The Sky Bet Championship clash between Derby County and Oxford United concluded in a goalless draw on Tuesday night, extending Derby's winless league run to nine games. Under the lights of Pride Park, both teams struggled to find the back of the net in a match that featured few memorable moments.
Derby County, managed by caretaker Matt Hampshaw, was still searching for a victory since their Boxing Day triumph over West Brom. The team's inability to secure a win continued, leaving fans and players alike frustrated. Oxford United, under the guidance of former Derby boss Gary Rowett, found themselves equally challenged as they sought to capitalize on their possession advantage early in the match.
The game unfolded with Oxford United initially holding more control in the first 20 minutes. However, Derby County gradually found their footing, creating more opportunities towards the end of the match. Hampshaw noted this shift in dynamics:
"As the away team for about the first 20 minutes I felt we had a little bit of control and in the last 20 minutes I thought we were the most likely to nick something and in the middle part of the game Derby had more of it." – Matt Hampshaw
Despite their efforts, both teams failed to capitalize on their chances. Oxford United came close with a scissor-kick attempt by Lars-Jorgen Salvesen, which was skillfully saved by Derby's goalkeeper, Cumming. Similarly, Derby's Nathaniel Mendez-Laing saw his shot denied by Oxford's keeper.
The match lacked pace and intensity, a sentiment echoed by Oxford's manager Gary Rowett:
"I'm disappointed, frustrated. I probably feel a little bit like the fans did, that it was a bit passive, a bit one-paced and we didn't take enough risks." – Gary Rowett
The playing conditions did not aid either side's efforts to inject life into the game. The pitch prevented swift ball movement, contributing to the slow tempo of the match. This hindered both teams' efforts to break down their opposition's defenses effectively.
In addition to Salvesen's close effort, Oxford's Siriki Dembele also tested Derby's keeper, Jacob Widell Zetterstrom, who managed to keep his sheet clean. Greg Leigh added to Oxford's attempts with a fierce shot that narrowly missed the target.
Derby County's caretaker manager expressed his dissatisfaction with the draw, acknowledging the challenges faced during the encounter. The outcome left Derby fans yearning for a turnaround in form as they continue their quest for a much-needed victory.
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