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England Ram

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  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Love it, in a very heartbreaking way.
  7. 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.
  8. The irony for me is that week in week out we bemoan how crap we are and that we have been lucky to scrape some of the points we have and yet there’s an expectation we will continue to be ‘as lucky’ for the remainder. Got to love football fans 😂 For me as much as I’d like us to be promoted before that final game so we can have a proper party I think it will come down to the wire between 4 clubs. As others have said it will depend on who keeps their nerve, and a fit first 11.
  9. Glad we have a proper striker to play the role. Glad he’s happy to come to Derby. Collin’s was leading the line well for us and gave us 13 goals and 1 assist directly in his 32 league games. Just under one every other game. His overall contribution and closing down I’m sure has given us more but that’s not as measurable. As others have said, if we get anything close to 5/6 goals or assist from DG he would have played his part and we wouldn’t have lost anything from that forward position in terms of goals. What we also hope is that his guile and brain can contribute as much as Colin’s work rate and bustle did for the rest of the team. Welcome to Derby DG.
  10. I’m sad about this one. One of our young lads moving on. I think we are really not using him properly. Also, if he’s been told to get it and pass it out wide after one touch so not using any of his real abilities. Also play and run around next to Hourihane getting overran every game. Just think he’s undervalued and under appreciated by the manager who wants to play a different way. And many fans who only see goal or assist stats. Yes we offered him a new contract, but have shown him he won’t be playing the way he wants to play for at least the next 2 years so I’m not surprised he wants to go elsewhere. A sad day.
  11. It’s a challenging one. On current play we are looking at 4th. If we pick it up and go on another good run then top 2 isn’t out of the question. Do I think we have a top 2 manager and squad…..not really with the way they are being used and playing. Which is really sad.
  12. They decided we only need a small % of grass on it as we only play a small % of our football along the ground.
  13. ATG 31Vickers 6 - Average, just feel Wildsmith would have got a hand to few of the goals we’ve conceded lately though. 2Wilson 5 - Very poor first half but much better when able to be much further up the pitch and not given the ball with no outlet and a risk like the first half. 35Nelson 7 - Solid. Man amongst boys sometimes. 6Cashin 6 - Average. Passing poor at times. 17Sibley 7 - My MOTM. Played out of position again and still wasn’t the worse defender. Was also our main threat first half and the only player to carry the ball at the opposition in either half. 7Barkhuizen 4.5 - From the positions he took up today Sibley could do it all much better. Shame Elder was injured but then Sibbo might not have got a game. 4Hourihane 3 - Needs dropping. Poor play all round. Actually made CBT look even worse than he was as he kept looking at him making runs and turning away from him and telling him to slow it down!! Infuriating. Can’t tackle, track or make a simple pass. Slows us down even more than we already are. The midfield looked 10 times better once he went off. 22Fornah 6 - Played well. Energy, drive and pressing that we’d dearly been lacking. Also found a white shirt forward as well. 8Bird 6 - Average of a 6 First half a 4 but mostly as he was covering Hourihane. Second half a 7 as he was a completely different player post subs. 5Bradley 7 - Best game for us. Solid & assured. 27Blackett-Taylor 5 - struggled to make an impact but it’s not all on him when he’s open, or making runs in behind and we are turning away from him or not putting him in and playing at a snails pace. 16Thompson 6 - Energy and tenacity sometimes goes a long way to change a game. 11Méndez-Laing 6 - Average. Gets some credit for the cross that we scored from. 9Collins 6 - Generally poor. Gets a point for the great goal. Needs to stay on side though. Manager - 5. Just think he’s reverted to type after the Posh game and we are a poorer team for it.
  14. ATM 31Vickers - 5 if 6 is average then he gets a 5 as he was a bit shaky and didn’t seem to instil any confidence in the defence. 2Wilson - 8 MOTM Defensively OK which was his actual job, but a constant threat up front and got us off our seat more than anyone else. Kept going and nullified their wing threat as they were always worried about him. 35Nelson - 7 coped well with everything. Unlucky with the slight deflection for the first goal. 6Cashin - 7 Good game generally but was one of those guilty of starting to lumping it forward when trying to get the winner. 20Elder - 4 Was struggling with his distribution even before the massive error for the second. Defensively OK When I’ve seen him before and was similar last night, but that error as the last man was madness. 17Sibley - 6 Average. However, he’s one of the only attacking threats from the bench and we played him at left back. 11Méndez-Laing - 6 Assist for the goal. Had a 1-1 in the first half he could have done better with and really tired towards the end but kept going. 8Bird - 7 Thought he had a solid game. 4Hourihane 6 - Would have been a 5 before his goal. Gave the ball away on simple passes, didn’t beat the first man or ballooned it over the back post with most of his set pieces or crosses then comes up with a lovely winner. 7Barkhuizen - 6 Got man of the match for a goal and an assist which gets his score up as that got us the points. But other than that he was an invisible part of our front 3. 5Bradley - 6 Average 19John-Jules - 6 Average 16Thompson - 7 Average general play but worked his socks off closing down and bringing some energy when we were starting to rock a bit. 9Collins - 7 Work rate was spot on as always and a great header for the second.
  15. ATG 1Wildsmith 6 24Nyambe 6 35Nelson 6 - should have left Cash to deal with the third as he actually contributed to it. 6Cashin 6 -caught out of position for the second and could have been stronger for the winner. 3Forsyth 5 - Early yellow put him on the back foot that was already being outrun. No support from NML. 20Elder 7 - Actually thought he was a great when he came on. The threat down his side was lessened due to his defending and the attacking threat our side increased. 4Hourihane 4 - I’m hoping it was him who went in at half time and said ‘boss, they’ve got me on toast here, I’m useless’. A game too far for his legs and current ability. Sadly showed up what we are missing in the middle and up front. 16Thompson 6 - Clearly not got the wind or legs in him yet to be chasing shadows, but more effective than all the rest of the midfield. 2Wilson 7 - Early threat and actually a joy to watch when he’s skinning defenders, tired and always had two to beat so became less effective. 24Ward 6 - not much time to make an impact. Ridiculous treatment by the Posh fans. 11Méndez-Laing 4 - Clearly knackered. Not effective going forward and waltzed back for their first. 19John-Jules 6 - Harsh treatment by the ref. Would have been even more effective if he’d got the decisions his play deserved. 8Bird 6 - Over ran by their midfield but still progressed the ball well and as always calm in possession and passed to a white shirt. 9Collins 7 - Two goals besides the crap pen. Worked tirelessly and manned up when others around him shrank. 7Barkhuizen 4 - Gets a point for the assist. Other than that an absolute passenger. 17Sibley 6 - Not effective going forward, neither was anyone else, great midfield tackle with no yellow so that’s a bonus. Really want him to hit the strides he’s capable of but didn’t affect the game like there subs did.
  16. 1Wildsmith. 4.5 At fault for both goals. Was a penno from both his reaction and the berating he got from Nelson. The free kick was his side. He set the wall and has to let that do its job and cover the other side. His starting position was poor and therefore late to cover. Love the lad usually and hope he gets over this sharpish. 24Nyambe. 7.5 Solid as always at the back and actually did a bit going forward which is always a nice bonus from him. 17Sibley. 6 Got involved a little after coming on. Not his favoured position and would have swapped him for Barks earlier in the 10 role. 35Nelson. 8. Rock solid. Top centre back. 6Cashin. 9.5. Possibly close to being his best game in a Rams shirt. Solid at the back (after a shaky start like everyone else) and got a goal and an assist. Really hope he stays and signs a multi year extension, or we get 20 million for him! 3Forsyth. 8 solid defensively, although they targeted his pace at the start with balls over the top. He took the game to them and got a worthy goal to set up the come back. 5Bradley. 6. Did OK, but still looks a bit shaky. 2Wilson. 7.5. Constant threat but always had two to best without an overlapping fullback. 23Ward. 6.5. Kept the pressure on with intelligent use of the ball. 8Bird. 7. Looked much better further back but his calmness is overlooked by many. 4Hourihane. 7 would have had a 6 as he was so poor first half but his deliveries that did beat the first man got us a goal from the corner and Cash’s goal so a 7 it is. 7Barkhuizen. 6. Seemed to struggle most of the game. 16Thompson. 7 The energy change and forward play changed significantly when he came on. Massive stature on the pitch to bely his height. 11Méndez-Laing. 7. Was always a threat and constantly double teamed. We need to find a way to help him with an outlet ball to take advantage of that. 9Collins. 5 Ran as usual but his lack of control and general striking ability shows up a lot in a game like that. Shame as he does work hard. 19John-Jules. 7 Good impact again. Hope he extends his contract as offers more and has bags of potential. TV. Will be there v Posh.
  17. What a result. To start like that and come away with a win is massive. Follow that up with a win on Monday and it’s the best Christmas we’ve ever had. COYR!!!
  18. I was Warne out, and am still not convinced by the quality of football I’m having to watch. But I can’t grumble with the results (besides letting the lead slip in the 96th minute) and being within touching distance of the top two. If he’s saying that’s the closest we’ve got to performing how he really wants us to then it’s a positive sign that the previous dross wasn’t his football at all. Hoping for at least 4 points from the next 2.
  19. ATM 1Wildsmith - 7 - His save in the first half kept us in the game worth 1 point above average just for that. 24Nyambe - 7 - solid again as a right back. This guy Will give you a solid 6/7 out of 10 defensively every week. If you expect anything going forward on a regular basis you will be disapointed, but does his job as a defender very well. 5Bradley - 6 - Did his job in limited time. 35Nelson - 7.5 - This guy is starting to really impress me. Imperious yesterday. Even after taking that dodgy elbow. 6Cashin - 7.5 - Getting back to his best defensively as well as causing a nuisance up front. Assist and almost an assist with those flick ons for Fozzy’s goal and the fozzy shot leading to Colin’s second. 3Forsyth - 7.5 - Defensively OK. Started to get beat a bit towards the end but he’d been used as an outlet all match and also caused havock up front with his late arrivals and goal and assist so still scores the same as the other defenders for his overall contribution. 4Hourihane - 6 - Did his job OK. Nothing special and set pieces struggled to clear the front man. 7Barkhuizen - 6 - Battled well, was an outlet before he tired. Should have been subbed 10 mins before his 1v1 as he was already knackered. Needs a goal. 17Sibley - 6 - Limited time but was still able to make the keeper make a good save on to the woodwork from a tight angle. More of a chance than two of the other front 3 managed to combine. 12Smith - 5 - Still think he’s the weak link of our team. Made a few simple passes and a tackle or two. One good forward pass for Barks chance. Besides that he looks lost most of the time and gave the ball away a few times in promising positions due to his poor passing or control and gets bypassed easily due to his poor midfield positioning. 8Bird 🦅 - 6 - Average game by Max’s standards but still very effective. Should have scored with that lovely passing move. 11Méndez-Laing - 7 - Excellent in the first half until he got that knock. Got people off their seats and excited every time he got it. 2Wiloson - 7 - Great replacement for Laing and also exciting to watch in his shorter time. 9Collins - 8 - MOTM. His best overall forward performance for the club. When the ball sticks to him he’s a different player and help to the team. fans -8 best atmosphere of the season so far.
  20. ATG 1Wildsmith - 6 Nothing to do 24Nyambe - 7 Really like this lads defensive stability. I’m sure he will continue to frustrate going forward but for the job he’s paid to do which is defend you can’t argue at all. 23Ward - 6 Tried to get stuck in and get up to match speed. One brilliant cross, a few put in a bit early but a nice steady average performance for one coming back from such a long lay off. 35Nelson - 7 Solid. Quietly going about having a very good season. 5Bradley - 7 Solid as well. One errant pass but 3/4 others to really put us on the front foot and leading to a goal or tow to add to his strong defensive display. 3Forsyth - 7 Lovely pass to set up Wash. Nice and solid defensively and an occasional outlet. Errant clearances that put us under pressure a couple of times, but made up for it with the rest of his contribution. 4Hourihane - 6 Couple of great passes leading to a goal and an assist of an assist. Lots of his other play was mixed with poor short passes that put us under pressure giving the ball away and general play seemed to slow us down. I’m not as down on him as others are, especially when he puts a ball in like that for Birds second goal, but he is a clear step below Bird. 22Fornah - 7 Did his job well and Rees the play around him well. Made himself available and never looked like losing the ball. More of that please. 12Smith - 5 May seem harsh but he’s the weak point of out midfield. Even with Hourihanes weaknesses he still can pull out some sublime passes to bump his score up. Smith is limited and ineffectual most of the time and for playing further forward as he did for much of the night he doesn’t have the skill or guile to be effective there. He takes too long to decide what to do with the ball and constantly looks lost and out of position. And on the eye he seems to lose more challenges than win them and that puts us under more pressure. 7Barkhuizen - 7 Some great attacking play. Constant threat. Great assist and could have had a goal and another assist. 8Bird 🦅 9 One of the best performances from him for a very long time. Play him there more often and we will be shooting up the league. Some majestic passes and control of midfield, brilliant positioning, eyes constantly up ready for the pass on. Two well taken goals. Let’s hope he signs a contract to extend his stay. 39Brown 6 No time to impress. Although his movement up front was good. 11Méndez-Laing 7.5 Same as Barks with a goal to add to his forward play. 16Wilson 6 No time to impress more than average. 14Washington 8 some great forward play. Played the role of the centre forward better than Waghorn on Tuesday and better than Collins has all season. Well taken goal, assist and general play. The fitter he gets after no pre season the better he will be. 9Collins 5 Missed a sitter or two, as usual. Petulant when clearly fouling their players putting us under unnecessary pressure toward the end. One we definitely need to replace come January.
  21. Player ratings Wildsmith 6 - Average as nothing to do to stand out Nyambe 7 - Solid Nelson 7 - Also solid Cashin 6 - some poor passes put us under a little pressure first half but solid defensively. Foz 7.5 - Solid defensively besides one missed interception, but the pass for the first and second goals were good Bird 8.5 - This is the Max we need. His best game for a long while. Coincided with him playing in his best position. My motm. Hourihane 7 - Was slightly above average but that was enough to give them a few problems. Sibley 6 - Average. Nothing special but kept us ticking over. Although, he looks half the player he was when he burst on to the scene. Looks constantly knackered. NML 7.5 - Some great runs, pressure, passes and goal. When he plays like this he’s one of the best forward players in the league. Wlison 7 - Did some lovely forward play, missed most of his crosses but he was applying pressure constantly and wanting to be positive. Waggy 7 - Not a goal threat but much better at bringing others in to play than Colin’s has been. Washington 7 - scored and positionally very clever. Collins 3/4 - poor. Cameo but could have cost us a goal at our end for his poor passing into midfield and also lack of control as well as a criminal head down selfish striker moment (when supposedly in a play making role) when Barks was in acres of space. Smith 3/4 - poor as well. Did nothing in the middle except give the ball away. Positionally poor. Barks 6 - Shame he wasn’t played in but made some great positive runs in limited time. At the game.
  22. My first game since opening day and from what I saw today you have Fornah as your holding midfielder all day long. Bird or Hourihane or both, one next to him or both playing in front of him. Sibley would be good at the 10 role with Fornah in the DM role. Smith was the weak link today by a country mile. Made 1/2 interceptions, which any midfielder wandering around in the 10 yard square he was, would have made. But his decision making and ability to regularly find a positive forward pass are appalling. And he never moved to find space to take the pressure off. So frustrating to watch.
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