Derby County’s struggles for an away win in the Championship continued as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium, where Ben Gibson secured victory for the hosts. The first half was lackluster from both sides, with Stoke taking the lead after Tom Cannon was fouled by Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and converted a penalty. Derby managed to equalize early in the second half through a fortunate own goal by Gibson after a mix-up with Callum Elder’s pass. Derby had hoped to hold on for at least a point, but Gibson redeemed himself by heading in a corner to clinch all three points for Stoke, leaving Paul Warne’s Rams with much to contemplate.
It was a poor showing overall, as both teams struggled to find any rhythm. While Derby started with promise—Joe Ward’s free-kick testing Stoke’s keeper Viktor Johansson—that brief moment was one of few positives for the over 3,000 Derby fans who made the journey. Jerry Yates was left isolated up front, and the team struggled to hold onto possession, leaving them unable to create chances in open play. Stoke were also wasteful, resulting in a frustrating half that felt all too familiar for Derby supporters who have seen similar struggles at recent away games. Despite their honest efforts, the Rams misfired in the final third, creating a chaotic, uncoordinated display. At times, it felt like Derby’s players were on different wavelengths, with one notable instance in the first half when Yates became frustrated with a delayed pass from Kayden Jackson that left him offside.
Derby’s search for an elusive away win is a lingering issue. Last season, they set a record for away victories as they won promotion from League One, but the step up to the Championship has posed a different challenge. Their limited transfer budget has made it hard to compete with well-funded clubs, and Derby isn’t the only team struggling on the road—other Championship sides, including Plymouth and Cardiff, are also seeking their first away wins. Although Derby are only a few points away from both the relegation zone and the top ten, their prospects this season will rely heavily on their strong home form at Pride Park, where the fans and the team feed off each other’s energy. Away from home, however, they have yet to find a spark.
One area where Derby’s needs are especially glaring is in their strikeforce. Much of the responsibility for scoring has fallen on Jerry Yates, but he needs more support. Dajaune Brown is inexperienced, Conor Washington struggles to make the squad, and James Collins is typically used as a substitute. Derby’s lack of attacking options has been further highlighted by Stoke’s signing of Tom Cannon, a player Derby had considered but couldn’t afford. Derby’s limited budget has kept them from making high-impact signings, though they continue to seek investment to improve their competitiveness. Without a reliable second striker, Derby could struggle if Yates picks up an injury, and this remains a critical area in need of reinforcement.
Despite the challenges, Ebou Adams has emerged as a dependable figure for Derby. Known for his tenacity and aggression, he was one of the few positives in a difficult game for the Rams. His performance underscored his dedication to breaking up play, and he has become a fan favorite since joining from Cardiff, even though that transfer almost fell through. Adams now faces the challenge of improving his technical skills, which would further solidify his impact on the team. If he can refine his play with the ball, Adams could become an even more formidable asset in Derby’s midfield.
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