Old Spalding Ram

I don't think I'd be dropping Korey Smith anytime soon. He's playing the most effective football of his Derby career.
I'd stick with Saturday's line-up, safe in the knowledge that we have potential game changers on the bench.

Cledara Abbey Stadium: KO- 15.00
We’re on a mini-run, aren’t we, but despite having our fate firmly back in our hands, the pressure to perform remains; two wins from our last two and we’re back in the sunlit uplands of the Championship; a loss, or even a draw and potentially the pendulum swings again.
It’ll be interesting to see whether we might see one or two back in full training this week, but it’s hard to view the win against Orient as anything other than one of our most complete performances this season and this despite being far from clinical in front of goal. Will the confidence garnered see us approach the game with the same positive approach? One hopes so! Another slip up when seemingly set to turn the screw and inevitably, PW’s management will be under fire. A win and we head back to Pride Park with only Carlisle standing between us and our first promotion since 2007.
Our Opponents:
The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United, and took the name Cambridge United in 1951. They played in local amateur leagues before joining the Southern League after finishing as runners-up of the Eastern Counties League in 1957–58. Under Bill Leivers's stewardship they were crowned Southern League Premier Division champions in 1968–69 and 1969–70, which helped to secure their election into the Football League in 1970. 

Recent Form & Key Players:
Off the back off two absolute kickings from Reading, 4-0, then a 6-0 hammering from Lincoln, Cambridge were held 1-1 by Northampton before closing out March with a 2-0 loss away to Bolton. April has seen them draw at home to Charlton and lose by the odd goal to Blackpool, before showing better form in defeating Wigan 3-1 at home.
Top of the scoring charts sits Gassan Ahadme with 11, with Fejiri Okenabirhie next best with 9. Ellis Kachunga is next best having netted 6 times in 34 starts. Sully Kalkai tops the assists list with from Jack Lankester and George Thomas with 4 and 3 assists respectively.
Rams Match Squad:
Hard to get away from the 11 that started against Orient, given the resounding nature of the win and the style in which it was achieved. A buoyant Paul Warne confirmed in the post-match presser that everyone came through unscathed and it was interesting to hear him saying that we had more energy coming off a shorter break than was the case at Wycombe, where he felt we lacked energy, despite the 8 day break.
The injury picture remains murky and it’ll be interesting to see whether Gayle and Bird might be fit enough to make the matchday squad. I’ll not bother with my selected 11, as I always get it horribly wrong and the gaffer seems to be doing a decent job matching squads to opponents without our guidance. Instead, here’s the top of the table as it stands:

Don't forget to keep an eye on @Caerphilly Ram's injury updates thread across the week, for any snippets on player's likely return dates. I'll append anything I see to this htread as best I can in any case.
The Promotion Picture:
Some key fixtures tomorrow night, none more so than Bolton’s home game against Shrewsbury, whom we know to be a strong and obdurate side, though one lacking the Trotter’s class edge. I’d expect Bolton to take the points, but should Shrews grab an early lead, it could make for rather tougher game.
Oxford, fresh off the back of their 5 goal hammering of Posh play hosts to Lincoln City, whose charge towards the play-offs has faltered a little in most recently. It ought to be a tightly contested affair and to be honest, I’d not be surprised by any result.
The aforementioned Posh have what appears to be a routine task against lowly Fleetwood, but what will be the aftermath of their humbling at the hands of Oxford on Saturday. Might they have a hangover?
Perhaps the best tie of the round features champions-elect Portsmouth hosting Barnsley. A point will surely suffice for Pompey, but I expect them to win and win well en route to a thoroughly well-deserved title win. They’ve been excellent this season and this despite being one of the few clubs with comparable injury concerns to our beloved Rams. It'll be good to see them back where they belong after some very difficult years of their own.
Of the weekend ties, the most interesting involve Peterborough, who have a tricky away game at Bristol and Bolton host Port Vale. It seems odds on we will be going into the final week needing to beat Carlisle to be absolutely certain of promotion and I doubt too many Rams fans will be counting their chickens early! 
Final Thoughts:
A brief digression is in order to congratulate Eiran Cashin and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, both of whom made the EFL League 1 Team of the Year. Bit miffed that Curtis Nelson was overlooked to partner Cash at CB, as for me, he’s been top of the pops for us, but I doubt he’ll mind too much if we win come Saturday.
A last word as always to all Derby fans travelling to the game, safe journey to and fro, Rams and Ramettes and hopefully plenty of good stuff to chatter about on your way home. Honestly, I think our away support has been as good as any in the entire EFL this season and they’ll hopefully be rewarded with another complete and controlled performance as we ourselves edge closer to that vital 2nd place finish.
COYR
BE MORE B4
 

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Think I might have to nip up into the loft! 👍😁


 

Attendance 30,247
5th highest today in all leagues and a larger crowd than at Forest.
………………………………….well done to one and all.👍🐏

Attendance 30,247
5th highest today in all leagues and a larger crowd than at Forest.
………………………………….well done to one and all.👍🐏

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Think Portsmouth and Derby going up is the best result judging the season as a whole. Both too big for this league anymore. Hopefully the draw we gave Bolton today (tbh they could be right to feel bad not to take all three points) will be enough to get you guys over the line. 
 
Good result for you guys. Hopefully see you in the championship next season. 

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Attendance 30,247
5th highest today in all leagues and a larger crowd than at Forest.
………………………………….well done to one and all.👍🐏

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Attendance 30,247
5th highest today in all leagues and a larger crowd than at Forest.
………………………………….well done to one and all.👍🐏

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Attendance 30,247
5th highest today in all leagues and a larger crowd than at Forest.
………………………………….well done to one and all.👍🐏

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Always rated Sonny Bradley. Never lets us down

Attendance 30,247
5th highest today in all leagues and a larger crowd than at Forest.
………………………………….well done to one and all.👍🐏

Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers attendance 29.604
Derby v Leyton Orient attendance 30,247
……………………….. no further comment required

Attendance 30,247
5th highest today in all leagues and a larger crowd than at Forest.
………………………………….well done to one and all.👍🐏