alfaskye

Hi all,
I just wanted to pop on and say congrats on a successful season and well deserved promotion. I know there's been some ill feeling between fans, mostly on the toxic social media platforms (not helped by a large number of idiots of which we at Bolton have f****** loads). I've scanned through your forum and a few others to regularly to check in on the thoughts of some of our promotion rivals over the season and as forums go, this one is generally positive and full of good and honest opinions. We have another fan called Wanderlust who often peruses the various forums and I feel he is a good fan for honest opinions too. I hope we can join you, I'm sure there's plenty of you hoping we stumble and end up stuck in L1 for at least another year, mainly for the fans who've been making stupid excuses for us not winning points this season. Reality is, you and Pompey were the most consistent teams over the season and thoroughly deserve your promotion, so well done and good luck in the championship next year. With your stadium and fanbase and what your fans have been through (trust me, I know what it feels like too), you deserve some good times now!
 
All the best gents (and ladies)

Well done lads, management and all coaching staff. Surely Bird doesn't want to play for Bristol now, and even more Ebou definitely doesn't want to play for Cardiff. UTR 🐑

Well done lads, management and all coaching staff. Surely Bird doesn't want to play for Bristol now, and even more Ebou definitely doesn't want to play for Cardiff. UTR 🐑

PG Wodehouse from the directors box.
Ah, what ho! A jolly sight indeed unfolded at the hallowed grounds of Pride Park this fine day! One could scarce imagine a scene more befitting of the grandeur and splendor of a Gatsby-esque soiree, with fans cascading into the stadium like confetti, filling it to the rafters with their boundless enthusiasm. And lo, amidst the throng stood towering figures of Derby lore, Igor Stimac and Roy McFarland, resplendent as generals at the side of David Clowes, the club’s saviour, who basked in the adulation of the faithful like Caesar himself, hailed by the masses for his Herculean efforts in saving and guiding the club to the dizzying heights of the Championship!
On the verdant pitch, a veritable symphony of skill and finesse unfolded before our very eyes. A laser-focused strike from the departing Bird, akin to the graceful brushstroke of a master painter, found its mark with unerring precision, while Collins, with the poise and elegance of a seasoned virtuoso, seized upon a knockdown from the indomitable Bradley, who ascended into the heavens like a tattooed Rudolph Nureyev, his every movement a testament to the divine artistry of the beautiful game.
As the final whistle echoed across the grounds, heralding the sweet symphony of victory, a jubilant frenzy ensued, with fans spilling onto the pitch in a glorious display of unbridled exuberance. Oh, to behold such a spectacle would surely have left even the most stoic of gentlemen in a state of rapturous delight! And amidst the joyous tumult, Adams, Sibley, and Cashin, lifted high upon the shoulders of adoring supporters, stood as titans amongst men, their names destined to be etched into the annals of footballing legend.
Truly, it was a day of unparalleled magnificence, orchestrated with masterful finesse by the bobble-hatted maestro and his esteemed comrades-in-arms. In the grand tapestry of sporting triumphs, this day shall forevermore be remembered as a shining beacon of glory for the illustrious Rams of Derbyshire

Wow!
I make it 6,104 days since we last stepped onto a pitch as a newly promoted team. That's a fair old whack. The wait is over my fellow ovine botherers. We've gone through the last 10 games averaging 2.3 PPG and top of the form table and to my mind, it was never in doubt.
One for the fans after all the grinding misery of the last 3 years, one for our dearly departed, but never to be forgotten B4, one for Clowes who wagered a sizeable portion of the Clowes family net worth to save this wonderful club and one for Warne and his merry band of men. 
COYR
B4 ON TOUR

Well done lads, management and all coaching staff. Surely Bird doesn't want to play for Bristol now, and even more Ebou definitely doesn't want to play for Cardiff. UTR 🐑

Well done lads, management and all coaching staff. Surely Bird doesn't want to play for Bristol now, and even more Ebou definitely doesn't want to play for Cardiff. UTR 🐑

Well done lads, management and all coaching staff. Surely Bird doesn't want to play for Bristol now, and even more Ebou definitely doesn't want to play for Cardiff. UTR 🐑

Well done lads, management and all coaching staff. Surely Bird doesn't want to play for Bristol now, and even more Ebou definitely doesn't want to play for Cardiff. UTR 🐑

Alright, who organised the Be More B4 message on the boards pitch side? 🥲

Seems weird. Keeps sticking on sky sports on one tv. Will have to watch it on other. Guess it's the nowtv app on the tv as fine on other. Bit of a pain. Thanks though

My sound didn't work, changed channels and back, now it does, hope that helps

Good luck for this afternoon, I hope you get it over the line for a number of reasons, and the odds are in your favour.
I hope you don't mind an outsider saying this, and I'm sure you all know this, but regardless of any euphoria or disappointment tomorrow, you'll all still be proud supporters - as b4 was, and is. As someone who read on here for a while before I registered/posted and saw lots of his comments when you were in a bad place;  I stand by the fact that whoever we support, we could all do well by being a bit more like him, when it comes to our clubs.

Pride Park Stadium
KO - 12.30
Ticket Update: Forgeddaboutit
Match is  also live on Sky Sports
What it is to be a Derby fan. After Northampton, even yours truly was feeling a tad deflated. With Blackpool, Pompey and Wycombe next up, my mood was more pensive and hopeful, than upbeat, as many others seemed to feel that we'd blown another golden opportunity. In fairness, that was understandable, if only to a point. Happily though, it appears that Warne and the chaps did not get the memo informing them of their impending capitulation and decided to go on an 5 game unbeaten run instead. That effort not only cemented us in the top 2, as others buckled under pressure, but now sees us teetering right on the edge of promotion glory; agonisingly poised, we have one foot in the sunlit uplands of the Championship (*shudder), the other remaining firmly planted in the nightmarish possibility of yet more play-off induced football terrors. But need we really be worried? 
After recent history and the near demise of our great club, I think it's understandable that some Derby fans might adopt a mildly cautious outlook and demeanour. In recent years, whatever may go wrong, typically has done and in so much, it's fair to say that a robust constitution is a mandatory requirement for a group of fans who've had more than their fair share share of emotional kickings over the last decade. Most Rams will confess that in some ways, it's hard not to expect the worst, based on recent history, but then isn't the dream what it's all about? After all, if you strip away the hopes and dreams, what do you really have left? It's been a season to test our nerves, that much is clear, but despite a lot of infighting, we've hung it all together in the end and here we are, fate firmly in our own hands. Remember too, that for some of our young 'uns, Saturday is a potentially momentous day. Automatic promotions don't come around every year and many won't have experienced one in their lives to date and for our elder statesmen and women, this could be an emotional roller coaster too. 
Outside the club itself, expectations are sky high. The bookmakers have all but closed the book on our promotion chances and after all, a single point is all we require against a Carlisle side who remain 10 points adrift at the very foot of the table and with seemingly nothing other than professional pride at stake. The oddsmakers are undoubtedly right from a statistical standpoint, but playing devil's advocate for a moment, Carlisle will view this as a free hit and will play without pressure (think Wycombe) and for some, the game provides an ideal opportunity to showcase their talents in a high-profile game with the Sky cameras watching on. Summer moves may beckon, for any player who shines.
Worthy favourites then, IMHO, but doubtless a good few will still be anxiously awaiting Saturday's outcome.
Not me mind. I’ll be drunk from @noon on Wednesday.
The Permutations:
Quite simple now, on paper at least; a win or a draw and we say, 'hasta la visa, baby' and kiss this league goodbye, hopefully forever. A loss, by a single goal would leave Bolton needing to beat Posh 3-0 in order to break the hearts of the Rams faithful, snatching 2nd place by virtue of having scored more goals. Not quite the proverbial slam-dunk then, but we're strong favourites, all the same and rightly so IMO.
Elsewhere, we, along with Bolton, will be hoping Posh slip up midweek; Posh will be hoping they don't and Barnsley and Lincoln will be nervously looking over their shoulders with both Oxford and Blackpool snapping at their heels. I'd dearly love to see Blackpool snatch the last playoff slot! 
 


The key fixtures for the final rounds, with promotion hopefuls underlined, are as below:
Tuesday 23/04-2024
Cheltenham vs Peterborough - 19.45
Saturday 27/04/2024
Barnsley vs Northampton - 12.30
Exeter vs Oxford - 12.30
Lincoln Vs Portsmouth - 12.30
Peterborough vs Bolton - 12.30
Reading Vs Blackpool - 12.30
My guesses are Posh to beat Cheltenham and draw with Bolton. Barnsley to beat Northampton, Oxford to turn over Exeter, Lincoln and Pompey to draw and Blackpool to beat Reading. Make of that what you will! 
Our Opponents – A Brief History:
Founded in 1896 as Shaddongate United, Carlisle United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Cumbria, who have played their home games at Brunton Park since 1909. The club's traditional kit is blue with white and red detail, whilst the badge takes elements from the city's coat of arms by including two Wyverns. They are nicknamed the "Blues", due to their kit, as well as the "Cumbrians". The club is the northernmost English professional football club seated close to the Anglo-Scottish border. Crowned Lancashire Combination, Division Two champions in 1906–07, they entered the North Eastern League in 1910 and went on to win the league title in 1921–22, before being elected into the Football League in 1928. 
Head to Head:
Sadly, Carlisle have a pretty decent record against our beloved Rams. Twenty-three competitive fixtures have seen Derby win 9, draw 6 and lose 8. Our first fixture, in the old Division 3 North back in 1955, saw Derby win 3-0. More recently, the two teams have met three time in the last decade with Derby bookending the decade with 2-0 wins, with a 1-1 between them.
Games Played: 23
Games Won:9
Games Drawn:6
Games Lost:8
Our last Meeting:
The corresponding fixture at Brunton Park was way back in September with a James Collins brace giving the game a rather more comforting veneer than was perhaps warranted. Carlisle looked tidy and Gibson and Moxon in particular, gave Derby plenty to think about. On that performance, you might have been forgiven for thinking Carlisle would do ok this season, but it’s fair to say that things have not gone well for the Cumbrian outfit and their relegation was a formality from some way out.
Carlisle United - Recent Form:
Carlisle's recent form has been distinctly patchy, with their last 5 games comprising a 3-1 home loss to that awful club near Henley, another home loss by the odd goal to Blackpool, a hard-earned away win at Cheltenham, before consecutive losses to Northampton and Lincoln. 
Saturday 20th April
Carlisle United 1 Wycombe Wanderers 3
Saturday 13th April
Carlisle United 0 Blackpool 1
Tuesday 9th April
Cheltenham Town 0 Carlisle United 1
Saturday 6th April
Northampton Town 2 Carlisle United 0
Monday 1st April
Carlisle United 1 Lincoln City 3
Carlisle United - Key Players:
Quite a relief that we won’t be facing Owen Moxon, snapped up by Pompey in the January window. Most of what was good about Carlisle seemed to start with him, but in Jordan Gibson, they still retain some meaningful threat. He's tricky with ball at feet, looks to attack and has a shot on him. He tops the scorer’s chart with 7 goals and 3 assists whilst Sam Lavelle with 4 assists is a goal provider to note. Mellish with 5 goals and Butterworth and Garner with 4 a piece, round out the principal Carlisle goal threats. it would be remiss not to mention also that their current manager, is none other than the much respected, Paul Simpson. Nudge, nudge, wink wink, Paul! The other ex-Rams fun fact would be that Luke Plange had a brief and unremarkable spell with the Cumbrians this season, before seeking warmer weather with HJK Helsinki.
Rams Team News:
Some will be itching for change after a stuttering performance at Cambridge. My own thoughts on that game are that Cambridge fought ridiculously hard and we had to try and match that extreme intensity before we could even think about playing our game. The pitch looked both short and narrow to me had clearly been subject to a hosepipe ban and I think all of these factors led to a feisty and extremely combative game, from which we did well to emerge with maximum points. Back on home soil, a larger pitch and a (marginally) better surface, I’d expect us to look rather more fluid.
Sadly, this will be the last time we get to watch young Max Bird play for the club. There’s been some really silly stuff written about our most technically gifted footballer and I have to confess that seeing him leave for Brizzle will be like a kick to the gut. That said, the fee garnered enabled some key signings and it could be argued that in hindsight, this was smart business. Nah, I'm not convinced either, but needs must? Quite possibly. Irrespective, I’d love to see him among the starting 11 for his swansong. I’m sure the Derby faithful will give him the send-off he deserves, in what may be a somewhat bittersweet celebration, for both us as fans and Max himself, lest we forget.
With that in mind, here’s my team selection, which will of course in no way resemble the gaffer’s:
 

 

The defence really needs to remain unchanged. A more determined and obdurate back 3 you’d struggle to find. Wildsmith retains the #1 jersey, despite some idiosyncratic ball distribution. To my way of thinking, he makes saves that matter and that outweighs his wayward passing.
I’ve drafted in Bird to replace Korey Smith, who would perhaps be hard done by should Warne follow suit. Max would partner the irrepressible Ebou Adams, a pairing that ought to give us a solid foundation in midfield. Working hard on the flanks, I’d have Wilson and Sibley, two players I absolutely love. The latter especially, has really matured over the course of the season, proving yours truly and others wrong in the process and he has oodles of ability if this progress and work ethic can be maintained.
Thommo is also retained and will hopefully sit a little higher and rat like his life depends on it. He and Collo put in Herculean shifts against Cambridge, doing the work that seldom attracts the plaudits, but is often key to our success. He can also interchange with a front two of Collo and Nate, who should give Carlisle plenty to think about. Barks, Gayle and Smith appear the obvious change-ups, with Hourihane, Vickers and Elder in reserve, but much will depend on who is truly healthy on the day.
And that, ladies and gentlemen is me done for the season. I’m fancying us for a decent performance, with a little style on show after an early goal to settle the nerves. 3-0 is the call with Collo, Nate and Sibs my fancies as the scorers. After some 55 games across the season, this one has definitely felt like something of a marathon, but in spite of the divided fan base, I’ve enjoyed seeing us tough it out. The football has been mildly bipolar, great one week, not so much the next, but I think all sides at this lowly level are inconsistent, only us and Pompey slightly less so than the others. Should we progress, of course we will face different challenges, but we will also have a very different playing roster. Doubts about the style of football will persist, but personally, I don't think Clowes will even contemplate letting Warne go and as such, Warne will retain my support until such time as he doesn't! 
Here’s hoping then,  for a resounding win, a respectful but joyous celebration of an important and healing day for all connected with the club and one that the majority can safely enjoy. Also, calm and stress-free journeys for any fans travelling significant distances and a bright and shiny, new future for Derby County Football club.
COYR
BE MORE B4
 

Please for the love of god stop with vague posting in situations like this 

Tributes paid to former Wales, Burnley and Swansea winger Leighton JamesPopular winger has died at the age of 71James scored 10 goals in 54 appearances for Wales.
 
 

I’m in Newquay on a mate’s stag, as a result I don’t know that I’ll be able to follow the match so there’s less danger of my incessant optimism spoiling people’s day 😉 

Would have liked to have been there today, but wife is away so can't get.
Always look forward to the match thread but can I make a plea that if things aren't going well that we all revert to moaning and we hardly get any match updates ( @Caerphilly Ram being a notable exception thanks).
Thanks in anticipation.
UTR

P.G Wodehouse from the directors box.
 
The Rams, dashed onto the verdant stage of Pride Park this fine afternoon, their hearts aflutter with the prospect of securing three points to solidify their automatic promotion berth. Despite their lengthy injury roster, the lineup boasted an air of resplendence that would make even the most stoic of fans tip their hats to the physio team in admiration.
NML, akin to a modern-day Lazarus, had risen from the infirmary to grace the field, while CBT took his place amongst the starting eleven. Memories of Blackpool’s prior triumph in August lingered like the faint aroma of mulligatawny soup in a humble eatery—a dish best left unstirred.
With a collective determination to erase the memory of their lacklustre performance at Northampton, the Rams elevated their game to dizzying heights. Bradley, orchestrating affairs from the stands with the flair of a seasoned conductor, directed the stewards with a whirl of his arms.
Then, in a moment that shall be etched in the annals of footballing lore, Adams seized upon a loose ball at the precipice of the penalty area, unleashing a half-volley of such precision and velocity that it nestled, like a contented dormouse, into the top corner of the net, a goal that clinched victory for the Rams.
But it was then all hands to the pumps with Cashin and Nelson, akin to gladiators of old, forming an impregnable wall alongside the stalwart trio of Wildsmith, Ward, and Sibley. And lo, the Birmingham Buffalo strode the field with a majesty befitting of ancient monarchs.
As the final whistle heralded relief and jubilation in equal measure, Warne, the tactical maestro, engaged in a spirited dance with Ebou at the centre circle—a spectacle reminiscent of the finest ballroom extravaganzas. Let us now set our sights on Tuesday’s encounter with Pompey, dear reader, and may we waltz past them with the grace and finesse of true champions. Up the Rams!

Thanks @B4ev6is  
You can clearly see his influence here with the rainbow marking where he’d guided the ball into the net. 

Probably going to be about 10 players leaving, it's gonna be a different squad
Look at the difference Adams and Nyambe have made being younger and more athletic players. I think a few more signings like that would suit Paul's style more but I think securing a mid table finish next season would be perfectly acceptable 
But we shouldn't worry or look too far ahead as it robs you off enjoying the moment just need to moan less and get behind the lads is all I'm saying and I have seen comments like they aren't enjoying it like we are 2nd to be honest I'm enjoying being up the top end of a table regardless of some bad performances 
Paul Warne wins 3-0 and the match thread is about 20-30 pages less than if he loses, that's telling to me that people love to f****** moan 😂😝
 

Hi Rams, I commented on the reverse fixture when you battered us earlier in the season so thought I would do the same just to give some context from the other side.
A very different game to the one at Pride Park earlier in the season. The San Sixfields pitch is much smaller which definitely helps us, particularly against the big boys in the division. We have taken a pasting of pretty much all of the teams at the top of the table away from home this season, whilst at home managed mostly narrow defeats instead.
No doubt that you should have scored at least one of the two chances in the first half, or at the very least worked the keeper, one of them goes in and you dont lose the game without a shadow of a doubt. The game earlier in the season you were picking holes in between our midfield and defense with ease, also NML pace was a constant threat. However in this game were clearly more compact and outside of those opportunities it didn't feel like you created a huge amount of clear cut chances. It was noticeable that you were much more direct this game for whatever reason, which I am far more confident of us deadling with. I know you have a number of bodies out, but we have 10 out (mostly in defence) so the injury list was similar on both sides.
I thought the goal was a really well taken finish, definite foul in the build up but the defending after that would be pretty poor. Your full back (Wilson I think) also definitely handled it in the second half with no one around him. 
I sit in the end where Bradley got his red, he definitely put his head in. Don't get me wrong i dont think Monthe is going to require a trip to the hospital but unfortunately you have to go down to almost bring it to attention. Thought it was poor from a guy who is that experienced and was seemingly always looking for physicality in the game. Yes we tried to slow down the game, no doubt about it. If i was an away fan I would be furious and hope the ref would stop it. But to add some context our season has been petering out to a degree with mid table safety and clearly our manager has given them a rocket pointing out there are still points to play for, there was not a lack of effort on our point despite little to play for seemingly. To be honest we are doing about as well as a club our size could be expected to do, as we were on of the favorites for the drop.
I hope you go up, clearly a huge club that should not be at this level (plus dont want Peterborough to go up). I am guessing there is a big split in the fanbase over the manager, that was evident by the booing of one of the substitutions which you don't expect from a team that are fighting for the title. As a completely neutral observer Warne to me sits in the Gareth Ainsworth esque category of managers. Likeable character and personable, but with limitations at a higher level and in developing a more free flowing style, it dosnt seem like the best fit. Playing Pompey and Peterborough recently (both away so different challenges I guess) but they seemed much more composed in their style of play and just seemed to have more ways to hurt us.
Hopefully your injury woes ease up a little and all the best for the rest of the season.

The most depressing thing about days like today is not the performance which was awful but the fans reaction to it. 
Promotion is won over a season. At Bristol we looked like a promotion team. This day we looked bottom half. That’s why overreacting to either game is ridiculous. But the “pitchforks out” reaction after every game we lose is just soooo tedious and it’s always the same people. 

P.G Wodehouse from the directors box.
 
Upon the dreary canvas of this afternoon’s spectacle, painted with strokes of ineptitude and dashed hopes, one solitary silver lining emerged: the absence of my dear chum, Clarence Threapwood, the 9th Earl of Emsworth, from the lamentable affair. Engaged, fortuitously, in the matrimonial celebrations of a member of the DCFC fan’s forum, he was spared the spectacle of our team’s lamentable performance. Reports of the bride’s radiance and intellect, ample enough for two, provided a faint glimmer of mirth amidst the otherwise dismal proceedings, for surely she possessed wit enough to comprehend the gravity of her matrimonial choice. My only hope is the Groom’s despondency at the result doesn’t derail his wedding night.
Alas, my afternoon was not blessed with such diversion, and I spent 90 minutes plus ten added praying for my fountain pen to give up the ghost.
As I endured a woeful display of hoofball from Warne’s bobble hatted charges, bereft of precision, potency, or tenacity, against the hapless Northampton Town, who lack even a Subbuteo set to their name.
Bradley, in particular, resembled naught but a flailing marionette caught in a tempest, with many an experienced undertaker being deceived by his appearance and starting to embalm on sight. To use the analogy of the sport of shooting Derby ended upon the wrong end of the gun, with a limp wristed display reminiscent of Torquay Utd at their best.
Sonny’s subsequent banishment from the pitch, though regrettable, may indeed harbour a silver lining, for perhaps absence will lend him time to rediscover his vigour. As we face the looming encounter with Blackpool, the need for three points and a performance befitting professional footballers hangs heavy upon our shoulders, a task of Herculean proportions in our current state of disarray.

It's a confidence boost to them, yes. But momentum? I wouldn't say so. Bolton have won 2 in their last 7, Barnsley 1 in their last 4, Peterborough lost their last game. Peterborough possibly have "momentum" in their form before losing to Portsmouth, but the form of the other two is hardly brilliant.
It would be a massive up-turn in form for any side to win all of their remaining games. For Bolton that's 7 in a row and for Posh/Barnsley it's 8 in a row. They haven't done that all season, it'll take a massive effort to pull that out of the bag now. For example, Bolton have won 7 league games this year. They've played 16. If they go on to win 7 in a row now then fair enough, they deserve it.
It's really frustrating that we haven't taken this opportunity, but we haven't thrown anything away yet. We still have it in our hands, and whilst we still may bottle it, turning on the players and the manager at this stage, would just ruin any remaining chance we do have.