Defeat for Derby leaves supporters wanting more Watson

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Gary Rowett’s Millwall secured the ultimate ‘smash and grab’ on Saturday afternoon as Shaun Hutchinson’s towering header secured a 1-0 victory over Derby County.

Following the same theme as their recent encounters, the Rams put in yet another disappointing performance. Louie Watson was the only real positive for the hosts and that puts things into perspective, considering he only came on with half an hour to go.

The first opportunity of note to open the scoring came just shy of the ten minute mark. Right-back found left-back as Nathan Byrne’s enticing delivery met Craig Forsyth in the Lions’ penalty area. The 32-year-old rose highest, however, produced a powerless header which was easily caught by Millwall goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski. 

Eight minutes later, there was a case of déjà vu as the Derby full-backs linked up again. Byrne the provider once more, Forsyth’s header just wide of the near post this time around.

Forsyth then rounded off an imperfect hat-trick of headers in the 37th minute as the Scotsman got on the end Martyn Waghorn’s free kick, only to glance his attempt over the crossbar.

Poland international Kamil Jozwiak then tried his luck for the Rams just a few moments later from range, but compatriot Bialkowski was more than equal to it, parrying the shot away to make a routine save.

With their first clear-cut chance of the half and completely against the run of play, the Lions then took the lead. 

Hutchinson, unmarked, latched onto Jed Wallace’s corner delivery and thumped his header home into the bottom left hand corner to grab his second goal of the season.

Derby reacted well to going behind, bombarding the Millwall box with every possible chance, but the away side stood strong to deny every attempted attack.

George Edmundson and Jason Knight made way for Patrick Roberts and the aforementioned Watson in the 60th minute, providing the latter with his longest spell on the pitch in senior football so far.

The 19-year-old wasted no time settling into the encounter, boasting the composure of a seasoned professional as he dropped deep to offer a constant supply of support to the Rams’ defence.

Seven minutes into his cameo, the youngster sent a sublime pass through to Jozwiak, which the winger collected within point blank range from goal. It looked set to be an instant impact from Watson, but to the surprise of quite literally everyone, the Pole opted to square the ball back into the box instead of shooting, allowing Millwall to graciously clear.

The teenager, capped by Republic of Ireland at U18 level, mounted another attack just moments later, finding Byrne on the right flank. Again, as has frustratingly been the case so often this season, the move came to nothing.

Despite late signs of life from Watson, Derby dwindled once again, failing to score before the ref blew his whistle for full-time. Millwall’s one shot on target was enough to settle the result, the Rams’ 70% possession also proving irrelevant.

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Promising form from the starlet in recent appearances has left supporters calling for more of the summer signing. He is perhaps one of the only Derby players receiving praise at this moment in time, from Wayne Rooney as well as Rams fans, but with Brentford up next, is it too much to ask to throw him in from the start? We shall have to wait and see.

Watson has now made five appearances for the first team, all coming off the bench. With Knight and Max Bird seemingly failing to reach the heights of their performances from last season, it could be perfect timing for the Croydon-born ace to stake his claim for a first team spot.

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