Jeff Hendrick M Derby County b.1992

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/hunger-drive-and-a-clear-vision-to-reach-big-time-29889019.html

Dion Fanning talks to Jeff Hendrick.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Derby are two points off automatic promotion after a 1-0 win over rivals QPR this afternoon.

Hendrick started today, along with Richard Keogh. Sammon came off the bench at half-time and did what he usually does - hold the ball up and link up play extremely well and miss a couple of sitters. Mark O'Brien was an unused sub.

[DeLorean]

Derby are two points off automatic promotion after a 1-0 win over rivals QPR this afternoon.

They beat Bournemouth. QPR did lose 1-0 though, late on at Charlton.

[Charlie Darwin]

They beat Bournemouth. QPR did lose 1-0 though, late on at Charlton.
Clearly the introduction of Conor Sammon did enough to shake the QPR rearguard.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Clearly the introduction of Conor Sammon did enough to shake the QPR rearguard.

QPR probably still haven't recovered from the last time he manhandled them. He has a rep like Keyser Soze at that level. If only human bodies were used as footballs; then Sammon would score goals for breakfast.

[Stuttgart88]

It seems like it was agreed between MON and King that it was more important that Hendrick plays in the U21 game than making a short appearance in the senior game. Hard to argue with that.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/noel-king-says-jeff-hendrick-can-replicate-james-mccarthy-in-republic-of-ireland-set-up-1.1704422

[DeLorean]

Bit of a misleading article though overall. Not one mention of how he was injured for Noel King's senior squad and that was probably the reason he hasn't played since being "hauled" off at half time against Spain. Even using the word "demotion" is a little unnecessary, even if technically that's what it is. The reasoning by O'Neill and King is very sound at least, hopefully he can help the U21's get the win they need.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

IDK. Gibson is perennially injured. If McCarthy gets injured, I really don't like the prospect of falling back on Whelan and Green. I would give Hendrick - Meyler too - as much chance as possible to assert himself before the qualifiers.

One good performance in a competitive game doesn't override all the bad ones and whatever Whelan's worth against workmanlike opposition, he has been shown up time and time again against decent opposition. The guy is slow as Christmas and now he's in his 30s.

[DeLorean]

Just put Derby 3-0 up in the first half against Forest. Played a part in the first goal too.

[Stuttgart88]

They're 5 up now. Is it causal or coincidental that Reid's injury and Forest's losing streak occur together?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Clearly causal. Look how many goals and assists he contributed and how he was pivotal to the way they played. In the two games he played between his two injuries, they were better for his presence.

They do have several other players injured too though and Billy Davies teams have a history of capitulating, so there is that...

[Stuttgart88]

So clearly causal but not in a clear-cut kind of clear? :)

[DeLorean]

Hendrick's was a lovely calm finish under the keepers legs having been sent through. Looked like one of those chances where you have too much time and inevitably mess it up, but he took it very calmly. He has been very good all through, very comfortable in possession and is playing with confidence. Today and especially the goal was exactly what he needed to get back to where he was pre-injury.

[Yard of Pace]

They're 5 up now. Is it causal or coincidental that Reid's injury and Forest's losing streak occur together?

From what I've seen of Forest I would imagine that they'd HUGELY struggle without Reid. Even forgetting about his goals and assists, he is always available for the ball, he holds it up and distributes it well. Take him out and you've a gaping hole in the centre (not a pun on his former level of girth). Everything goes through him.

[SkStu]

From what I've seen of Forest I would imagine that they'd HUGELY struggle without Reid. Even forgetting about his goals and assists, he is always available for the ball, he holds it up and distributes it well. Take him out and you've a gaping hole in the centre (not a pun on his former level of girth). Everything goes through him.

Again, not a pun related to his former level of girth... :)

[Yard of Pace]

Again, not a pun related to his former level of girth... :)

He'd have been grand weight-wise in the past if everything had gone through him.

On a serious note, is he possibly the biggest waste of talent we've had? Sure there's been lads who've faded in their teens but Reid has sustained a career into his 30s with his magic left foot and just never been quite there fitness wise to really shine at the highest level.

I look at Adel Taarabt scoring freely for AC Milan and you wonder what Andy could have done.

[tricky_colour]

Forest are a push over without Reid yes there are other players out
but with Reid they can get a draw without him they get hammer.
With Reid they can't lose without Reid they can't win.

[Yard of Pace]

Forest are a push over without Reid yes there are other players out
but with Reid they can get a draw without him they get hammer.
With Reid they can't lose without Reid they can't win.

I would say that is true.

In the last 25 years have we ever been able to say similar about a player other than Roy Keane?

Trap should be strung up.

[Olé Olé]

So anyway.. this Hendrick kid...

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://mhm.hud.ac.uk/newsroom/sites/default/files/Jeff%20Hendrick_0.jpg

He looks...... like a young James Spader.

[DeLorean]

Scored Derby's opener today. No harm as he has kind of lost his place recently. They lead 2-0 at half time.

Goal! Derby County 1, Barnsley 0. Jeff Hendrick (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.

[Charlie Darwin]

They have third place wrapped up at this point, with Burnley about to confirm second by beating Burnley. It's been some turnaround under McLaren and he'll deserve a huge amount of credit if he can get them promoted. QPR only need a point to confirm their playoff place, but they're doing their best to screw that up, as are Ipswich, Bournemouth and Brighton.

[DeLorean]

Yeah QPR have no form at all going into the playoffs. That said, I think Derby will be happy to have secured third. The teams battling out for sixth are a bit weaker than QPR and Wigan I would think.

[Stuttgart88]

Scored Derby's opener today. No harm as he has kind of lost his place recently. They lead 2-0 at half time.

Goal! Derby County 1, Barnsley 0. Jeff Hendrick (Derby County) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner.I saw the goal on TV. A shot from distance, but it must have taken a deflection, or else the keeper was on drugs. The keeper just shepherded the ball carefully inside the post, waving his hands as if it was going wide. It looked very odd.

[back of the net]

Just scored for derby against watford

[DeLorean]

Has scored his second to put Derby 3-2 up.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpzbJmhIfPw

Hendrick's goals at 0:30 and 1:35.

[tricky_colour]

Both good goals second one was a cracker.

[DeLorean]

Very lucky to escape with a yellow card after a bad tackle on Rohan Ince. Ince had two tough but fair tackles on Hendrick earlier, won the ball cleanly both times though.

Scored Derby's fourth. Played a one-two in the middle of the penalty area and his shot took a deflection on the way in.

[back of the net]

Goal!
Goal! Derby County 4, Brighton and Hove Albion 0. Jeff Hendrick (Derby County) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVI9lUXhTSY

1:28 Absolutely fantastic goal by Hendrick.

[Charlie Darwin]

Thought he was fortunate with the yellow card - it wasn't a vicious tackle but it was dangerous. Overall, I thought he was superb. He is really tidy in possession and from the goal you can see he's able to pick up the tempo and make things happen as well. He played all over midfield today - the Derby midfielders all seem to be able to rotate at will, and it caused havoc for Brighton. Really impressive.

[Stuttgart88]

4 very good goals by Derby.

[DeLorean]

The hype is going to be enormous. You could even see that from the celebrations at the end. Wigan or QPR's preparations will be far more low key having both been in the PL so recently. Wigan don't hype up their football team anyway. Hope Derby can deal with it.

[geysir]

All McLaren has to do is tell a joke and the players will sober up in a flash.

[DeLorean]

It could be pretty funny if he told it in his Dutch accent though.

[DeLorean]

Hendo living the dream (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2641365/Jeff-Hendrick-believe-luck-Derby-County-man-ready-face-Italy.html)

[Stuttgart88]

I hope you noticed when all the play-off guys flew in :)

[DeLorean]

Haha I did actually. It was good that they saw sense and gave them an extra bit of time as I suggested :o

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/championship-transfer-rumours-mccormack-set-7211831

Hendrick could be set for the big move that his form, potential and International status merits, with a move to Watford a possibility - according to The Watford Observer.

[DeLorean]

http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/championship-transfer-rumours-mccormack-set-7211831

Hendrick could be set for the big move that his form, potential and International status merits, with a move to Watford a possibility - according to The Watford Observer.

Read that yesterday alright. I was about to post it but I said to myself it has to be a non-runner. That would be a sobering development if there was ever one. The article in the Watford Observer (http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/11253631.Watford_targeting_Derby_midfielder/) was interesting enough though, well this bit was...


The Irishman had trials at several clubs as a youngster, including Manchester United, Celtic and West Bromwich Albion, but was often deemed too small and also suffered with Osgood-Schlatter disease at the age of 14.

[Charlie Darwin]

Moving to Watford would certainly be a dream come true for any ambitious international player.

I've read that before about his Osgood-Schlatter condition. It's fairly common among teenagers who overtrain.

[geysir]

I can't say I was ever in danger of doing that.

[DeLorean]

Signs long term deal at Derby. McClaren says this could be their best signing of the summer.

dcfc.co.uk (http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/jeff-hendrick-signs-a-new-four-year-deal-with-derby-county-1690297.aspx)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Coleman to big team.
Doyle to QPR
Treacy new contract
Hendrick to PL team.
McCarthy to big team.
Hoolahan to PL team.
Any Irish player moving to a decent standard continental League.
Any Irish player moving to a PL team.
David Forde to Bundesliga.
Stephen Ireland coming back.

I told myself I'd be happy if just one of these things happened but it's looking like players moving to Championship teams is going to be the height of transfer excitement this summer. Hopefully Brady and Gibson can remain fully fit for more than 3 weeks at a time, at least.

Got to say I'm disappointed that for whatever reason - be it lack of ambition/interest - that whatever players we do have in the Championship who can make the step up to the PL (Reid, Hendrick) sign new long-term contracts. It sucks!

[DeLorean]

Could be an exciting year for Derby and Hendrick is clearly a massive part of their plans. It's easy to forget that it's not long since he was struggling to break back into the side after injury. The last thing he needs at this point is to join Burnley or some other potential yo-yo club and struggle to break into their side. He's young, content and enjoying his football and has a nice long term deal secured for himself, there are no negatives. His sensible attitude reminds me of James McCarthy a bit, albeit Wigan were in the PL. He seems to know what's best for him right now.

[tetsujin1979]

Nice opening day goal for Hendrick, ball cut in from the right to him just inside the area, clipped the ball over the keeper to the far post for a late winner!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

6 goals in 11 starts for Hendrick. Hopefully he can keep that kind of form up and become the goalscoring midfielder Darron Gibson once threatened to be.

[tricky_colour]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdgmvXKPLY

Perhaps not the best defending, acres of space and plenty of time
but he showed a bit of class with the finish.

[tetsujin1979]

Two goals in two games now, great start to the season