angieram

Completely deserved win for Oxford. I would have originally liked Bolton to go up because their fans have suffered similar financial woes to us, but Oxford have earned it. They came back after their mid-season wobble (started by us) and had the momentum coming into the playoffs.

Bolton haven't threatened at all today and nearly bottled it against Barnsley. I've little sympathy for Evatt as he hasn't endeared himself to anyone with his comments post-game. His days might be numbered. 

Completely deserved 2-0 lead for Oxford at half time. They have a game plan and look like they want it more.

Evatt needs to earn his corn to pull this around. 

16 minutes ago, Carl Sagan said:

Great to see, but I do wish we'd focus on bigger keepers. Do 17-year-olds still grow? I'm encouraged that Iversen is reputedly 6 foot 4 inches, when Joe was only 6 foot and Jack Thompson looks much smaller. A shame for Harry Evans in the final - is he bigger or just nearer to the camera? I guess when you sign people up at a young age, you're not certain how tall they'll end up.

That last sentence is exactly it. You just don't know at 8, 10, 11 years.

Lads do tend to grow later than girls so could still grow a bit. Harry Evans is much taller, maybe 6' 2/3". 

Pound for pound, Jack has bags more talent, imo, but his lack of  physicality may hold him back. A bit like Harrison Foulkes. 

I always think of Cashin. If he was as tall as his dad or brother, he'd be unstoppable. Has learned ways to compensate because he's a damned good footballer, but much harder for a goalkeeper to do that.

Just now, Tamworthram said:

I’m surprised with the usual hangers on and day trippers that Bolton couldn’t sell all of theirs.

I'm not. They were getting 20,000 to home games. A 50% increase on that is good.

We'd have sold out quickly and been asking for more. Attendance FC! 😂

8 minutes ago, Tamworthram said:

Surprised to see a big chunk of empty seating. Maybe my memory is failing me but I don’t remember that for the two finals I’ve been to with Derby (Villa and QPR).

I suppose ours were Championship play offs but even so.

I think they were each given c36,000 tickets. Last I heard Bolton had sold 30,000.

Even allowing for League One, they haven't got the depth of fanbase we have.

The Oxford lot will be mostly daytrippers! 

Also, hospitality is always sparse when it's a lower-league offering as there are less hangers-on. Shame that section is directly opposite the tv cameras.

This is the goalkeepers' union with our promotion trophy. Jack holding the trophy. 

How well do you think he'll stand up to being bullied by big forwards at corners? 

Needs to grow and put some bulk on before we throw him to the wolves in the Championship.

Fwiw, I've seen him play a fair bit. He's an excellent shot-stopper but has put the team in a mess with some rash passing out from the back.  

Evans, on the right, is much stronger physically. Also a good shot-stopper, but had a bit of a 'mare in the Central League Cup final recently. 

Neither of them are first-team ready.

Joe came to us without a regular first team spot, probably on a modest wage, made the Number One shirt his own and won this season's Golden Glove for League One.

He will be in demand, quite a change for a player who two seasons ago wasn't getting game time.

His stock has never been higher and it's a short career (especially for someone breaking through relatively late). He will be maximising that for the future of his family. 

I enjoyed his time here at Derby, he was quite a character, especially when in front of us away fans. I wish him all the best. 

12 hours ago, dcfcal said:

Here’s some concept designs I’ve put together. All influenced by the We Are Derby colours that were introduced by the club last year. Have at them ✌️🐏

I like the third one.

If we really are having white, yellow and mint green as our three kits next season, we portly fans will be very disappointed! 

44 minutes ago, jimtastic56 said:

We don’t make anything by taking a big away following , unfortunately. If we take into account crowds going up . Would a conservative David Clowes take into account that crowds could go down if we struggle a bit in our first season back ?

I think @Eoghan1884 means bigger away crowds at Pride Park. 

1 hour ago, IlsonDerby said:

Sounds like it’s going to be a slow start to the season as 12 players integrate themselves into the first team squad. 
 

Will require some patience. 
 

Fingers crossed there’s enough of the squad left from last season to keep that team spirit from promotion together. 

Similar to last season, then. That turned out alright. 👍

https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2024/05/u18-highlights-derby-county-5-1-liverpool-may-2024

Too much at stake? 

Other first leg going the same way.

The Heed love our Brown - hope they give him back! 

39 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said:

Played the full game so must have been suffering from a bit of fatigue?

Yes, he went down with cramp twice.

I watched the whole game and his interview, and him receiving his medal. All good stuff.

He said he thought he was a bit behind the crosses as if it was his fault they were way over his head.

He did miss one scorable chance but was under a lot of pressure from the beefy Solihull defenders.

He just has that awareness and touch that you can't train into someone. A future star if he keeps his feet on the ground.

Brown with the assist for the first goal.

1-0 Gateshead

Half time.

(Sorry Bathram, posted just after you!)

It's surreal watching Brown warming up at Wembley instead of Loughborough Uni.

The pundits obviously don't know anything about him! 

1 hour ago, richinspain said:

It's a two hour drive for me. I could take you a sturdy deck chair if you like?

Are you going, Rich? 

43 minutes ago, Crewton said:

The U18s have made terrific progress this year. I expect a few of them might be strengthening the U21s next season?

Some of them already are. Wheeldon, Hawkins, Allen, McAndrew - probably more.

No Brown either, he's warming up at Wembley! 

1 minute ago, Ramfan1958 said:

One from the Pop side days.

Those were the days my freind we thought they'd  never end we won the league and then we won the shield we lived a life we choose we fight and never loose we are the RAMS oh yes we are the RAMS na na na na na na na na na we are the RAMS of yes We are the RAMS. 

I used to love that one.

2 hours ago, Stive Pesley said:

Would they really do that? My eldest is living overseas for the next year or so and still has a UK bank account/card. He can't be the only ex-pat in that situation

And folks on holiday. We tuned in from Tenerife in February.