kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong

What's any of that got to do with Derby County? You were warned by more discerning posters it would be a Radio Derby announcement and indeed it was.

Regarding whether the league is weaker this year, that may be so of the best teams (us, Portsmouth and Bolton are probably not as good as Ipswich, Plymouth and Sheff Wed last season), but at the end of last season a lot of dross was relegated out of this league (Forest Green, Accrington, Morecambe), and they have been replaced by teams that are mostly comfortable in mid-table this year (Stevenage, Leyton Orient, Northampton), so the mid- and lower-rated teams I think are actually stronger this season than the season before.

Few people on this thread being critical of NML. Think this is a tad harsh for a few reasons:
1) He's being played out of position. He's not a CF - he's a winger. He's being fitted into the team as he offers more flex than the other wingers.
2) He's working within different formations of the team. Is it five at the back, is it four at the back etc
3) He's had different partners up there with him - Collins, Wash, Waggy etc
For me - as soon as he went onto the right last night for the final 10 minutes - he looked better. He got the ball, took players on etc. HE's not really able to do that from a central position.
We have the luxury of having plenty of wingers but not enough central players. We don't have a number 10 in this squad (maybe Sibs?).
He is still one of the first on the sheet for me - and for anyone suggesting give him a rest - there are only four games left!!!

Think this is a good point by Punjabi rams. It’s not necessarily the point we should be happy about it’s the level of confidence we played with. We looked like a promotion side  against the best side in the league. We kept our shape and had a focus and a bit of swagger without it looking like we were playing above ourselves. We were willing ourselves to get a result. 
Although we’ve been consistent I don’t think we’ve looked assured, and that’s why we’ve had our Warne out/in debates and so much fluff surrounding the club this season. Last night was a step up for me, we looked a top side and I dare say even under Mac1 we didn’t look like ‘top 2’. There’s still a long way to go, and it’s not all wrapped up, but it’s been a long while since I could sense that confidence from a derby side on the pitch. 
That’s not me saying promotion is secured or anything like that, I just thought last night was a big step forward in the right direction performance wise.
 

This, for me, is the problem.
There are so many threads to post in, I wish that match day threads could just be about the game. Then I could ignore all the other dross elsewhere. 
(Including this post, which I wouldn't have made if the matchday thread hadn't been taken over yet again.) 

I think that you need to look closer at Rotherham's results last season. They only stayed up because of Warne's excellent start to the season and points deducted from other teams. Under Matt Taylor, Rotherham were comfortably the worst team in the championship last season on points per game and have continued this season.
When Warne left Rotherham last season, they were 8th and had a game in hand, which had they won would have put them in the play off positions.

Such a heavy pitch it’s a salute to all players that their fitness levels can achieve such good football throughout. I genuinely was concerned when the ball sometimes slowed up that it could be A-A. I’m tucked up now and very content. Listening to the rain in Stockport that I think has arrived from Pompey! 

In the game I saw we scored 2 goals and created nothing else of note in 90 minutes.
Portsmouth on top of their 2 goals missed an open goal, had a 1v1 saved by Wildsmith's legs and the penalty incident at the end. Calling the above an even game and a fair draw is a bit of a stretch.

a tad frustrated that we lost a lead twice... but no way is a draw a bad result.  
A cracking first half as a spectacle, and an almost classic away holding job second half.  Nervy throughout, and kind of relieved in the end.
If I'd have read the script before kick off, and new the outcome, it would have got a massive thumbs up from me. We may not have strictly played for a draw, but that draw may be the point that takes us over the line.
A very, very good night.
Well done, Super Rams.
 

Got B4’s ashes with me (and a can of dark fruits). Husband is getting worried about the potential clean up 😂 There’s no way B4 would be missing this match 

Collins lays it off to Ward who smashes one across the keeper and into the far corner from about 22 yard out 😁 

*sky commentary team sound very sad about it as they say it was deflected 

Sky commentators relieved. The joy in his voice when that went in. Sickening.

From a Pompey perspective, we acknowledge Derby are an outstanding team with quality players such as Mendez Laing, Sibley, Collins etc.
To beat Derby, we will have to be at our best. We have a lot of injuries still but will be able to field a competitive side.
I think 92 points will probably guarantee automatic promotion, so we probably need 6 more points. Still lots of work to do for both sides.
No outcome would surprise me here. We are capable of winning this, and you're more than capable of beating us too.
In the end, we might just cancel each other out for it to end in a draw.
 

Match Thread: vs Portsmouth (a)
Tuesday, April 2nd, Kick-Off – 8.00pm
Head to Head:
Two grand old clubs who first met way back in 1902 in the FA Cup, a game that resulted in a rather unsatisfactory 0-0 bore draw. The replay at saw us winning the replay 6-3 which doubtless gave the early Rams faithful a little more to cheer. Since then, there’s not been a deal between the two sides, with Derby edging the charts with 42 wins to Pompey’s 35.
Games won: 42
Games drawn: 23
Games lost: 35
The Status Quo:
Well, it’s looking good right now my fellow rams. Likewise for Pompey, who do look near to uncatchable now, though there doubtless remain some happy clappers like yours truly who will still be hoping Portsmouth slip up and what better place for them to begin their demise than in front of their own fans on Tuesday evening? That said, Portsmouth have arguably been THE most consistent side in the division, steadily accumulating wins after a minor, mid-season wobble. It’s fair to say that while they’ve continued their good form, our post-Xmas wobble saw us fall back a little, though if we look at the last half dozen games, we’ve actually outpointed them, indeed only Lincoln, who seem to lay waste to every team they meet right now, can claim to be in better form than our own beloved Rams.

The Key Threats:
There’s little doubt that Cody Bishop is their main striking threat with 16 goals and 2 assists to his name this season, but Pompey can boast other threats, none less than Paddy Lane who has netted 11 times this season, also weighing in with 6 assists. Abu Kamara and Marlon pack have 8 assists a piece, so it’s fair to say that Pompey have multiple attacking threats and they promise to provide us with our toughest game of the season and one in which Nelson and Cashin will need to be absolutely on their A-game if we are to leave with Fratton Park with anything to show for the game.
Team News:
Like most, I was delighted to see Collo return to the fold so swiftly and he looked pretty damn sharp to be honest. Perhaps the ‘rest’ has actually done him well! This is critical as for me, Wash and Waggy look some way off their peak and I suppose, given their lack of games this year, that’s easy to understand.
I was also delighted to see Korey Smith start and for me, he has to stay in the starting 11. He’s not entirely dissimilar to Hourihane, but his mobility gives us more stability, though that said, we did again leave gaps between the press and our back line against Blackpool and if we do so again against Pompey, we might find ourselves in some bother.
With a considerable injury list still hampering his efforts, Warne will again need to marshal his troops carefully and I’d expect a cagey performance from both sides where moments of quality will likely settle the game, rather than one side establishing outright dominance. I’ll drop another update on injuries etc, on this thread nearer the game, but I’d be looking at something similar to what we saw yesterday, with a couple of tweaks:
Firstly, I’ve assumed Elder is once more broken and that we’ll therefore need to use Sibbo in the LB role again. I’d have preferred him starting higher up the pitch, but we have so many missing that it’s a case of needs must. In so much, the back 4 pick themselves.
I’ve kept the same midfield as last week, with Smith again taking the starting role and Conor set to figure later in the game. Adams remains on fire and simply has to start every match now. The only other tweak I’d use would be to play Wash in behind Collo, assuming Jimmy is able to manage 60 minutes at this point in his return. That gives us something like the line-up below, but I do expect this to change, as I very seldom guess Warne’s selection correctly and I’m also hopeful we’ll have one or two more to pick from. CBT, now with some minutes under his belt, appears to be finding some good form and despite our injury situation, we'll have some interesting bench options all the same and perhaps he might even earn a start?


The Game:
I don’t think there’s any doubt that both sides have sufficient quality to punish any errors made and I think this will simply come down to which side best executes their game plan and who is most clinical with the chances they fashion. I’m going for a 1-1 draw with Nate to re-find his scoring touch and secure us another vital point. I think with both clubs and sets of fans riding high, it ought to be a great atmosphere though at present, there is some rain forecast. For anyone making a mini-break of it, please see some 'Things To Do' suggestions and links to some decent eateries below, as suggested by TripAdvisor:
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g186298-Activities-Portsmouth_Hampshire_England.html
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurants-g186298-Portsmouth_Hampshire_England.html
Enjoy the game my fellow Rams fans and safe journey to and fro.
COYR
BE MORE B4

When you are at the game and compare to comments on here…. Can be quite remarkable…… enjoyed the game against opponents wanting to play football. Hope Blackpool make the play offs . Entertaining game for me. Wasn't even that bladdered so have a considered opinion…. Wild far too few mentions for his excellent performance. Left me a content Ram not just  the victory but back on tract. We can do this. Keep the faith Rams 

Warne played these tactics to suit the game,he will no doubt be looking to counter Portsmouth in a different fashion on Tuesday.

Actually I thought first half the game was very even in terms of football, passing chances. I enjoyed it. We did sit back with a view to countering second half which I didn't enjoy but currently the team are very good at it. 

Thought sibs was quality yesterday his tracking back and tackling was paramount on a few occasions especially considering he isn’t a left back and could easily not get his positioning correct. 
 
draw at pompey would do me and then win 3 of the last 4 

Warne played these tactics to suit the game,he will no doubt be looking to counter Portsmouth in a different fashion on Tuesday.

Agree with everything you say about Cashin but in his quiet way Nelson was just as fab. So hope Fozzie makes a comeback. Those 3 could be the best defence in the championship 

If Gayle had been fit we may have won 3 nil...
But he wasn't and neither was Rhodes.
We won 1-0 on the day with the players we had,Blackpool lost by the same metrics.

If Gayle had been fit we may have won 3 nil...
But he wasn't and neither was Rhodes.
We won 1-0 on the day with the players we had,Blackpool lost by the same metrics.

What a win!! What an atmosphere- not Bolton but still good. I was buzzing post game and still am today with the win and the results going in our favour. Must say yesterday a few beers in i thought it was decisive and we’re definitely going up. On reflection there is still some potential squeaky bum time yet. Bolton could be 3 points behind by the time we play Pompey. A loss to Pompey then Bolton have the opportunity to draw level with us if they beat Bristol before we play again. That would really put the pressure on. 
But I’m convinced we’ll get over the line. Last 2 home performances are evidence we’re shithousing our way to the finish line and I don’t care at all. At this stage it’s all about getting results however you get them, and I think Warne has tactically got the better of Evatt and Critchley in the last 2 home games. For all Blackpool’s play they didn’t look like scoring and we nullified their threats. I have no issue with us playing like this at this stage of the season especially with our injuries, challenge will be if we’re midtable in the championship playing like this every week then pressure would rightfully mount on Warne if not next season then definitely the season after.
Right now though let’s just enjoy the results and being in a promotion race!! 

A win was everything yesterday and it was warne and the players job to get that win ,,, bugger all else mattered, it was a tight first half where we edged it and got the lead ,
second half started and boy was I frustrated for a while , said to my wife that we seemed to want to play like we are 3-0 up and game over , we gave them space to play and like everyone else I was shouting at them to wake up and press on to them but soon got the nagging feeling we were happy to let them play and have space in areas they wernt hurting us , get in our shape and not chase everything, dive in and get played round then hit them on the break , we may not like it at times , we may wrongly feel we are being massively outplayed at times but by god it was a mature performance, free from the naivety that has plagued us at times ,
paul warne ? ,,,,like him or not ( i really like him and want him to be given the chance to see how much more he’s got) those who come on here and call him a clown , a kick and rush merchant without a clue or even a thought on tactics are very very wide of the mark ,
warne and his team may not always get it right ( who does ) but make no mistake, there’s a lot of hard work and thought going into how to beat each team we come up against , they are not clueless kick and rush merchants, you can’t and don’t have to get it right every time , you have to get it right more often than not and enough times over a season to do well and even get promoted,
at the end of games Paul warne is the one I have a main eye on going round the ground to applaud fans and hope he’s really enjoying it , I want to see him start the bounce if and or when we are promoted with the biggest smile on his face as I’m pretty sure he will when he feels he’s achieved something, the target promotion not a fleeting moment of a good win , that’s for us fans and the players ,he’s got a job to finish ,, you can bet he isn’t taking the players out for a wallet busting pxss up when the job is nowhere near done yet ,,, that’s what I see and like in warne and his team,
oh and another day I really enjoyed in a season im really enjoying,,,, live in the now folks is my advise🤷🏻‍♂️