Idiakez

I’ve got a horrible feeling tonight will be very similar to Ipswich away last season, where we just didn’t lay a glove on them. Gayle, Barks, Nyambe, Forsyth and Bird would’ve made a world of difference too and you could argue that they’d all be starting if fit. Although I will say despite my pessimism if we do nick a goal we’re as likely as anyone to see it out, so who knows. Up the rams.

Bang on. He’d just wander into midfield before either giving it away or playing sideways/backwards. The few times he tried to play into their number 9 they lost possession. We definitely let him play and cut off his passing options, rather than worry about him slicing us open.

We’ve been on the wrong end of games like today many times in the past so nice to dish one out in such a big game. Bolton are clearly well drilled, definitely easier on the eye than us but don’t have the grit needed to push through these kind of games, whereas we do. Any of the back 3 and Wildsmith could’ve been MOTM. Thought Smith and Thompson added a bit of bite when they came on although not hard when you’re a direct replacement for Hourihane, who for all his qualities looks like he’s towing a caravan when he moves. Their skipper, Santos, who their fans rave about - did anyone else think he looked absolutely dreadful? Clearly not good on the ball, got caught under 4/5 long balls and offered no threat from set pieces. Might be an off day but wasn’t impressed after reading so much about him.

I’d rather Cashin in the middle personally as I think he reads the game better than anyone else. Forsyth also more comfortable defending 1v1 which is where Cash struggles from time to time.

Has to be Fozzy LCB and Cash CB, surely?

What are these players being told to do in training? Surely it’s not get it out wide and hope NML can pull something out his backside for hours a day? Cos if it’s not that then we’re either praying for a set piece or a bit of magic from somewhere. We’ve created absolutely nothing against a team that haven’t won since November. We turn every game into a scrap as if we’re the underdogs which of course suits 90% of this torrid division down to the ground. Why play around them when we can try and out-battle teams that haven’t got half as much talent as us? Baffling.

All but signed. Papers sent off to EFL yesterday apparently.

Anyone got any ketchup?

I’ll eat my hat if we score today. Never seen us so toothless.

Can anyone tell me when our last good performance at home was? We’ve got a team with quality in abundance (for this level) and their instructions are get it out wide and cross. When that doesn’t work we’ve got nothing, even against a side like Shrewsbury who were quite clearly devoid of any quality whatsoever. Painful.

Would love us to win 2 or 3 nil without getting out of second gear. The games against Burton and Cheltenham (on paper at least) should’ve been relatively comfortable but we made a mess of them, expending far more energy than we probably needed to. Can’t remember our last good 90 minute performance at home, possibly Barnsley? Easy to say Bolton’s fixture pile up will derail them but I’m sure there will be a few home games where they’re cruising for the last 30 or so, which we seem incapable of doing.

I actually liked Gregory the first time round. Big lad with a good footballing brain, I think he’d suit the way we play. I’m a fan of Collins but his actual hold up play leaves a lot to be desired, Gregory would definitely be an improvement in that regard. Whether he’s as much of a goal threat I’m not too sure but would be nice to have another option.

They’ve got one of, if not the youngest squads in the division whereas we’re at the other end of the spectrum. Hopefully it’s the kind of game where the likes of Hourihane, Fozzy, Nelson etc use that bit of know how to give us the edge. That stat would suggest their youngsters are more a deer in headlights rather than a rise to the occasion type side. Derby 0-1 Peterborough

Losing 19 of them 🫣

The show goes on… for me at least as the match thread poster. 7th vs 8th in League One. Stevenage have 1 win in their last 6 league games, having drawn the last 2. A late equaliser from a certain Chris Martin stopping them from a good win in Bristol last time out. Managed by Steve Evans you know what you’re going to get, much like he does when he steps foot in the chippy, so expect a tight game. Stevenage have picked up more points away from home than they have at Broadhall Way (had to google that) so perhaps not as tricky as it could be, however this is Derby after all. Off the back of a very steady 2-0 win does Warne keep the handbrake off and leave us top heavy or go back to playing as many holding midfielders as physically possible? Tune in Saturday at 2pm to find out.

Can anyone even be arsed? A bit more info: We all know of Derby’s recent struggles (especially at home) but Exeter are flagging themselves after an impressive start. Bottom of the form table with 5 defeats in a row, if there’s a manager under more pressure than Paul Warne in this league I’d imagine it’s Gary Caldwell. A thumping win for the Rams to kickstart our season and get our home form back on track? Probably not.

Best squad in the league on paper. One of, if not the biggest budget. Best training facilities. Best stadium. Yet this is the football we’re producing week in week out. Time to go Mr Warne.