England Ram

We have our season tickets on the back row of the East Lower block I so are very close to the block above. I wouldn't call either block rowdy but it is a good atmosphere compared to many areas of the ground. My dad is 76 and uses a walking stick so we can't go in to the south stand as he'd struggle to cope. My son is 19 so we strike the balance of being in an area with some atmosphere while still being able to have my dad enjoy himself. We've been there for 10 years this year so do enjoy the area. The view isn't too bad in the first half where you may have to crane your neck around the next person to see any action in the North East corner. Its an amazing view in the second half if we are shooting towards the South stand. The challenge we've had in the lower block is people standing on occasion in front of us which means our row also have to stand or perch to be able to see, which causes friction with a few people on the front of the upper block I who then complain that they can't see. Me and my lad don't mind the standing, and actually prefer it and would love some safe standing there, but my dad struggles on the odd game it happens etc. These complaints from those people have actually gone as far as the Club, the council and EFL which has meant the club have had to try and do something about it. Even had some of the Clowe's team sitting in the area to see for themselves what happens etc. Further up upper block I there is a section of fans who do stand, who haven't been complained about so it is most matches, so if the available tickets are in and around those you may find yourself standing. If you can't get into the south stand and want some atmosphere and don't mind the potential of standing I'd recommend the upper and lower I blocks to get a season ticket. Although I don't think the lower block is open for season tickets as they have stopped new purchases over the last two years. Hope that helps.

Also mine was ATG

1Wildsmith - 6 Nothing to do so hard to score above average. 35Nelson - 7 Solid against a non existent front line, or was it our defence that made them non existent. 5Bradley - 8 Solid against a non existent front line, or was it our defence that made them non existent, and gets .5 for each goal. 6Cashin - 7 solid against a non existent front line, or was it our defence that made them non existent. 2Wilson - 7.5 Played the wingback role well. Caused problems for them going forward and was solid defensively. I give him the .5 for the goal. 12Smith - 7.5 - Player his role well and was part of the reason they were toothless. 23Fornah - 6 No real time to get extra points than a 6 but was solid. His one run to move us up the pitch and not panic was a good sign we should be able to trust him. 32Adams - 8 Solid as always but also a threat with through balls and wing runs. Sign him up. 10Waghorn - 6 See Fornah 17Sibley - 8.5 My motm Drove us forward and caused problems for them all game. Got an assist and should have had more returns for his input. Add on solid defensive work and you have the motm. 16Tommo - 8 As important as Adams in that performance. 4Hourihane 6.5 Steady when he came on and a good assist. 9Collins - 7 Worked hard to no avail but his battle up top and work rate helped out massively. 14Washington - 6 - Yes he got in to positions to score, but fluffed them. Shame as we could have done with the goal difference. 11Méndez-Laing - 7 solid but wasteful with his chance. 7Barlhuizen 7 Actually our best sub and created two good chances after only being on the pitch for a short time.

I don’t know the exact number starting from only 5 contracted players but you can’t be far wrong with signings and contract extensions. With 30 as a round number and £434,000 comes to about £14.5 k per transaction. We know some players agents will be way more and some way less per contract but with the massive amount of work needing to be done and only short term contracts offered it’s not a surprising number. Infuriating the club has to pay them anything and not the players but that’s a different conversation altogether.

Potentially……..yes. Depending on development and playing style. Watching some of the individual players in the bottom 8 teams play I’d not put some of them individually that far ahead of some of ours. The biggest difference for some of these players is the actual make up of the team they play in and the style the manager uses that gets the best out of them. The sum being bigger than the parts as they say. So yes, potentially some of ours could do the same.

Players who may make it in the Championship (to varying degrees) Wildsmith Cashin Nelson Nyambe Ward Wilson Adams (not our player) Smith Sibley Tommo CBT Barks NML Brown Gayle Premier League is a different conversation depending on development etc but having seen some of the players plying their trade in the premier league at the moment then potentially - Cash Nyambe Wilson Adams Sibley Tommo CBT Brown

ATG 1Wildsmith - 7.5 - Great stop second half and generally OK. Looses .5 for his wayward kicking that put us under unnecessary pressure second half. 2Wilson - 8 - Defended well, stuck to that side of his game well. Brilliant adding pressure in attack causing all sorts of issues for them and the best player to give the ball to in their corner to run out the clock. Almost scored a sneaky one doing that as well. Worked well with Ward. 35Nelson - 8.5 - MOTM Imperious at the back. The real leader and captain of the side. 6Cashin - 8 - Almost at Nelson’s level but got caught under the ball a bit first half. 17Sibley - 7.5 - A none left back playing well in a clean sheet who gave us positive forward play with CBT and had a lovely shot just over. 23Ward - 7 - Was the one spoke to by PW at the huddle about not jumping out to close at the wrong time as he was being played around. Once he got that instruction his holding of position was a big part in them not being able to play through us. Great deliveries as always. Like his side pairing with Wilson. 10Waghorn - 6 - Did enough to be a nuisance and help us get over the line. 32Adams - 8 - Amazing goal and lots of break up play and tackles etc, but did get caught in possession a couple of times near our box that put us under pressure. Can’t fault the lad running on empty and playing so well though. And such a cultured interview afterwards. 12Smith - 7.5 - played well. Kept the shape well and made us very hard to break down. 4Hourihane - 6 - Did his job as a sub. We are a better team with him not playing now. 27Blackett-Taylor - 7.5 - A real outlet first half and started to get into the defensive side more as the game went on. Got a good 1-2 game going with Sibbo and that could be a real bonus moving forward. 16Thompson - 7 - Energy and composure exactly when needed. 11Méndez-Laing - 7 - Still not at his best but still a big threat. 22Fornah - 6 - Did his job when he came on. 14Washington - 4.5 - I know he’s not match fit, and know he’s going to need time, but looked way off it both in terms of any closing down, holding the ball up and his one chance wasn’t taken. At times we were playing with what looked like 10 men with him on. Hope he gets up to speed soon. 9Collins - 8 - I’m not a Collins lover but the difference he made to all our play when he came on was massive. Closing down, holding the ball up, winning free kicks, causing them a few headaches was the perfect sub. And a brilliant reception for him. Warne- 8. Team selection and subs spot on as I’m sure he wanted Wash to give a little more than he did.

ATG 1Wildsmith - 9 Best match winning performance in a Derby shirt. The odd wayward pass but one world class save and another great one to keep it 0–0. The first one is his save of the season so far. MOTM for me. 35Nelson - 8 Played well. With their front line it’s a battle all game which he was equal to. 3Forsyth - 8.5 Played well. With their front line it’s a battle all game which he was equal to. Also an extra .5 for having a better passing range and also not looking out of place after not starting for a considerable time. 6Cashin - 8 As above with Nelson but thought he did an immense covering and shielding job time and time again, got caught out for first and the second big chance so loses .5 for that. 23Ward - 6 Was having a solid game until his calf tightened up. 2Wilson - 8.5 When he’s on it like that you can’t ask for a better person to terrify the opposition, get some crosses in and most importantly hold up the ball and waste precious time. And he scored to win us the game! 32Adams - 8.5 what an absolute player. As other have said, if he’d been with us all year we’d be 15 points clear. Must be covered in bruises after every game. Half inflicted by him but half by the opposition giving him a kicking. Should have won a peno as well. 4Hourihane - 4 Thought 3 games in a week would be too much and he was the weak link even before his 20 mins of legs left him. After that he was a massive liability who kept giving the ball away and also couldn’t track any player. As much as a good servant he’s been he’s no longer a starter for me. 16Thompson - 8 In the half he played he showed what we are missing from that player who can give us the old Knight energy as well as holding the ball up and drawing a crowd of opposition players to him before finding an open white shirt. Best game from him for a while and pushing for a start. 17Sibley - 7 Had a job to do defensively which he did, got overlapped for the second big chance but he was on his man. Got pulled at the right time being on a yellow and not giving the ref any descision to make on another tackle. 20Elder - 7 Short cameo gave us an assist and a solid defensive presence. Perfect subs job. 7Barkhuizen - 7 Was doing a good job before moving to a very unfamiliar role which he struggled with. He helped get us to half time which was vital. Unlucky with an injury after playing better in recent weeks. 10Waghorn - 6 Looks off the pace of the game but did a job of that striker role. Was a good call not to bring him on as the direct replacement to Gayle as his legs don’t currently have 60 mins in them. 25Gayle - 6 Was a threat while he was on and makes some great runs. Devastated for him with the hamstring but sadly to be expected adding stress after such a lay off from competitive games. 12Smith - 7.5 Did well again and kept it simple and helped sure up the middle. As I’ve said, he was at the end of lots of my criticism early in the season but he’s playing like a different player now. 11Méndez-Laing - 6.5 Struggled with control and end product for much of the game but was a constant threat nevertheless. Never stopped running and gave his all though. Warne - 9. Managed with all he had at his disposal and made the changes necessary and we got the win.

ATG 1Wildsmith - 6 I actually think he was on his heels for the goal and should have done better. He reacts very slowly and was a yard from a generally soft header. 35Nelson - 7 Strong and vocal 5Bradley - 6.5 Did OK but gave away a couple of needless ones in their box to alleviate pressure. 2Wilson - 7 Did exactly what was asked. Covered in defence well and also travelled with the ball with threat and spread the play late on and game managed quite a few minutes away in their corner. 6Cashin - 6.5 Played Ok. Didn’t actually win much in the air besides his one against the post which was a shame, but covered the ground well and some of his cross field balls were a good outlet. 23Ward - 7 Some good defending and great crosses in the box. A few looked like errant ones but would have been perfect if we’d had anyone coming in late at the back stick. 27Blackett-Taylor - 6 Actually covered defensively well and spread the play when he came on on the left. You can feel everyone wanting him to come good. 32Adams - 7.5 Broke up play, tackled well. Brings a steel to the side we’ve missed for a very long time. Moved the ball forward with purpose and put some good balls through for runners. 4Hourihane - 6 He’s a strange one for me. Extra point for the goal. Put some nice balls through, scored a peno, got their player sent off with some quick feet but became a liability later in the game as his legs went and he stopped tackling as well as running. Hope the early Tuesday game gives him time to get his legs back. 12Smith - 7 A different player since coming back. A few errant balls but he was my scape goat earlier in the season but can’t fault him for the different player he’s become, an Adams influence I think. 17Sibley - 6 Got kicked a lot and they concentrated on trying to get him out the game but he still battled away and helped down his wing. Booking was the first time I’d seen the old Sibbo return, but even I’d have made that challenge after being bodied and they were on a break away 😂 7Barkhuizen - 8 Best I’ve seen him play for us. Unlucky not to score but his forward play was a big reason they were on the back foot for a lot of the game. 25Gayle -8.5 MOTM Could have had 3 and is much more of a player than I ever thought he was. Forwards goal and penno. That’s 4 goal contributions (assist for the penno if you are playing fantasy football 🙂 )out of the 5/6 he needs to match Collos input. 10Waghorn - 6 Led the line after the substitution and should have had a goal if it had gone either side of the keeper. 11Méndez-Laing - 6 same as Sibbo. The amount of a kicking he got was ridiculous. Some poor control but kept us on the front foot. 3Forsyth - 6. Love seeing him back and a solid head and foot to sure up the back. Team ability to take a throw in - 2!!! Sort it out. It caused so much unneeded pressure and almost all wasted or gave away. Manager - 7 - Some good subs and 4 at a time was a surprise. Point deducted for not spending more time sorting our throw ins out. League 1 has the 2nd most conceded in league football so we need to be better at them!

Yep. Same on our side of the East stand. The gap is around 4/5 seats all together as there are 2 stewards sat level with each other and still more than a one seat gap in between them. Then you have the netting as well which normally reduces it even more. They don’t always use the nets as they didn’t on the South lower section v Port Vale, but most of the time they do.

That’s 2 goal contributions from the 5/6 we need at least for him to match Collo’s before the end of the season.

1Wildsmith 6 - Not much to do. Kicking better than Tuesday. 35Nelson 7 - Solid enough and some good forward balls down the line. Did start to get closed down a bit towards the end so less effective and more wasteful. 5Bradley 6 - Solid enough game but had another brain fart towards the end that almost cost us a goal. 6Cashin 7 - Solid and some strong forward runs. 23Ward 9 - Best game in a Derby shirt and solid at the defensive side as well as a constant threat. Changed lots of his crosses up to keep them lower for our diminutive striker. 8Bird 6 - Average game for him. 32Adams 7 - Solid defensively and actually one of the willing runners supporting the striker. Nice cross for the second. 4Hourihane 5 - Didn’t do much and has to use his constant slow it down gesture at least 20 times a game, even if it’s the lat 5 mins. I know it was not bad game management but definitely changes the pace of the game. 17Sibley 8 - Best game in a long time. Really pleased for him. Strong defensively and two goals to his tally. 11Méndez-Laing 6 - Not as effective as he had been. Been slightly off it for a few games but still OK. 27Blackett-Taylor 6 - Got to stretch his legs a bit and had a shot which might make him feel better. Hoping he starts getting a few more minutes to be effective as he cost enough time and effort to get him in. 25Gayle 7 - Good goal, good movement, and helped bring others in to the game. 10Waghorn 5 - Ran around a lot and got a tame shot off but it is more minutes under his belt. 7Barkhuizen 5 - Strange one. Two involvements leading to goals but other than that nothing. 12Smith 5 - Some awry passes but solid enough.

Dire.

Love it, in a very heartbreaking way.

We will be renewing but I find it interesting that the club is still not selling new season tickets for our block and the one above in the East stand. Whatever issue they were having with standing has sorted itself out but with so many empty seats there the atmosphere from that side of the home fans next to the away fans has really suffered.