Capital One Cup: Steve McClaren thinks cup win proves Derby's squad depth
Wednesday 24 September 2014 12:10, UK
Head coach Steve McClaren felt Derby's Capital One Cup win over Reading highlighted the strength in depth his squad possesses.
The Rams dominated the third-round tie at the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night and, despite making six changes to the team that drew with Cardiff on Saturday, looked fluid and attacked with a good tempo, on-loan Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe catching the eye on his first start for the club.
For a long spell, however, Derby did not work Mikkel Andersen in the visiting goal enough, and it looked like it might be a frustrating night for McClaren's men as chance after chance went begging.
Reading occasionally offered a reminder that they were still a threat on the break and young Kelle Roos, making his debut in the Derby goal, made a superb save to deny Jamie Mackie, on loan from Nottingham Forest, as half-time approached.
However, Johnny Russell eventually made the breakthrough in the 67th minute and an own goal from Alex Pearce after 82 minutes saw the hosts progress to the fourth round.
"I'm very satisfied with that performance," said McClaren. "Even though we made six changes, we picked a team to win the game and I said at half-time I thought it was a terrific performance, full of control. We kept the ball, we created some great chances.
"The pleasing thing was, one to get the result and, two, to have a look at the likes of Kelle Roos in goal, while Omar (Mascarell) stepped in, Ryan Shotton played at centre-back, and Jordon Ibe started a game and was fantastic.
"It shows that it is a decent squad when the standard and level of performance can stay high.
"It's a good team. I'm pleased with getting the clean sheet, we talked about that, having the concentration, working hard.
"It was all very pleasing. It was a big test for Kelle. He got his chance and he did very well.
"And Jordon is someone who, when they pick the ball up, you don't know what's going to happen. He's a threat and considering he has just joined us, he did his work defensively discipline-wise but, going forward, he has great pace and he is going to get better and better."
