Tamworthram

7 minutes ago, Wistaston Ram said:

Glad I renewed yesterday as due to a busy day at work, I would have missed doing it today.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, I never understand why some people renew on the first day or wait until the final day.

13 minutes ago, cool_as_custard said:

Surely the Mel ones have all been thrown away by now?

Still got mine simply because it's a Derby scarf (and hasn't got "with compliments from Mel" on it 😀)

1 hour ago, Rich84 said:

Is he any less fit than Curtis was in that crucial last game against Sheff Wednesday? 

Personally I doubt he'll be on the bench, be surprised  if TJJ was either despite comments on the training pitch we have a strong bench as it is, if we start the same as last week then Barks, Bird, Hourihane, Waghorn,  CBT & Washington there's no room for either a semi fit Gayle or TJJ, although if fit I'd have both to replace Wash and Wag 

How can I possibly know if he is any less fit that Curtis was for that game but I doubt he was "nowhere near match fit".

On 24/04/2024 at 19:37, NottsRam77 said:

Show it to the people of derby lol 

explains what bitcoin is for those that dont / want to know 

Or just stop being a crypto evangelist and just enjoy your profits instead of trying to convert the rest of us.😀

1 hour ago, Sweetness34 said:

I think after the past few years in which we very nearly went out of existence amongst other things, it must surely be hard to begrudge people celebrating this (pottential) great achievement by going way over the top.

You don't get pitch invations at places like Old Trafford or Anfield because they're used to success and take it for granted.

But for us, what have we had to celebrate? Other than the two promotions in the 80s when I was too young to remember, we've had Promotion in 1996 and Promotion in 2007. Great days by the way.

But that's it. I'm nearly 40 and should everything go the way we hope, this is the third big celebration in my life and the first since I was 21.

I'm going to forget myself, the boring law abiding citezen that I am and for one day and one day only I'm going to run as hard and fast onto that pitch and try and plant a big fat kiss on any one of this season's heroes, I will soak it all up with my fellow rams fans, then I'll head back to the stand and applaud the players, manager and staff before heading into town until god knows when.

I'm so excited, it genuinly feels exactly the same as creeping down the stairs on Christmas morning full of anticpation for what's behind the living room door. 

So I'll behave, I won't be a thug, but I will forget my age and responsibilites for a day and enjoy feeling like a big kid on Christmas

That's just you though. Can you vouch for all the others running on the pitch? I don't think anyone would deny that we have our fair share of morons. All it could take is for one Carlisle player to react to being blocked from reaching the tunnel and react in a way you might not expect. 

I agree with @Ian Buxton's Bat's comment that a pitch invasion, whilst it might give a few their moment of jumping around on the pitch, it might deprive the majority of enjoying the bounce started by PW and the players (and their families) lap of appreciation (unless the pitch can be cleared fairly quickly).

46 minutes ago, niram said:

I want to do a knee slide 🙂 

Haven't you got a garden? 😀

1 hour ago, secretsquirrel said:

If we are successful tomorrow Warne has to have credit as despite the number of managers we have had only 4 have achieved promotion in the last 40 years.

If we do go up we will have to temper expectation as ,after watching the 2 games Leics v Southampton and Leeds vs Boro this week we are a long way off that standard and we certainly wont have a budget to compete.Mid table i think will be a success.

I'd take mid table next season (in the Championship of course 😀).

I'm not sure any of us have realistic expectations for top 4.

11 hours ago, jimtastic56 said:

Nelson has been solid in tier 3 but got relegated, last time in the Championship . Showing what a big step up it is . Gayle was the desperation signing - his hamstrings have shot it . We have to get quality in , this Summer to give Warne a fighting chance . NML brings no guarantees in the Champ . 

Are you talking about Nelson being relegated with Blackpool? If so, he only joined them in the January of that season by which time they were already bottom but one in the league. So, I’m not sure how much of Blackpool’s relegation you can attribute to him.

8 hours ago, MaltRam said:

If Warne gets us up and keeps us up, he'll deserve and get a new contract.

If he then nicks a play-off win and gives us 5 years of Stoke under Pulis, Burnley under Dyche type premier league football...would he be a Bald Eagle style hero? Or would folks still moan? I'm not sure what we expect, collectively.

I hope and expect that the football will be better next season IF we do go up.

I think that depends on the nature of him keeping us up. If we survive by the skin of our teeth, having spent a reasonable amount in the summer, playing awful football then I’m not so sure. I may not be sacking him (or maybe I would if the season was panning out that badly) but extending an expiring contract is a little different.

5 hours ago, SKRam said:

Psychology psychology 

I understand that but I wouldn’t want to waste a place on the bench for someone not remotely match fit. We have enough players, that may be called upon, to fill our substitutes allocation. Also, how much of a psychological boost would it be to be seen to be picking a player in that condition?

I’m not convinced it would have that much effect or is even required. I would think, and hope, the players and fans will be going into the game full of confidence (but not complacency) already. 

I’d love to see Gayle available and on the bench but only if fit to play.

24 minutes ago, SKRam said:

Even nowhere near match fit be great to see him on the bench for morale. Players and fans. TJJ too 

A bit of a waste of places on the bench to have two “nowhere near match fit” players there isn’t it?

1 hour ago, Charliegeorge1962 said:

Why not?

The team finishing 3rd is certainly not good enough for promotion in that particular division. Hence why it always worked fairly before the football league grubby little fingers got involved to make more money. 2 up 2 down or 3 up 3 down, promotion and relegation is based over season not on whether you can finish 6th and get promotion.

 

2 hours ago, CornwallRam said:

I've been reading that the EFL might dock us points if there is a pitch invasion after the game on Saturday. I find that pretty hard to believe. Pompey fans would be on the pitch if they were at home - they already did it last week. Several teams who avoid relegation will be on their pitches. Same in the other divisions. Are all of them going to get points deductions? I think not.

The reality is that, IF we are promoted on Saturday, there will be a pitch invasion. 1,000 people will do it anyway. As soon as they are on the pitch, everyone else will follow. It's football and events like this are what keeps you going through losing to Southend in freezing conditions in February. 

The downside is that some people aren't able to get onto the pitch. IMO, the club should embrace it and make provision for helping the less able bodied to participate in the best party of the year.

I don’t know where you’ve been reading that but I suspect there is zero chance of a points deduction. It happens all the time when a team wins something or gets promoted. It’s already happened at least twice this season (Pompey and Wrexham) and I’ve not see any mention of such a sanction.

Wherever you read it, stop reading there.

I also don’t think the club should embrace a pitch invasion. They’ll probably expect it’s going to happen IF we seal promotion but they shouldn’t be encouraging it. Accept that some will run on the pitch but hope/aim to get them to return to stands for the lap of appreciation to take place. I’m not sure how the elderly and unsteady person on the row in front of me would be partying on the pitch. 😀

44 minutes ago, Charliegeorge1962 said:

If we must have playoffs-

Top 2 and bottom 2 swap over- like the olden days.

Team finishing 3rd has to prove that can compete with the team who finished 3rd bottom.

Bearing in mind they would have two weeks at the end of the season to prepare for a one off Wembly game.

Or do away with the playoffs altogether and go 3 up 3 down.

After all its about how you do over a season rather than either 1 or 3 games.

Yes but as I said, how would a one off game prove they can compete? We all know a one off game isn’t necessarily proof of anything. Your suggestion is that they can compete against the team finishing third. Well so what? Why should they have to “prove” they can compete against a single team in the league above?  And, as I said, the team claiming the third promotion spot might well strengthen their squad anyway so this one off game definitely wouldn’t prove anything.

I like the play offs system (although I do understand the point regarding the team finishing third potentially feeling hard done by if they don’t make it) but I certainly wouldn’t be giving the team finishing third from bottom another chance to avoid the drop.

11 minutes ago, Charliegeorge1962 said:

I said .."Premier league and championship would be a straight swap. Bottom. 3 for the top 3."

Why would you want to give the team finishing 3rd from bottom in the Championship or below another chance to avoid relegation simply because the team finishing third in the league below were not good enough on the day to beat them in a one off game (or two games if played over two legs)? The fact that the team finishing third MIGHT not be good enough to play in the division above isn’t sufficient justification for another team to avoid relegation.

If you hate the idea of the team finishing third missing out against the team finishing 6th possibly due to injuries or because they had an off day, wouldn’t you hate the idea of the team finishing third losing out to the team finishing 3rd from bottom potentially for the same reasons?

10 minutes ago, MadAmster said:

Bolton now an average of 6/4 to go up. Not worth the bet. If it was still 100/1 it would be worth a bet. We go up, you're deliriously happy and don't give a damn about the lost bet. Bolton go up, you're totally deflated but at least you've got the wherewithall to fund the next 2 to 3 season's football if you do home and away.

My choice would be to lose the bet..

I would damn well hope so. Otherwise, get off this forum. 😀

2 hours ago, Bris Vegas said:

Why would he be given a full season in the Championship?

Every team in the bottom half of the Championship, Sunderland to Rotherham, have changed managers this season. Every one of those clubs sacked a manager.

If Derby are bottom three in the first half of the season and managers like Mowbray are floating about unemployed, there will be huge pressure to get rid.

Sentiment goes out the window. If managers like Nigel Adkins can be sacked after taking Southampton from League One to the PL in favor of a better, more progressive manager, then Derby would be foolish not to follow suite.

Derby have struggled before under Clough and Burley at Championship level. But in both spells there was hope due to how we played.

If results go against Warne and we’re playing unattractive defensive football, I think Clowes’ hand will be forced.

I’d give him a full season in the Championship IF we’re not in the bottom three or seriously flirting with relegation after a decent number of games. If we get promoted and manage to finish something like 15th or above I don’t think many of us would be complaining too much in our first season.

I’ve not been through the full list but, whilst it may be correct, the fact that every team in the bottom half of the Championship have replaced their managers is a little misleading. Firstly, Plymouth had to because their manager was poached, Birmingham owners have admitted they acted too hastily in getting rid of Eustace and then made a mistake with Rooney, Rotherham are so far adrift that it’s hardly surprising and Stoke are a bit of a basket case that seem to change managers at the drop of a hat. Of the others, there is only Sheffield Wednesday playing their first season back in the Championship and their first half of the season was so poor that, if that was us, it would meet my above criteria for making a change.

20 minutes ago, Charliegeorge1962 said:

To make the playoffs more justifiable they should be done something like this.

Top two automatic promotion

Whoever finishes 3rd has to play the team 3rd bottom from the league above. This then proves whether they are capable of playing in that league above.

I hate to think a team finishes 3rd is beaten in the playoff final by the 6th place side just because they had an off day or too many injuries.

Premier league and championship would be a straight swap. Bottom. 3 for the top 3.

It's not about fairness it's about the football league's grubby little fingers making money.

Playing the team that finished third bottom in the league above wouldn’t prove you are capable of playing in the league above. It would just prove that in a one off match (or two if over two legs) you might be able to complete with the players you currently have (that might well change if you’re promoted) against a team that weren’t necessarily good enough themselves.

I know the current system can be harsh on the team finishing third but I think it’s OK. It’s also not just about the football league making more money. Don’t the clubs involved make something out of it as well? but, more importantly, it keeps the season alive longer for the fans of more clubs.

As other have suggested, the only thing I’d consider changing is to give the higher finishing teams more of an advantage. Maybe the semi’s only played over one leg (at the venue of the team finishing highest). Or:

3rd place go straight through to the final.

QF: 4th v 7th (one off game at 4th placed ground)

QF: 5th v 6th (one off game at 5th placed ground)

SF: Winners of the above play each other also in a one off game at the venue of the team that finished highest to earn a place in the final.

Final at Wembley. I know the team finishing third wouldn’t have home advantage but I think playing it at Wembley is important in order to make it a special occasion (or horrible day out if you lose 😀).

8 hours ago, admira said:

3 more days for me and then I'm done; giving it all up at 58 so a fair few years early.

Any tips and advice from those that have done it? I've worked full time since I was 16 so I know it's going to be life changing but unsure what to expect!

I retired early a couple of years ago and I know it's an old cliché but I'd say make sure you keep busy.

Most of us dream of doing more travelling which may happen but is probably only going to occupy you for a few weeks of the year. Similarly with hobbies. You're not likely to spend as much time as you think on hobbies (in my experience).

So, the way I keep busy is to volunteer as a trustee for two charities (Citizens Advice and a local grade 2 listed building and it's estate) and as a business advisor with a nationwide sporting charity. This enable me to still do the type of work I quite enjoy, finance, governance, business planning and project management (financial not building related) without committing to which days I work (other than attending meetings of course). Believe me, most charities are crying out for trustees.

4 minutes ago, ram59 said:

Coventry coming within a toenail of reaching the FA Cup final gives us all hope that with a bit or a lot of luck, one day we could make the final, then who knows what could happen in a one off game?

True but I'm not going to contain my celebrations in the hope that one day that day will come for us.

2 hours ago, VulcanRam said:

With respect I'll be saving all this for when, or if, we ever get promoted to the Premier League. Or win the FA Cup. Something that really signifies over-achievement or something truly special. I don't think this is it.

Don't get me wrong, I'll be delighted come 5pm when we're out of this lousy league but we're only going back to where we should always have been except with a poorer squad and - from what I've seen this season of the Championship - a higher standard of football generally than when we were last in it.

We should never have been docked 21 points imo, and never have been relegated. But we were, and massive well done to Paul Warne and the players for getting us out after two seasons. With the squad we have we should be challenging at the top of the table. I went to the end of season awards last night and it was great to have such a positive vibe in the room.

But, in my humble opinion, it's not worth some of the overly emotive stuff I've read on this forum in the last few days. 

I wouldn’t hold your breath for winning the FA Cup, I reckon the top half a dozen or so teams have got that pretty much sewn up despite their lack of interest in the earlier rounds. I also don’t think we’ll be back in the Premier League anytime soon.

For me it’s not just a case of celebrating any kind of achievement whilst you can but also a sense of relieve being back to where we belong. I guess some people will just politely applaud, as they may have done if we’d been able to attend the game when we narrowly escaped relegation (it could be argued that avoiding relegation is nothing to celebrate but, it’s the same, - it was an achievement of sorts and a sense of relief - albeit only short lived) but I’ll be cheering and applauding with vigour if we make it on Saturday.

34 minutes ago, Warren Blufitt said:

It’s 7 goals actually Tam not 4 and there’s no way Posh do that. Wanderers will probably now start with a strong side and see how it goes but even our “weakened” side would still be stronger than Posh if Evatt doesn’t want to risk things. I was just wondering though will the Paul Simpson factor play a part, given his history with you will he really want his team to deny you your promotion?

As others have pointed out, you’re wrong.

18 minutes ago, Kernow said:

It’s going to be really interesting to see what Peterborough do in terms of team selection. I think Ferguson may have hoped they could rest players in the “easier” game and still get something from it.

His comments before suggested he would only go weaker v Cheltenham, as he said that was “his only chance to rest players.”

But now they’re pretty much 4th no matter what, why would they go stronger in a game that has even less riding on it for them?

They can’t exactly handpick who they play in the playoffs either, there’s 4 teams that can still finish 5th.

I understand they’ve had a tough run of games, I just can’t understand the thought process behind it all.

They’re going to need to win by 4 goals on Saturday in order to overtake Bolton. Given it’s a bit of a lottery as to whether it’s better to finish 3rd or 4th I reckon they’ll be resigned to finishing 4th. Our best hope (only as our insurance policy as I can’t see us losing on Saturday) is that they will want some momentum going into the play offs (there may be some negative psychological effect of being beaten badly by Bolton even if they do play the kids) and they may not want to rest the players too much and risk them getting a bit rusty.

My best guess is that they’ll field a reasonable squad but the players may not be going full pelt through fear of injury. Maybe Bolton will be doing the same. They’re probably more confident that Derby won’t lose than we are - especially the fans.

14 hours ago, Ram-Alf said:

Sometimes football can bite ya on ya bum...Peterborough 1 Carlisle 3, Ferguson said every one of his players scores 3 for performance, I expect a win, No if's, Ands or buts, We have the squad to win no doubt about it, History is what it is...in the past, Only we remember Derby 0 Carlisle 0 or Derby 0 Reading 3.

This is "only Derby can fcuk it up"...nope a win, So much so...I've bailed from sleepy Belper...to go on the lash in Town, Gonna be some sore heads come Sunday.

Come on you...

 

   

Ram against Ram? Shouldn’t that photo be on the Paul Warne thread? 😀

10 hours ago, Reggie Greenwood said:

Leeds gone done in 1970 I think for fielding a reserve team against us the week before they had a Fairs Cup game.  We won 4-1. Can’t remember if they were fined or docked points 

Perhaps in the days before the EFL became incompetent and not fit for purpose.