Derby County 3 Leeds United 1: McClaren quickly makes his mark as Rams secure first home league win
Mail 5/10/13By Mark Ryan
Steve McClaren played an impeccable PR game, as a brilliant Will Hughes ensured that his manager’s first big day ended happily.
‘What a traumatic, emotional week it’s been for everyone here,’ said McClaren, refusing to bask in the glory of a win sealed by a virtuoso Hughes goal, after Chris Martin and Johnny Russell had given Derby a commanding first-half lead.
Not that McClaren could hide his satisfaction as he saluted the character of his new charges, who refused to wobble when Jason Pearce struck back for the visitors. However, you sense there could still be a storm brewing over the precise definition of McClaren’s role once the new technical director arrives.
As for Leeds, they played with spirit but lacked penetration in attack. Since Brian McDermott’s men remain vulnerable in defence, there was only ever one likely winner. No wonder he looked so angry.
‘We’ve given away the first goal too many times this season,’ he fumed, reflecting on how his careless defence had gifted Martin a straightforward opener.
Moments later Martin back-heeled for Russell to double Derby’s lead, and deservedly so.
Leeds replied when Rodolph Austin headed Lee Peltier’s cross back into the path of Pearce, who made no mistake with the empty net beckoning. But it was a rare ray of sunlight.
‘We weren’t good in both boxes and we’ve got to look at it. We need to foster a winning mentality,’ said McDermott.’
Derby’s dominance suited former England manager McClaren, though he decided not to take any chances. He refused a pre-match presentation to the fans, knowing such attention-seeking could backfire badly if Derby were defeated.
Instead, you would hardly have known McClaren was there until after half-time, except for the cameras pointing high into the stand behind the dugout. ‘Staying upstairs gives me a better perspective and helps me make better decisions,’ he said later.
He was in the technical area when it was time for second-half substitutions. Yet the new head coach and the fans could only enter their honeymoon period with any passion after Hughes had made sure.
The teenager, a target for Liverpool, is well known for his elegant left boot and eye for goal. But yesterday he fooled the Leeds defence by moving with elusive grace on to his right, before using his instep to finish with aplomb. ‘He has great ability and great potential,’ admitted McClaren, though he added, ‘I wish he could head as strongly!’
But Hughes had sealed it, and soon the crowd were showing love for the new boss. ‘Stevie, Stevie give us a wave,’ sang a pocket of fans. It took little more than a second for the man of the moment to acknowledge them. ‘I’m glad it was 3-1 not 2-1, otherwise I’d have stayed seated,’ he joked.
At the end, he applauded the fans then disappeared down the tunnel. After all, this is just the start and he knows he has not earned hero status just yet. ‘It’s about the team, that’s what’s important,’ he said.
Clarity on Derby’s future structure is needed. President and chief executive Sam Rush wrote in the programme: ‘We are keen to ensure Steve has as much support as possible regarding the identification and acquisition of players. To this end, we will in due course be appointing a technical director.’
But McClaren was adamant: ‘I’m in charge of all football matters — players coming in, players going out.’
Perhaps the technical director really will prove that subservient, although McClaren’s use of the word ‘manager’ to describe his job is at odds with his official title.