Paul Clement looks to positives after Derby draw
Saturday 15 August 2015 21:20, UK
Derby head coach Paul Clement was able to look on the bright side despite his first home league game in charge ending in a 1-1 draw with Charlton.
The former Real Madrid assistant saw plenty of positives in the performance while Charlton head coach Guy Luzon was encouraged by the way his players stood up to one of the Sky Bet Championship promotion favourites.
Derby moved the ball well and dominated possession but created few chances in the first half, and Charlton stunned them when Tony Watt beat Scott Carson with a deflected shot from 25 yards.
Watt set up Simon Makienok for what should have been a second Charlton goal in the 66th minute but he shot straight at Carson from 12 yards, and two minutes later Chris Martin turned on the edge of the area and fired inside Nick Pope's right-hand post.
Derby pressed hard for a winner but Pope clawed away a 20-yard drive from George Thorne and tipped a Martin header over in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
"I'm disappointed not to take all three points because I thought we created enough chances and controlled enough of the possession to deserve a little bit more," Clement said.
"Their goal has come from a big slice of luck but I'm pleased with the performance and there were lots of positives and some very good individual performances as well.
"Collectively we looked sound and could have come away with a winner in the last minute, but I am pleased with the way we played and there's lots to build on there.
"I think we will play worse this season and win, I'm sure of it, but if we keep playing like that, we are going to be fine. The players showed they have got character and personality and I was pleased with them."
Charlton's display was a big improvement on the 2-0 defeat at Derby in February and Luzon said: "Six months ago we played here and didn't touch the ball and Derby scored two goals in the first 30 minutes and we were out of the game.
"So it was very important for me that we showed progress and that we are developing as a team. I think we showed a lot of quality and organisation in the defensive side.
"I think Derby have a lot of quality, so for us it was a great challenge to come here and show character. I know that maybe we don't have the biggest squad in this league and don't have the budget of Derby and some of the other clubs, but although we have a small budget, we have big hearts.
"We also have some quality players and I think it is going to be tough to beat us this season."
