A third clean sheet in four games has led to another defender being applauded following Derby County’s win over Stevenage.
Derby County headed into yesterday’s clash off the back of four games unbeaten, having thrashed Exeter City 3-0 midweek.
While at home, the Rams faced a tough test against Stevenage, who were sat two points outside the play-offs prior to the weekend.
Paul Warne‘s side looked set to claim a point on home soil in what had been a rather dull showing, having failed to claim a single shot on target in the second half without James Collins.
A late goal from Louie Sibley gifted them all three points though, leaving them six points from top spot with a game in hand.
Sibley received high praise for his winner, but a ‘vital’ performance from Sonny Bradley certainly didn’t go unnoticed.
The 32-year-old has only started eight games in League One this term, but has found himself in the starting line-up for three of their last four matches.
Bradley was handed the captain’s armband against Stevenage and put on a display worthy of the role.
Derbyshire Live journalist Leigh Curtis awarded the defender a man of the match rating of 8. He wrote: “Made a vital goalline clearance in the first half and didn’t do too much wrong defensively. Derby’s problems stemmed from the final third having no focal point.”
How good was Sonny Bradley?
Sonny Bradley had the second-most touches on the pitch (73), completed the most passes (41) and won the second-most headers (9). He also made the joint-most clearances (6), one interception and one tackle.
Despite struggling to retain a regular spot in Derby County’s backline, Bradley is really proving himself in recent games and doesn’t look to be out of place alongside star man Eiran Cashin.
It’s been a stellar run of games for the veteran and he has proven how important he can be in the final run-in as the club bid to win promotion back to the Championship.
The Rams’ defence has appeared pretty impenetrable on many occasions this term and it certainly isn’t an area that Paul Warne has needed to worry about, having conceded only 29 goals in 33 games – one less than Portsmouth.
It is clear that the only minor concern is at the other end of the pitch, with James Collins sidelined for a number of months.
If Warne can get his team firing again – potentially with the arrival of Dwight Gayle – then there is no reason why they can’t battle Pompey for the league title.