DavesaRam

Do I expect it? Hell, yes, but not yet!!! We have some building to do!

As Caerphilly Ram noted, in a video about what happened at the sharp end of the pitch it was great to keep slotting in the great saves as well - they played a massive part in our success! COME ON YOU KEEPERS!!!

If memory serves me correctly, Mickey Lewis would from time to time kick the ball, but only if he had to!

As Andy in Liverpool said, let's wait and see how things go next season. Being able to adapt from a "Get Out Of Hell" mindset to one which makes a good go of life in the Championship will prove his ability. Here's hoping! PS: there may be an additional reason for Sonny Bradley's slow start. He was brought in to be captain - he had the credentials - but rumour has it that he started "lording it" over the rest of the squad, who didn't take too well to it. I suspect that this scuppered Warne's plans for getting the squad bonding together, hence the need a vote on who should be captain. It might also explain Bradley's lack of effectiveness early doors, as if no-one wanted to play with him at the time. But looking at how "together" they all were/are at the business end of the season, Warne has done all right on that score.

I hope you are not forgetting the Caramel Doughnut, are you? Or those fabulous cheese and tomato cobs?

Agree about the move from London. After the hustle and bustle, and the bright lights of London, his first wander into our city centre would be one hell of a blow! It's a dump, especially the Victoria Street area! No wonder he seemed to lose his way!

That was the first match on his own for my middle son, and he bought a season ticket on the back of it!

If there is a car park that only gets used on matchdays, and remains empty for the rest of the time, it could be named the John Newman Care Park, because he emptied the life out of anyone who got too close. And if John objects, then it could be called the Tommy Docherty Car Park, because he emptied the club of talent during his short stay in Derby.

I notice towards this end of this thread that there is still disagreement, some of it quite entrenched, but there is now a degree of civility about the discussions, which is good! On his arrival, I had concerns but was quite willing to give the guy a chance. After all, he had been somewhat restricted at Rotherham. I was also looking forwards to good times at the start of this season, but was somewhat concerned by our lack of control of matches, and the commensurate lack of actual football. His stubborn insistence on his "one way to play" approach quite rightly earned him criticism, which peaked at the time of the great rebellion. The football wasn't just dire, it was mostly appalling. And much as many were prepared to put up with it in order to get out of this hell-hole, it was a really tough watch. I was by this time shifting quickly to "Warne Out", simply because it was clear we were capable of a much better level and style of football, and when we saw glimpses of it, the good results followed. However, although criticism was, I believe, well justified, there was no need for the personal insults which were being thrown around. I may have lobbed a couple in hinting at his apparent lack of coaching and tactical prowess, but that is where it stopped. Form me it didn't reach the level of personal attack, and if I posted anything which could be perceived as such, then I apologise. But then there seemed a watershed, a turning point. Whether or not the ferocity of the protests triggered or not most of us will never know, but all of a sudden we found Collins in the area when crosses were being sent in, and the crosses themselves were no longer stratospheric. We also seemed to explore the use of midfield, which for months had been treated by the club as a barren wilderness. And the results started to come. The mood changed, and only changed after matches like Northampton and Wycombe, where we reverted to Warne's original MO. But having seen changes to how we approached games I was critical of going back to what had demonstrably failed several times, but hoped that it was a temporary blip. What I have observed, and this is just my opinion, is a maturing and growing by Paul and his team, so given the restrictions which the club still faced right to the end of the season, think he has done a good job. It was good to go into the closing matches expecting a result each time. I still believe that we could have achieved a lot more with a more expansive approach to tactics, but Paul Wane had his view of how to get the job done. He certainly helped his cause with the signings of Nyambe and Adams. I am confident that in the same way that Paul knew how to get us out of League One, he also knows what will be needed to make us an established top-half Championship club, and am looking forward to seeing how he goes about it. I am also looking forward to going into the new season on this forum with the new level of civility that we seem to have generated. WE should have a great future together. COME ON YOU RAMS!

Superbly well expressed, Oodleddodle!

Derby 5 Spurs 0! My first ever match, what a start! Manchester United away on the day of the Hillsborough disaster. My friend got us tickets via his brother who lived in Manchester, so we were in with the home fans. United fans still had a fearsome reputation in those days, so we were committed to sitting on our hands all match. But when we scored our first I noticed quite a few people sort of launched themselves out of their seats before quickly grabbing themselves back down again, and I though "We are not alone!" We didn't care when the second went in, and there were loads and loads of us! Brighton play-off semi under Stevie Mac - probably the best atmosphere I have ever experienced, which wasn't matched on Saturday, surprisingly enough. Port Vale away, last season, when we scored two in the last moments. I have never seen limbs like it! Brilliant!

I can remember that season, and know that the Bald Eagle had talked with Emmanuel Petit and David Ginola! What a team that would have been - we'd haave plyed everybody like the last 20 minutes of that Southampton game! But we didn't have the pennies!

Thanks for checking in, and thanks for your comments! I always liked Ian Evatt, and am glad he is having some success, and would love for you to win the play-offs. In reality most of us are relieved, and delighted that we've got the job done, because I am sure we wouldn't make it through the EFL roulette competition! My only gripe with Bolton is, having visited there 3 times, it is a bit of a pig to get away from when the match is over! But I can put up with that!

Used my bus pass for the first time yesterday (apart from getting past the safe-standing ticket checks - twice!) and as I walked across the Morlege at about 9.15 I could see about a thousand people out on the pavement already. Derby was heaving with Rams already! A great day yesterday!

Glad that Ebou is getting MOM recognition. He was all over the pitch, and the only position he didn’t cover was goalkeeper because they wouldn’t let him have a goalie’s jumper on!

Its a big thank you, Paul, from me! Surprise, surprise! You did what you were asked to do, and have grown and developed as a manager throughout the season. I hated some of the football we had dished up, and the stubborn intransigence at times, but in the end not only have we managed to drag ourselves out of this hell-hole, we have had a record number of away wins, best defensive record, and load of other "bests", so in the end, your football was effective. It might be that it was a deliberate choice for effective football", and the real "Warne-ball" will surface from now on - who knows? Right now, it doesn't matter. We are up! Enjoy your summer, Paul!

Started today with slurps at the Neppy, then in the bar at what used to be the DW and then in. My daughter was feeling sick and dizzy, and had a cracking headache but still came to the match 'cos she simply had to! What a cracking start (and end) by Birdy, who gave that shot everything he had! Then it went a bit flat, as if we were going to do the usual and see out a 1-goal lead to the end, but I didn't care - we are going up! The second goal lit the team up because there was now no pressure whatsoever. Great to sing for the Right Honourable David Clowes, and the ovation at 55 minutes was brilliant! And for B4 to be commemorated so proudly was a beautiful touch! And I did eventually go onto the pitch with son and daughter to re-live the last time, 10 years ago after the Brighton play-off semi - see both piccies below! Is the rumour true that Paul Warne will feature in the New Years Honours list as first recipient of an MBE, which will actually be a a new honour, the Member of the Bobble Empire? Well done Paul! You did what you were brought here to do - I had my doubts, mainly about what we had to watch, but what we did end up watching was a club going places. You've earned your stripes. Now, as 02 used to say "See what you can do"!!!

Love you, even though I’ve never met you!

Apparently the VAR official is called Bill, and he is elderly, so there is an obvious conflict of interest. Rioters are considering their options.

If the police are heavy handed, can we invoke the dispersal order on them? Just asking for a friend.

If it takes 16 years to drink, is it a bottle or a whole vineyard?

Yes, the majority of us are older than 6, even though we may act like we are 6!

As an employee of the Ministry of Justice, a criminal prosecution could cost me my job. Or it would if I wasn't retired!!!!!

Wish mash yoo tokkin baatt?

My wife was stood behind him at the till in the co-op in Allestree and both were geld up by an old dear trying to pay for her shopping with shrapnel, and Clough just reached around her and paid the whole bill for her! What a guy!