One Derby County star has been compared to Zinedine Zidane after yesterday’s win over Exeter City.
Derby County had struggled with some consistency since the turn of the year, having won only four of their nine games in all competitions.
However, they certainly turned it up a notch last night as they put three past an in-form Exeter side.
It was a comfortable evening at St James Park for the visitors, with Max Bird, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Tom Barkhuizen getting on the scoresheet, while the former two also added an assist each to their tally.
Max Bird has now made it three goals and two assists in his last four games in League One – putting on some ‘excellent’ performances since accepting a move to Bristol City last month.
Despite his ‘exit’ (with a loan back) from Pride Park after 14 years, the 23-year-old has got supporters cheering in recent weeks and has been heavily praised following the victory over Exeter.
After giving Bird a nine rating, Derbyshire Live journalist Leigh Curtis wrote: “Somebody joked in the away end that he is playing like prime Zidane. Not quite up to Zizou’s level yet, but was deployed in a number 10 position and was excellent. Scored a sensational goal and grabbed an assist.”
It was another exceptional performance from Max Bird, who only looks set to break hearts even more when he officially moves to Ashton Gate this summer.
The midfielder was vital to yesterday’s win, completing 92% of his passes, completing 100% of his long balls and having two shots on target, as well as performing brilliantly defensively too – making two clearances, one block, two interceptions and one tackle.
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Bird is undroppable at the minute and is likely to play a key part in Derby’s potential promotion later this year, while he is only benefitting from the experience and ability of both Ebou Adams and Conor Hourihane alongside him.
It will be incredibly difficult to replace Bird at the end of the season but it should be much simpler if the Rams are in the Championship, while they will also be desperate to make Adams’ stay permanent if he keeps up his recent form.
The 28-year-old has started every game since arriving on loan from Cardiff City and his performances have been highlighted each time.
Leigh Curtis was quick to compliment Adams after last night’s performance, writing on X: “They always say you should never fall in love with a loan player, but Derby fans and Ebou Adams is like a Mills and Boon novel. Been outstanding again tonight.”
While he has only been in the Midlands for a matter of weeks, losing both him and Bird will feel like a major hit for Derby.