Gladys_was_the_Greatest

Now then B4, I know we've begged a few favours already, so I've waited until we really need it to beg another, but if you could give the boss a nudge for us and tell him I'm sorry I've not been to church for 20 years, I'd be obliged. A win today would most certainly restore some faith and I'll book myself in for confession at very least, though I might well need a 2 hour slot!

Oh my goodness 🥲 That’s amazing. Can’t thank you all enough ❤️ my friend and I have just been to Pride Park to raise a can for Dan by his memorial brick and came to back to this amazing news. You guys are awesome ⚽️🐏⚽️🎉🎉🎉

Think Portsmouth and Derby going up is the best result judging the season as a whole. Both too big for this league anymore. Hopefully the draw we gave Bolton today (tbh they could be right to feel bad not to take all three points) will be enough to get you guys over the line. 
 
Good result for you guys. Hopefully see you in the championship next season. 

Adams Park Stadium
Wednesday, April 10th – Kick-Off: 19.45
Still a full week to go before another match to savour, this time against a club who can sensibly lay claim to having the greatest car park in all of football. So, what is there to say about L1’s perennial not-so-nearly men? Well, they have a fantastic chairman don’t they! Who else would be magnanimous enough to name their ground after our legendary midfield destroyer, Ebou? More to the point, how did he even know Ebou was coming to Derby? Clever chap, I suppose, which is probably why he now owns more ambulances than the NHS. As for Wycombe the town, well some brief research shows that Wycombe is notable only for being surrounded by places that are not dumps. Also, for weighing its mayors to see whether they have been getting rich on the public pound. Oh, The Cornetto Trilogy too, for any Hot Fuzz fans out there.
Moving onto Wycombe FC, well what can I say?
No, really, what can I say?
Oh, alright then! Their Wiki bio states that Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Founded in 1887, they entered the Southern League in 1896. Despite being around forever though, they’ve won the square root of feck all and in 137 years, have only managed to accrue around 7,000 supporters. I’m no maths whizz, but by utilising my trusty abacus, I’ve calculated that at their current rate of growth, they will hit Derby levels of support in only 508.86 years. Something to look forward to, then.
Key Threats
Well they are two-fold and to be taken seriously; firstly, there’s the threat of legal action and secondly, there’s a very real possibility that they’ll attempt to hoof half our team into the stands. Fortunately for us, we’ve already paid them out, so they’re now feasting on the bones of other clubs in financial strife. Also, their stands are tiny and their team is rubbish, so if any Wycombe player does attempt to half-volley Liam Thomson into the North Stand, he’ll probably miss it altogether.
On the pitch, after a seriously deep dive, the only threats I’ve come up with are Luke Leahy who has amassed 8 goals and 6 assists this season from @40 starts, Dale Taylor with 5 and Joseph Low with 4. I was going to visit their forum to try to discern some interesting insider titbits for you lot; team strategy, injuries, pie quality and the like, but I immediately realised I’d rather eat my own vomit, so I didn’t bother. Feel free to have a gander yourselves though.
The Team
I think we’ll likely see the same starting 11, or very close to it. Fortunately, we now have the aforementioned Ebou Adams, so when they kick us, he’ll kick them back. Several times each, probably. That said, I think if we play our own game and don’t get sucked into Wycombe’s peculiar brand of anti-football, we may well win and win well.
And sadly, that’s all folks, as the pub beckons and in truth, I’d not really counted on us getting past both Blackpool and Pompey and have nothing else prepared. A final note though, for away supporters looking for things to do before and after the game, might I recommend a trip to Henley, Marlow or Windsor instead?
COYR
BE MORE B4

he would be wearing his scrave and waving his flange!
Let’s win this one for him.
Be More B4!

Got B4’s ashes with me (and a can of dark fruits). Husband is getting worried about the potential clean up 😂 There’s no way B4 would be missing this match 

I've predicted a Pompey win tonight, I don't think it'll be an easy game and I'd take a point right now but I'm just wary of Derby county and "the big moment" - however, losing tonight isn't as bad as all that because even in the worst case the best Bolton could do is pull level with us.
My other worry is a win tonight for us and the team get it in their heads that it's already done and go and drop a b****** like they did at Northampton.
The only really bad outcome on our side is a complete tonking that ruins belief, but I don't see that happening with this team, even when we're crap we're pretty stubborn and won't lose by a lot.

Hi Rams fans,
Have been following your forum for a wee while and thought I'd stick my nose in.
Registering took a while but I got there in the end, so.
To quote Neil Young, 'Tonight's The Night'. I guess tonight's game isn't pivotal, but things might be a little clearer..
Last night's results didn't help either of our clubs, in the end it's in our own hands.
Main reason for joining Rams board is the family split that exists....I am Pompey, my son is Derby., He and I have had
little contact due to past ructions between his mum and I...Last time I saw him he was a part time Celtic fan. (He was
born in Scotland, where I lived and was married for some 20 years. I took him to see a couple of Pompey games but
he wasn't impressed, took him to my school where I was a goalie...unimpressed. It was only when my ex remarried that
the Rams bug seemed to bite. Dunno if picture will show on this thread.
Tonight will be interesting, even if it's a dull game. A draw would suit us fine and I have to say that our final games fill
me with some dread. We had a 'blip' earlier in the season and recovered. This time, any blip will not be recoverable.
I have followed Pompey for over 55 years (youngsters refuse to believe me when I tell them we have an innate ability
to mess up just as we're about to cross finishing line. (I guess this is what attracted me to Hearts when in Edinburgh,
very similar ground, fan base and fatal flaws!) How you can beat us....classified I'm afraid but we have some very obvious 
weaknesses you can exploit. Don't go into game looking for a point, teams that have done well at Fratton have come out
and taken game to us.
Why are we top of the league? Many fans mutter 'They're nothing special..have seen much better' These fans are often right.
Many of our performances have been sub-optimal BUT the one aspect that has run through most games is a newfound
belief that, even if we o 0-2 down, the situation is recoverable. Games last 95 minutes or so these days...we manage to keep
believing the situation is retrievable. It's this that has sent us to the top...plus a pretty stingy defence, a creative midfield
and strikers who, on their day can tear any League One side to shreds. Last game against Wycombe their left back wanted
to go off suffering from 'twisted blood'. (Gag borrowed from Man Utd, George Best joke.) On their day, Kamara and Yengi,
supported by Bishop and Saydee are a real handful.
Lat night's results went pretty much according to form but previous games have shown all the maths and super computers
in the world simply cannot predict what will actually happen.
I hope you guys go up....Derby are a 'proper' club, part of the game's history BUT...so are we. Nobody has a divine right to be
'top of the tree'.....Anyone else remember the hushed tones from tv pundits when the mighty Man Utd were relegated?
It was as if there had been a death in the family.
Treat both success and failure as imposters....keep supporting your club. Good luck to all Rams making the journey down..
I see a few travelled down over the weekend and have already sampled some of our local beers.
All the best Rams...., Nick 
 
 

I noticed that.  I smiled and applauded.
This is not a time for honour and morality.  Now is the time we need to join the masses, and sh***ouse our way to victory!  😁 

1Wildsmith  7 Couple of bad kicks, which he seriously needs to improve on, but otherwise looked solid behind the back four.
2Wilson  7  I think this can work, him and Ward down the right.
35Nelson  8  My player of the season, just ahead of Cash.
6Cashin  8  Love his partnership with Nelson.
17Sibley  7  Still has to work on his defensive duties, especially positional, played some lovely balls down the left hand side.
23Ward  7  What a crosser of a ball, love to watch it, pity we can’t get anyone on the end of em.
10Waghorn  6  Not good enough/fit enough to start now.
32Adams  8.5  Just love this man’s determination and passion, oh and what a finish.
12Smith  7.5  Good partner for Adams in the centre.
4Hourihane  6  See Waghorn.
27Blackett-Taylor  6.5  Still doesn’t work hard enough for me, having said that, looks dangerous and could be a match winner.
16Thompson  6.5  Good sub to have with 15 mins to go.
11Méndez-Laing  6.5  For me not looked himself the last few games, still a goal threat tho.
22Fornah  6  Nice to see him back, gives us more strength from the bench, could he push Smith for a start.
14Washington  6.5  Another one nice to see him back, still not match fit, gives us a bit of pace up top, can see him grabbing a couple of goals on the run in, if he can stay fit.
9Collins  6.5  Help us see out the match today with his experience, welcome back Collo.
I also thought Warne got team selection bang right today, would love to see Adams and Smith in the centre and Wilson and Ward down the right for the remainder of the season 👍

What a weird game. A lot of tactics and mind games between managers I reckon. Why did we sit so deep, let them have the ball ? Yet, with it, they didn’t seem very scary did they ? A fair few individual errors, tried a few things early on that didn’t come off, then we got all “safe” with no panache or zip;  but giving the walking wounded thing, maybe that was inevitable ?
Loads of effort from all the lads. Beautiful technique and finish from Adams, well deserved MOTM. That was a certified belter of a goal and worthy to win any match anywhere. CBT’s performance was very encouraging and I  thought Smith had an excellent game.. All the subs made a difference, Tommo’s energy,  Collo’s physical presence and guile shored everything up in the last 20. 
Fussy ref, Lino made some terrible offside calls and just didn’t see others. Very poor on both lines today in my opinion.
3 precious points … it’s getting closer everyone. Keep the faith. 

So, hang on. Are you saying you left her in A&E and came to the game without her?

In my late 20s my wife thought I looked like Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice. 
I would point out that 
A) this was 25 years ago 
and
B) she had bad eyesight 

*Might contain small edits.

Yep , really if you read this stuff all it is is a few people constantly coming on and telling us don’t enjoy us doing well because it means nothing , the league is poor and anything derby do or achieve has no value and means nothing , the manager is crap and even if we get promotion it will be in spite of him and we and him are just storing up misery for next season or the one after that and on and on and on ,
the games up , you can only get away with that so long before it’s clear to everyone your just a troll or most likely a fan of another club 

I think I could leave the forum for weeks, get married, go on my honeymoon, see Derby further strengthen their grip on second with two or three wins, and still come back to the same two or three posters trying to downplay the job Warne is doing.
Even after a hard-fought win against a direct rival where Warne clearly had the tactical edge, they are still picking faults.
How tiresome.

Can I have a consonant please Paul...

Days like these drive me mad. The nerves, excitement and anxiety.
I feel it building a couple days before and the day itself is like waiting to go in for surgery 🤣
Even if we lose, all I want to see is a team that goes out and gives it everything they’ve got. If I see that I’ll be content.
Seize the day Derby 🐏
 

Really wish I could be there today, instead of being stuck here with my foot up after doing a swan dive on the stairs the other day.
 But, I refuse to miss out - I'll get my fix...
 I'll be listening in on Rams player wearing my lucky shirt, sat in one of the small chairs with scrave at hand, and a flange of 150C hot choc for half time. Before the match I'll log onto the megastore website and complain loudly that they still dont have any "Argentinian" shirts, and I'll get my youngest to call me and shout expletives down the phone at crucial points during the game.
 I'll have to make do with getting my wife to get me to stand up so she can squeeze past me 5 mins before half time and 10 mins before 90 mins, but jumping up to cheer the Rams many goals - well that could be a little interesting, but I'll manage!
 Of course, I'll stand outside the loo for 10 mins at half time for that true match day nervous bladder feeling and I may even see if I can get a recording of the radio Derby moan-in so I can have some background noise of people wingeing about Warne's tactics so I get the true sound of the crowd! 🤣
 
 Come on Derby, get the 3 points in style for an 'owd bloke with a bad ankle!
 

Scraves and flanges today folks - channel your inner B4 - nothing more than a 12-0 win will do. Derby will be playing Real Madrid this time next week. Cmon Derby! 🐏🐏

Well,, just sitting in the garden having a smoke and a coffee ,early start today because of the m25 chaos and I don’t want to be late or rushed as today is a day to drink it all in , the nerves are bubbling up as they have been from Tuesday night , I could say I just want a good day , a good atmosphere, a good performance, a good match ,,,,,,,,, naw ,,,,,,, I just want a ducking win ,the rest is a bonus 
come on derby, get into them 💪💪💪💪🐏

My favourite part of the game was in the first half when one of their players went down in their box whilst we were attacking, obviously very seriously injured that mysteriously seemed to happen a lot to their players whilst they were drawing, and so the ref stopped play.
The player was face down kicking his legs up and down reminiscent of a toddler having a tantrum in the middle of a shop. If he was that badly injured he wouldn't be thrashing around. They were the dirtiest, most cynical team to come to PP in a long time, and their main tactic seemed to be not to let us play football.
Having re-watched and read the various takes on the controversial incidents, I am happy that the referee was spot on and we won fair and square. Well done, lads!
 

I really like the balance of Sibley and Ward as wing backs. I think Sibley in particular is excelling in that role and should keep his shirt in that position

I've said all along we should fear nobody and I sense the players are now starting to feel that way themselves which is critical in a game where confidence and form are almost as important as ability. Portsmouth are sitting pretty up top right now, but in no way are they home and hosed yet, not by a long chalk. 
As for the game, well I didn't see it being an easy match at all, but in hindsight, I think this was likely our most complete performance of the season. Our back three, led by the much maligned Sonny Bradley, looked really solid again and whilst not quite hitting the high notes of last week's game, in Sibs and Ward we seem to have a pair of wing backs who can trouble any side in this division. Ebou is the enforcer in midfield so many told me was not required and 'not a Warne player', while Gayle's intelligence and endeavour is surely now clear for all to see. There was some really silly stuff posted about him joining the club and it's pleasing to see him make a mockery of those rather one-eyed assessments. He has a a huge class edge over the vast majority of this league and as predicted, is scoring for fun. He's also improving the players around him and this only a few games into his time here too. 
Cash and Nelson scarcely need mentioning; two more consistent defenders, you'll absolutely not find in this league and they will more than hold their own at a higher level. Barks, whose form has been in and out this season to the point I was ready to give up on him, is now flying. I'd actually had him as MOTM yesterday and that's not something I would have seen before the game. Nate is building rapport with Gayle and finding more space with Gayle dragging defenders left and right and we have all manner of options in midfield. How things have changed in that regard.
Last, but not least, there's Warne. I've never seen a manager at this club take so much flak. He made a comment about the fans chants (during the Stevenage game) in a recent interview and how he was glad his family were not at the game as it would have, 'broken my heart'. I f****** hate to hear that to be honest and I think his treatment on balance, and not just by a small minority either, has been a disgrace. For that reason, it was lovely to see our seemingly always staunch away fans giving him a good cheer post-match yesterday. He's earned it and whilst I never wanted him here, he's very much earned my respect. 
Looking forwards, we have 3 tough home games to navigate (Reading, Bolton & Blackpool) prior to month-end and if we play well enough to sit 2nd when they're done and dusted, the title is there for the taking. It'll take a herculean effort from the chaps, but I think they can do and I shan't be giving up on us until topping the table becomes a mathematical impossibility.
COYR

God that’s awful, that would make anyone feel sick. I’m not sure we should be posting this on Daniel’s page. Don’t want to upset him as we need his continued support to get us up.