Comrade 86

15 hours ago, LN747 said:

Didn’t the 85/86 side or 86/87 get a similar amount ?

From the second line of the article, tsk, tsk... 😋

The previous record was 12, set in the 2004/05 and 2006/07 campaigns respectively, and Warne’s side equalled that return in March with a comprehensive 3-0 success at Bristol Rovers.

1 hour ago, Bob The Badger said:

I wonder if I'm missing something with this.

I thought the acting was first-rate as was the cinematography. But it was slower than Kenny Burns after 12 pints, and 3 steak pies. 

We watched to the end of episode four I think. Did it get better? Or do we just disagree what better is?
 

Nah, it's just down to taste, isn't it? We can't all like the same stuff, even if there's lots of shows on which there's a deal of common ground. Personally, I liked this show a lot and Scott's performance in particular, but it is unusually languid and it won't be for everyone. Even speaking as someone who enjoyed it, I don't think it's something I'd revisit.

Seen this proudly heralded on here and rightly so, but it does still seem to have gone under the radar a little, unless yours truly has simply missed it. Thirteen away wins in a single season is bonkers and in these lower divisions, it feels like it's even harder, with some teams pulling out all the stops to ensure their pitches don't encourage actual football. And that's before we mention the 'special attention' ritually handed out to any player with attacking ability.

Thinking about this a little, it wasn't that long ago that we couldn't buy an away win and even more recently, our home form was shocking with only our away day prowess keeping our noses in it. On reflection, I'm quite proud at how we've ridden the bumps, worked hard and have improved all the way to the line. Going into the last game we've a 14 to 13 split for home and away victories, so our home form in the second half of the season has actually been very good too.

Having a quick tot up as I read the article, a great stat emerged, no xG, I promise!; in winning the 13 away games, we outscored our respective opponents by a staggering 31 goals to 6 which yields an effective rate of over 5 goals scored for every one conceded. See! I told you it was a doozy! 

Have a read of the article linked below if you fancy a quick bask in the reflected glory. Handy way to distract yourself from how slowly this pesky working week is going.

Whadddya mean it's only Monday!?! It must be at least Wednesday by now!!! 😡

https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2024/04/in-focus-the-away-wins-that-set-a-new-derby-county-club-record

2 minutes ago, Sparkle said:

Coincidence isn’t it - hopefully they have those two points for good behaviour taken away and reinstated as another minus 2 

Oooh, that's the dream.

Were that to happen, I'd very likely be having a party 😋

Just recalled that their appeal hearing decision will be announced this week. Is the timing of their offensive a thinly veiled attempt to bring pressure to bear on the PL?

I'm not sure who is advising them, but given they got a reduction for 'showing good faith' with the original IDC, the intelligence behind said strategy is hard to fathom. I'm actually quite hopeful that they'll received a further sanction for their 'troubles'. We learned under Morris that going on the offensive is not always the best policy when dealing with these governing bodies and my hunch is that Forest are about to find that out for themselves.

The irony of all this talk of corruption seems entirely lost on the Gumpies. Burn a bakery, buy a judge, intimidate and buy off juries, arrange for a few witnesses to have accidents, that's all fine apparently, but deny them a decision in a game of footy and they completely lose their collective minds. Then again, given how they mithered and wailed over a chicken balti pie, it's not entirely unexpected.

NGL, I didn't even bother watching the main race. Watching Verstappen finish a quarter of a minute ahead of the field in a sprint race, despite having battery issues for several laps, was the final straw for me. Perez has dropped the lot, Ferrari are bipolar, Mercedes completely schizophrenic and laughing at Danny Ric is just mean, so I've even lost interest in that now. having been my hero, Lewis is becoming a whiny git, though I can understand his frustration at Mercedes' complete inability to furnish him with a remotely competitive car. I might pay a bit more interest when Newey moves to Ferrari and there's some competition for the RBR machine.

On the flipside though, MotoGP! Circuito de Jerez up next at the eminently sensible start time of Sunday @13.00 followed by a spot of lunch at The Fishes. Lovely jubbly! Good shouts from both @Gaspode and @RadioactiveWaste on that score for anyone whose not already watching. Round two of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship will take place in Portugal this weekend, and it will be broadcast on free-to-air TV in the UK. ITV will broadcast the MotoGP Sprint on ITV3 on Saturday, before all three Sunday races - Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP - go out live on ITV4.

The Americas full race replay from last weekend available here:

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8wtaes

 

5 hours ago, Anag Ram said:

....in order to grow as a football club, we do need to play a better standard of football to get any joy against better opposition.

I'm guessing the Gumps didn't get the memo 😉

27 minutes ago, Ambitious said:

The opportunity to win promotion at Pride Park, in front of a sell out crowd, after what the club has essentially gone through the last four years, is something that could create memories that will last a lifetime.

If, and hopefully when it happens, I'll definitely spare a thought for B4 and others who marched through the city to help keep the club alive but sadly won't be here to see this significant step in our rebuilding process. 

This in spades 🙌 

Bittersweet for sure and as much a relief as anything, after our troubles. it's been a proper slog and we still need one more big performance to be sure. I wouldn't worry about B4 too much though, as word has it he told the big boss he was nipping out for milk on Saturday evening and has not been seen since 👀

3 hours ago, NOTSA74 said:

Clowes developments have just teamed up with Wavensmere Homes to develop Friar Gate Goods Yard (£75 million) and Wavensmere are developing the old DRI site (£175 million) so they are heavily invested in Derby. Could be putting two and two together to get five but I'd guess it's more likely than Gadsby.

It'd be grand if it could be Derby lads (or lasses) retaining full ownership. I think part of football losing its way has been as a result of too many owners who treat clubs like toys for the billionaire boys club. Lose interest and your club that's been around over 100 years is all of a sudden teetering on the edge.

I see Gadsby and even more so, our own David Clowes, as custodian types, as much as owners. Clowes' prime interest was and I think will likely always remain, the longevity and sustainability of the Derby County Football Club. In all honesty, I'm fine with that, though I suspect many won't be.

@Boycie has reminded us that Morris was popular and regarded as 'one of our own' prior to dumping us into admin and he's right. I was very much taken in myself. That said, I can't see any similarities other than their Rams ownership at all. The two men are worlds apart in everything from actions to demeanour. I think it's already safe to assume that Clowes is the owner we needed, arriving precisely when we most needed him to. 

Am I the only person that thought Haney would win? 😂

 

8 minutes ago, DarkFruitsRam7 said:

Hmm. Spilt red wine on the carpet earlier and received an absolute earful.  

It's for your own good!!! 😋

This just feels petty and vindictive. I've said for several years now that I do not believe the EFL is fit for purpose. Their ethos seems to me to be almost perfectly at odds with the that of the game whose interests they claim to champion and this kind of self-harm only reinforces that impression further.

13 hours ago, Ellafella said:

Thanks @Reggie Greenwood for your kind words. Great to hear your philosophy on victory; I really like your forum name & of course remember Reggie Greenwood playing for us. 

Happy birthday @Ellafella 

10 hours ago, DarkFruitsRam7 said:

On being a parent, my mum has given me her ticket for Carlisle, bless her. 

Mums do epic stuff. Gotta love your mum.

5 minutes ago, nottingram said:

If anyone is that way inclined and wants a bit of insurance, for the price of two pre match pints of Carling you could have anywhere between 2 and 5 season tickets for next year should the worst happen.

Bolton 100/1, and Peterborough 1000/1 to finish top 2. Derby 1/1000. 

I'm on. So's @Carnero 

Be loads of us who've hedged, I reckon 😂

I think most Rams fans would concede there's some doubts around his pedigree for the Championship, but look at what he's done most lately, at a time where we we told the team would be dead on its legs. Look at the form he's delivered and this despite the lads dropping like flies at times.

Assuming we finish the job on Saturday, he WILL be given his chance to show that he has the game to prosper at Championship level and I think that's fair enough. Whether or not he will succeed, of that I'm less certain, but I think he's more than earned the right to prove his doubters wrong, or not, as the case may be. 

11 minutes ago, hintonsboots said:

Good shout, unfinished business maybe. Not sure re John Bloor and family and their interest in football ? Thread needed after the final game.

Yep, deffo one for the close season...

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Googles John Bloor...

5 minutes ago, hintonsboots said:

Maybe another local property developer ?👀

Gadsby?

Only one I can think of 🤔😂

44 minutes ago, Reggie Greenwood said:

Nothing reported , a mate of my works at the club and chats with DC on a regular basis . When I mentioned to them about the transfer  budget he said that there was likely to be a new partner to help with the finance.They  Mentioned a couple of other things that might happen if and when we get to the Prem but won’t mention those as they could likely be identified from it. No further info on who it could be or how much it could be worth. 

Cheers Reggie. Much obliged mate. 

48 minutes ago, Kernow said:

Thanks for these threads over the last 5 or 6 games, @Comrade 86. Looking forward to reading the first one of next season against Championship opponents.

Cheers @Kernow 

It was @Rampant who rekindled our appetites though. I've just copied him! 😋

5 hours ago, Reggie Greenwood said:

Talk of a partner joining David Clowes next season to provide extra financial backing. Don’t know anything further or who. 

Has it been reported Reggie? Had a quick peep but can't find anything to confirm or deny.

As @Kathcairns says, it'd be grand if DC has found a kindred spirit with deep pockets though, as funding a Championship season off his own back, with a major re-build of the playing roster to bankroll, may be a step too far for the Clowes family alone. Irrespective, it's always a nice dream to muse on over the summer break.

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

 

He's my hero. Saved our club and looks like undoing the bulk of the damage endured under MM in only his second season as owner. Deserves all the plaudits he gets in spades IMO.

On 15/04/2024 at 11:42, Stive Pesley said:

Looks like I was right, as reports are now suggesting that Tesla are binning their mass-market affordable Model 2 plans

Seems that their tanking share price is focusing their minds on cracking self-driving, rather than mass market production of a standard drive EV - as long term, it's self-driving that will win the market (and up the share price)

Recalled another 2 million cars in February. Affected 2.19 million Tesla vehicles, including the Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y, and the 2024 Cybertruck. More software issues, apparently, but font related this time. Yes, really!

All 4,000 Cybertrucks sold to date have, this week, also been subject to a separate 'total recall' (sorry, been dying too use that), due to accelerator pedals snagging on interior components. It's odd, as one might sensibly assume that something this obvious (and homicidal) would have been uncovered in testing. 

1 hour ago, Carnero said:

Last 10 games it's W7 D2 L1 (one draw and the one defeat causing fan meltdowns of course) scored 16, conceded 4. Incredible consistency at the crunch time of the season.