against a top team. They should be right up the top end of the table, there’s no doubt about that. It’s probably been our toughest game of the season, with everything going on.
After picking up four points away against Norwich and Bournemouth, followed by the comments from Warburton and Holden, some will question why Derby are where they are.
Simply put, the lack of goals has been a huge factor in Derby’s struggles.
Wayne Rooney and Liam Rosenior spoke about making subtle changes. There were more forward passes, more forward entries and a higher press compared to Cocu’s final games.
But the outcome is the same. No goals for all Derby’s efforts.
Tom Lawrence, Jason Knight, Duane Holmes and Martyn Waghorn were tasked with putting Bristol City in their place but too often the final pass or cross was of poor quality.
The return of Kamil Jozwiak from injury and the long-awaited introduction of Jordon Ibe may improve matters. But on the face of it, January can’t come soon enough.
Also see: Three Derby players who looked revigorated in first game post Cocu, including £4m man
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