Frustrating night for Kazim-Richards and Derby County as Rams fall to defeat.

It was an exasperating evening for Wayne Rooney’s side yesterday as they suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday despite controlling the game in large portions.

One man who may just be kicking himself slightly more than others is Colin Kazim-Richards. The newfound fan favourite struggled to impact the game as he had done in previous fixtures and, despite showcasing some high-quality hold up play, failed to find the net notwithstanding his best efforts. 

Kazim-Richards’ first real involvement was just before the 15 minute mark. The 34-year-old showcased great desire to win the ball back just inside the Owls’ half, his tackle fed the ball into the path of Jason Knight who found Kamil Jozwiak out wide. The Poland international forced a corner, which he then took, finding the head of Matt Clarke who saw his effort fly off target.

On the half an hour mark, Graeme Shinnie found fellow Scotsman Craig Forsyth who was making his way towards the Owls’ penalty area. The left-back then delivered a peach of a cross directly towards Kazim-Richards who, unmarked, saw his header smash back off the crossbar. 

Another chance went missing for the Rams just two minutes later. Shinnie’s corner delivery eventually found its way to Krystian Bielik who saw his first attempt blocked and his second attempt skewered wide.

Ten minutes into the second half, there was another opportunity missed for Kazim-Richards. Forsyth, once again, provided the delivery, fizzing a low cross into the six yard box. Louie Sibley was first to slide towards goal aiming to get a touch on the ball, Kazim-Richards then followed, although neither responded fast enough to prod Derby ahead.

The visitors’ patience was running thin and Kazim-Richards epitomised that when, with half an hour still left to play, he shoved Sheffield Wednesday defender Liam Shaw to the ground. The youngster had attempted to block his run towards goal, clearly frustrating the Rams forward. 

Shortly after, Callum Paterson put the hosts ahead. The utility man was the first to pounce on a loose ball bobbling around the Derby six-yard-box and, against the run of play, the Owls had the lead. It’s fair to say that David Marshall’s efforts to stop the ball crossing the line were questionable at best.

Kazim-Richards’ temper flared again late on as he slid straight through Liam Palmer in a desperate attempt to keep the ball in an attacking area for the Rams. A yellow card was shown to the striker and a free-kick rightly given.

The full time whistle was soon blown, signalling the end of a disappointing match for Rooney’s men. 

The result lifted Sheffield Wednesday out of the relegation zone and they are now level on points with Derby, who have a game in hand over many of the teams around them.

The clinical nature of Derby’s forwards has been heavily questioned this season with the Rams currently being the lowest goal scorers in the league. Now the transfer window is open, a new striker is surely on the cards to provide competition for Kazim-Richards, Jahmal Hector-Ingram, Martyn Waghorn and Jack Stretton who’ve managed just five goals between them this season.