In the summer of 2016, Czech International Matej Vydra became Derby County’s record signing at around £8million. Much was expected of him and indeed the team for the season ahead, with neither performing to anywhere near the level Rams fans have expected up to this point.
The Derby fans though have been, perhaps surprisingly for the modern game, rather sympathetic with their big-money signing. They feel, justifiably it seems, that Vydra has been employed in the wrong position for most of this time.
Gary Rowett appears to prefer playing Vydra out on the left, the former Birmingham boss coming in for criticism from some Derby fans for the move. However, a fleeting 30-minute spell playing just behind the striker, something he did to great effect at Watford in this division, was an immediate success in their grudge derby match at Nottingham Forest. During the draw at the City Ground, Vydra once more started on the left but was ineffectual again. Having been moved to play behind David Nugent towards half-time however his performance immediately improved, scoring in the 47th minute to level a game which eventually finished 2-2.
“When we were losing 1-0 at half-time, we knew that we could change the game,” Vydra told RamsTV (via Derby Telegraph)
“In the first half, we had maybe stepped back but, in the second half, the manager wanted us to step up and do more pressing.
“I moved inside, closer to Nuge and inside 10 minutes, we scored two goals. I thought we played very well in the second half.
Playing in behind Troy Deeney at Watford a couple of seasons ago, Vydra managed 16 goals in just 31 Championship starts to send them up to the Premier League, however finding a coach to allow him this apparent luxury has proven difficult. The following season after promotion, Quique Sanchez Flores accused the player of not adapting to his style before allowing him to go out on loan to Reading in a high profile move. Now Rowett, who appears to see Vydra’s role differently to the player himself, is another who is reluctant.
I would never suggest that one player should dictate the formation of a team or how they should play, however coaches too need to be versatile and when you have a player of the quality of Vydra at your disposal, it seems strange to not allow him to perform in a position which brings out his very best. A Matej Vydra playing at full capacity would no doubt drastically increase Derby’s goal scoring prowess, something a club in their position cannot afford to take lightly.
Derby sit 9 points off a play-off place with 8 games to go and, although it’s unlikely, it is not impossible to make the top 6, so surely any advantage going forward they can get would be gratefully received. Vydra may be that advantage and he’s already available.