Derby County’s Tom Huddlestone started against Bristol City.
Some Derby County supporters have taken to Twitter to question manager Phillip Cocu’s decision to start Tom Huddlestone over George Evans following his disappointing performance against Bristol City.
The Robins claimed all three points at Pride Park as they beat Derby 2-1. While the hosts created enough chances to win the game themselves, poor defending and laboured passing in possession cost them.
Huddlestone started the game as a holding midfielder alongside Krystian Bielik. The former England international is known for his excellent passing range and vision, but on Tuesday night he had a nightmare.
To make matters worse, he was seemingly selected in the starting XI ahead of George Evans who has made a decent start to the season. It was a move which backfired, with supporters questioning the decision.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder came through the Derby academy and is appreciated at Pride Park. However, Huddlestone is now 32, and his immobility and declining ability now makes him a defensive liability.
Evans played a key role in Derby’s excellent start to the season. He was instrumental at Huddersfield, set up the winner at Scunthorpe United in the cup and won the penalty to help the Rams earn a 2-2 draw at Stoke City.
Evans, 24, has the potential to get better and playing alongside Bielik would help provide a more solid defensive shape. The former Reading man must feature against West Bromwich Albion this weekend.
