A Derby County star has been criticised after a disappointing performance in the win over Cheltenham Town.
The Rams returned to winning ways after failing to beat Lincoln City and Reading – making it their third victory in seven games since the turn of the year.
Derby County struggled to take their chances again this weekend, but they did prove to be clinical as they scored from their only two shots on target of the game.
Cheltenham took the lead early in the second half, before Max Bird and James Collins fought back to claim all three points for the hosts.
Despite the victory, results elsewhere meant that Paul Warne‘s side remain fourth in League One – still only three points from the top spot.
While they did win, it was another underwhelming performance from The Rams, while Conor Hourihane was one player that disappointed in particular.
The midfielder was given a mere 4.5 rating by Derbyshire Live’s Leigh Curtis, with the journalist writing: “The captain struggled in what was a war of attrition in that it was full of 50/50 challenges and second balls. Never been his game. Was soft for the Cheltenham opener.”
How disappointing was Conor Hourihane?
Conor Hourihane only lasted just over an hour at Pride Park and was replaced by Sonny Bradley shortly after Derby County equalised.
The 32-year-old did make two key passes, but also completed zero dribbles, lost 75% of his duels, made one foul and lost possession on eight occasions.
Hourihane was also dribbled past once and failed to make a single tackle or interception during the victory.
Hourihane’s disappointing performance perhaps stood out alongside his midfield partner Max Bird, who made it eight goal contributions in League One so far as he netted a ‘terrific’ strike to rescue the points.
The 23-year-old had a much more positive impact, making one key pass, completing three long balls, one clearance and three tackles.
It was only been a couple of weeks since Hourihane received high praise as he scored a last-minute winner against Burton Albion, so we can let him off for having an off-day this weekend.
Derby travel to Charlton Athletic next weekend and will need to put on a much better display if they are to claim back-to-back wins.
The Addicks haven’t won a game since November and have lost six of their last eleven games in the third tier (D5).