Chopper

Cambridge 1 Derby 0 S.Bradley og Go into absolute meltdown especially when Bolton win 3-0, a thread on Bradley hits 50 pages before 7pm.

Predicting no change to the starting line up, injuries allowing. Adams, Thompson, Smith as a centre midfield three should give us the freedom of the ground, if Cambridge are already on the beach. Earn the right to play, an early goal and we could repeat the Orient performance, concede and 2 up top may not be enough. Let's get it done, win here and Bolton will need snookers! Lose and I'm going to need some WD40 for my squeaky bum.

Anymore pun infested threads and I'll keel over. Hangs head in shame.

3 set piece goals and a clean sheet for our defenders, that'll do me. Bradley did have a ropey start with us, suffering a bit when Hourihane was made Captain, we went to a four and got results with him out of the team. If fit Nelson and Cash (sounds like they should be crimefighters, or lawyers) are the defensive 2, that's obvious. When he came back a little while back I saw promise from him, and I saw the potential for a dominant Centre Half in the middle of a 3, then he lost his head and got himself banned. I'm not too angry about that, it happens, but I can also understand the frustration. He is the middle of a back three, in Derby terms: McGrath, Stimac, Carbonari, heck even West when he wasn't off building churches. Dominant, intelligent, reads the game being 3 moves ahead of everyone else, a real leader, no rushes of blood. Even equating for the L1ness of our situation, expectations for that position might lay heavy, at least amongst us lot - although I might be projecting a bit. If we stay down, with a good preseason he might help us dominate next year, if we go up ... I'd want to see who else is out there anyway, but I have a feeling we might not have to write him off next season, in a 3 alongside Rooney, Cash, Nelson and 1 more (a big 'un).

Think if we get promoted Warne might go for physicality but hopefully the quality of player will be higher than at Rotherham. Either way if it happens we will have to see. One piece of great news, we now have plus 1 Derby fan, my friends lad loved his first game even doing some bouncing in the West Stand, choosing his favourite player: "The guy with the shoulders" Nate, obvs! and wanting to go again as soon as possible. It made today exceptional for me, you dont get to introduce a new fan everyday. Anyway, pressure is on Bolton now they've got to win the last 3 in a row surely. Impressed with Thompson today, might see the 3 central midfield combo for the last two now, Bird, Thompson Smith, Adams, 3 out of those four should dominate possession in L1. Less attackers maybe but pragmatism will be the order of the day.

I struggle with the whole "punishing those having a go" narrative in Forests defence, 30 players for a 25 man squad? I can't get past that, its reckless at best, gaming something for Olympiacos' benefit at worst. I can say that, I dont own a bakery. Another thing, that bloke coming onto the pitch to intimidate referees giving them the eyes and sharing pictures of how he epitomised manliness by smashing a TV. Jees, what a proper numpty. The reduced to 4 points for cooperation, that is now over thing so it could be increased, was a product of my fever dream, I'm not convinced it'll happen like that but if Calsberg did appeals ... 2 years ago they were sure that they'd never play us again the gap was too big, I'd just love it if...

0-1 Orient No Rams Goal scorer, I drive home listening to questions over "how have Liverpool got on?" whilst listening that Bolton have tanked Portsmouth 3-0. Having a pessimistic day.

Taking a friends lad to his first game for this one, just hoping for a good performance and a few opportunities to bounce to help get another Ram on the board (it's either us, or Liverpool, or whomsoever Messi is playing for .. shrugs) A win is going to be crucial, I feel the titles gone, and as such Portsmouth could do us a favour too, but if we lose and I'll start thinking playoffs. So the pressure is on, Warne will need to earn his money for this game, to not only drill the team to get past a resolute defence but to prevent us from being our own worst enemy, psychologically speaking. Maybe not my selection but I'm predicting: 3 at the back, 3 in centre midfield including Hourihane, CBT on the bench, Nate and Collins up top. We will get a few shots off early as Warne will not have liked the stats v Wycombe. Solid line up designed to dominate possession and through sheer wait of odds and shots eventually score. Leyton Orient? I know very little about them. I dont doubt they will be exotic, exciting, and I'll be very interested to see them, but ultimately given where they are from, not quite as capable as those from around our parts.* *That was a really bad demonstration of an Orientalist, forgive me , I'm hardly Edward Said.

1-0 Wycombe, incredibly frustrating night. Parasites play like an absolute toilet for 30 mins due to a hang over but we miss a lot of chances. Couhig starts litigation on the EFL due to Derby being allowed to register NML whose 8" is a full 7.5" more than his measily effort, thus bringing his masculinity into disrepute, a big deal for people who probably falate blow up dolls of Donald Trump during the half time break. EFL dock 3 points immediately just in case. 70 odd minutes gone they scape a goal off of some randoms butt, who they signed because he was offering a good deal on car park extensions. I melt down Mrs. Chopper makes me sleep on the settee until I find my senses again.

Agree it could prove difficult. The only chance is with promotion, and the second we do that Cardiff are selling to a rival and you either make them pay over the odds or the player has walked. It'll be unlikely but I'd love to see it. The nieve part of me hopes that Warne is just being respectful to Cardiff and something is already in place, or a plan at least. Up front we have "moneyballed" the loss of McGoldrick somewhat, spreading his goal contributions amongst other players, if we go up we need those goals that Collins has given us. I see four alternatives: Collins steps up, moneyball those goals with increased contributions again from other players, invest in a new forward to step up, or my personal favourite 20 goals from a hitherto unlooked for source within the club. I remember a rather nondescript forward not doing much, hanging about the reserves. He had a productive loan spell with Torquay (although not amazing) came back, got a chance, 20 goals later we go up and he goes on to score v Arsenal, Leeds and ManUre first season up. Dean Sturridge, by the way. Perhaps we have a young fella on loan somewhere this season to offer that explosive difference? Stunning us that he can make the step up.

RVdL, Pearson, crucial goals from hardly prolific players being the hero, will this year be the same?* Hourihane freekick. Forwards, defenders from set peices all fail as we get increasingly tense, then a moment of quality and then elation... *On the understanding that RVdL our captain fantastic was key in 95-96, if not for goals.

Given our finances, and the fact that we aren't going to be in the 'speculate to accumulate' phase, it'll be a bit moot over quality, most of who we have will have to step up, and improve. That said, I think there is much to be said for taking momentum into the next season, and there may be player, who struggled last time in the Championship getting released, but with the momentum if we get promotion that'll change them. Attacking options I feel may be our weakest area, 3 of our 4/5 in defense will be fine, even a bit of depth RB/RWB. By the way, if, and a massive if we go up I'd hope we can come to an agreement with Cardiff re Adams. Listening to Adams on Radio Derby today, I think he's genuinely touched by how he has settled in here. With the euphoria of a promotion, alongside a connection with the club and the fans he may be willing to stay and personally I cant wait to contribute to a George Thorne level thread. We may be a good fit for him personally, let's face it we've seen it before.

Ahh spending the day 8th April at Moor Farm apparently, with "special guests" etc.

Its going to be Radio Derby related, I think the 'broadcasting rights'or something will be closer. I'd see Derby wanting break club news themselves. Still I'll wait with baited breath, until Bubbles opens and I can redeem my BOGOF voucher I got from the Radio Derby reception this morning ... allegedly

Ok so if Wycombe lose against P'boro, Couhig will threaten to sue the EFL who in turn will move it onto us as having two cup finals in under a week indicates malicious intent from Derby, somehow. Hopefully points wont be deducted. First 20 and last 20 could be key for Derby, high intensity first up they could roll over in a fashion not too dissimilar to 'after the Lord Mayor's show', and no matter what I anticipate they will drop right off last 20, as post final emotional and physical fatigue sets in. Decent sized pitch is Wembley, takes some running around I bet. Good game management to take advantage of these and it could be a good evening. On my plotter to promotion this is the one we draw out of our 3 wins 1 draw and 1 defeat, (including the Pompey game), so as we got the draw result in the Portsmouth game, it makes this another free hit in my eyes. Although winning the last 3 is a bit of an ask. Anyway. Does anyone know what this fabled and sold out carpark looks like?

Portsmouth could now do us a favour, or two. Just far enough ahead that they aren't under massive pressure, not so far that they are already on the beach. A perfect combination for picking apart teams who have to win almost every match, like Bolton or P'boro. Good opportunity against the Ambulance chasers given their cup final, it would have perfect to have played them yesterday instead (whilst they're in second gear for Wembley) but cant have everything! I'm starting to move closer to 2nd, and I think top 3 is ours now, the only ones who can stop us are ourselves. Granted if we had have won last night I'd be all ole ole ole-ing, saying Pompey may choke now and 1st is all but ours!

Seeing it as a free hit for Derby tonight, the players will perform accordingly. 2-0 Pompey. Not too despondent but it puts the pressure on for the next game. Have a soft spot for Portsmouth, love them to finish 2nd.

Think we had an excellent chance in the last two tournaments, playing ok, within ourselves and yes a bit of luck too (draw wise). I feel a bit more pessimistic this time, but saying that a plucky 1-0 against the lowest ranked team in tournament and I'll be all "Its coming home!" Been trying to work out the England team, it pretty much picks itself except Luke Shaws fitness, and the question over will Southgate return to Henderson once the tournament starts. Admittedly I've not seen Mainoo too much, hasn't overly impressed when I've seen him, and I appear to be struggling to think of other centre mids, as Bellingham must surely be played in am advanced role. Think it calls for Will Hughes, but I'm biased. It'll be lattrr stage disappointment again, story of my England life.

I think if he intends to be in "forever" I wouldn't be surprised if that sort of thing entered his head. I think however if we are looking for investors and maybe a handing over of the reins its be easier to do that if he owns 100% of the club. Close season will be interesting in regards to investment, it'll tell us quite a bit. Final negotiations with any investors wont take place until we know the league we are in, both sides would surely want that. They are either investing in a L1 club needing a bit of a squad remodel, or a Championship team with a lean squad ready to build ready for the next step. There may not be investors in the offing, DC may not sell to any old Shiek, Chris, or Jeremy. Ashley has gone I reckon, we aren't a basket case anymore, he would have to pay a fair price for the club now. That's not his M.O. is it? Talking out of my hat (as per) but I think there will be an addition to the board first in some kind of advisory role. That person will be seeking investment rather than be an investor, and that is when we will know it's on the horizon. Might happen by tea time today, might happen mid next season when DC sees what is required to move to the next step, might not happen all.

I wonder if there is an agreement, if we do go up? Hope so. He may not have much of a future at Cardiff, but if he proves integral to a L1 promotion, then without a prior agreement then we might not afford the asking price. Stoke, Birmingham or some randoms like that pay the asking and get him. Remembering Thorne, Seth, Carsley, even DPFG that role is so vital in allowing us to play 'the Derby way' (which I imagine as a slightly fanciful view of Jim Smith's days only with more 3-0 v Arsenal and less 0-5 v Leeds) Whatever happens we need that role filling, and I think Adams is just the fella.

Somewhere I said 2nd, but as a football fan I reserve the right to change my mind more frequently than I change my underwear. Too inconsistant so 3rd. But a convincing win vs Carlisle and with a few players coming back we will all be confident going into Lincoln. 1-0 Lincoln first leg, 1-1 second leg in an insanely frustrating night at Pride Park. Steve Mc spotted in the stands, forum goes into meltdown until we realise he was just a steward, the only job at Derby he's not done yet. Warne stays. The match was Lincolns cup final and they lose to Pboro in the final, in a turgid match. Close season is really quiet, we pile the sum of our hope's, dreams and aspirations on young Brown, Warne doesn't. To compound matters Notts get their punishment further reduced stay up by 1 point, my work mate is convinced that is a sign that the third star is a mere formality. Win on Friday and I'll be all "Portsmouth we're coming for ya!"

I think Brown should stay out. I love seeing that he's playing, scoring, assisting, making an impact on the mens game. I can understand the argument to bring him back though. Washington and Waghorn aren't fully back or 'in nick' and Brown would certainly hit the ground running. But he is in form at Conference level, it would be a gamble. He could come straight in and give that different option score early and then go on a run. He could just as easily need a run to get acclimatised too. Plus I get the feeling that Warne would hold him reserve, on the bench perhaps playing 10 mins when chasing the game, achieving neither scenarios above. Thinking long term let him stay, let him go to Wembley, let him finish the season on a high and then see what preseason brings. Closing the season with Gateshead could be just the experience that he needs and in season 24-25 we may glean the benefit regardless of our division.

So annoyed. I kinda felt he was coming into his own a bit with Derby after a rocky start, and winning some fans over. Settling was absolutely key given I feel that he was integral to Warnes plan for a back 3. Shows how fragile progress can be I guess. I'd imagine Warne could be forced into a back 4 again, which yes we were quite effective playing but only once Nyambe was in the team! Between this (compounded by Fozzy breaking down again) and a potential injury to NML, this could be a challenging run in. Warne will need to earn his keep.

My youngest was 2 days old, I missed the match because of that. But, he was sat with me in his Derby County onesie (for at least some of it) watching it on TV. The first game he "saw" was that one. Will forever remember it for so many reasons, that, and the fact that it signified the implosion of Notts and the coming of Derby. Sigh. Good times.

If its true, then I'm annoyed. Not from the refusal to sign, no as discussed elsewhere with so many unknowns in respect to where we are next season cultivating options work both ways. What annoys me is the whole soundbite over the last week or so about moving here and enjoying his football more than ever now he has consistency in his first team appearances (more than Weds). Sure I'm aware of hyperbole, badge kissing and all that, I may be a numpty but not a total numpty; but it just seems jarringly disingenuous if he had already decided that he is about to leave. Could be that Warne/Clowes has put a hold on future contract negotiations and Wildsmith isnt particularly pleased and wants to secure his club for next season now. Agent spreads this after a well publicised save that has raised his stock, let's face it this story wouldnt be out a few days after hes ran 16 yards to demolish a winger going nowhere and concede a penalty in a 1-0 defeat. Could be nothing. Could be Nixon stirring the pot, whenever Derby do anything stories emerge. SMc to Newcastle, Lampard to Chelsea, even talk of Rooney to (sniggers) but he still fielded questions about the Manure and Everton jobs. Let's see what comes to pass