Fla Ram

For anyone feeling negative I'd argue the following.
This is our second season following a significant meltdown off the pitch which resulted in obvious repercussions on it. We've consolidated and are now in a good position to return to the Championship. 
We have a sensible owner who genuinely loves the club and who has a desire to see the academy excel. He also isn't an egotistical and confrontational fool.
The squad we have will, I suspect, be subject to much change during the summer as the restrictions end. The style of play may well turn towards something a little easier on the eye as a result. It's all about getting out of this division and recruiting well before 24/25.

A mention to Sibley, a shaky first 10/15 but after that he did very well against one of the best wingers in the league. 

Blackett-Taylor looking better with each game

Got B4’s ashes with me (and a can of dark fruits). Husband is getting worried about the potential clean up 😂 There’s no way B4 would be missing this match 

Match Thread: vs Portsmouth (a)
Tuesday, April 2nd, Kick-Off – 8.00pm
Head to Head:
Two grand old clubs who first met way back in 1902 in the FA Cup, a game that resulted in a rather unsatisfactory 0-0 bore draw. The replay at saw us winning the replay 6-3 which doubtless gave the early Rams faithful a little more to cheer. Since then, there’s not been a deal between the two sides, with Derby edging the charts with 42 wins to Pompey’s 35.
Games won: 42
Games drawn: 23
Games lost: 35
The Status Quo:
Well, it’s looking good right now my fellow rams. Likewise for Pompey, who do look near to uncatchable now, though there doubtless remain some happy clappers like yours truly who will still be hoping Portsmouth slip up and what better place for them to begin their demise than in front of their own fans on Tuesday evening? That said, Portsmouth have arguably been THE most consistent side in the division, steadily accumulating wins after a minor, mid-season wobble. It’s fair to say that while they’ve continued their good form, our post-Xmas wobble saw us fall back a little, though if we look at the last half dozen games, we’ve actually outpointed them, indeed only Lincoln, who seem to lay waste to every team they meet right now, can claim to be in better form than our own beloved Rams.

The Key Threats:
There’s little doubt that Cody Bishop is their main striking threat with 16 goals and 2 assists to his name this season, but Pompey can boast other threats, none less than Paddy Lane who has netted 11 times this season, also weighing in with 6 assists. Abu Kamara and Marlon pack have 8 assists a piece, so it’s fair to say that Pompey have multiple attacking threats and they promise to provide us with our toughest game of the season and one in which Nelson and Cashin will need to be absolutely on their A-game if we are to leave with Fratton Park with anything to show for the game.
Team News:
Like most, I was delighted to see Collo return to the fold so swiftly and he looked pretty damn sharp to be honest. Perhaps the ‘rest’ has actually done him well! This is critical as for me, Wash and Waggy look some way off their peak and I suppose, given their lack of games this year, that’s easy to understand.
I was also delighted to see Korey Smith start and for me, he has to stay in the starting 11. He’s not entirely dissimilar to Hourihane, but his mobility gives us more stability, though that said, we did again leave gaps between the press and our back line against Blackpool and if we do so again against Pompey, we might find ourselves in some bother.
With a considerable injury list still hampering his efforts, Warne will again need to marshal his troops carefully and I’d expect a cagey performance from both sides where moments of quality will likely settle the game, rather than one side establishing outright dominance. I’ll drop another update on injuries etc, on this thread nearer the game, but I’d be looking at something similar to what we saw yesterday, with a couple of tweaks:
Firstly, I’ve assumed Elder is once more broken and that we’ll therefore need to use Sibbo in the LB role again. I’d have preferred him starting higher up the pitch, but we have so many missing that it’s a case of needs must. In so much, the back 4 pick themselves.
I’ve kept the same midfield as last week, with Smith again taking the starting role and Conor set to figure later in the game. Adams remains on fire and simply has to start every match now. The only other tweak I’d use would be to play Wash in behind Collo, assuming Jimmy is able to manage 60 minutes at this point in his return. That gives us something like the line-up below, but I do expect this to change, as I very seldom guess Warne’s selection correctly and I’m also hopeful we’ll have one or two more to pick from. CBT, now with some minutes under his belt, appears to be finding some good form and despite our injury situation, we'll have some interesting bench options all the same and perhaps he might even earn a start?


The Game:
I don’t think there’s any doubt that both sides have sufficient quality to punish any errors made and I think this will simply come down to which side best executes their game plan and who is most clinical with the chances they fashion. I’m going for a 1-1 draw with Nate to re-find his scoring touch and secure us another vital point. I think with both clubs and sets of fans riding high, it ought to be a great atmosphere though at present, there is some rain forecast. For anyone making a mini-break of it, please see some 'Things To Do' suggestions and links to some decent eateries below, as suggested by TripAdvisor:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g186298-Activities-Portsmouth_Hampshire_England.html
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g186298-Portsmouth_Hampshire_England.html
Enjoy the game my fellow Rams fans and safe journey to and fro.
COYR
BE MORE B4

Just massive, massive respect to this guy. I hope to goodness we can sign him up, what a difference he has made.

Great question, and in all honesty I don't think I would. 
I'm in my early 60's and like most fans I grew up dreaming of seeing my team lift the FA Cup at Wembley. 
May 17th 2008 will be forever etched in my memory, and to see the joy on my sons face was priceless. 
Now had we gone bust and ceased to exist, then I wouldn't have wanted the cup win to happen

Thanks @B4ev6is  
You can clearly see his influence here with the rainbow marking where he’d guided the ball into the net. 

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.

It's pretty hard to keep up with the plethora of injuries and the estimates on how long said players will take to return. Suffice to say it's pretty grim reading in any case and I see some are saying Ebou is now out too. If that's the case, then we're bang in the doodoo I'm afraid, as opposed to our current status which I'd describe as mildly decimated. That said, there's a match to be played, so based on what has been confirmed to date, but is equally subject to daily change, I'd go with the following:
A hopefully more mobile and solid looking 4 at the back, let's start from a solid foundation, at least. I'd have Wilson and Elder either side of the two who pick themselves, Cash and Nelson.
Before the Sibley fan club get irate, he still in my starting 11, I'd just push him right up the field to play off / behind Waghorn and look to make hay with Wilson and Ward paired on the right flank.
CBT remains an unknown to me but he looks the only sensible option we have right now to provide some sort of threat on the left. Lord knows I'd love to see the lad step up, as if ever there was a time to make a name for himself, it's now. He does show promise, but we need something rather more tangible come Friday night.
Elsewhere, Smith comes in for Hourihane. We must front up early and I think we'll be more able to do so without sacrificing too much passing ability, with Korey in a 3 and Conor an option later in the game as legs tire.  Waggy completes the line up, but is only marginally favoured over Washington. I might even be tempted to start the latter as I believe he will stretch defences more than a strangely subdued looking Waghorn. Waggy gets the nod by a  cat's whisker.

 
The starters aside, I'll wait to see who we have available and remotely fit, but even just for the psychological lift, it'd be grand to see Collo tamping at the bit in the dugout. Likewise, could young Jake Rooney figure? Robinson and Weston, along with the skipper and Thommo, seem likely candidates for the bench too.
I do think it's all about this game now. Win and with players perhaps returning the following week (or with another week under their belts at least), we could be back on track. Conversely, slide to another defeat and all momentum will be lost. With Pompey sat in wait, that's a fairly grim prospect, least it is for yours truly.
Suffice to say it's a huge weekend for club and fans and on that note, the first time we've actually had something to play for in a few seasons now, something I've overlooked if truth be told, so that's some small silver lining, at least!
COYR

Can't believe it's ten years! 

Your matchday thread starters are a joy @Rampant.

Saturday 23rd March
Northampton vs Derby
Sixfields Stadium (KO 1500)
 
Parking: There is apparently parking available at the ground (NN5 5QA) for a fiver or at a place called Duston Mill (NN5 5FP).
Opponents Bio: Founded in 1897, Northampton Town are well known by their nickname, 'The Cobblers', a nod to the town's historic shoe-making industry. Previously based adjacent to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, their move in 1994 now sees them play home matches at the 7,798 capacity Sixfields Stadium.
The swinging 60's was quite the decade to be a member of the Shoe Army as Northampton started the 1960/61 season in the fourth tier of the English game before three promotions and three relegations saw them back in Division 4 (ask your parents kids) in time for the 1969/70 campaign. Their one season in the top division was their only appearance at that level in their history so far. Indeed, since their relegation in 1966/67 from what is now the Championship, the Cobblers have played each of the subsequent 56 seasons in either the third or fourth tier. That run could have been broken in 1993/94 when they finished bottom of League 2 but they had a reprieve as Kidderminster Harriers' ground wasn't deemed suitable for the Football League.
This season sees Town looking to consolidate a League 1 berth after their promotion from League 2 in 2022/23 and sitting in 14th place and well clear of the drop zone they have comfortably achieved their initial target. A decent run of results could see them finish in the top half as they are one of four sides on 50 points before this weekend.
Opponents Gaffer & Dangermen: They are managed by an Australian, Jon Brady, who I know nothing about. 
Top scorers for Northampton this season are Sam Hoskins (14 goals), Kieron Bowie (eight) and Mitch Pinnock (six, plus seven assists). They also have Huddersfield loanee Tyreece Simpson and another loanee is a certain Tony Springett who played a few times for ourselves last year.
Other Titbits & Links to DCFC: Notable names associated with Saturday's opponents include former managers Herbert Chapman (of Huddersfield and Arsenal fame), Tony Barton (European Cup winning manager at Villa), Chris Wilder (when he was good), Ian Atkins (coming good again at Tranmere maybe), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Aidy Boothroyd and Graham Carr (father of comedy twins Alan and Jimmy). Their most famous ex-player is probably former Liverpool and England full-back, Phil Neal.
Derby links include Kevin Wilson (managed them) and those who played for both clubs include John Gregory, Ian Taylor and Marco Gabbiadini.
Opponents Form: They've struggled over the past five games, picking up just two points from draws against Charlton at home and Cambridge away. They've lost two on the bounce, both without scoring, with a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackpool followed on Saturday by a 2-0 loss at Wycombe. 
Their league record at home is respectable overall, reading: W8-D5-L6.
Rams History vs Northampton: We tempted fate against Bolton by highlighting the fact that they had never won in the league at Pride Park in 10 attempts. Lets be bold again by stating that;
Derby have never lost a competitive fixture against Northampton.
It's true. Six FA Cup ties (four original and two replays) and seven League matches is the sum total of the two clubs' historical matches against each other but the Rams have managed eight wins and five draws thus far. 
In League matches only, we currently stand at W4-D3-L0 with an away record of W2-D1-L0 on their turf.
The match earlier this season at Pride Park saw Derby run out comfortable 4-0 victors in a game where we saw the best of Conor Washington and a brace by Max Bird.
Likely Rams XI: We can possibly expect a change or two. Or maybe three? Assuming we maintain the back three then Warne has to decide between a recall for Sonny Bradley after illness or sticking with Fozzy. I'd be amazed if he didn't stay with Craig Maldini tbh. 
There are obvious doubts over those withdrawn against Bolton. Gayle is surely out and Barkhuizen and Ward are possibly struggling too. The gaffer also needs to make a decision on Hourihane as we look better with either Smith or Thompson in the middle (or both ideally for me) alongside Ebou Adams who must surely be our transfer target #1 for the summer. 
A return to the 18 for Conor Washington (MotM in the reverse fixture) would be welcome.
Other Notable Fixtures: None. Certainly not as far as those chasing automatic promotion is concerned. We are the only one of the five involved in that battle for a top two finish to be playing so it's a perfect opportunity to apply pressure on those now playing catch up with us. Seven points with a game in hand has to seem psychologically further away for Bolton than the current four points and equal games played so hopefully we can turn that screw.
COYR
 

Decided to read through the thread after hearing the inspiring albeit sad tale of your recently passed young supporter. This post popped out. 
 
Year after year we’ve had close calls with promotion and have thrown it away.  Even now with the lead we have I won’t believe we are promoted until it’s mathematically safe. 
 
After hearing the story about B4 I genuinely hope it’s Pompy and Derby who go up in the automatics. What a fitting tribute that would be for someone who was obviously well loved by this forum and had a good heart. 
 
 

Thats class. Pompy it is then 👌. 

It's a thread started by a young, Derby mad fan known to us as @B4ev6is, B4, or Daniel. He passed away recently which broke many a heart among us Rams as he was as sweet a lad as you could wish to meet and the most fervent and loyal supporter of any club, not just Derby, that I've ever met. His spelling however was shocking, but as a result of learning difficulties, hence the jokes about 'scraves and ballions' you'll find all over the forum. We bumped the thread as part of an effort to keep him close to our hearts and the title was left as was out of respect to Dan and his family. In its own way, it kind of sums up who he was and why he such a favourite among us Rams faithful. No disrespect is intended.

I don’t think Bolton were miles better than us. The football they play is a lot easier on the eye and is nice to watch as they move it around waiting for space to exploit but I think we were solid and had it not been for the odd poor touch here and there we’d have done a lot more on the counter attack. 
 
Anyway players need to forget it and focus straight on to the next match. Only Derby playing on Saturday out of the mini league of 5 at the top. Psychologically could be massive heading into the busy Easter period 7 points ahead of second and 2 points off top with superior goal difference. It turns the heat up on everybody around us when they’re cramming more games into a shorter time frame. We have to back yesterday up with a result at Northampton. 

A few quickfire thoughts from me on todays game:
- Curtis Nelson might well be the signing of the season. Followed closely by Kane Wilson.
- Forsyth was good today but I was very surprised that the MoM award didn’t go to either Wildsmith or Cashin. Both kept us in the game at times.
- We need to begin moving on from Hourihane now. He is just not offering enough and his tracking back is very poor. Thompson and Adams in the middle for me, going forward.
- Derby fans are great. 
 

Well I actually enjoyed the the football today.  We were well organised and resolute and generally made good decisions.  I like Hourihane and think he is doing his best for the team, but there's no way I would have started him in what is basically a two man midfield against Bolton. Against lesser teams our wing backs can push back their opposite numbers and wrestle some kind of control, but that was unlikely to work against Bolton.  I was definitely in favour of bringing on Smith for Gayle, even with Waggy on the bench.  One - nil to Bolton would have been a fair half time score, but the whole team deserve credit for keeping them out although Wildsmith, Adams and the back three will obviously take most of the plaudits.  The way we played in the second half was not very Derby like - complete focus at the expense of free flowing football and no slip ups.  We did go for a second goal though which I really liked, as it meant the ball was in and around the Bolton area for a spell of six or seven minutes and therefore nowhere near our goal.
Bolton are a good squad with a continuity of management and building of the team over several seasons.  To be four points above them at this point of only our second season in this division is a fantastic achievement - especially when you take into account our injury record and our inability to spend money on transfers.  Within 18 months we've gone from nearly no players to the brink of a record points haul.  Yes there are some potential areas of concern, but they can wait till the end of the season.  For now I'm going to bask in our greatest victory since L***s. UTR

Apologies if any of this is a repeat of what's already been said but haven't had time to catch up with the thread yet.
Firstly hats off to Bolton, thought they came and had a decent go. They are probably licking their wounds wondering how they didn't go home with something from that game. I won't begrudge them that as they were much improved from the reverse fixture. Wasn't that impressed with them that day.
Having said all that I don't want to take away from the shift all of the boys put in. Cashin, Fozzy and Nelson in particular were immense. Fozzy quite rightly the MoM. To put in that level of performance after being out so long was beyond impressive. 
Big shout out to Wildsmith too. Two world class saves gave us a platform on which that victory was built.
Absolutely buzzing with that result. Won't be getting much sleep tonight as my adrenaline levels are off the scale.. Trying my best not to get carried away as there will be more twists and turns yet but we are firmly in the driving seat. Every club in that division barring Pompey would love to be in our position right now.
You beautiful bloody Rams. You've caused us all so much heartache  over the years but it just makes moments like this all the sweeter. 

We deserved that, not because we were better than Bolton but because we stuck at it, grafted and gave everything. Bolton played some good football, runs off the ball, slick passing on the edge of the box but Wildsmith kept their two clear chances out.  Many times on the balance of play we have dropped points despite apparently dominating possession, today it was Bolton’s turn. We had a good first 10, they had a good next 15 then (despite surrendering possession too often) it was an even game but we got the goal. They were tidier, we looked more dangerous on the break. Their No 8 was a nasty narky foul playing knob. 
 
I often moan about poor first touch, but Elder’s wasn’t t half bad was it 🤪. Loved when early in the second half the crowd had gone quiet and Smithy almost frantically urged to east stand to up it .. they need us and the ground responded.
Wildsmith gets my MOTM because he came up with goods in the line fire but Fozzie has to a pure bred legend, just seamlessly gelled with his teammates, all that experience, directed headers that find white shirts, positioning, timing .. the lot. He is a Ram.
The football has had criticism but TBH, the scheme is ok, but our touch and quality individually will need to be a step better when we go up … and we ducking are ! COYR

Do whatever it takes to get Ebou Adams in the summer.