What a strange night at Pride Park.
The expectation of a first Championship night under the lights quickly evaporated as Derby County were swept aside by a rampant Swansea City.
Two goals, masterfully executed by Vipotnik and Ronald, brought boos from the home crowd who sang about their displeasure in no uncertain terms.
Six changes by head coach Paul Warne was very bold.
It was all out attack with the midfield dynamo that is Liam Thompson left to watch on from the bench as Derby were caught short.
The visitors bypassed the Rams midfield, pressed high in attack and crowded the final third.
After some treatment for goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom the Rams changed their approach and went on to control the match.
They changed their press and managed to gather as a team, but without in-form striker Jerry Yates, who was unable to play against his parent club, they were lacking that decisive finish in front of goal.
Derby seem to be lacking a controller in midfield.
Swansea’s Matt Grimes held that responsibility. He picked the ball up from the defenders and moved it forward through the middle of the field and out wide.
But when the Rams made the changes on 62 minutes, he had Liam Thompson to contend with.
He is like that annoying fly that keeps landing on your food. He will run around in front of you and pick your pocket.
Derby had seven shots on target to Swansea’s two and on the balance of play deserved something from the game.
But if you start slow you are always susceptible to being picked off.
