S75 Ram

Oxford fan coming in peace.
This thread has been quite some read and you are rightly concerned that you’ve lost to lowly Oxford. But, let me try and calm your concerns and correct some comments.
Yes, we finished 2 points clear of relegation and as one of your contributors said we’d only won 3 games in 7 months. But to put that into perspective, we had Karl Robinson as our “manager” last season until he was sacked. After 5 seasons we eventually got rid of  him. He had some good games, we got to the playoff final and lost to Wycombe, perhaps the least deserving team to get promoted, their brand of footy was truly awful. The following season we lost in the playoff semifinal to Blackpool, we got thumped at home, game over. We then followed that with 8th.
He got the sack after picking up 1 point in 24, the board should’ve acted sooner because he had his mind on other things. His marriage had collapsed, but if you shag the women’s team captain what do you expect. His signings, were a disaster. He gave contract extensions to injured players. Signed players with known mental health issues, signed more crocks and brought in square pegs for round holes. He also signed big Sam’s grandson, not on merit.  His post match comments were those of a scouce smack-head who’d just found a bottle of LSD.  We’d watched United get annihilated and he’d be talking about Brazil, the rainforest and samba bands.
In came Liam Manning and Chris Hogg… who?  Manning got MK into the L1 playoffs which they lost and got the push from MK after a bad run.
He came in and picked up 11 points to keep us up, instilling some grit and professionalism.
During the close season, he’s brought in 8 new players, some of whom we have been shocked we’d signed. Ruben Rodrigues from Notts Country, Mark Harris from Cardiff, on loan Stan Mills from Everton and James Beadle from Brighton. 
We had PSF against Swansea 2-2 then beat QPR 5-0.
First game of the season was a 2-0 away defeat to Cambridge and our forum was similar to this thread. However a 1-0 win against Carlisle and last night has completely changed the outlook. As many people say, give it 10 games, then start judging. New players in, old ones out, injured players back etc.
I can understand your pain, but I think we’ll be top 10 this year, we are playing free flowing footy. You are hamstrung by past crimes and until you can spend you’ll be stuck in this league, but once sanctions are lifted, 25,000 customers is going to give you plenty of buying power. 
Good luck for the season, especially against, Wigan, Reading and Bolton.

I read a couple of headlines from Derbyshire Live this morning:
"Nigel Clough wades in on Derby County struggles ahead of Crunch Clash"
"David Clowes sent Derby County transfer message by 'uber-paranoid' Paul Warne"
These are just sensationalist headlines for what purpose? Nigel Clough certainly didn't "wade" in and I am sure Paul Warne speaks with David Clowes on an almost daily basis and he is fully aware of Derby's requirements in the transfer window. 
Although in my 70s, I do try to keep up with technology as far as I can. I can't help but think that we are starting to live in a pretty toxic society, where many people want to voice their opinions about all sorts of topics and people on the Social Media. I have no problem with that per se, provided the opinions are based on fact or reasonable assumptions. I have no time for people who just seek sensationalism, winding people up or make hurtful, personal comments about others. I am happy for criticism of actual behaviour but not personal character assassination. Just imagine how you would feel if it was you who was the subject of these comments. You don't know the effect such comments can have on people -suicide, mental health issues or maybe just want a transfer away!
This Forum has voiced a few of those after the first couple of games of the season. There should be criticism of the team's and  individual's performances but please let's avoid personal, sensitive comments especially when these cannot be backed up with hard facts.
"Kane Wilson couldn't cross a road"  "scariest thing is we have bought two central defender who can't play football" "I guarantee Waghorn would have missed Wigan's first goal" "can stick his f****** why all up his arse" "Bird is more sparrow than golden eagle. An exhibition player not willing to break sweat. I'll drive him to Hull myself" "We've got a pub team manager in charge of a jugganaught" "Bradley has the mobility of a superglued traffic cone"
These were from just 2 posts on the Forum.
I'm not a prude but can we just think about what we are writing about and to other individuals. Hopefully, we all want all our players and staff to bring success to the Club - so lets show our support. 

Hey guys sorry not been on a lot lately but the pain been pretty bad lately so been trying to rest as much as I can before season starts but I am 100 percent I can be. So i will be in full voice come saturday. Getting behind the lads as always i do fancy our chances for coming season.
Also see you all at burton peterboro blackpool and Bolton. Once my op done I might be out for a fair while but will be back asp. But not heard anything yet when that will be.

I enjoyed Radio Warne. Very verbally intelligent guy, works super hard, players have bought in to him, he's the man, has my full support and I believe he will get it done this season. Just don't expect it to happen straight away...be patient Derby fans. 

Lyrics
I try to discover
A little something to make me sweeter
Oh baby refrain from breaking my heart
I'm so in love with you
I'll be forever blue
That you gimme no reason
Why you make-a-me work so hard
That you gimme no
That you gimme no
That you gimme no
That you gimme no
Soul, I hear you calling
Oh baby, please, give a little respect to me
And if I should falter
Would you open you arms out to me?
We can make love not war
And live at peace with our hearts
I'm so in love with you
I'll be forever blue
What religion or reason
Could drive a man to forsake his lover?
Don't you tell me no
Don't you tell me no
Don't you tell me no
Don't you tell me no
Soul, I hear you calling
Oh baby, please, give a little respect to me
I'm so in love with you
I'll be forever blue
That you gimme no reason
You know you make-a-me work so hard
That you gimme no
That you gimme no
That you gimme no
That you gimme no
Soul, I hear you calling
Oh baby, please, give a little respect to me
Soul, I hear you calling
Oh baby, please, give a little respect to me

That's it then, get learning the words to "A Little respect" for Saturday 🙂

That's it then, get learning the words to "A Little respect" for Saturday 🙂

He’s just announced our new song/chant: A little Respect. I’m sure someone can come up with some words. 😀

Details confirmed for the Burton game. Allocation 1,484.
 
Away Ticket Membership Holders who attended 15+ away games last season (one ticket per Fan ID) - 25th July 2023 (10am)
Away Ticket Membership Holders who attended 10+ away games last season (one ticket per Fan ID) - 27th July 2023 (10am)
Away Ticket Membership Holders who attended 5+ away games last season (one ticket per Fan ID) - 29th July 2023 (10am)
Away Ticket Membership Holders (one ticket per Fan ID) - 31st July 2023 (10am)
Season Ticket Holders (one ticket per Fan ID) - 2nd August 2023 (10am)
General Sale (one ticket per Fan ID) - 4th August 2023 (10am)

Paul passed away early hours of Sunday morning. 
A Mickleover lad who went to Bemrose, did an apprenticeship at Leys. 
Life long Ram and brave as a lion. 
 
RIP mate. Since we were young….🐏❤️
 

I remember when he finally signed and I predicted he’d be our left-back “…for many seasons to come”. Here we are 10 years later. Just sayin’ 😲
 
It will be odd when he ceases to be a player for us. Because of his quiet, unassuming nature, who just goes about his business, we take him a little for granted. For me, he is epitomised by that whipped ball in from the left, the one that pitches then spins, the one that Will Hughes so impudently flicked into the Brighton goal as we slowly dismantled them piece by piece, like a skilful butcher with an almost imperceptible sharp knife, trimming, piercing, slicing, cutting open. No mess, just gradual total dismembered Brighton and Pride Park swinging like a circus on a hot day {wipes away tear of fond memory of a glorious, glorious day}. 
I’ll be there on Saturday to say thank you Craig. Legend. 

Chesterfield away, 396 tickets now available in the East stand taking our allocation to 2,500.

He’s alright for third tier level. Won’t be the second coming but should grab 10 goals for you next season if he stays fit.
He is an intelligent player who makes runs that stretch backlines despite not being the quickest. He will do that for you non stop for 90 minutes and get frustrated if no one finds the pass to pick him out.
On the flip side, when someone does get the ball to him, they’ll becomes the frustrated ones because he has a habit of fluffing chances. Especially 1v1s.
Give him two or three looks at goal and he’ll score one but you’ll come away from the game thinking he should’ve had more. And when he misses the chance that would’ve secured three points, half the fans will come away from the game thinking he’s a donkey.
Also he loves picking up the ball wide on the left side and cutting inside once, or even twice, before getting a shot off. You’ll see what I mean.

4. Expats. I live in the Netherlands. 10 years ago I could, for a Saturday game, fly in on the Friday morning, 2 nights hotel, match ticket, 3 days food and drink, travel from and to the airport and back home Sunday evening all for a mere £250. Fast forward to pre covid and the cost had gone up to £350. Last season it was up to £500 (did 5 home games) and the 2 away games I came back for (hospitality at FGR and Barnsley) cost closer to £800 a pop. It's not a question of "plum" games, it's a question of having the money and it not clashing with life over here. Looking at between 6 and 8 home games this season, one a month roughly. Quite sure there'll be a plum one in there somewhere but there'll also be a Wycombe/ Cheltenham/Fleetwood/Stevenage or two to compensate.
5. There'll be those with shift patterns that don't permit a season ticket as well or dependants for whom they care......

I'm really quite sad that more people aren't making the effort for Fozzy.
Okay, distance, holidays etc I understand but the "It’s only a friendly" mantra shouldn't really apply here.
It's about recognising ten years' service from a model pro who has always given his all for the club, fought his way back from three serious injuries. He's a nice guy too.
We're taking more to Matlock, fgs! 

Only 384 tickets left for Chesterfield away, over 1,700 sold.

I'll get one as i think even at 0-5 matches last year it'll help me get to at least a couple of the bigger grounds with maybe a couple of smaller ones sprinkled in. Although, i do think £40 is a bit steep for this privilege. 

Yep, spent all that extra effort moving up to 20+ and I needn't have bothered! 😉
(I'm assuming this means that there isn't any away game last season where there weren't enough tickets for 15+ members. It will help the ticket office to spread out the sales periods. 

Bit disappointed they have dropped the 20+ category, effectively now giving priority to half fans😂

Whispers emerging from Pride Park that further increased demand for away tickets in 2023/24 season has resulted in a new top priority 'Away Member' banding.
The 'Away Member' bands will remain as per 2022/23, but a new highest priority band has been added as follows which gives first choice to only the most serious fans:
Top priority (AKA 'First Dibs'): Away membership with 23 away games last season whilst wearing the 2020/21 pink away shirt

5 of us together in the South Stand will only be 4 next season. One of our group has terminal oesophagus cancer. It is so difficult to renew knowing that one of us won't be there. He's insisting we renew and a mate in the North Stand will take his seat but it seems so sad to actually do it.
We'll probably wait until the last week. 

We’re so glad you could attend.

Docherty single handedly dismantled the great Derby squad 
 
Unforgivable   

Beat me to it! 👏👏👏

Tommy Docherty. End of conversation.