eccles the ram

First promotion for 17 years. First automatic promotion for nearly 30 years. Let’s counter your argument and say you think that finishing 3rd, playing good football but failing where it really matters is an achievement?
The arrogant attitude that anything less than running away with the title with triple figure points is a failure is why big clubs like Sunderland, Ipswich, Notts Forest etc got stuck down here for longer.
Less than two years ago we had about 6 players, no academy, no manager and had to play pre-season in temporary shirts because we didn’t even have kits. We were also put under restrictions, which still haven’t run out yet. So yes, I think getting automatic promotion in this timeframe is an achievement. A very good one, actually.

Just got home. Story of our season tbh. Didn't play that well but somehow still came out with the three points and the title.
 
Appreciate the kind posts from the posters here. Bolton drew again so hopefully you guys will be joining us next season. You deserve it. 

Thank you for the gracious comments.  I'm a bit *ahem* tired and emotional - it's been a relatively long wait for us to get back in to the second tier.  I'm rooting for you to get over the line and other results this evening appear to have been in your favour.  Good luck and raising a glass to B4.

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
 

Hello again,
I had a great afternoon yesterday at Pride Park, obviously helped by the outcome. Absolutely brilliant support, underlined by the fact that a Premier League fixture down the road had a lower attendance, even with the decent following that the West Midlands sent over. Decent noise throughout the game too, Pride Park seems to work well with the crowd sound and atmosphere - some of the new stadiums get this wrong. I don't think anybody has managed to emulate atmosphere from the old stadiums that were touched by the hand of Archibald Leitch but Pride Park certainly has most of it and, of course, the people component. 
As for the game, it seemed to me that there looked to be a division between the two sides. I felt that the club, city and fan base seemed to be out of place at L1 level. 
Back soon.

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. 

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

Thank you Portsmouth FC

We could have had 7 or 8 today. Clinical from set pieces, but we squandered so many chances from open play too. Could have had 3 in a single 5 minute spell towards around the 75th minute mark.
Credit where it's due; Warne will have known he would be absolutely crucified for the Bradley led back 3 call, had we lost, or drawn, so I hope even his fiercest detractors will acknowledge his courage and game strategy today. No way I'd have played Bradley, though IIRC both @Ghost of Clough and @DCFC1388 I think called his selection more or less bang on.
The stats don't exactly scream it, but we've absolutely battered them today and on B4's birthday too!
COYR

Am expecting another tight game with only one goal in it. Hopefully by Collins. Also expect a lot of people with one ear to Bolton Portsmouth and Peterborough games. Hope it doesn't affect the atmosphere too much.I for one will be bellowing my support no matter what. Got a sneaking feeling we will be a few more points away from Bolton and Pete at 5pm tonight! UTR!

Am expecting another tight game with only one goal in it. Hopefully by Collins. Also expect a lot of people with one ear to Bolton Portsmouth and Peterborough games. Hope it doesn't affect the atmosphere too much.I for one will be bellowing my support no matter what. Got a sneaking feeling we will be a few more points away from Bolton and Pete at 5pm tonight! UTR!

Been to Fratton Park quite a few times in 70s.Grandmother lived in Petersfield but I went on train to Pompey. Still travel down on occasions and love the Spinnaker area as well as the old partof Portsmouth. Lived in Hampshire in 1990s and always took kids to Pompey pier and funfair. Great times. Is Leighs Park still bad? Anyway hope we both go up with Bolton. Proper football cities. Best wishes except for Tuesday! 

I know what you mean in terms of perhaps feeling we don’t have the right to say we miss him because we never met him in person but I’ve come to the conclusion that places like this forum really do become communities and you do get to know people if you stay around long enough and post on a wider range of topics ,
I too miss the lad and he will be a massive part of what I remember about this season , a season I am really enjoying for many reasons , here’s to Dan , proper derby fan , one of our own 🐏

Definitely was what the doctor ordered yesterday. Ground out 3 points and thanks to a resolute defence had no goals against. Liked the flags on East and North stands. Hope this now continues. Crowd in good voice. Overall good day made better by results elsewhere. Tuesday is a different kettle of fish. Be over the moon to take a point but am not at all confident. Safe journey to all who are going. Hope the journey back is a happy one! UTR! 

That was a nail biting, glorious, low rent league 1 scrap. I loved it, and after April I never ever want to watch anything like it again.

Thanks @B4ev6is  
You can clearly see his influence here with the rainbow marking where he’d guided the ball into the net. 

Normally I am a glass half full person but with all these injuries and the stupid sending off I feel the playoffs are inevitable. We will finish fourth and hopefully get to Wembley where we play Lincoln. We may get most of our injured players back for the playoffs but time will tell. Feeling downbeat at the moment but will be roaring on the Rams on Friday. Please players (that are left) turn up and be counted this time and please the crowd don't get on their backs. We all need to be together on this one. 

I've already renewed my ST because no matter what division they may play in, and yes, I moan and have a go at the players from time-to-time, I've always supported my club - Derby County F.C.
Yes, I can afford to have a ST and I understand others cannot pay out such a sum, especially with other commitments and cost of living issues, however, it doesn't matter if you only go and watch 5 or 10 matches a season, you are still a Rams fan as far as I'm concerned and whatever support you give the club, it matters.
Championship or League 1 again, always support your club.
 

Normally I am a glass half full person but with all these injuries and the stupid sending off I feel the playoffs are inevitable. We will finish fourth and hopefully get to Wembley where we play Lincoln. We may get most of our injured players back for the playoffs but time will tell. Feeling downbeat at the moment but will be roaring on the Rams on Friday. Please players (that are left) turn up and be counted this time and please the crowd don't get on their backs. We all need to be together on this one. 

Uninspiring, deflated and limp with the Mrs rubbing my back and telling me it’s ok as I sob uncontrollably….but enough about my love life, as for the football I haven’t a clue 🤷🏻‍♂️ 

Hi Rams, I commented on the reverse fixture when you battered us earlier in the season so thought I would do the same just to give some context from the other side.
A very different game to the one at Pride Park earlier in the season. The San Sixfields pitch is much smaller which definitely helps us, particularly against the big boys in the division. We have taken a pasting of pretty much all of the teams at the top of the table away from home this season, whilst at home managed mostly narrow defeats instead.
No doubt that you should have scored at least one of the two chances in the first half, or at the very least worked the keeper, one of them goes in and you dont lose the game without a shadow of a doubt. The game earlier in the season you were picking holes in between our midfield and defense with ease, also NML pace was a constant threat. However in this game were clearly more compact and outside of those opportunities it didn't feel like you created a huge amount of clear cut chances. It was noticeable that you were much more direct this game for whatever reason, which I am far more confident of us deadling with. I know you have a number of bodies out, but we have 10 out (mostly in defence) so the injury list was similar on both sides.
I thought the goal was a really well taken finish, definite foul in the build up but the defending after that would be pretty poor. Your full back (Wilson I think) also definitely handled it in the second half with no one around him. 
I sit in the end where Bradley got his red, he definitely put his head in. Don't get me wrong i dont think Monthe is going to require a trip to the hospital but unfortunately you have to go down to almost bring it to attention. Thought it was poor from a guy who is that experienced and was seemingly always looking for physicality in the game. Yes we tried to slow down the game, no doubt about it. If i was an away fan I would be furious and hope the ref would stop it. But to add some context our season has been petering out to a degree with mid table safety and clearly our manager has given them a rocket pointing out there are still points to play for, there was not a lack of effort on our point despite little to play for seemingly. To be honest we are doing about as well as a club our size could be expected to do, as we were on of the favorites for the drop.
I hope you go up, clearly a huge club that should not be at this level (plus dont want Peterborough to go up). I am guessing there is a big split in the fanbase over the manager, that was evident by the booing of one of the substitutions which you don't expect from a team that are fighting for the title. As a completely neutral observer Warne to me sits in the Gareth Ainsworth esque category of managers. Likeable character and personable, but with limitations at a higher level and in developing a more free flowing style, it dosnt seem like the best fit. Playing Pompey and Peterborough recently (both away so different challenges I guess) but they seemed much more composed in their style of play and just seemed to have more ways to hurt us.
Hopefully your injury woes ease up a little and all the best for the rest of the season.

sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous
derogatory
making a show of being morally superior to other people:
I doubt the above very much.
Posters have an opinion of a footballer a mature footballer at that, That for one reason or another lost his senses for a few seconds, He'll miss 3 games because of this.
What should supporters do, Say or post?...nothing? oh that was a silly thing to do?, I'd have done the same? or just stick it to him for the stupid thing he did?
I've no crystal ball but losing a player from his own stupidity when we're down to the bare bones for defenders and close to opening those bones to the marrow could and I say could as it's a possibility DCFC missing out on promotion and the circa £8m that could be banked.
Waghorn and Adams missed a couple of sitters that could have cost us those 3 points...but they are still available to be picked Bradley isn't...let that sink in for a moment.
Your response to the above would be something like...he knows he was wrong, He feels bad about it, He's let himself down the supporters and club down.
PWs response would be similar to the "Pile On" I guess as described by some posters...but that's only a guess, They'll be no Mug or a picture on the Why Wall...or will there 😉 Bradley will be fined if there's no proof of his innocence, Some players will have the same feelings of said posters...and for my five Penarth worth it was a crass/stupid thing to do that could have a huge impact this season.
This "Pile On" will be a Mole Hill compared the the Mountain of vitriol that will be spewed if we fail. 
 

Let himself down, let his team mates down, let his manager down and not forgetting the fans. Does he regret it? Possibly his team mates and manager. Sorry but I for one don't want to see you in a Derby shirt again. FWIW I don't think he is that bothered if he doesn't play for us again!

Let himself down, let his team mates down, let his manager down and not forgetting the fans. Does he regret it? Possibly his team mates and manager. Sorry but I for one don't want to see you in a Derby shirt again. FWIW I don't think he is that bothered if he doesn't play for us again!

Let himself down, let his team mates down, let his manager down and not forgetting the fans. Does he regret it? Possibly his team mates and manager. Sorry but I for one don't want to see you in a Derby shirt again. FWIW I don't think he is that bothered if he doesn't play for us again!