chadlad

Looked a good player when he came on didn’t give the ball away and sprayed it around to good effect. Admittedly Morecambe had gone by then but it will be interesting to see how he does against a more aggressive and pressing team.
Feeling very optimistic about HW, i am hoping he’s someone he can help us to control the game a little more, especially when we are ahead and need to keep possession, control the game and frustrate the opposition.

1Wildsmith 5.5 Could’ve had a traffic cone in goal; did drop a routine catch 1st half which was cleared away. 
12Smith 7 Solid defensively and accurate & careful passing. Inadvertently cleared a goal-bound White shot late on. 
3Forsyth 8 Another masterful shift. Some lovely forays into oppo territory and an intricate pass to unlock their defence and provide Knight’s Irish jig of a goal. 
6Cashin 8 Heads, blocks and 45 yard tracer passes all afternoon. 
15Roberts 8 Played with a great intensity and increased offensively as the game wore on.
19 Sibley 7 Came on and slotted straight back in. Drove his way through 3 Morecambe players who could only halt him by foul means.
38Knight 8.5 Perpetual high energy constantly harassing and haranguing and still at high intensity when all others have flat-lined. Oh so fast feet to tuck away past a stranded keeper for goal #5. 
22 Springett 6 Came on with the rest of the boy band to play us out in style. 
4Hourihane 7.5 Directed the traffic with neat & angled passes and arced crosses into the mixing zone. 
16Thompson 6 Part of the Fab 3 late show with energetic ball possession. 
11Mendez-Laing 7.5 Relatively average by his own high standards but still an assist and a constant menace to Morecambe.
7Barkhuizen 6 Part of the late show and on when the game was already buried.
10McGoldrick 9.5 MotM A dispatched free-kick, a routine finish and a penalty all finished with gusto & aplomb. McG is like that Classic Merc that is advanced in years but still drives sweetly with a low hum.
23 White 7.5 Very impressive debut from the bench and quickly established himself as lead singer of the boy-band trio by demanding the ball and spraying direct & fizzing passes to all corners of PP to a man. Would’ve scored with a 20 yard piler but for Smith’s inadvertent intervention. Stylish, quick and cut through Morecambe’s depleted ranks with a razor-sharp edge. I’m excited to see this chap again - Will Hughesque. 
18Dobbin 9 Unplayable. 2nd half at full tilt powering through Morecambe at will at break-neck speed. Denied a goal by a vg save from their keeper. Best game in a Ram’s shirt.
9Collins 7. Carried the hod reliably. Superb save from their GK to deny his 2nd goal having rifled home from the spot earlier. 
 
Superb 2nd half show after a proficient first half. Warne-ball now firmly encoded into the Team’s DNA and don’t expect us to fear anybody from this point on. Was worried pre-match that Bird’s absence would tell but White looks like a young diamond. I am just so enjoying this evolution and growth of the Team. Watch out League 1. 

Not sure it's so much a fascination with the oppo team and players, but more an interest in seeing how we cope with top tier teams in general. The Cups have yielded some great results in recent years too; Southampton, Manure and the Liverpool game this season. Even ending on the wrong side of a 5 goal thriller to Chelski was a great day out, despite scoring 4 out of 5 and still losing. 
On a general note, had a read through the Irons match thread. Surprisingly respectful and there seems to be some love there for Derby as a 'proper club'. A good few thinking it'll not be an easy game and suggesting they need momentum given their poor form this season. Looking at their possible line-ups, it's hard to fathom their league position as they've a lot of very good players. Likely they'll play 3 at the back and flood the midfield and I think that's where the game will be won and lost. Jason Knight will need to have an absolute stormer IMO and Bird simply must step up and support him. On the flip side, this won't be the kind of bruising encounter we saw at Vale and we do most often play better against footballing sides. Whilst few if any of ours would make their side, we are definitely a more unified team than they are and therein lies the pinch for any West Ham fan expecting an easy ride. All of this notwithstanding, my interest very much centres on the League this season and I'll not be losing sleep if this is a step too far. 
That said, 1-1 is my idea of the result and more cash for the Clowes rebuild coffers. Could really do without the extra games though and I'd happily take a decent performance and no injuries at this point, irrespective of the result.
COYR

We will need Curtis around between now and the end of the season, either to help guide us to an automatic promotion spot or to help us to win the playoffs. Any fee we might receive for his transfer, and savings on wages, would be minimal when compared to the possible financial benefits of promotion to the Championship.

We will need Curtis around between now and the end of the season, either to help guide us to an automatic promotion spot or to help us to win the playoffs. Any fee we might receive for his transfer, and savings on wages, would be minimal when compared to the possible financial benefits of promotion to the Championship.

We will need Curtis around between now and the end of the season, either to help guide us to an automatic promotion spot or to help us to win the playoffs. Any fee we might receive for his transfer, and savings on wages, would be minimal when compared to the possible financial benefits of promotion to the Championship.

1Wildsmith.  7.  No fault for the goal, caught everything, calm and dependable. 
 
12Smith. 7.5.  One of his best games and key pass for first goal. 
 
33 Davies.  6.5.  Rusty at first, but more like his old self by the end. 
 
3Forsyth.  7.  Got mugged for the goal, but utterly dominant for 92 minutes. 
 
15 Roberts. 7.  A solid return. 
 
4Hourihane.  7.5. Freed by the presence of Knight, took his goal well. 
 
8Bird ?.  7.  Bolton never really got near him. Excellent switch of play for 2nd goal. 
 
11Mendez-Laing.  8.  Had the LB on toast. 
 
18 Dobbin. 6
 
38Knight. 8.  A real thorn in Boltons side. 
 
Thompson.  6
 
7Barkhuizen. 8.  Looks fitter and faster. Two great assists. 
 
Springwater. 6
 
10McGoldrick.  7.5.  Knitted everything together and didn't let their CBs settle. 
 
Collins. 6

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.

Irrespective of whether we catch the top 2 or not (unlikely in my opinion but stranger things have happened), isn't this just quite enjoyable?
We're on an unbeaten run, conceding few goals and having some good days out as fans. Fourth in the league, competitive, good morale, smiles on faces. What's not to like?
This is the reason I wasn't fussed about being relegated to L1. There was always the chance that we might have a good time in this division. And besides, the way I see it we have two promotions to aim for. Compare this to when we were in the Championship, desperate for promotion to the supposed promised land and filled with bitterness, bickering and dissatisfaction.
In short, these are good days. Enjoy them because that's what follwing a team is all about.

This would be my team but I expect Hourihane will continue in place of Roberts and Sibley will be left back and Barkhuizen will play 
                           Wildsmith 
Smith          Cashin         Forsyth      Roberts
NML            Bird            Knight          Sibley
                     McGoldrick    
                                   Collins 
To accommodate Hourihane I’d drop Barkhuizen move Sibley back to left back instead of Roberts and play Knight wide left. 
 
Most people seem in agreement Hourihane is the issue (I also think he is btw) as he doesn’t cover enough ground and often goes missing in games, but it’s hard to ignore he has 3 goals 4 assists and has created more chances this season than any other Derby player ? 

1Wildsmith 7 Hardly called in to action which is testimony to his defenders save for a save at the death which was directly at him. Exudes confidence & has a connection with the fans.
12Smith 7 Has become the reliable cog in the defensive machine that does the job. 
3Forsyth 8 MotM A beacon lighthouse on a murky wet day - won all his tackles headed all his headers and cleared the decks. Centre-half play is far more industrial in L1 - more Jack Charlton than Roy Mac. 
6Cashin 7.5 won all his tackles headed all his headers and cleared the decks. Cashin & Forsyth are a pair of pistons working in sync 
17Sibley 7.5 whilst we miss his attacking edge with him at LB, we get to see his cutting edge and his rasp-like quality. Opponent wingers know they’re in a battle with Sibbo when he fixes his cold-fish eyes on them and utters “I know where you live” as they pick themselves up from heap he’s just put them in. 
11Mendez-Laing 6 Probably his least potent game yet; quite-tangle-foot & nothing quite worked for him.
Osula 6 5 minute slot only; needs more time than that Mr Warne.
4Hourihane 6 A bit “flappy paddle” although his dead-balls have aplomb and he delivered a couple which should’ve been despatched into the net-bag
8Bird 7.5 Thumping tackles & intricate channel opening passes.
7Barkhuizen 7 Energy & flow early doors but dampened and fizzled out 
Dobbin 7 Frightening pace for defenders which just lacks conclusive finish 
38Knight 7.5 Jack-in-the-box energy in advanced midfield but needed a McGoldrick to link with
9Collins 7 Unlucky with a deft diving header which was inches wide but should’ve scored the free-header mid second half. Tends to plough a lone furrow.
Bolton Wanders versus Derby County is a proper football fixture that comes with the ring of Founder Member status. 25.5 k fans saw a full-on blustery-wet affair which lacked finishing flair but it was a pleasure to be part of 5,200 Rams {including the Scottish Pirlot} who out supported the home end by a country mile. 

It was my 14th birthday and the best present I had was the Rams beating Scunthorpe 4-0, On Boxing day we won 4-1 at Scunthorpe, it was a really happy Christmas for me and all Rams fans. Tomorrow wont be as happy as I am 80 so not a lot to be happy about. Just looking forward to a Wembley trip next year in the play offs. Merry Christmas RAMS fans everywhere .

I’ve been with Ecotricity a long time now. Ethics are a big part of my life. Same with cutting out meat. I don’t call myself veggie or vegan, I stopped eating meat and am working on the dairy. Oat milk in coffee, try it it’s divine!
What Dale Vince has done with FGR is incredible considering the size of the place. I’ll be happy with 5-0 Sat of course but wish them well rest of season. 

Exactly this. While I would like to see us retaining the ball better, especially when we are winning, we had some excellent opportunities to seal the win with a 2nd or 3rd goal. I am unsure how we put this right because we can’t pay transfer fees at the minute. Putting the ball in the net is the hardest thing in football, ask Harry Kane!
The good thing is that we are creating more and better chances under Warne, I always thought chances created under LR were more like half chances due to the amount of time opponents were given to regroup defensively.
 
 
 

Exactly this. While I would like to see us retaining the ball better, especially when we are winning, we had some excellent opportunities to seal the win with a 2nd or 3rd goal. I am unsure how we put this right because we can’t pay transfer fees at the minute. Putting the ball in the net is the hardest thing in football, ask Harry Kane!
The good thing is that we are creating more and better chances under Warne, I always thought chances created under LR were more like half chances due to the amount of time opponents were given to regroup defensively.
 
 
 

Exactly this. While I would like to see us retaining the ball better, especially when we are winning, we had some excellent opportunities to seal the win with a 2nd or 3rd goal. I am unsure how we put this right because we can’t pay transfer fees at the minute. Putting the ball in the net is the hardest thing in football, ask Harry Kane!
The good thing is that we are creating more and better chances under Warne, I always thought chances created under LR were more like half chances due to the amount of time opponents were given to regroup defensively.
 
 
 

We have not been winning games basically because we have been missing fairly easy chances in most of those games we didn’t win but drew in - score them and it’s a different situation completely 

yes pretty much spot on from what i could tell , Rooney star of the show for us , also impressed with Bardell and Brailsford , think Nunn goes under the radar a bit , works hard , technical side of game looks promising

Thought he had a good game today at LB although he does need to get himself in the gym as he often gets muscled off the ball.
I hadn’t realised until the Newport County game what a superb crosser of the ball he is with that wand of a left foot and today once again against the Wendies he put in some excellent deliveries.
In a 442 he could well cement a place at LM but long term I don’t see him as a LB or a LWB.

Thought he had a good game today at LB although he does need to get himself in the gym as he often gets muscled off the ball.
I hadn’t realised until the Newport County game what a superb crosser of the ball he is with that wand of a left foot and today once again against the Wendies he put in some excellent deliveries.
In a 442 he could well cement a place at LM but long term I don’t see him as a LB or a LWB.

Thought he had a good game today at LB although he does need to get himself in the gym as he often gets muscled off the ball.
I hadn’t realised until the Newport County game what a superb crosser of the ball he is with that wand of a left foot and today once again against the Wendies he put in some excellent deliveries.
In a 442 he could well cement a place at LM but long term I don’t see him as a LB or a LWB.

Thought he had a good game today at LB although he does need to get himself in the gym as he often gets muscled off the ball.
I hadn’t realised until the Newport County game what a superb crosser of the ball he is with that wand of a left foot and today once again against the Wendies he put in some excellent deliveries.
In a 442 he could well cement a place at LM but long term I don’t see him as a LB or a LWB.

Wildsmith 7.5 Clean sheet. Only had 1 intervention to make indicating defensive solidity.
Smith 7 Effective & keeps it simple with a pass. Thought he was seriously injured at one point but recovered after magic sponge  treatment.
Cashin 7 Huge skill full workhorse but a couple of stray passes could have cost.
Forsyth 8.5 Another MotM show. Faultless. Has learned the right centre half role well & has the intelligence to play it well.
Sibley 7 Playing out of position for the team at LB. Busy and got in several crosses. Sometimes the crosses need to go in sooner.
Dobbin 7 Very Effective at in-field running past ? opponents but invariably doesn’t produce the telling pass or shot. PW needs to work on this as we should be exploiting teams more.
Knight 6.5 Had <10 mins but so glad he’s back.
Bird ? 7.5 Played as the team’s Central Processing Unit. Very good linking play. Got roughed up & no protection from the cardboard cut-out referee. 
Roberts 6.5 Had < 5 mins but glad he’s bad. He was at peak form when he got injured. 
Barkhuisen 7.5 Hard-working & produced a beautiful dummy which left the full-back statuesque & him steam train-like down the wing but the final cross often dissolved into nothing. 
Hourihane 6.5 Some lovely passes but never enough industry for me.
McGoldrick 7 Produced a pile-driver which worked their keeper but his clever play didn’t seem to connect with a team mate. 
Osula 6 Had to do a lot of hard-work but no real service to him.
Collins 7 Physical presence but largely frustrating afternoon for him.
Mendez-Laing 6 Only 2 forays after coming on. Glad he’s back.

A satisfactory outcome. Unbeaten in 8. We’ve come through a very tough spell. Expect PW to work on our forward cutting edge via the transfer window. If we are to get into play-offs, we need more teeth up front. We either need a midfielder who can slice defences with a killer pass or a forward who can be prolific. Easy to say - hard to find. 

Wildsmith 7 great save in 2nd half. 
Smith 6 defended well, nothing going forward
Cashin 7 solid defending, passing radar off at times
Forsyth 8 excellent MOM
Sibley 7 good with the ball, not tested defensively
Dobbin 6 felt he lacked determination at times
Bird ? 7 got battered, played well
Barkhuisen 6.5 worked hard
Hourihane 6.5 looking fitter
McGoldrick 6.5 Wendies kept him quiet 
Collins 6 feeding off scraps, might have done better with 2nd half chance 
Subs, 6
Decent game despite no goals. We looked solid against a top L1 team. Onwards and upwards ⚽️?
 
 

Thought he had a good game today at LB although he does need to get himself in the gym as he often gets muscled off the ball.
I hadn’t realised until the Newport County game what a superb crosser of the ball he is with that wand of a left foot and today once again against the Wendies he put in some excellent deliveries.
In a 442 he could well cement a place at LM but long term I don’t see him as a LB or a LWB.