Derby County took a huge step towards promotion from League One on Friday afternoon.
The Rams picked up a 1-0 win over Blackpool at Pride Park. After the disappointment of the 1-0 lss to Northampton Town last time out, this was the perfect response from Paul Warne‘s side.
Meanwhile, the three teams immediately below them in the table, Bolton Wanderers, Peterborough United and Barnsley all dropped points.
As a result, Derby County remain 2nd in the League One table. However, they are now six points clear in the race for automatic promotion.
One player who certainly impressed in that win over Blackpool on Friday, was Ebou Adams.
Big praise for Ebou Adams
A January loan signing from Cardiff City, it was a landmark day for Adams in his Derby County career against Blackpool.
The 28-year-old scored his first goal for the club, firing in a stunning strike from the edge of the area with 40 minutes on the clock.
That proved to be enough to secure all three points for Warne’s side, moving them ever closer to promotion.
However, it was not just with his goal that Adams impressed against Blackpool. Taking to X to give his thoughts on the win at full time, Derby Telegraph writer Leigh Curtis wrote:
“All over. A huge afternoon at Pride Park. Derby beat Blackpool and their three promotion challengers all drop points on a bonkers League One afternoon. Ebou Adams with a quite magnificent performance in midfield. Derby full of heart throughout.”
According to SofaScore, Adams’ goal for Derby County came from his only shot of the game, highlighting his efficiency.
The midfielder also won five tackles – the most of any Rams player – and made four clearances, while winning ten out of his 18 duels.
Furthermore, the 28-year-old also recorded an impressive 79% pass success rate in the game.
As a result, Adams did just about everything Derby County could have asked of him in this game.
Derby County must surely target permanent Ebou Adams deal
It feels hard to get away from the suggestion that Derby County must chase a permanent deal for Adams come the summer transfer window.
The midfielder has been a key player for the club ever since he joined back in the January window.
This latest performance was a reminder of the job he can do, and how important it might be to secure his services long-term.
Indeed, with some of the others who could be moving on in the summer, keeping Adams may offer some useful depth in midfield for Derby County.
Given he will be entering the final 12 months of his contract with Cardiff City in the summer, the Rams may also hope they can negotiate a deal.
Their chances of doing that will be further boosted if they win promotion, which the midfielder can play a big part in.
So with that in mind, the performances and situation around Adams, is something many Derby County fans will be watching closely in the coming months.