Could be a bit annoying this one. Carlisle havent quite sold out their initial allocation but asked for 800 more. Since then its been announced as being live on SKY and they seem to think those 800 wont now be needed. I hope there isnt just going to be a huge section of empty seats on Saturday, maybe if Carlisle return them sharpish they might go on sale to Rams fans??
Pride Park Stadium
KO - 12.30
Ticket Update: Forgeddaboutit
Match is also live on Sky Sports
What it is to be a Derby fan. After Northampton, even yours truly was feeling a tad deflated. With Blackpool, Pompey and Wycombe next up, my mood was more pensive and hopeful, than upbeat, as many others seemed to feel that we'd blown another golden opportunity. In fairness, that was understandable, if only to a point. Happily though, it appears that Warne and the chaps did not get the memo informing them of their impending capitulation and decided to go on an 5 game unbeaten run instead. That effort not only cemented us in the top 2, as others buckled under pressure, but now sees us teetering right on the edge of promotion glory; agonisingly poised, we have one foot in the sunlit uplands of the Championship (*shudder), the other remaining firmly planted in the nightmarish possibility of yet more play-off induced football terrors. But need we really be worried?
After recent history and the near demise of our great club, I think it's understandable that some Derby fans might adopt a mildly cautious outlook and demeanour. In recent years, whatever may go wrong, typically has done and in so much, it's fair to say that a robust constitution is a mandatory requirement for a group of fans who've had more than their fair share share of emotional kickings over the last decade. Most Rams will confess that in some ways, it's hard not to expect the worst, based on recent history, but then isn't the dream what it's all about? After all, if you strip away the hopes and dreams, what do you really have left? It's been a season to test our nerves, that much is clear, but despite a lot of infighting, we've hung it all together in the end and here we are, fate firmly in our own hands. Remember too, that for some of our young 'uns, Saturday is a potentially momentous day. Automatic promotions don't come around every year and many won't have experienced one in their lives to date and for our elder statesmen and women, this could be an emotional roller coaster too.
Outside the club itself, expectations are sky high. The bookmakers have all but closed the book on our promotion chances and after all, a single point is all we require against a Carlisle side who remain 10 points adrift at the very foot of the table and with seemingly nothing other than professional pride at stake. The oddsmakers are undoubtedly right from a statistical standpoint, but playing devil's advocate for a moment, Carlisle will view this as a free hit and will play without pressure (think Wycombe) and for some, the game provides an ideal opportunity to showcase their talents in a high-profile game with the Sky cameras watching on. Summer moves may beckon, for any player who shines.
Worthy favourites then, IMHO, but doubtless a good few will still be anxiously awaiting Saturday's outcome.
Not me mind. I’ll be drunk from @noon on Wednesday.
The Permutations:
Quite simple now, on paper at least; a win or a draw and we say, 'hasta la visa, baby' and kiss this league goodbye, hopefully forever. A loss, by a single goal would leave Bolton needing to beat Posh 3-0 in order to break the hearts of the Rams faithful, snatching 2nd place by virtue of having scored more goals. Not quite the proverbial slam-dunk then, but we're strong favourites, all the same and rightly so IMO.
Elsewhere, we, along with Bolton, will be hoping Posh slip up midweek; Posh will be hoping they don't and Barnsley and Lincoln will be nervously looking over their shoulders with both Oxford and Blackpool snapping at their heels. I'd dearly love to see Blackpool snatch the last playoff slot!
The key fixtures for the final rounds, with promotion hopefuls underlined, are as below:
Tuesday 23/04-2024
Cheltenham vs Peterborough - 19.45
Saturday 27/04/2024
Barnsley vs Northampton - 12.30
Exeter vs Oxford - 12.30
Lincoln Vs Portsmouth - 12.30
Peterborough vs Bolton - 12.30
Reading Vs Blackpool - 12.30
My guesses are Posh to beat Cheltenham and draw with Bolton. Barnsley to beat Northampton, Oxford to turn over Exeter, Lincoln and Pompey to draw and Blackpool to beat Reading. Make of that what you will!
Our Opponents – A Brief History:
Founded in 1896 as Shaddongate United, Carlisle United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Cumbria, who have played their home games at Brunton Park since 1909. The club's traditional kit is blue with white and red detail, whilst the badge takes elements from the city's coat of arms by including two Wyverns. They are nicknamed the "Blues", due to their kit, as well as the "Cumbrians". The club is the northernmost English professional football club seated close to the Anglo-Scottish border. Crowned Lancashire Combination, Division Two champions in 1906–07, they entered the North Eastern League in 1910 and went on to win the league title in 1921–22, before being elected into the Football League in 1928.
Head to Head:
Sadly, Carlisle have a pretty decent record against our beloved Rams. Twenty-three competitive fixtures have seen Derby win 9, draw 6 and lose 8. Our first fixture, in the old Division 3 North back in 1955, saw Derby win 3-0. More recently, the two teams have met three time in the last decade with Derby bookending the decade with 2-0 wins, with a 1-1 between them.
Games Played: 23
Games Won:9
Games Drawn:6
Games Lost:8
Our last Meeting:
The corresponding fixture at Brunton Park was way back in September with a James Collins brace giving the game a rather more comforting veneer than was perhaps warranted. Carlisle looked tidy and Gibson and Moxon in particular, gave Derby plenty to think about. On that performance, you might have been forgiven for thinking Carlisle would do ok this season, but it’s fair to say that things have not gone well for the Cumbrian outfit and their relegation was a formality from some way out.
Carlisle United - Recent Form:
Carlisle's recent form has been distinctly patchy, with their last 5 games comprising a 3-1 home loss to that awful club near Henley, another home loss by the odd goal to Blackpool, a hard-earned away win at Cheltenham, before consecutive losses to Northampton and Lincoln.
Saturday 20th April
Carlisle United 1 Wycombe Wanderers 3
Saturday 13th April
Carlisle United 0 Blackpool 1
Tuesday 9th April
Cheltenham Town 0 Carlisle United 1
Saturday 6th April
Northampton Town 2 Carlisle United 0
Monday 1st April
Carlisle United 1 Lincoln City 3
Carlisle United - Key Players:
Quite a relief that we won’t be facing Owen Moxon, snapped up by Pompey in the January window. Most of what was good about Carlisle seemed to start with him, but in Jordan Gibson, they still retain some meaningful threat. He's tricky with ball at feet, looks to attack and has a shot on him. He tops the scorer’s chart with 7 goals and 3 assists whilst Sam Lavelle with 4 assists is a goal provider to note. Mellish with 5 goals and Butterworth and Garner with 4 a piece, round out the principal Carlisle goal threats. it would be remiss not to mention also that their current manager, is none other than the much respected, Paul Simpson. Nudge, nudge, wink wink, Paul! The other ex-Rams fun fact would be that Luke Plange had a brief and unremarkable spell with the Cumbrians this season, before seeking warmer weather with HJK Helsinki.
Rams Team News:
Some will be itching for change after a stuttering performance at Cambridge. My own thoughts on that game are that Cambridge fought ridiculously hard and we had to try and match that extreme intensity before we could even think about playing our game. The pitch looked both short and narrow to me had clearly been subject to a hosepipe ban and I think all of these factors led to a feisty and extremely combative game, from which we did well to emerge with maximum points. Back on home soil, a larger pitch and a (marginally) better surface, I’d expect us to look rather more fluid.
Sadly, this will be the last time we get to watch young Max Bird play for the club. There’s been some really silly stuff written about our most technically gifted footballer and I have to confess that seeing him leave for Brizzle will be like a kick to the gut. That said, the fee garnered enabled some key signings and it could be argued that in hindsight, this was smart business. Nah, I'm not convinced either, but needs must? Quite possibly. Irrespective, I’d love to see him among the starting 11 for his swansong. I’m sure the Derby faithful will give him the send-off he deserves, in what may be a somewhat bittersweet celebration, for both us as fans and Max himself, lest we forget.
With that in mind, here’s my team selection, which will of course in no way resemble the gaffer’s:
The defence really needs to remain unchanged. A more determined and obdurate back 3 you’d struggle to find. Wildsmith retains the #1 jersey, despite some idiosyncratic ball distribution. To my way of thinking, he makes saves that matter and that outweighs his wayward passing.
I’ve drafted in Bird to replace Korey Smith, who would perhaps be hard done by should Warne follow suit. Max would partner the irrepressible Ebou Adams, a pairing that ought to give us a solid foundation in midfield. Working hard on the flanks, I’d have Wilson and Sibley, two players I absolutely love. The latter especially, has really matured over the course of the season, proving yours truly and others wrong in the process and he has oodles of ability if this progress and work ethic can be maintained.
Thommo is also retained and will hopefully sit a little higher and rat like his life depends on it. He and Collo put in Herculean shifts against Cambridge, doing the work that seldom attracts the plaudits, but is often key to our success. He can also interchange with a front two of Collo and Nate, who should give Carlisle plenty to think about. Barks, Gayle and Smith appear the obvious change-ups, with Hourihane, Vickers and Elder in reserve, but much will depend on who is truly healthy on the day.
And that, ladies and gentlemen is me done for the season. I’m fancying us for a decent performance, with a little style on show after an early goal to settle the nerves. 3-0 is the call with Collo, Nate and Sibs my fancies as the scorers. After some 55 games across the season, this one has definitely felt like something of a marathon, but in spite of the divided fan base, I’ve enjoyed seeing us tough it out. The football has been mildly bipolar, great one week, not so much the next, but I think all sides at this lowly level are inconsistent, only us and Pompey slightly less so than the others. Should we progress, of course we will face different challenges, but we will also have a very different playing roster. Doubts about the style of football will persist, but personally, I don't think Clowes will even contemplate letting Warne go and as such, Warne will retain my support until such time as he doesn't!
Here’s hoping then, for a resounding win, a respectful but joyous celebration of an important and healing day for all connected with the club and one that the majority can safely enjoy. Also, calm and stress-free journeys for any fans travelling significant distances and a bright and shiny, new future for Derby County Football club.
COYR
BE MORE B4
I've just put down my £12 insurance policy at B365. £10 on Bolton at 100/1 and £2 on Posh at 1000/1.
Obviously it's money I'm happy to lose, but if the unthinkable happens, at least I'll be able to afford a drop of something decent to cry into afterwards.
So what was weird today, I went to back row, directly behind goal (my actual seat was back row, 20 seats along but didn’t try to use it), and the two seats next to me remained empty. It also felt like around us there were a few empty seats as well.
So the mad rush I was expecting pre kick off due to in allocated seating didn’t materialise. It almost felt as if that stand could sit 1800/2000 but they only sell less.
Really strange, but wasn’t unhappy!
Carlisle's results against the better sides are far better than those nearer the arse end where they've been bobbins. Won at Bolton, drew twice with Stevenage, win and draw against Peterborough, only lost by one at Portsmouth home and away. Need to play better than we did second half as they'll be loving a trip to Pride Park before they head to Hades in August. I feel we really need to push for a win. Only the best sides can want a draw and play for it. It takes a level of calculated ball retention we do not have.
We really need Peterborough to win mid-week to take this game seriously. We saw Oxford turn them over 5-0 and they’ve conceded 56 goals this season so they’ve got a problem keeping the ball out the net, I wouldn’t fancy them keeping the score down if they rest players against Bolton. Bolton really only need to win by three goals as they have the goal scored tiebreaker (should we lose).
It helps the League One play-offs starts the following Friday (3rd placed) so you’d imagine that it will be situational based on their result, our result. If I’m Warne, I’m tempted to play the low block, keep things tight and hit Carlisle on the counter. Starve them of opportunities. Ultimately we only need a point and it makes no odds to Carlisle so we could play it out, slow the game right down. They’ve lost 16 of their last 21 games (2024 record). It’s been a limp finish from them. Give them a way out of getting a draw to end the season, don’t force the issue and give them an opportunity, just play it around and keep them at arms length. If they want to commit players then hit them on the counter, otherwise I would see if they would like a point and an unbeaten finish to the season.
Make no mistake, we’re on the pitch next week. Promotion is all but done.
Palace 1996, we had a great pitch invasion and then a lap of honour too. I see no different to this weekend coming up.
Fans celebrations on the pitch are special, promotions at home are special. It’s a rarity. Let the fans enjoy it. Lap of honours are ok and I’m sure will happen, but this is generational, regardless of division.
That fat lady is about to sing, enjoy it….
We must have been slightly to the left of you and saw several small groups given their marching orders, including a couple of lads spotted in the half time queue for refreshments and another couple who used our tactic of moving closer to the half way line for the second half.
Where were you? They were 5 of us (2 of them kids) in South Habbin stand with another 50 or 60 Derby. Most of us celebrated when we scored and chanted throughout the game. 4 got thrown out at half time. No idea why as the stewards didn't bother any of us.
Anyway,great at the end and nice that most the players applauded that particular corner of the ground.
Looking at Barnsley's form in 5th there's probably more of an advantage finishing 4th than 3rd.
I don't think it will matter regardless but will Ferguson rest players if they still have a mathematical chance but not really a realistic one say needing a 7 goal swing?
We deserve automatic promotion. It’s been a tough watch at times, but defensively we have been superb and the individual quality has seen us through.
We will beat Carlisle and the manager and players will deserve the plaudits for a job well done.
I've only been in the 'home' end once in 57 years of going to away games - and that was at Highbury (The North Bank).
It was our first time visiting the ground (1969/70) and we asked Dibble which end the North Bank was, planning to go to the other end.
"Cheers" we said, promptly walking in the opposite direction and, yep, we ended up on the North Bank. Of course, the scuffer thought we really wanted to try to 'take their end' (all 6 of us) so pointed out the other end.
Once inside, it took us all of 10 seconds to realise our little faux-pas (the 3,000 or so Gooners might have been some sort of a clue), and about 15 seconds to leap over the wall at the front, run the entire length of the pitch and make the sanctuary of the 'Scoreboard End'.
Very nervy today. Second half was an abomination but the three centre halves won and blocked everything. Thought Nelson was going to flatten Wildsmith at one point. He wasn’t on his own.
Just watched the highlight - Sibley’s pass was exceptional, far better than I remembered. A really good goal.
Great effort from all today - enjoyed the undercover Rams. Great 3 points. Let’s worry about not having any players for next season after next week. For now, 3 more points in the bag. One to go.
COYR
🐏
Well, I'm back after managing to watch the whole game in with the home fans, unlike many who were 'spotted' by the stewards and ejected from the ground.
I thought that I'd blown it when NML scored, by throwing my arms in the air and very briefly jumping up and down.
The six of us decided at half time to split up and it was every man for himself. Not much happened in the second half to give us away.
At least we were able to group together after the final whistle and join in the bounce.
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Ken Tram reacted to MadAmster in Places Showing Last Two Games Live
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