' JOE LEDLEY / TOM LAWRENCE '
Mon Oct 02, 2017 10:41 am
Derby County boss Gary Rowett sends Chris Coleman a message after Wales duo Ledley and Lawrence's performances against Cardiff City
By Ian Mitchelmore
Monday 2nd October 2017
Gary Rowett believes Joe Ledley's performances for Derby County against Brentford and Cardiff City have proven Chris Coleman can re-introduce the midfielder into his starting side for Wales' remaining World Cup qualifiers.
And the Rams' boss has hailed Ledley's fellow Welshman Tom Lawrence as Derby's brightest attacking talent in recent matches.
Ledley secured a Bosman move to Pride Park following the conclusion of the summer transfer window and has featured in their away draws against the Bees and the Bluebirds.
And Rowett is confident that Coleman will have no reason to feel concerned over Ledley's fitness if the Wales manager needs to select the midfielder for his side's crunch qualifying matches against Georgia and Republic of Ireland.
When asked if he felt Ledley — who was an unused substitute for Wales' previous two outings against Austria and Moldova — was ready to start for his country again, Rowett responded: "I think so.
"I would imagine he didn't start the last game because he just hadn't had any football but I'm sure if Chris watches his last two performances he'd be more than ready, whether he's chosen or not.
"I think Joe's one that will grow into all of the games, he shows experience, and Joe does a little bit of the other side of the game as well.
"He knows when to step in and when to join in with the play. He's just a really experienced character and we're pleased to have him. I think with Bradley Johnson now suspended, we'll need Joe to return safe and sound from his Welsh travels.
"I think he's been excellent and if you look in both the games, in the first game against Brentford, maybe with about five or 10 minutes to go he showed signs of fatigue, which he's going to do when he hasn't played for six months.
"I felt today he got through the game great, at times I had to tell him not to go forward too much because we didn't want to leave ourselves open at that point. So I've been really pleased with how he's slotted in because he's a naturally fit lad.
"When you read the game as well as someone like that with that experience does you know when and where to expend your energy so I've been really pleased with him, I think he's proved what a fantastic professional he is, to be out for so long and to come in in such good shape is really testament to him."
Lawrence, who hit the headlines on numerous occasions at Ipswich last term, has impressed in the opening stages of the 2017/18 campaign since making the move from Portman Road to Derbyshire.
And Rowett believes the former Bluebird — who has once again been included in the Wales squad for their final two Group D qualifying games — has been a shining light for the Rams so far this season.
"Tom did well, we wanted to just tactically change it, we played him further forward we felt the last three or four games he's been our brightest going forward but he's had to do too much defending," added Rowett.
Wales international Tom Lawrence battles with Sean Morrison during Cardiff City's 0-0 draw with Derby
"We wanted to get him in an area where he could concentrate solely on attacking.
"He was bright again and he had a couple of fouls on the edge of the box which for me were clear fouls that weren't given.
"Some of our interchange was good and Tom was part of that."
By Ian Mitchelmore
Monday 2nd October 2017
Gary Rowett believes Joe Ledley's performances for Derby County against Brentford and Cardiff City have proven Chris Coleman can re-introduce the midfielder into his starting side for Wales' remaining World Cup qualifiers.
And the Rams' boss has hailed Ledley's fellow Welshman Tom Lawrence as Derby's brightest attacking talent in recent matches.
Ledley secured a Bosman move to Pride Park following the conclusion of the summer transfer window and has featured in their away draws against the Bees and the Bluebirds.
And Rowett is confident that Coleman will have no reason to feel concerned over Ledley's fitness if the Wales manager needs to select the midfielder for his side's crunch qualifying matches against Georgia and Republic of Ireland.
When asked if he felt Ledley — who was an unused substitute for Wales' previous two outings against Austria and Moldova — was ready to start for his country again, Rowett responded: "I think so.
"I would imagine he didn't start the last game because he just hadn't had any football but I'm sure if Chris watches his last two performances he'd be more than ready, whether he's chosen or not.
"I think Joe's one that will grow into all of the games, he shows experience, and Joe does a little bit of the other side of the game as well.
"He knows when to step in and when to join in with the play. He's just a really experienced character and we're pleased to have him. I think with Bradley Johnson now suspended, we'll need Joe to return safe and sound from his Welsh travels.
"I think he's been excellent and if you look in both the games, in the first game against Brentford, maybe with about five or 10 minutes to go he showed signs of fatigue, which he's going to do when he hasn't played for six months.
"I felt today he got through the game great, at times I had to tell him not to go forward too much because we didn't want to leave ourselves open at that point. So I've been really pleased with how he's slotted in because he's a naturally fit lad.
"When you read the game as well as someone like that with that experience does you know when and where to expend your energy so I've been really pleased with him, I think he's proved what a fantastic professional he is, to be out for so long and to come in in such good shape is really testament to him."
Lawrence, who hit the headlines on numerous occasions at Ipswich last term, has impressed in the opening stages of the 2017/18 campaign since making the move from Portman Road to Derbyshire.
And Rowett believes the former Bluebird — who has once again been included in the Wales squad for their final two Group D qualifying games — has been a shining light for the Rams so far this season.
"Tom did well, we wanted to just tactically change it, we played him further forward we felt the last three or four games he's been our brightest going forward but he's had to do too much defending," added Rowett.
Wales international Tom Lawrence battles with Sean Morrison during Cardiff City's 0-0 draw with Derby
"We wanted to get him in an area where he could concentrate solely on attacking.
"He was bright again and he had a couple of fouls on the edge of the box which for me were clear fouls that weren't given.
"Some of our interchange was good and Tom was part of that."
Re: ' JOE LEDLEY / TOM LAWRENCE '
Mon Oct 02, 2017 11:12 am
we are going to need to be at full strength for these games and that includes Ledley in the middle for me 
Re: ' JOE LEDLEY / TOM LAWRENCE '
Mon Oct 02, 2017 11:54 am
must of been watching a different game to me , I thought Lawrence was aweful ,lots of huff and puff but no end product and ledley look very unfit
Re: ' JOE LEDLEY / TOM LAWRENCE '
Mon Oct 02, 2017 11:58 am
wez1927 wrote:must of been watching a different game to me , I thought Lawrence was aweful ,lots of huff and puff but no end product and ledley look very unfit
I agree. Thought Ledley was anonymous for most of the game and Lawrence spent most of the afternoon on his arse moaning about not getting a free kick.
Re: ' JOE LEDLEY / TOM LAWRENCE '
Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:23 pm
lawrence has good technique and may be suited to international football. he faded but he has the potential to play in the PL for sure.
ledley was steady and kept things simple. managers like players like ledley as they are solid reliable performers. like a poor mans gareth barry, if you like. derby looked like a very disciplined, professional outfit, and he was an important part of that.
ledley was steady and kept things simple. managers like players like ledley as they are solid reliable performers. like a poor mans gareth barry, if you like. derby looked like a very disciplined, professional outfit, and he was an important part of that.
Re: ' JOE LEDLEY / TOM LAWRENCE '
Mon Oct 02, 2017 12:35 pm
Hes fat hes round hel bounce on the ground joe ledley joe ledley. Was shit. Mendez walked around him hes crap and glad we didnt have him