Derby County lost an exhilarating game at Pride Park against Cardiff City to fall well adrift of the top six.
Derby manager Steve McClaren
The Derby County fans who have taken to Twitter in the wake of the Rams’ defeat to Cardiff City on Tuesday appear to be largely divided about whether Steve McClaren still has a future at Pride Park.
Derby went into the game situated on the cusp of the Championship’s top six. They were five points adrift of a play-off spot but had a game in hand over many of the sides above them.
While they still boast that game in hand, the Rams are now eight points adrift of the top six following an incredible game against the Bluebirds.
Derby took a 2-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes, but a capitulation that began five minutes before half-time and subsequently lasted until the hour-mark saw them then fall 3-2 behind against Neil Warnock’s men.
However, they appeared to have given themselves a great chance to go and take all the points once again as Darren Bent equalised with around 15 minutes to go. But there was one more twist as while there was another goal, it did not go to the home side as Cardiff were given a stoppage-time penalty and Joe Ralls converted the spot-kick to ensure that Derby dropped to 11th in the table.
Derby County’s Darren Bent after the game
While McClaren started brilliantly following his return to Pride Park – the Rams lost just once between his appointment in October and the end of the calendar year – and several supporters are suggesting that there is no way that he should shoulder the blame, others are less convinced about the progress the team are making under his leadership.
Derby have conceded 10 in their last three games in all competitons, are without a win in their last four and appear to be in need of an almost flawless run until the end of the season to book a play-off spot.
Here is the best of the reaction…
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