Summer signing Tom Huddlestone was far from his best as Derby County were held by Birmingham City at St Andrews.
Derby County fans wanted to see a reaction after last week’s dismal 4-1 thumping away at Bristol City. However, while a 1-1 home draw with Birmingham City is a small step in the right direction, it was not exactly the improved performance supporters were demanding.
The one positive was that Sam Winnall opened his account for the club, coming off the bench to equalise just three minutes after Lukas Jutciewicz had put the manager-less visitors ahead in an otherwise dour game at Pride Park.
And it was the performance of summer signing Tom Huddlestone that perhaps most summed up another below-par display in a mixed start to the season.
The former England international was never the most energetic of players but, with so many Championship teams reliant upon energetic central midfielders, Huddlestone’s leisurely style is starting to jar on supporters.
There has never been any doubt about Huddlestone’s passing range. In fact, few players in England can match the former Tottenham Hotspur man when it comes to sweeping perfectly weighted balls out to the flanks.
However, there’s a growing sense that a player as gifted as Huddlestone can, and should, offer far more in the centre of the park. Especially with the man he forced out, Craig Bryson, enjoying life on loan at Cardiff City.
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