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Sky Bet Championship: Manager Steve McClaren marvels at Derby squad after 1-0 win at Blackpool

Derby County manager Steve McClaren during the Sky Bet Championship, Play-off Semi Final
Image: Steve McClaren: Praised his squad

Derby manager Steve McClaren insists his side's 1-0 win away to Sky Bet Championship strugglers Blackpool stands as further evidence he possesses an even stronger squad than last year.

A Chris Martin penalty 10 minutes from time secured all three points to see the Rams extend their unbeaten Championship run to 10 games and go top of the table.

The result also marked a sixth straight clean sheet in all competitions, on-loan keeper Jack Butland taking some of the credit for this latest shutout.

And McClaren believes his squad have proved they possess far greater depth and more maturity than the side which lost last season's play-off final.

"I believe the squad is stronger than last season," McClaren said. "I mean we're leaving out players and bringing in internationals in the likes of Jeff Hendrick. That's pleasing.

"It's the maturity of the group too. We wouldn't have got six clean sheets on the bounce last season.

"We were very innocent, running about all over the place playing good football and sometimes not getting the results because of it.

"The maturity of the squad, knowing how to win and what it takes, there's determination in there. We were a young team, we still are a young team but they are showing that maturity."

Ishmael Miller should have put Blackpool ahead on 10 minutes but fired wide after bringing the ball down on the edge of the area.

Jose Riga's side came close again three minutes later, as John Lundstram's corner was met by Peter Clarke but his header was straight at debutant Butland.

Nathan Delfouneso then spurned a glorious chance for the hosts, lashing over from six yards, while Derby's Ryan Shotton almost made the breakthrough early in the second half.

Derby got their winner, however, when Johnny Russell was fouled in the area by Tony McMahon and up stepped Martin to notch his ninth league goal of the season.

Defeat for Blackpool leaves them rooted to the foot of the Championship and while McClaren backed them to pull clear of danger, Blackpool manager Riga is far from convinced.

"It's very nice to say that and I hope it's true but I know what is in my squad," the Belgian said.

"The players I have at this moment, some of them have not a lot of experience in the Championship and I need some players to help all the team because everything will be easier then.

"I hope Mr McClaren tells the truth and I am looking for it to happen all the time.

"It is not the first time this season (we've got nothing). We created the best opportunities during the first 25 minutes and we had to score.

"If you can't make the most of these moments when you are good but bottom of the table, you cannot hope a lot."'

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