S8TY

To think that this is a professional game of football lol it’s so poor it’s like a park game ….

This is how I’d line up too …we have 3 in the mid who can control the game …with  Ward and Sibley wide and Nathan and Waggy switching about up top …I think this is a good side with what we have available 
 

Hourihane is still a good player and has scored some vital goals for us.......In a two man midfield with  Bird  it doesn't work as both are slow tempo players , we haven't missed Bird as much as some would like to believe , we also didn't sign Hourihane for his mobility and has never really been that mobile anyway, but he's still an important part of the squad ...for sure 
also think he gets an unnecessary amount of criticism as does Korey Smith , both will be vital in the run in as will Ebooooou who is immense and best signing of the season for me 

Hourihane is still a good player and has scored some vital goals for us.......In a two man midfield with  Bird  it doesn't work as both are slow tempo players , we haven't missed Bird as much as some would like to believe , we also didn't sign Hourihane for his mobility and has never really been that mobile anyway, but he's still an important part of the squad ...for sure 
also think he gets an unnecessary amount of criticism as does Korey Smith , both will be vital in the run in as will Ebooooou who is immense and best signing of the season for me 

Hourihane is still a good player and has scored some vital goals for us.......In a two man midfield with  Bird  it doesn't work as both are slow tempo players , we haven't missed Bird as much as some would like to believe , we also didn't sign Hourihane for his mobility and has never really been that mobile anyway, but he's still an important part of the squad ...for sure 
also think he gets an unnecessary amount of criticism as does Korey Smith , both will be vital in the run in as will Ebooooou who is immense and best signing of the season for me 

Psychologically, Saturday is mammoth. With Bolton not playing, if we can get a win to put ourselves 7 points ahead of them, that will seem a huge number.

He's played his part the same as everyone else has so far. Of course he can't press or get back so much but he has the respect of the squad and was noticeably organising things at Bristol Rovers. 
Still an important part of the squad.

Last season it was 7 goals and 10 assists in 44 league one appearances, this season it’s 5 goals and 7 assists in 35 league one games and counting. Whilst not as consistent as I’d hoped he would be from set pieces, he’s still delivered good numbers and as @sage  implied, Hourihane can certainly still strike a ball. Some of his goals have been decisive this season. 
I mentioned on one of the matchday threads recently that he’s showing a bit of needle and aggression which I like, and I think he’s showing commitment and leadership especially in the run-in so far, up and cheering the lads on from the bench, not sulking, geeing others up.
I reckon he’s going to leave in the summer and although he’s not as mobile as he was, he is still contributing to the cause so for me he will have a part to play in the next 7 games whether from the bench or starting so he can leave on a high. 

Saturday 23rd March
Northampton vs Derby
Sixfields Stadium (KO 1500)
 
Parking: There is apparently parking available at the ground (NN5 5QA) for a fiver or at a place called Duston Mill (NN5 5FP).
Opponents Bio: Founded in 1897, Northampton Town are well known by their nickname, 'The Cobblers', a nod to the town's historic shoe-making industry. Previously based adjacent to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, their move in 1994 now sees them play home matches at the 7,798 capacity Sixfields Stadium.
The swinging 60's was quite the decade to be a member of the Shoe Army as Northampton started the 1960/61 season in the fourth tier of the English game before three promotions and three relegations saw them back in Division 4 (ask your parents kids) in time for the 1969/70 campaign. Their one season in the top division was their only appearance at that level in their history so far. Indeed, since their relegation in 1966/67 from what is now the Championship, the Cobblers have played each of the subsequent 56 seasons in either the third or fourth tier. That run could have been broken in 1993/94 when they finished bottom of League 2 but they had a reprieve as Kidderminster Harriers' ground wasn't deemed suitable for the Football League.
This season sees Town looking to consolidate a League 1 berth after their promotion from League 2 in 2022/23 and sitting in 14th place and well clear of the drop zone they have comfortably achieved their initial target. A decent run of results could see them finish in the top half as they are one of four sides on 50 points before this weekend.
Opponents Gaffer & Dangermen: They are managed by an Australian, Jon Brady, who I know nothing about. 
Top scorers for Northampton this season are Sam Hoskins (14 goals), Kieron Bowie (eight) and Mitch Pinnock (six, plus seven assists). They also have Huddersfield loanee Tyreece Simpson and another loanee is a certain Tony Springett who played a few times for ourselves last year.
Other Titbits & Links to DCFC: Notable names associated with Saturday's opponents include former managers Herbert Chapman (of Huddersfield and Arsenal fame), Tony Barton (European Cup winning manager at Villa), Chris Wilder (when he was good), Ian Atkins (coming good again at Tranmere maybe), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Aidy Boothroyd and Graham Carr (father of comedy twins Alan and Jimmy). Their most famous ex-player is probably former Liverpool and England full-back, Phil Neal.
Derby links include Kevin Wilson (managed them) and those who played for both clubs include John Gregory, Ian Taylor and Marco Gabbiadini.
Opponents Form: They've struggled over the past five games, picking up just two points from draws against Charlton at home and Cambridge away. They've lost two on the bounce, both without scoring, with a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackpool followed on Saturday by a 2-0 loss at Wycombe. 
Their league record at home is respectable overall, reading: W8-D5-L6.
Rams History vs Northampton: We tempted fate against Bolton by highlighting the fact that they had never won in the league at Pride Park in 10 attempts. Lets be bold again by stating that;
Derby have never lost a competitive fixture against Northampton.
It's true. Six FA Cup ties (four original and two replays) and seven League matches is the sum total of the two clubs' historical matches against each other but the Rams have managed eight wins and five draws thus far. 
In League matches only, we currently stand at W4-D3-L0 with an away record of W2-D1-L0 on their turf.
The match earlier this season at Pride Park saw Derby run out comfortable 4-0 victors in a game where we saw the best of Conor Washington and a brace by Max Bird.
Likely Rams XI: We can possibly expect a change or two. Or maybe three? Assuming we maintain the back three then Warne has to decide between a recall for Sonny Bradley after illness or sticking with Fozzy. I'd be amazed if he didn't stay with Craig Maldini tbh. 
There are obvious doubts over those withdrawn against Bolton. Gayle is surely out and Barkhuizen and Ward are possibly struggling too. The gaffer also needs to make a decision on Hourihane as we look better with either Smith or Thompson in the middle (or both ideally for me) alongside Ebou Adams who must surely be our transfer target #1 for the summer. 
A return to the 18 for Conor Washington (MotM in the reverse fixture) would be welcome.
Other Notable Fixtures: None. Certainly not as far as those chasing automatic promotion is concerned. We are the only one of the five involved in that battle for a top two finish to be playing so it's a perfect opportunity to apply pressure on those now playing catch up with us. Seven points with a game in hand has to seem psychologically further away for Bolton than the current four points and equal games played so hopefully we can turn that screw.
COYR
 

Met and chatted to a few of your lads in the motorway services comming back from the Bolton game , thanked them for beating posh , we agreed to take a draw at Fratton with us both taking the top two spots , smiles all round and fans heading home from a great days football results , 
best of luck and class reaction to the story of our Daniel , respect to you my friend 👍

Decided to read through the thread after hearing the inspiring albeit sad tale of your recently passed young supporter. This post popped out. 
 
Year after year we’ve had close calls with promotion and have thrown it away.  Even now with the lead we have I won’t believe we are promoted until it’s mathematically safe. 
 
After hearing the story about B4 I genuinely hope it’s Pompy and Derby who go up in the automatics. What a fitting tribute that would be for someone who was obviously well loved by this forum and had a good heart. 
 
 

the point i was trying to make is that the promotion race is easier than last year
Ipswich, Sheff Wed and Plymouth were both great last season, barely dropping any points. Ipswich are one point off top of the championship
Reading have come down with a points deduction, and have been forced to sell players and can't afford to buy. Blackpool have really struggled this season. Wigan have also struggled at times and had to sell players. They also have had a points deduction this season. 
Barnsley, Bolton, Peterborough are all kind of where they were last season. Which really just leaves Portsmouth who have improved in comparison to last season
So overall, it is clearly easier to get near top of the league this season

It’s a squad game, and as much as there are games when Hourihane has been less effective, he’s also played a key role in us winning games and being where we are currently. He’s still got something to offer on and off the pitch, it’s down to Warne to determine if and when to use that, yesterday he showed awareness by swapping Hourihane out for Thompson’s energy, something he discussed post match.
 
In my view we will need all the available players over the coming weeks to get us over the line, then I suspect we’ll part ways with Hourihane in the summer with a “thanks for everything”.

I'll be honest, this morning I woke up almost deflated, just knew we would lose, after all it's the Derby way, big game and that.
Then we win.
I'm like a dog with 2 huge dicks.
Come on, let's finish the job off now for @B4ev6is

I don’t think this is a great idea, but something I’ve just thought of.
So Bradley has been playing well in defence and Forsyth was motm today, so could we fit both of them in.
Back 3 of Cashin, Nelson, Bradley. Try Forsyth out up front. He’s shown he can finish with his feet and he’s good in the air. Could he be a handy makeshift target man with his attributes. Imagine ward and sibley whipping balls in to him. We’ll also have that extra defender for set pieces. He was originally signed as a winger wasn’t he so playing further forward won’t be completely alien to him.

If CBT isn’t ready for big games like this why did we buy him??

If CBT isn’t ready for big games like this why did we buy him??

Adams is immense 

We've let them grow into this game. Need to get our foot on the ball and have a spell of possession.

Barks has done well recently and I’d have  kept him on and what about CBT is he going to play any part ?

I’d like to see Gayle stay and play with Browne next season …he will learn a lot off of Gayle 

I liked Gayle as a signing and have always liked him as a player. At this level I knew he'd be a cut above tbh. We should give him a 1 year extension as he could probably still muster between 10-12 goals in the championship if he played regularly. 

Have noticed we have played a few balls more directly to Gayle than we did with Collo 
Gayle has given us this option  like for the through ball where he was brought down , if you look you see Gayle point before arcing his run in between two centre backs and was eventually brought down
Also the through ball or long ball from Ebou where he wins a penalty is no fluke because he's literally telling who ever has the ball , I'm going to make that run and it gives defenders a question to answer , do they go with him or let him go hoping he may have mistimed his run
I really like Collo but I think without Gayle we don't  score those 2 goals on Tuesday because he has given us something very different
Also has a really good spring for balls in the air, if me I'd be looking to sign him up for next season already whatever division we are in 

Have noticed we have played a few balls more directly to Gayle than we did with Collo 
Gayle has given us this option  like for the through ball where he was brought down , if you look you see Gayle point before arcing his run in between two centre backs and was eventually brought down
Also the through ball or long ball from Ebou where he wins a penalty is no fluke because he's literally telling who ever has the ball , I'm going to make that run and it gives defenders a question to answer , do they go with him or let him go hoping he may have mistimed his run
I really like Collo but I think without Gayle we don't  score those 2 goals on Tuesday because he has given us something very different
Also has a really good spring for balls in the air, if me I'd be looking to sign him up for next season already whatever division we are in 

Have noticed we have played a few balls more directly to Gayle than we did with Collo 
Gayle has given us this option  like for the through ball where he was brought down , if you look you see Gayle point before arcing his run in between two centre backs and was eventually brought down
Also the through ball or long ball from Ebou where he wins a penalty is no fluke because he's literally telling who ever has the ball , I'm going to make that run and it gives defenders a question to answer , do they go with him or let him go hoping he may have mistimed his run
I really like Collo but I think without Gayle we don't  score those 2 goals on Tuesday because he has given us something very different
Also has a really good spring for balls in the air, if me I'd be looking to sign him up for next season already whatever division we are in