Sly

Thought you meant the “Green Un” for a minute
 

So now the emotion has subsided - it was a great game of football for the neutrals, but I'm not a neutral! The opening exchanges got me thinking that we've got too much for Burton, and we SHOULD be comfortable! And we had yet another chance to make a statement by going second. So Derby County said "Hold my beer", so now we are third! It's the Derby way. Fact is we are joint second, one point behind top with a game in hand. So its good!
First half all that Burton had to offer was lots of running around, and a lot of thug football. The ref was like a woman's blouse on washday - all wet and floppy, and many in the South Stand could see right through him, which is another feature of wet shirts, even though that is not what they are supposed to do. By half time there should have been 5 or 6 yellow cards to Burton, and possibly a red. Ironically the first goal was scored by a player who shouldn't have been on the pitch. But the ref's thighs swish together when  he runs because he hasn't got any balls to keep them apart. Seddon should also have been yellow carded for diving into the box to try and fake a penalty, but although the ref played the advantage, he didn't then go back and do what ref's are supposed to do. Neither did he card Seddon for running away with the ball, which apparently isn't as bad as kicking the ball away. 
Things changed in the second half because Patterson noticed that our players had turned midfield into a no-man's land, switched his formation and then  spent the next 20 minutes or so charging through the gaping holes we so thoughtfully provided for them, and the two  bits of poor play were heavily punished. How Burton could punish us when so many other teams haven't been capable I don't know, because the Brewers are not a good team. I find it strange that NML is getting rave reviews for his pace and threat, yet he has only put away a single one-on-one, and fluffed the rest, yet two Burton players put theirs away as though that's all they do for a living. But in part it is because of how we play at times. Although we like to get the ball forwards as fast as possible, at times we will take our time, especially when the opposition park the bus, in order to draw them out of their own half and leave gaps to exploit. But last night we twice got drawn into Burton's half and we got hit on the break for both goals, because we had hardly anyone back. 
Also, re the vacant midfield spaces: Bird's perceived poor performances are aften because he has two or three players buzzing round him at all times, and when he does get the ball in space, there is  no-one to pass to because everyone is scurrying out wide as though the middle of the pitch is riddled with land mines. He actually played well last night, and as well as blocks and interceptions, he made a number of runs through the middle - I hope Warne wasn't watching! 
The eventual bolstering of midfield did the trick, but rather than Thompson being the key - and I really rate him and what he brings to the team - the real difference was Sibley who saw loads of the ball, took men on and put loads of crosses on, and our taking back control revolved around him being brought on to the pitch. Ironically if he had made the mistake which Elder did, there would be a second thread all to himself demand he be flogged or be given a flogging! The kid did really well last night!
But man of the match has to be Wilson, who to me is the best footballer we've had at the club for years and years. I don't think he put a foot wrong defensively, although I could be wrong, skinned his defenders for fun, and I think only put one poor cross in all night. A great player!
So we are sitting very well in the league right now, with the main threat being Bolton, if they can use the potential of their games in hand. If so, top spot is theirs. But  one of the top spots is ours. All we've got to do is fill it! COME ON YOU RAMS!

Get in.
To be frank, I couldn't actually care less that we didn't win by 2 goals to go into 2nd. There's 20 games left, the only thing separating us and Peterborough are the fact that they've scored 2 goals more than us. Whether we won 3-2 or 4-2, nothing is decided tonight. We haven't ended a matchday in 2nd place since February 2018 under Rowett, and we still ended up finishing 6th that year.
The most important thing is that we won, I don't care how. That game had a hell of a lot of "you can just see it going wrong" things on the list, I think @Srg listed a fair few before kick-off. Local game, new manager, ex-players, bringing on a striker making his league debut (and scoring 3 minutes in), contentious referee decisions, or lack of them, coming back to bite us. There was the potential for things to go very wrong. And if you watched on Sky, they did their typical thing of putting up stats that completely jinx the game, such as how few goals Burton have scored.
These are the kind of games where we've messed up in the past and it's cost us in the past. From the minute it went to 2-1, we were poor, there's no excuses being made for that, it was a tough watch. But I'd much rather show that we still need a bit of work in January when that work is possible, and still winning at the same time means there's very little damage.
Take the points and carry on, we're a point off top with a game in hand, no matter how we performed tonight that's an excellent place to be. Three games in a week coming up, two of which are away and in the away table we are 1st, so there's a lot to be positive about.
Hopefully CBT can join the ranks before Lincoln, and maybe one or two more before the end of the window and then we'll be well on our way to getting out of this league.
Onwards and upwards, and thank God for Conor Hourihane's left foot.

He'd always convey his meaning though. Reading some of less than positive stuff on here sometimes, I'm always reminded how he'd scold folk saying, 'don't be so bloody nagative', cunningly combining the words negative and nag 😂

So we know now that a two-goal victory takes us into the top two and one point off top.
Come on Derby; step up and grab the prize.

COYR!
We’ve not got a point this year yet!

Happy new year all rams. Feeling excited for 2024 but what will it bring us? Feeling optimistic without feeling entitled and cocky about our chances. But the most amazing thing is that we've had a year where we've just discussed and disagreed about football so thank you to the Clowes family for that and long may it continue. 
Also sending much love to @B4’s Sister, the rest of the family and all others moving into 2024 without a loved one for the first time. Such a difficult period and you're all in our thoughts. Hope the team gain promotion in their honour. COYR 🐏🐏

Not doubting you...if true that's madness, Part of one of the meanest defences in League1, A colossus of a player even at his age, Surely the only way we'll cash in on Cashin is to fill PWs transfer chest, You build from the back, The back has been rebuilt.
Leave well alone 👎

With @B4’s Sister's match thread record, it won't be long until we start seeing big money bids for her from other clubs. We need to get her tied to a long term deal.

Can’t believe what I witnessed last night, worst possible start , then total domination and brilliant end , celebrated into the early hours in Oxford, woke up this morning with a banging head and no voice but it was all worth it , love the players , management , the club and our wonderful fans , this was a massive win , Pompey we are coming for you COYR

Spot on.  And we have a game in hand on the top 2.   And 2 out of the 3 teams above us to play at home.  I’d much rather be 4th on Boxing Day and, hopefully, top 2 in May than the other way round.

If you want to complain about style of football, possession stats, xG, humour or bobble hats, go for it, however in the results business, our form since the Stevenage game is stupendous.
Played 8
Won 7
Drawn 1
Lost 0
Scored 18
Conceded 3

So annoying that Bolton and Oxford scored late on 😩
Good away win, played them off the park first half and despite them getting a bit more territory and pressure second half the lads stood firm. Would have preferred Warne made subs earlier to secure the 3 points sooner as I nearly soiled myself waiting for the final whistle but what can you do eh?! 🤷🏻‍♂️ 
22 points from the last 24 available, 7 wins and a draw in the last 8 games…not a bad festive season so far 😁 
Up the blinkin’ sheep shaggin’ rams! 🐏 

Hope so and hope for a win too
 
B4, do your best for us.  Ask Brian for some advice if needs be.

COYR ! .....do it for B4 🖤🤍

A stranger we had yet to meet.
Our paths had never crossed.
And yet, it seems, we knew him well,
A dear friend we have lost.
A heart of gold, a Kindly soul,
A friendly word to each.
A clumsy gaff may oft appear,
But ne’er offence be reached.
A call to arms, a plea for fight,
A positive embrace.
Defiant stance, a pumping fist,
A smile on his face.
Hatred of pink, and all things red,
More strangers for him to meet.
“A sea of black and white” he’d call,
“Let’s all stand at our seat”!
A disregard for marriage,
for relationships of two,
“Never, ever” he would wail,
“That would never do”!
Yet he loved all, and we loved him.
His quirks always forgiven,
His stubbornness frustrated,
But missed, now he’s in Heaven.
The truest Ram, amongst us all,
Now gone for evermore.
For Daniel, for DCFC
Let’s all be more B4
xxx
🐏🤍

Life is like a journey, who knows when it ends?
Yes and if you need to know the measure of a man
You simply count his friends
And he seemed to make friends with whoever he met.
A sad loss to the Derby family and forever a true Ram. RIP @B4ev6is

@B4’s Sister

Coulldn’t miss out on a pic with Rammie 🐏

Boro fan here, donning hard hat and coming in peace. 
Been an occasional stalker on this board (ever since all the unpleasantness!) but felt compelled to register today after seeing this sad news.
B4 was a poster I saw popping up on almost every thread that appeared on here and his passion for his football team was so clear with every word he typed. Fans with this level of devotion are few and far between and should be treasured by clubs and other fans alike. I'm sure he will leave a huge hole behind for everyone who knew him. Sending condolences to all friends, family and fellow DCFC supporters for your loss. 
All the best, Steve (not that one!) 

Strange game today. Thought we were poor at times, careless on the ball careless in attacking areas wasting good situations. Collins should’ve had 2 before half time. Sibley’s goal was exceptional and he was the bright spark for me in the first half. The red card changed it and in the end we won comfortably but there were times in the second half where we lacked control and made it difficult. Orient are not bad, try to play photos stuff and caused us problems but exactly as their podcast guy said on RD, not ruthless in both boxes, that was the main difference.
All our goals were good and we got a 3-0 without playing especially well. It feels like something is building. The turnaround since Stevenage has been amazing and full credit must go to Warne and his staff. We now have two very winnable home games before potentially some season defining Christmas games. Even if it doesn’t go our way we will enter January in the promotion mix which gives us a great chance to strengthen. Looking forward to Thommo coming back and sounds like the manager is as well, think he’ll really improve us in midfield.
B4’s sister is taking us all the way to the end of the season on the match threads!! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻🐏🐏🐏🐏

Oh no!😟 We’re fcuked then. 

If you happen to be unfortunate enough within 50 miles of Nottingham, you might, I suppose get some banter, but then that's your own stupid fault for not moving. 
At a more than safe radius of 125 miles, I can honestly say I've never had anyone laugh it up at the Mighty Rams' expense except for my lad and a spending a week chained to a lawn mover in a locked garage seems to have dissuaded him from ever mentioning it again. 

Since the e-vapers went trick or treating at David’s house we have only played 3 league games.
3 league games in five and a half weeks.
The international break, League Cup, FA Cup lower rounds and the Pizza Cup have seriously disrupted the only competition that matters.
Now we can fully focus on league football again the excitement can resume.
Derby won’t lose another game from now until March when we will be sitting in the top two.
Heard it here first.

@Foreveram all the matches I have been to have been wins for Derby. I’ve probably jinxed it now 😬