England Ram

Just to add, you say you are in Lower I and the persistent standing is above you in upper I but that’s actually upper J.
There is a pair of seats in upper I row D which is just in front of me, no persistent standing, good atmosphere, high enough not to get wet when it rains and a perfect view of the goal when we are attacking that end in the second half.

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.

We sang a David Clowes song in the south stand at the Leyton Orient match.
David Clowes my lord, David Clowes
David Clowes my lord, David Clowes
David Clowes my lord, David Clowes 
Oh lord David Clowes.
Saved our club my lord, saved our club
Saved our club my lord, saved our club
Saved our club my lord, saved our club 
Oh lord David Clowes. 

Two of David Clowes’ aims when he took over the Club were to bring integrity and also establish ourselves in the Championship within 5 years. We didn’t get promotion last year, much to many fans angst. On reflection, it was probably a good job we didn’t. We would still have been working to a strict business plan which would have tied our hands in the transfer market to some degree and made the season very difficult.
We have recruited quite a few players this year who will be able to play in the Championship next year. Some recruits haven’t been quite so successful. We will have a reasonable pot for transfers this year we have been told. Probably, Wildsmith, Nyambe, Cashin,Nelson,Elder,Ward,Wilson,Mendis-Laing,Blackett-Taylor,Sibley,Forsyth,Rooney should be ok in the Championship - I personally have more concerns about Smith, Collins, Barkhaizen, Thompson, Fornah, Gayle, Washington, Vickers.  We will lose Bird and Adams (for now?)
I think, with some shrewd business, we should be able to put together a competitive squad.
in terms of integrity, I think our progression has been amazing. There has been hardly any, if at all, negative news regarding our club in the media. The Management team all absolutely appear to be working together to a common goal. We have recruited (not to everyone’s like) good people, who want to play for the shirt, not just here for the money, as in the past. The Academy has made good progress in its rebuild and the are a few players who look to have good futures, hopefully as Derby players.
At our best and most confident, we do play some exciting football, score goals and don’t concede many. Yes, we would like to see more of the exciting times but our main aim has been to get out of this difficult league this year. Too often in the past we have had a soft underbelly and have struggled against strong, aggressive teams. We currently have a side, which mainly, doesn’t buckle against this type of side.
So I am happy with the progress of Derby County this last two years and look forward to what will happen next. David Clowes is a quietly shrewd business man and I think Paul Warne is an intelligent manager, who is a lot shrewder and football wise than many give him credit for. Not only this but he is a fantastic man-manager and team spirit builder.
Can’t wait to see what happens next.
 

Well done Rams, looks like the top-of-the L1 table will be an inverted version of the D2 one from 86/87.  I'm sure most of us on either side would have gladly taken that at the start of the season.  Enjoy your evenings!

Nothing would be more derbyesque than a 40 page argument about how we should be allowed to celebrate before promptly losing to Cambridge and Carlisle. Why don’t we simply not worry about it and act accordingly when/if the time happens. And by accordingly I mean alcohol. 

Confirmation from the man himself that he’s had an op and is done for the season. Real shame with his injuries this season especially as he was playing well of late, however his contribution with a few goals and assists at the business end of the season could still prove key.  

Also mine was ATG 

First promotion for 17 years. First automatic promotion for nearly 30 years. Let’s counter your argument and say you think that finishing 3rd, playing good football but failing where it really matters is an achievement?
The arrogant attitude that anything less than running away with the title with triple figure points is a failure is why big clubs like Sunderland, Ipswich, Notts Forest etc got stuck down here for longer.
Less than two years ago we had about 6 players, no academy, no manager and had to play pre-season in temporary shirts because we didn’t even have kits. We were also put under restrictions, which still haven’t run out yet. So yes, I think getting automatic promotion in this timeframe is an achievement. A very good one, actually.

Have you watched Derby… ever?

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.  

And because we had such a small squad, we had to make plenty of signings in a single season. We're still playing catch up.

Don't forget young Dajaune Brown who has the ability to develop much more - he's only 18 but has huge potential

If this is the level we are setting for exciting announcements, they I am delighted to inform you all that I will be starting work today in approximately 33 minutes from now (08.27am).
Thank you.

The EFL have been taken over by a mystery person going by the name ap04 and at an Extraordinary General Meeting it has been decided that the 2023/24 league table will now be decided on xG rather than points accumulated.

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. 

Great interview with Ebou Adams talking about Derby County, his faith, Ramadan. Four o'clock was his last meal. No food or water since. Wonderful attitude and discipline. Fully deserves MOTM.

Eeek!
Lyrics in the pic mate. 'Boom, boom, boom, let me here you say Ebou, Ebou'. 
No need to be singing about his 'booty' unless you feel compelled to 😬

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. 

I actually don’t agree. I think without 3 standout teams outplaying the majority of the rest of the league it’s actually proving to be a more competitive league this season, sides are more closely matched at the top end of the table illustrated by the smaller gap between the sides. Last season it was almost always between 3 sides for automatic promotion, this season it’s been less clear with us, Barnsley, Bolton, Posh, Portsmouth and Oxford all competing at various points. 
I’ve never signed up to this idea that the league is somehow “easier”, it is what it is, 24 teams competing for points across a 46 game season and relative to that we’re currently the second placed side.

Always been a fan of Fozzy a great servant a great guy who deserves goods stuff 
but my does he deserve it, 5/6 weeks out just slots it like he’s not been anywhere, 
Hope we’ll see him see promotion with us he deserves it

That's true. Even today we (BWFC) have a few idiots but attitudes towards them have changed substantially since Sharon Brittan saved us from oblivion and took over 4 years ago. The woman is dead set on us being a "community club" that attracts families and community groups so over 50 lifetime bans have been handed out to trouble-causing d******** so far. With more and more families coming to our home games and occasional "Community Days" where tickets cost a tenner for adults and much less for kids and other concessions (including away fans) nobody tolerates the idiots any more. Home games are like a village fete for the masses.
That said, the club can't ban idiots from going to away games, but for the most part our away support is big, vocal and peaceful - but there's always one with ego problems, isn't there?