Derby County supporters have taken to Twitter to praise Martyn Waghorn following his match-winning performance against Hull City.
The Rams ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a brace from the former Leicester City man, consolidating their position on the coat-tails of the Championship playoff positions with Bristol City also winning at Blackburn Rovers.
(photo by Lee Parker/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Hull came into the fixture having won eight of their previous 11 games, moving them into the top half. However, the Tigers were second best at Pride Park, and came up against a striker in clinical form.
Waghorn started the game as a centre-forward for only the fourth time this season, with his inclusion certainly paying off.
Supporters have their say on Twitter:
Waghorn excellent today! ⚽️⚽️👍🏻👍🏻👀#dcfc
— Andy Buckley-Taylor (@BuckTaylor64) February 9, 2019
Waghorn was an absolute snip at 5 mil #dcfc
— Sam Smith (@ssmith_08) February 9, 2019
Waghorn work rate unreal today deserved the 2 goals. #dcfc #dcfcfans
— Stefan 🇩🇪🏴 (@stefdcfc89) February 9, 2019
Waghorn and Huddlestone were both exceptional today, quality 3 points #dcfc
— Alfie Lowe (@lowey757) February 9, 2019
Really good win. Decent performance, especially second half. Waghorn was superb in front of goal. Huddlestone good as well.
— Frank Lampard’s DCFC Podcast (@dcfcpodcast) February 9, 2019
@BBCDerbySport Waghorn turned in the kind of ‘number 9’ performance we’ve been crying out for for years. Fantastic performance all round, but particularly Waghorn and Tomori, very happy with that. Up the Rams
— Jimmy Gregory 🏴 (@JimmyDCFC) February 9, 2019
Waghorn was fantastic. Would not take away that striker role even with Marriott fit. He’s playing with massive confidence. Proving his worth for sure. #DCFC
— Shane Malpass (@ShaneMalpass) February 9, 2019
One of the best number 9 performances in years from a Derby centre forward. Held it up, brought other players into the game, scored two cracking goals. Its got to be either Waghorn up top on his own or Marriott up top with him. #dcfc
— Frank Lampard’s Hob Knead (@HobKnead) February 9, 2019
Imagine where we’d be if frank didn’t bench waghorn every game at the start of the season
— DCFC (@DcfcFansTalk) February 9, 2019
Long overdue starting Waghorn upfront 16 goals last season expected to bag a few. He HAS to stay there. #dcfc #dcfcfans
— SuperFrank🐏 (@DCFCtalk) February 9, 2019
How Martyn Waghorn tormented opponents Hull City:
Waghorn opened the scoring just before half-time as he finished at the second attempt with his left foot. His second goal, midway through the second-half, was much more clinical as he fired in first time from Jayden Bogle’s cut-back.
The 29-year-old signed from Ipswich Town in the summer for a reported £5 million. He topped the scoring charts for the Tractor Boys last term with 16 league goals, but at Derby he has had an indifferent start.
For most of the campaign Waghorn has featured as a wide forward to make room for Jack Marriott. However, with Marriott absent against Hull, Waghorn certainly made the most of his opportunity at centre-forward.
(photo by Lee Parker/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Derby boss Frank Lampard has a big decision to make regarding his forward options. Waghorn deserves a run at centre-forward, though Marriott currently tops the club’s scoring charts and has become a popular figure at Pride Park.
Also see: Recent study will no doubt further endear Frank Lampard to Derby County supporters