Derby County 0 Barnsley 0: Boring draw for Barnsley leaves Robins asking forward questions

Barnsley manager Mark Robins insists his side need to be more clinical in front of goal if they are to start winning games.

The Tykes went close through Garry O’Connor and Danny Haynes while Theo Robinson and Jamie Ward could have won it for Derby, but both sides had to settle for a point in what was a rather drab 0-0 sraw.

“We got a point away from home. When you don’t look like winning a game, it’s important you don’t lose it,” said Robins.

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“Derby came to spoil it – they are fighting for their lives and they made it difficult for us and it was a difficult surface too.

“Goalscoring is something you have to work hard at. They don’t just come – you’ve got to work on them. We aren’t working hard enough in front of midfield.

“It was a massive plus with Jay McEveley coming in and performing like he did and Luke Steele has pulled off a couple of good saves, too.

“We are looking for a few touches of the ball and then move it on, that’s all we are looking for, uncomplicated play and move the ball. But it was a poor game overall and I have to admit it didn’t make for a great spectacle.”

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Derby first-team coach Johnny Metgod was keen to focus on the positive aspects of the game.

Metgod said: “A point and a clean sheet were absolutely vital. One thing we didn’t want to do was lose and that reflected on the team I think.

“If you look at Tuesday (a home defeat to Doncaster) we played decent football for 41 minutes but didn’t get a goal.

“Then we got caught by surprise and that changed the game. It’s all right if you play well and create chances but you don’t want to concede.

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“Quite a number of games we’ve played all right, should have gone in front but didn’t and then conceded one. That makes a hell of a difference.

“If you look at the Ward chance just after half-time, you normally put it away. But under these circumstances he missed. If he had 10 like that on the training ground, he would tuck away nine and this was the one.

“His effort and drive to get there showed everything I think. He tends to make that sort of difference to a team because of his pace and his willingness to run, his endeavour and he normally tucks his chances away.

“It is three games and four points – and if we do that twice more, we will be safe. We want to be taking forward steps and this is a little a step in the right direction.”

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Derby: Fielding, Brayford, Barker, Ayala, Roberts, Cywka (Ben Davies 84), Savage (Addison 71), Green, Pearson, Robinson, Ward. Unused substitutes: Duke, Steve Davies, Porter, Doyle, Bueno.

Barnsley: Steele, Trippier, Shackell, McShane, McEveley, Haynes, Doyle, Arismendi, Mellis (Butterfield 59), Harewood (Devaney 66), O’Connor (Bennett 84). Unused substitutes: Preece, Gray, O’Brien, Miller.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Man of the match: Luke Steele.

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