Wsm-ram

Re: Dobbin. People have to be realistic (I know - ridiculous). If he were some kind of superstar wonder kid and/or ‘the finished article’ he wouldn’t have been sent to League 1. What he lacks in finishing he more than makes up for in overall contribution.  He’s doing well. He’s developing. Give the kid a break (I know, another ridiculous comment).

I honestly think that a lot of the pull for recruiting the players we have was Rosenior's (and even possibly a bit of Rooney's.)
I don't think Warne had quite the same contacts as them. 
However, he will be rapidly gaining reputation with some bigger names now. That's going to put him - and us -  in a good place for the summer.

Probably. There'd have been less messing about at the back. The players would have been fitter and would have dealt with 90 minutes better.

Had a fantastic day yesterday. A belated 50th birthday present saw me in the Toyota Suite for some fodder and footy. Two of my favourite things,so what's not to like. 
I was  anxious about the result because ironically our last defeat was on my actual birthday way back in October and my fear was confounded by the two enforced changes in the back four.
Despite a rusty start, which was understandable, I thought Curtis Davies grew into the game. I thought Roberts was solid too and on another day could quite easily have notched one of the two chances he had. 
They would have both come away with a clean sheet too had it not been for Rick Parry running the line on that far side. Not only did he miss the ball going out of play, he also missed a blatant foul on Roberts right under his nose and a dive in the area once again right under his nose.
All in all I thought we were well worthy of the three points with Knight and NML the standouts for me. Knight purely for his endeavour and industry. I get tired just watching him.  NML also put in a shift too and constantly had their fullback on the back foot. That fullback probably prayed all the way home that he doesn't have to face NML again this season. 
Whilst it's still mathematically possible I'll remain optimistic we can hunt down the top two. However I'll take another trip to Wembley in the play-offs  as a consolation. No team will relish the prospect of playing us in our current form. UTR.
 
 
 
 

I loved it today, absolutely loved it. A near-full house, an opposition team and its fans fully fired up, but we put them back in their box just like we used to when Todd, McFarland, Gemmill and co. strutted their stuff and King Kevin danced over the mud. We never looked like losing. This was a real statement performance where even a corrupt/bungling oaf of a referee and his accomplices couldn't change the result. 
Isn't it great to be a Derby fan again? 

“Thwap it”.   i love it!!!

1Wildsmith 6. Wasn’t called into action but for routine stuff. No blame goal. 
12Smith 7 Stout in defence & lovely simple passes. Now integral part of team.
33Davies 6.5 Defensive marshalling & reading of the game. 
3Forsyth  7 Perhaps could have ensured the ball hit row Z instead we concede. Bullet proof otherwise.
15Roberts 7.5 Slotted in like a finely machined component as if he’d never been away; close to headed goal 2nd half. 
4Hourihane 8 That rifled goal.
8Bird ? 8 That arced pass to Barkhuizen
11Mendez-Laing 9 Beat his defenders with metronomic regularity. Lovely goal take. MotM for me.
18 Dobbin 6 Injection of pace when the game was won.
38Knight 8 Machine-like running with no off switch. And to think we played him at right full-back.
Thompson 6 Slotted in. Head up & confident.
7Barkhuizen 8.5 THAT cushioned header - a simple execution; the ball kissed his forehead. He simply directed it into Houri’s path ensuring it sat up and begged Hourihane to thwap it goalwards. That cushioned header was a piece of footballing beauty worthy of the highest plane.
Springett 6 Took to the field like an unleashed greyhound after a rabbit. Didn’t catch the rabbit ? on this occasion but rabbits in the Port Vale locale take note & be afraid. 
10McGoldrick 7 Danced the ball with quick feet & moved their defence all around the dance floor to usual high effect.
Collins 6 Stretched his legs for 5 minutes.
The score line flatters Bolton really who despite good possession never looked a threat. Derby always looked the likeliest of lads. Respect to Bolton and their fans - 2 big clubs worthy of the top table.

Just a quick mention for Wildsmith and how he treats the ball boys during the game.  Told them today to slow down giving him the ball back, then gave them a fist bump to say thanks.  Class act.
Decent keeper and all…

Very well done today guys thoroughly deserved the win and really it was men against boys. Your physicality, nouse and experience completely undid us. To be fair we’ve been like this all season, pretty football but no cutting edge and we need a couple of old heads to lead the kids. Unfortunately Evatt is so far down his moneyball route trying to find young players to sell on he completely ignores the fact that you need some grey hairs in the team who’ve been there and done it, unlike your man who knows exactly how to do it and is doing a cracking job. There may have been a few questioning his appointment but I think he’s more than answering them now. I think you’ve every chance of making the top two now if you keep up performances like todays so best of luck for the rest of the season. ??

Glad for Barks. He had some lovely first touches and was a threat all game but he and all the others can only do that because of Jason Knight. He is the one that makes those draws wins. That man is the most powerful terrier midfielder I have seen for many a day. He’s not Bryan Robson yet … but he’s heading in that direction. I was blown away by the effort and tenacity. you know when teams press hard and fight at the start of a game that eventually the “super boost” gets drained. Knight just switches fuel tanks and keeps going. For me that was a staggering performance. 
 
 

Priceless on Talksport when the Ginger Whinger Durham announced through gritted teeth that Conor had put us 2up , he muttered .... It's like a cheat code having him in league one !!!! ???????

Yep, he's playing much better than a couple of months ago. His work rate is good and he has that touch of quality that you need sometimes. 
He's definitely benefiting from having Knight in the team, Knights work rate gives Hourihane and Bird more space and time to play in and we're reaping the benefits!

Springett arrived without a single whisper from what I’ve read, so I’d not be surprised if PW has his sights on another who’s not been mentioned anywhere. Makes it exciting anyway 

Chester out till March now.
I'd be getting Flint in for certain if we could 

This what he said about Norwich n Cashin....
"If it is true I'd be amazed the chief exec hasn't told me because even more so I spoke to the head of football at Norwich in the last few hours"
Why is he speaking to head of football at Norwich today? Hugill?
Hugill also fits into what Warne said about a striker he is after...in the Champ, either early or late in their career and other Champ clubs want him

We do need one now mate.
If there's any long term injury to Cashin or Forsyth we're gonna have Davies or Stearman having to play 3 games a week which neither of them are up to.
Infact to be honest, neither of them look up to 90 minutes.
We need a Right back and a striker too.

But if you look at it mate. As it stands next season our only centre half on our books will be Cashin.
Forsyth - Contract up
Davies - Contract up (Probably retire)
Stearman - Will definitely retire
Chester - Always injured no chance of extending his deal.
And if we're still in league one we'll do well to keep Cashin.
 
 
 

It would make perfect sense to me.
Stearman is finished if we're really honest. I think Rooney is ahead of him in the centre half order.
Davies. I love that bloke. But I really do think last season, playing every game, has caught up with him. When he comes on in games he looks like he's struggling. 
Chester. Was injured a bit at Stoke before he came here. Seems to be made of quavers and a complete and utter waste of time.
If we can get Flint in on an 18 month deal. I'd be happy with that.
 

I think this would be a masterstroke. Proper player at Champ level, could be outstanding in a good L1 side.

Think Hugill could be huge for our promotion bid if we get him. Proper old school striker and still a fair age. 
 
A decent half season in league one with a half dozen goals to his name would do his confidence wonders too.

Honestly wouldn't mind it. 

Yes please

LR takes some credit for the close knit group I think. When the players were being signed a lot was said about players who knew each other already and how existing squad members, such as Stearman, were used to ensure the right characters were being brought in. Given the limited time he had and the limited pool of players available due to the restrictions LR did a great recruitment job. And Warne is now doing a great job getting a tune out of players he didn’t sign.

The fact our business plan doesn’t allow us to offer more than a 2-year contract is ridiculous. How are we supposed to ensure financial security long term but cannot put younger players on longer term contracts. EFL are clueless again.