S6 boy

Won 3-0
 
 

Just.....
 
                                 WIN
 

Thanks for these threads over the last 5 or 6 games, @Comrade 86. Looking forward to reading the first one of next season against Championship opponents.

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
 

Warne has pretty much been trying to find Ebou Adams since the start of the season. Then he did, and not long after his other best midfielder in Max Bird got injured. Korey Smith was also injured at this time. His only fault was sticking with Hourihane for so long even when there were other options.

Two of David Clowes’ aims when he took over the Club were to bring integrity and also establish ourselves in the Championship within 5 years. We didn’t get promotion last year, much to many fans angst. On reflection, it was probably a good job we didn’t. We would still have been working to a strict business plan which would have tied our hands in the transfer market to some degree and made the season very difficult.
We have recruited quite a few players this year who will be able to play in the Championship next year. Some recruits haven’t been quite so successful. We will have a reasonable pot for transfers this year we have been told. Probably, Wildsmith, Nyambe, Cashin,Nelson,Elder,Ward,Wilson,Mendis-Laing,Blackett-Taylor,Sibley,Forsyth,Rooney should be ok in the Championship - I personally have more concerns about Smith, Collins, Barkhaizen, Thompson, Fornah, Gayle, Washington, Vickers.  We will lose Bird and Adams (for now?)
I think, with some shrewd business, we should be able to put together a competitive squad.
in terms of integrity, I think our progression has been amazing. There has been hardly any, if at all, negative news regarding our club in the media. The Management team all absolutely appear to be working together to a common goal. We have recruited (not to everyone’s like) good people, who want to play for the shirt, not just here for the money, as in the past. The Academy has made good progress in its rebuild and the are a few players who look to have good futures, hopefully as Derby players.
At our best and most confident, we do play some exciting football, score goals and don’t concede many. Yes, we would like to see more of the exciting times but our main aim has been to get out of this difficult league this year. Too often in the past we have had a soft underbelly and have struggled against strong, aggressive teams. We currently have a side, which mainly, doesn’t buckle against this type of side.
So I am happy with the progress of Derby County this last two years and look forward to what will happen next. David Clowes is a quietly shrewd business man and I think Paul Warne is an intelligent manager, who is a lot shrewder and football wise than many give him credit for. Not only this but he is a fantastic man-manager and team spirit builder.
Can’t wait to see what happens next.
 

If you've only been entertained by 2 out of 22 home games, I think your expectations might have been a little too high, and if you're only attending Derby games in order to be entertained, then I can understand why you're not renewing. But for many fans, the entertainment factor is only one of many aspects that draw them to Pride Park. For a payment of what is effectively only £8/week, I get an awful lot more than entertainment out of it.

Betfred are offering me 150/1 for Lincoln to finish in the top 2. Generous of them. 🤣.  Bolton 66/1. Nothing for Posh.  I think the algorithm needs a kick up the bum.

Can you imagine what that season would have been like if we'd had social media/this forum?!
'Smith out' after four matches with only two points.
'John Harkes is stealing a living.'
'Why is he playing 3-4-1-2? That's never been done before, so must be bad'
All those draws in Jan and Feb would have created an intense debate whether it was good to keep the unbeaten run going or two points dropped.  
The feeling on the way home from Tranmere was so strange - we'd been thrashed but I'd seen a football god playing in the second tier and for little old Derby.
Anyway that's enough reminiscing. Let's create some more memories next week. COYR

That’s the position I am in. I was ‘around’ for the promotion in 96 but too young to remember or appreciate it. And although I’ve technically been to the BBG, too young to appreciate it again.
For those who witnessed previous successes, I have nothing but jealousy. But for people like me, my entire experience of Derby County has been misery, disappointment and heartbreak. Where I grew up, it was all Premier League clubs, nobody even supported the ‘nearest’ professional team because Plymouth was still too far away. I’d go into school on sports days in my Derby County shirt, and get laughed at by those wearing United, Liverpool or Arsenal shirts.
To experience success, an outpouring of joy and probably relief,  at Pride Park, is going to be special.
I’m sure lots of people here have other interests outside of football and Derby County, I don’t really. I’m not really into other sports, for me football & this club is everything. Since Covid really, it’s been hard. From not being able to go to watch, to then being plunged into administration & feeling like we were kind of Death Row waiting for the inevitable was very, very hard.
We’re going to do the job on Saturday and I can’t even begin to imagine how good that’s going to feel. 

Come on guys! Paul Warne has got to be good. He got us a win yesterday with us only playing football for 30 minutes! That second half was absolutely terrible, probably worse than the fiascos against Stevenage, Wycombe and Northampton. And yet again we have spent most of the match being outplayed and even dominated by a team right at the other end of the table. BUT - he Has got us the win, and he has got us promoted, bar a catastrophe next Saturday.
Most of the brick-ends thrown Paul's way are because of his intransigence, particularly last season and the first part of this one. He only had one way of playing it, and he was determined to play it, even if it didn't work, and even if he had found other ways to set the team up that did work - twice! And yes, I threw quite a few myself.
But what has emerged is that he has grown into the job, and has been prepared to learn and develop, so that there are now occasional flashes of football, which show that actually we can be quite good! It still isn't the silky, smooth liquid football that we would all love to see flowing all over the pitch, well not yet, anyway, but we have seen on the pitch better than what we had to put up with in the earlier days. So for someone who was so stubborn to be prepared to change is quite refreshing, and tough to do, so thank you, Paul!
And yes, when we are promoted and I am happy for him to get the chance at last to take on the Championship with better resources than he has ever had before.
COOME ON YOU RAMS!!!

Makes no difference. We're a League One side playing League One opposition. If we were in the Championship or PL then it would be PL or Championship opposition - you can only beat those at your current level and to have beaten so many of them on their own home turf is a special achievement, not worthy of a cheap comment.

Can you imagine what that season would have been like if we'd had social media/this forum?!
'Smith out' after four matches with only two points.
'John Harkes is stealing a living.'
'Why is he playing 3-4-1-2? That's never been done before, so must be bad'
All those draws in Jan and Feb would have created an intense debate whether it was good to keep the unbeaten run going or two points dropped.  
The feeling on the way home from Tranmere was so strange - we'd been thrashed but I'd seen a football god playing in the second tier and for little old Derby.
Anyway that's enough reminiscing. Let's create some more memories next week. COYR

Can you imagine what that season would have been like if we'd had social media/this forum?!
'Smith out' after four matches with only two points.
'John Harkes is stealing a living.'
'Why is he playing 3-4-1-2? That's never been done before, so must be bad'
All those draws in Jan and Feb would have created an intense debate whether it was good to keep the unbeaten run going or two points dropped.  
The feeling on the way home from Tranmere was so strange - we'd been thrashed but I'd seen a football god playing in the second tier and for little old Derby.
Anyway that's enough reminiscing. Let's create some more memories next week. COYR

David Clowes rescued our club and appointed a manager who he believed would get us promoted back to the Championship.
It looks like that bit has been done barring a ridiculous turn of events.
 
What happens next? Lets leave it to David Clowes to continue to make good decisions, He's doing ok so far.
 
 

Funny you should mention Bielsa when Warne is criticised for running the players into the ground.
Anyway, you're comparing managers that have much longer CV's and been at clubs where the base level of player has been better than what Warne has had at Rotherham to work with.
By going up, we are entering new territory with Warne having a club of this size to manage, we are not Rotherham.
I just can't understand the eagerness to write him off as being this incapable fool, surely the bloke deserves a little respect and a chance to manage this club in the Championship and prove his inabilities?
You went from this team wouldn't stay up, well duh, shifting it to his inability to get the best out of players whilst we're 1 point away from achieving promotion.
Feels like you've just set out to moan and piss on peoples chips on a day where we have moved to within a point away from promotion, no matter how much you may dislike or not rate his abilities, the timing is just bizarre, why can't we just sit and enjoy the moment instead of playing Nostradamus.
Whilst it might not be promotion to the Premier League, it's still a promotion and a significant one at that, if you can't just sit back, crack open a beer and enjoy it, I don't know why you bother with the game. It's not often we will have moments like this where the club has achieved something.
FA Cup, League Cup? Not a chance, the only other things we have left are promotion to the Premier League and Premier League survival, now in a week where the FA and PL have colluded to F the football pyramid over, to think the only time we can celebrate will be when we join that lot is s sad state of affairs.
And that's coming from someone that's desperate to see us back in the Premier League as well. 

The problem with offering opponents the opportunity to take a draw is that football is full of cheats, and nobody can be trusted. 
No disrespect to Carlisle specifically, or indeed their much respected manager, but they'd probably nick a winner in the dying moments, then point and laugh at us!
Kill em off early I say.  Win, win, and thrice win!

Rams TV in Tampere. Lovely springtime in Finland, woke this morning to this:
 

Today - Costa del Kernow
Next week - Derbados

"The other bloody room if you're putting derby bloody county on!"

To be fair Harkes was stealing a living and the Bald Eagle agreed 😅

This - I’ve never understood people unwilling to celebrate because it’s league 1 or (a lower example the papa johns trophy) we are a league one team. We are a team eligible for the papa johns. Winning promotion. Winning a trophy etc at the level you are at is always an achievement even if you’d rather be higher up. 
 

Can you imagine what that season would have been like if we'd had social media/this forum?!
'Smith out' after four matches with only two points.
'John Harkes is stealing a living.'
'Why is he playing 3-4-1-2? That's never been done before, so must be bad'
All those draws in Jan and Feb would have created an intense debate whether it was good to keep the unbeaten run going or two points dropped.  
The feeling on the way home from Tranmere was so strange - we'd been thrashed but I'd seen a football god playing in the second tier and for little old Derby.
Anyway that's enough reminiscing. Let's create some more memories next week. COYR

Anybody under the age of 27/28 has never witnessed an automatic promotion for Derby County.
Quite a sobering thought, really.