DavesaRam

The response to Thompson and Rooney when they were subbed off spoke volumes. As far as I’m concerned they were the difference today, rather than going 4 at the back, or putting NML on the wing. I could never work out why, last season, when we needed someone who could hold the ball, use it well and move us forwards whenever possible we sent Thommo out on loan. I’m glad he’s back. But what on earth was Warne doing playing Thommo where he can be at his best?
Hourihane came in fir mention if his ambling round waiting for the free-kicks and corners, which provoked a fiery response from RD, but it is a fair observation. But his stupendous tackle set us up for our goal so that’s ok by me!
Today was much netter than Tyesday night, although with hindsight I wonder whether that was the players telling Warne to stop with his one-dimensional tactics, and even though we only won 1 - 0 against a team we should see off easily, it was the result we needed. The rest can follow. However there were two very, very good calls  for penalties, both for fouls on Waggy which were blind-eyed. Us that 4 or 5 penalties thus season already? We had a clear run on goal which was pulled back when the advantage should have been played. And for the second match in a row Derby ended up with a stack of yellow cards, virtually all of them for absolutely nothing, such as NML, who barely touched the Fleetwood man. While Fleetwood should have 4 or 5 more than they did. Pundits and fans alike keep asking for greater consistency. Sadly they are already consistent, and as far as D FC are concerned it is all one way.
So on to Bolton via Peterborough. At least by then all the players Paul has lined up to bring in “by the end of the week” will give us a squad nearly as big as a Nottingham Forest subs bench. Or the same squad as before. 🙄
Nevertheless, COME ON YOU RAMS!

The response to Thompson and Rooney when they were subbed off spoke volumes. As far as I’m concerned they were the difference today, rather than going 4 at the back, or putting NML on the wing. I could never work out why, last season, when we needed someone who could hold the ball, use it well and move us forwards whenever possible we sent Thommo out on loan. I’m glad he’s back. But what on earth was Warne doing playing Thommo where he can be at his best?
Hourihane came in fir mention if his ambling round waiting for the free-kicks and corners, which provoked a fiery response from RD, but it is a fair observation. But his stupendous tackle set us up for our goal so that’s ok by me!
Today was much netter than Tyesday night, although with hindsight I wonder whether that was the players telling Warne to stop with his one-dimensional tactics, and even though we only won 1 - 0 against a team we should see off easily, it was the result we needed. The rest can follow. However there were two very, very good calls  for penalties, both for fouls on Waggy which were blind-eyed. Us that 4 or 5 penalties thus season already? We had a clear run on goal which was pulled back when the advantage should have been played. And for the second match in a row Derby ended up with a stack of yellow cards, virtually all of them for absolutely nothing, such as NML, who barely touched the Fleetwood man. While Fleetwood should have 4 or 5 more than they did. Pundits and fans alike keep asking for greater consistency. Sadly they are already consistent, and as far as D FC are concerned it is all one way.
So on to Bolton via Peterborough. At least by then all the players Paul has lined up to bring in “by the end of the week” will give us a squad nearly as big as a Nottingham Forest subs bench. Or the same squad as before. 🙄
Nevertheless, COME ON YOU RAMS!

The response to Thompson and Rooney when they were subbed off spoke volumes. As far as I’m concerned they were the difference today, rather than going 4 at the back, or putting NML on the wing. I could never work out why, last season, when we needed someone who could hold the ball, use it well and move us forwards whenever possible we sent Thommo out on loan. I’m glad he’s back. But what on earth was Warne doing playing Thommo where he can be at his best?
Hourihane came in fir mention if his ambling round waiting for the free-kicks and corners, which provoked a fiery response from RD, but it is a fair observation. But his stupendous tackle set us up for our goal so that’s ok by me!
Today was much netter than Tyesday night, although with hindsight I wonder whether that was the players telling Warne to stop with his one-dimensional tactics, and even though we only won 1 - 0 against a team we should see off easily, it was the result we needed. The rest can follow. However there were two very, very good calls  for penalties, both for fouls on Waggy which were blind-eyed. Us that 4 or 5 penalties thus season already? We had a clear run on goal which was pulled back when the advantage should have been played. And for the second match in a row Derby ended up with a stack of yellow cards, virtually all of them for absolutely nothing, such as NML, who barely touched the Fleetwood man. While Fleetwood should have 4 or 5 more than they did. Pundits and fans alike keep asking for greater consistency. Sadly they are already consistent, and as far as D FC are concerned it is all one way.
So on to Bolton via Peterborough. At least by then all the players Paul has lined up to bring in “by the end of the week” will give us a squad nearly as big as a Nottingham Forest subs bench. Or the same squad as before. 🙄
Nevertheless, COME ON YOU RAMS!

The response to Thompson and Rooney when they were subbed off spoke volumes. As far as I’m concerned they were the difference today, rather than going 4 at the back, or putting NML on the wing. I could never work out why, last season, when we needed someone who could hold the ball, use it well and move us forwards whenever possible we sent Thommo out on loan. I’m glad he’s back. But what on earth was Warne doing playing Thommo where he can be at his best?
Hourihane came in fir mention if his ambling round waiting for the free-kicks and corners, which provoked a fiery response from RD, but it is a fair observation. But his stupendous tackle set us up for our goal so that’s ok by me!
Today was much netter than Tyesday night, although with hindsight I wonder whether that was the players telling Warne to stop with his one-dimensional tactics, and even though we only won 1 - 0 against a team we should see off easily, it was the result we needed. The rest can follow. However there were two very, very good calls  for penalties, both for fouls on Waggy which were blind-eyed. Us that 4 or 5 penalties thus season already? We had a clear run on goal which was pulled back when the advantage should have been played. And for the second match in a row Derby ended up with a stack of yellow cards, virtually all of them for absolutely nothing, such as NML, who barely touched the Fleetwood man. While Fleetwood should have 4 or 5 more than they did. Pundits and fans alike keep asking for greater consistency. Sadly they are already consistent, and as far as D FC are concerned it is all one way.
So on to Bolton via Peterborough. At least by then all the players Paul has lined up to bring in “by the end of the week” will give us a squad nearly as big as a Nottingham Forest subs bench. Or the same squad as before. 🙄
Nevertheless, COME ON YOU RAMS!

The response to Thompson and Rooney when they were subbed off spoke volumes. As far as I’m concerned they were the difference today, rather than going 4 at the back, or putting NML on the wing. I could never work out why, last season, when we needed someone who could hold the ball, use it well and move us forwards whenever possible we sent Thommo out on loan. I’m glad he’s back. But what on earth was Warne doing playing Thommo where he can be at his best?
Hourihane came in fir mention if his ambling round waiting for the free-kicks and corners, which provoked a fiery response from RD, but it is a fair observation. But his stupendous tackle set us up for our goal so that’s ok by me!
Today was much netter than Tyesday night, although with hindsight I wonder whether that was the players telling Warne to stop with his one-dimensional tactics, and even though we only won 1 - 0 against a team we should see off easily, it was the result we needed. The rest can follow. However there were two very, very good calls  for penalties, both for fouls on Waggy which were blind-eyed. Us that 4 or 5 penalties thus season already? We had a clear run on goal which was pulled back when the advantage should have been played. And for the second match in a row Derby ended up with a stack of yellow cards, virtually all of them for absolutely nothing, such as NML, who barely touched the Fleetwood man. While Fleetwood should have 4 or 5 more than they did. Pundits and fans alike keep asking for greater consistency. Sadly they are already consistent, and as far as D FC are concerned it is all one way.
So on to Bolton via Peterborough. At least by then all the players Paul has lined up to bring in “by the end of the week” will give us a squad nearly as big as a Nottingham Forest subs bench. Or the same squad as before. 🙄
Nevertheless, COME ON YOU RAMS!

The response to Thompson and Rooney when they were subbed off spoke volumes. As far as I’m concerned they were the difference today, rather than going 4 at the back, or putting NML on the wing. I could never work out why, last season, when we needed someone who could hold the ball, use it well and move us forwards whenever possible we sent Thommo out on loan. I’m glad he’s back. But what on earth was Warne doing playing Thommo where he can be at his best?
Hourihane came in fir mention if his ambling round waiting for the free-kicks and corners, which provoked a fiery response from RD, but it is a fair observation. But his stupendous tackle set us up for our goal so that’s ok by me!
Today was much netter than Tyesday night, although with hindsight I wonder whether that was the players telling Warne to stop with his one-dimensional tactics, and even though we only won 1 - 0 against a team we should see off easily, it was the result we needed. The rest can follow. However there were two very, very good calls  for penalties, both for fouls on Waggy which were blind-eyed. Us that 4 or 5 penalties thus season already? We had a clear run on goal which was pulled back when the advantage should have been played. And for the second match in a row Derby ended up with a stack of yellow cards, virtually all of them for absolutely nothing, such as NML, who barely touched the Fleetwood man. While Fleetwood should have 4 or 5 more than they did. Pundits and fans alike keep asking for greater consistency. Sadly they are already consistent, and as far as D FC are concerned it is all one way.
So on to Bolton via Peterborough. At least by then all the players Paul has lined up to bring in “by the end of the week” will give us a squad nearly as big as a Nottingham Forest subs bench. Or the same squad as before. 🙄
Nevertheless, COME ON YOU RAMS!

The response to Thompson and Rooney when they were subbed off spoke volumes. As far as I’m concerned they were the difference today, rather than going 4 at the back, or putting NML on the wing. I could never work out why, last season, when we needed someone who could hold the ball, use it well and move us forwards whenever possible we sent Thommo out on loan. I’m glad he’s back. But what on earth was Warne doing playing Thommo where he can be at his best?
Hourihane came in fir mention if his ambling round waiting for the free-kicks and corners, which provoked a fiery response from RD, but it is a fair observation. But his stupendous tackle set us up for our goal so that’s ok by me!
Today was much netter than Tyesday night, although with hindsight I wonder whether that was the players telling Warne to stop with his one-dimensional tactics, and even though we only won 1 - 0 against a team we should see off easily, it was the result we needed. The rest can follow. However there were two very, very good calls  for penalties, both for fouls on Waggy which were blind-eyed. Us that 4 or 5 penalties thus season already? We had a clear run on goal which was pulled back when the advantage should have been played. And for the second match in a row Derby ended up with a stack of yellow cards, virtually all of them for absolutely nothing, such as NML, who barely touched the Fleetwood man. While Fleetwood should have 4 or 5 more than they did. Pundits and fans alike keep asking for greater consistency. Sadly they are already consistent, and as far as D FC are concerned it is all one way.
So on to Bolton via Peterborough. At least by then all the players Paul has lined up to bring in “by the end of the week” will give us a squad nearly as big as a Nottingham Forest subs bench. Or the same squad as before. 🙄
Nevertheless, COME ON YOU RAMS!

i've had enough of his boolocks, the Cashin joke was ill judged.

I'd like to see Thompson and Rooney stay in the team. Waghorn is our best striker. Forsyth is excellent and was last season. Another midfielder and a couple of creative forward players and we will be doing alright.

I heard there was a secret form,
that paul warne picked and it pleased the borad,
but you don't really care for tactics do you?
it goes like this, the the four, the six
the baffled fans concluding
halleujah

I’m sorry but you can’t sell your young assets, that are your better players just so you can sign a 30+ has been just to try and get out this league. If you’re selling them, then you need to bring in other young players with potential to sell on at a profit. 
 
Rodrigues, smith, Knibbs, Bernard etc
Otherwise you just run out of assets, and if you don’t get promoted you’re stuffed. Looks like we’re stuffed as things stand 

Well you know what is said in the South Stand? “If you don’t }}%^ing bounce …….”!

The same thing everyone at the club from owner to manager to playing staff expected.
A season where we secure a play-off place with reasonable comfort and maybe even have a tilt at the top 2.
A squad built in the manager's image with clear signs of progression from last season and a plan in place as to how to achieve that goal, with something we could either build on if we did get promoted, or that would put us in good stead to go one further next season.
It's not the fans' fault we're f****** it up.

Only they didn’t say no at the time. The man at the EFL he say “yes”. He also say “I put a great big tick on your accounts 3 years in a row.”
Only when some accountant cum journalist poked his nose in did EFL man say “No, I take my big ticks away”.
It wasn’t Mr Sidekick’s fault until Mr Mel went into denial.

and if Warne ever decides to play Sibley where he is at his best, and for a fair number of games.

I don't believe a midfield three of Bird, Hourihane and Smith works. Not enough energy. Assuming Sibley is not fit enough to start I would bring Thompson into midfield and leave out Bird (there may be an element of fait accompli about this if Bird is injured).

The reason I left early from the Newcastle game all those years ago was that I was working in financial services on commission based sales, so if I didn’t do my job I didn’t get paid, and was watching a bunch of millionaires or soon to be millionaires getting paid a fortune for not performing.
That sentiment wasn’t lost on me last night - we can only pay new players £4000 a week, but that equates to £208,000 a year. And many are on way more than that. We are watching millionaires and soon to be millionaires (in Division 3, remember) being paid more in a fortnight than I was earning in a year, and that for working 60 hours a week!
So while many of us are bricking ourselves about the still ongoing cost of living crisis, the Derby players and management are swanning around without a care in the world. So people criticising fans who boo the team need to think again. We are the best supported team in the midlands, and outdo many Premiership clubs, and we have stuck by the club through its darkest days, of which there have been many. So booing isn’t a sign of lack of support. It is saying it how it is, it is demanding that the players and management do their bit as well instead of just showing up for the pay-check. Maybe they should dip into their own well-filled pockets and refund all those fans who have to endure this tripe, because the fans are the only ones who turn up at a match.
And I have come to the conclusion that Queen Victoria was a Ram because she was famous for saying “We are not amused”. 😡

Well last night was a night for "firsts" for me. It was the first time I have heard the ref being booed back on to the pitch for the second half, and the first time I have walked out on a Derby game in 50 years. The nearest was when I left 5 minutes early back in 1998 when we were 4 - 1 down to Newcastle United. It was also a first in that although the ref was terrible, we were worse, by a looooooooooong way.
I didn't see the Bradley penalty foul, so maybe I'm turning into Arsene Wenger, I don't know. And wasn't aware how bad the Colins foul was as it was at the other end of the pitch. I just assumed it was like all the other yellow cards we got, which were for nothing - Smith's was after winning a clean tackle on the ball, for instance. By contrast Harris should have been carded for a blatant dive in the area just before Collins got booked, he ran across the goal line taunting the South Standers after he'd scored, which I thought was inciting the crowd, and then nearly took Cashin's head off while throwing him to the ground, which should have been another yellow. There was also a "both feet off the ground lunge near the corner flag which didn't even warrant a free-kick. So yes, the ref was bad. Partly my fault - I observed that he had been OK for the first 15 minutes, so sorry for being Mr Gobby!
So actually, match official wise, nothing new. But our performance - good grief! We had a good spell early in the second half for about 7 minutes, but that was it. Typified by Hourihane. Many of us have noticed he saunters around for much of the match in a half-arsed manner, and despite a reputation for skill, is more often than not a hoof-baller. NML is disappointing - the only time Collins was where a number 9 should be with a cross impending, and NML crosses behind him. I suppose it was better than simply whacking it out for  throw on the opposite side of the pitch, I suppose. And the defence! We were led to believe that we had brought players in to make our defence look like it is made of granite, but in reality it is made of shale, which means there is always the chance of a landslide. Oh dear. 
And once again we saw the opposition adapting on the fly. As soon as Thompson came on and settled at right back, they started raining long balls into his area of the pitch, exploiting his lack of height. IT was instantaneous, almost as if the opposition management knew what they were doing.
Our apathetic midfield is down to Warne's insistence on 3 at the back, plus pushing our midfield forwards in an attempt to be on the front foot. But that puts them too far forwards for us to play through the middle, so our defenders have to resort to pinging the ball wide to the wing backs, which is Warne's preferred, and sole tactic. So despite having good players in the middle, they are being by-passed, to our detriment.
Wilson made an impact, and looks like he wants to play football, as did Thommo, he did more in his first 10 minutes the most of the team managed all match. Unlike many on here, I rate him, because he ahs good ball control, he doesn't waste the ball, has energy and commitment, and always looks to move the ball forwards wherever possible. He should start on Saturday, and given Bird's injury, he should be in central midfield, but knowing "the Derby Way", he'll probably be in goal to teach Wildsmith a lesson!
Another first was me going to a midweek match was me not having to worry about getting home late and compromising my sleep before going to work the next day. And then I left early! But do I want to turn up on Saturday and watch us get beached by Fleetwood? Common sense would say "No", but what has common sense got to do with it?

Well last night was a night for "firsts" for me. It was the first time I have heard the ref being booed back on to the pitch for the second half, and the first time I have walked out on a Derby game in 50 years. The nearest was when I left 5 minutes early back in 1998 when we were 4 - 1 down to Newcastle United. It was also a first in that although the ref was terrible, we were worse, by a looooooooooong way.
I didn't see the Bradley penalty foul, so maybe I'm turning into Arsene Wenger, I don't know. And wasn't aware how bad the Colins foul was as it was at the other end of the pitch. I just assumed it was like all the other yellow cards we got, which were for nothing - Smith's was after winning a clean tackle on the ball, for instance. By contrast Harris should have been carded for a blatant dive in the area just before Collins got booked, he ran across the goal line taunting the South Standers after he'd scored, which I thought was inciting the crowd, and then nearly took Cashin's head off while throwing him to the ground, which should have been another yellow. There was also a "both feet off the ground lunge near the corner flag which didn't even warrant a free-kick. So yes, the ref was bad. Partly my fault - I observed that he had been OK for the first 15 minutes, so sorry for being Mr Gobby!
So actually, match official wise, nothing new. But our performance - good grief! We had a good spell early in the second half for about 7 minutes, but that was it. Typified by Hourihane. Many of us have noticed he saunters around for much of the match in a half-arsed manner, and despite a reputation for skill, is more often than not a hoof-baller. NML is disappointing - the only time Collins was where a number 9 should be with a cross impending, and NML crosses behind him. I suppose it was better than simply whacking it out for  throw on the opposite side of the pitch, I suppose. And the defence! We were led to believe that we had brought players in to make our defence look like it is made of granite, but in reality it is made of shale, which means there is always the chance of a landslide. Oh dear. 
And once again we saw the opposition adapting on the fly. As soon as Thompson came on and settled at right back, they started raining long balls into his area of the pitch, exploiting his lack of height. IT was instantaneous, almost as if the opposition management knew what they were doing.
Our apathetic midfield is down to Warne's insistence on 3 at the back, plus pushing our midfield forwards in an attempt to be on the front foot. But that puts them too far forwards for us to play through the middle, so our defenders have to resort to pinging the ball wide to the wing backs, which is Warne's preferred, and sole tactic. So despite having good players in the middle, they are being by-passed, to our detriment.
Wilson made an impact, and looks like he wants to play football, as did Thommo, he did more in his first 10 minutes the most of the team managed all match. Unlike many on here, I rate him, because he ahs good ball control, he doesn't waste the ball, has energy and commitment, and always looks to move the ball forwards wherever possible. He should start on Saturday, and given Bird's injury, he should be in central midfield, but knowing "the Derby Way", he'll probably be in goal to teach Wildsmith a lesson!
Another first was me going to a midweek match was me not having to worry about getting home late and compromising my sleep before going to work the next day. And then I left early! But do I want to turn up on Saturday and watch us get beached by Fleetwood? Common sense would say "No", but what has common sense got to do with it?

The reason I left early from the Newcastle game all those years ago was that I was working in financial services on commission based sales, so if I didn’t do my job I didn’t get paid, and was watching a bunch of millionaires or soon to be millionaires getting paid a fortune for not performing.
That sentiment wasn’t lost on me last night - we can only pay new players £4000 a week, but that equates to £208,000 a year. And many are on way more than that. We are watching millionaires and soon to be millionaires (in Division 3, remember) being paid more in a fortnight than I was earning in a year, and that for working 60 hours a week!
So while many of us are bricking ourselves about the still ongoing cost of living crisis, the Derby players and management are swanning around without a care in the world. So people criticising fans who boo the team need to think again. We are the best supported team in the midlands, and outdo many Premiership clubs, and we have stuck by the club through its darkest days, of which there have been many. So booing isn’t a sign of lack of support. It is saying it how it is, it is demanding that the players and management do their bit as well instead of just showing up for the pay-check. Maybe they should dip into their own well-filled pockets and refund all those fans who have to endure this tripe, because the fans are the only ones who turn up at a match.
And I have come to the conclusion that Queen Victoria was a Ram because she was famous for saying “We are not amused”. 😡

Well last night was a night for "firsts" for me. It was the first time I have heard the ref being booed back on to the pitch for the second half, and the first time I have walked out on a Derby game in 50 years. The nearest was when I left 5 minutes early back in 1998 when we were 4 - 1 down to Newcastle United. It was also a first in that although the ref was terrible, we were worse, by a looooooooooong way.
I didn't see the Bradley penalty foul, so maybe I'm turning into Arsene Wenger, I don't know. And wasn't aware how bad the Colins foul was as it was at the other end of the pitch. I just assumed it was like all the other yellow cards we got, which were for nothing - Smith's was after winning a clean tackle on the ball, for instance. By contrast Harris should have been carded for a blatant dive in the area just before Collins got booked, he ran across the goal line taunting the South Standers after he'd scored, which I thought was inciting the crowd, and then nearly took Cashin's head off while throwing him to the ground, which should have been another yellow. There was also a "both feet off the ground lunge near the corner flag which didn't even warrant a free-kick. So yes, the ref was bad. Partly my fault - I observed that he had been OK for the first 15 minutes, so sorry for being Mr Gobby!
So actually, match official wise, nothing new. But our performance - good grief! We had a good spell early in the second half for about 7 minutes, but that was it. Typified by Hourihane. Many of us have noticed he saunters around for much of the match in a half-arsed manner, and despite a reputation for skill, is more often than not a hoof-baller. NML is disappointing - the only time Collins was where a number 9 should be with a cross impending, and NML crosses behind him. I suppose it was better than simply whacking it out for  throw on the opposite side of the pitch, I suppose. And the defence! We were led to believe that we had brought players in to make our defence look like it is made of granite, but in reality it is made of shale, which means there is always the chance of a landslide. Oh dear. 
And once again we saw the opposition adapting on the fly. As soon as Thompson came on and settled at right back, they started raining long balls into his area of the pitch, exploiting his lack of height. IT was instantaneous, almost as if the opposition management knew what they were doing.
Our apathetic midfield is down to Warne's insistence on 3 at the back, plus pushing our midfield forwards in an attempt to be on the front foot. But that puts them too far forwards for us to play through the middle, so our defenders have to resort to pinging the ball wide to the wing backs, which is Warne's preferred, and sole tactic. So despite having good players in the middle, they are being by-passed, to our detriment.
Wilson made an impact, and looks like he wants to play football, as did Thommo, he did more in his first 10 minutes the most of the team managed all match. Unlike many on here, I rate him, because he ahs good ball control, he doesn't waste the ball, has energy and commitment, and always looks to move the ball forwards wherever possible. He should start on Saturday, and given Bird's injury, he should be in central midfield, but knowing "the Derby Way", he'll probably be in goal to teach Wildsmith a lesson!
Another first was me going to a midweek match was me not having to worry about getting home late and compromising my sleep before going to work the next day. And then I left early! But do I want to turn up on Saturday and watch us get beached by Fleetwood? Common sense would say "No", but what has common sense got to do with it?

Well last night was a night for "firsts" for me. It was the first time I have heard the ref being booed back on to the pitch for the second half, and the first time I have walked out on a Derby game in 50 years. The nearest was when I left 5 minutes early back in 1998 when we were 4 - 1 down to Newcastle United. It was also a first in that although the ref was terrible, we were worse, by a looooooooooong way.
I didn't see the Bradley penalty foul, so maybe I'm turning into Arsene Wenger, I don't know. And wasn't aware how bad the Colins foul was as it was at the other end of the pitch. I just assumed it was like all the other yellow cards we got, which were for nothing - Smith's was after winning a clean tackle on the ball, for instance. By contrast Harris should have been carded for a blatant dive in the area just before Collins got booked, he ran across the goal line taunting the South Standers after he'd scored, which I thought was inciting the crowd, and then nearly took Cashin's head off while throwing him to the ground, which should have been another yellow. There was also a "both feet off the ground lunge near the corner flag which didn't even warrant a free-kick. So yes, the ref was bad. Partly my fault - I observed that he had been OK for the first 15 minutes, so sorry for being Mr Gobby!
So actually, match official wise, nothing new. But our performance - good grief! We had a good spell early in the second half for about 7 minutes, but that was it. Typified by Hourihane. Many of us have noticed he saunters around for much of the match in a half-arsed manner, and despite a reputation for skill, is more often than not a hoof-baller. NML is disappointing - the only time Collins was where a number 9 should be with a cross impending, and NML crosses behind him. I suppose it was better than simply whacking it out for  throw on the opposite side of the pitch, I suppose. And the defence! We were led to believe that we had brought players in to make our defence look like it is made of granite, but in reality it is made of shale, which means there is always the chance of a landslide. Oh dear. 
And once again we saw the opposition adapting on the fly. As soon as Thompson came on and settled at right back, they started raining long balls into his area of the pitch, exploiting his lack of height. IT was instantaneous, almost as if the opposition management knew what they were doing.
Our apathetic midfield is down to Warne's insistence on 3 at the back, plus pushing our midfield forwards in an attempt to be on the front foot. But that puts them too far forwards for us to play through the middle, so our defenders have to resort to pinging the ball wide to the wing backs, which is Warne's preferred, and sole tactic. So despite having good players in the middle, they are being by-passed, to our detriment.
Wilson made an impact, and looks like he wants to play football, as did Thommo, he did more in his first 10 minutes the most of the team managed all match. Unlike many on here, I rate him, because he ahs good ball control, he doesn't waste the ball, has energy and commitment, and always looks to move the ball forwards wherever possible. He should start on Saturday, and given Bird's injury, he should be in central midfield, but knowing "the Derby Way", he'll probably be in goal to teach Wildsmith a lesson!
Another first was me going to a midweek match was me not having to worry about getting home late and compromising my sleep before going to work the next day. And then I left early! But do I want to turn up on Saturday and watch us get beached by Fleetwood? Common sense would say "No", but what has common sense got to do with it?

Well last night was a night for "firsts" for me. It was the first time I have heard the ref being booed back on to the pitch for the second half, and the first time I have walked out on a Derby game in 50 years. The nearest was when I left 5 minutes early back in 1998 when we were 4 - 1 down to Newcastle United. It was also a first in that although the ref was terrible, we were worse, by a looooooooooong way.
I didn't see the Bradley penalty foul, so maybe I'm turning into Arsene Wenger, I don't know. And wasn't aware how bad the Colins foul was as it was at the other end of the pitch. I just assumed it was like all the other yellow cards we got, which were for nothing - Smith's was after winning a clean tackle on the ball, for instance. By contrast Harris should have been carded for a blatant dive in the area just before Collins got booked, he ran across the goal line taunting the South Standers after he'd scored, which I thought was inciting the crowd, and then nearly took Cashin's head off while throwing him to the ground, which should have been another yellow. There was also a "both feet off the ground lunge near the corner flag which didn't even warrant a free-kick. So yes, the ref was bad. Partly my fault - I observed that he had been OK for the first 15 minutes, so sorry for being Mr Gobby!
So actually, match official wise, nothing new. But our performance - good grief! We had a good spell early in the second half for about 7 minutes, but that was it. Typified by Hourihane. Many of us have noticed he saunters around for much of the match in a half-arsed manner, and despite a reputation for skill, is more often than not a hoof-baller. NML is disappointing - the only time Collins was where a number 9 should be with a cross impending, and NML crosses behind him. I suppose it was better than simply whacking it out for  throw on the opposite side of the pitch, I suppose. And the defence! We were led to believe that we had brought players in to make our defence look like it is made of granite, but in reality it is made of shale, which means there is always the chance of a landslide. Oh dear. 
And once again we saw the opposition adapting on the fly. As soon as Thompson came on and settled at right back, they started raining long balls into his area of the pitch, exploiting his lack of height. IT was instantaneous, almost as if the opposition management knew what they were doing.
Our apathetic midfield is down to Warne's insistence on 3 at the back, plus pushing our midfield forwards in an attempt to be on the front foot. But that puts them too far forwards for us to play through the middle, so our defenders have to resort to pinging the ball wide to the wing backs, which is Warne's preferred, and sole tactic. So despite having good players in the middle, they are being by-passed, to our detriment.
Wilson made an impact, and looks like he wants to play football, as did Thommo, he did more in his first 10 minutes the most of the team managed all match. Unlike many on here, I rate him, because he ahs good ball control, he doesn't waste the ball, has energy and commitment, and always looks to move the ball forwards wherever possible. He should start on Saturday, and given Bird's injury, he should be in central midfield, but knowing "the Derby Way", he'll probably be in goal to teach Wildsmith a lesson!
Another first was me going to a midweek match was me not having to worry about getting home late and compromising my sleep before going to work the next day. And then I left early! But do I want to turn up on Saturday and watch us get beached by Fleetwood? Common sense would say "No", but what has common sense got to do with it?

Well last night was a night for "firsts" for me. It was the first time I have heard the ref being booed back on to the pitch for the second half, and the first time I have walked out on a Derby game in 50 years. The nearest was when I left 5 minutes early back in 1998 when we were 4 - 1 down to Newcastle United. It was also a first in that although the ref was terrible, we were worse, by a looooooooooong way.
I didn't see the Bradley penalty foul, so maybe I'm turning into Arsene Wenger, I don't know. And wasn't aware how bad the Colins foul was as it was at the other end of the pitch. I just assumed it was like all the other yellow cards we got, which were for nothing - Smith's was after winning a clean tackle on the ball, for instance. By contrast Harris should have been carded for a blatant dive in the area just before Collins got booked, he ran across the goal line taunting the South Standers after he'd scored, which I thought was inciting the crowd, and then nearly took Cashin's head off while throwing him to the ground, which should have been another yellow. There was also a "both feet off the ground lunge near the corner flag which didn't even warrant a free-kick. So yes, the ref was bad. Partly my fault - I observed that he had been OK for the first 15 minutes, so sorry for being Mr Gobby!
So actually, match official wise, nothing new. But our performance - good grief! We had a good spell early in the second half for about 7 minutes, but that was it. Typified by Hourihane. Many of us have noticed he saunters around for much of the match in a half-arsed manner, and despite a reputation for skill, is more often than not a hoof-baller. NML is disappointing - the only time Collins was where a number 9 should be with a cross impending, and NML crosses behind him. I suppose it was better than simply whacking it out for  throw on the opposite side of the pitch, I suppose. And the defence! We were led to believe that we had brought players in to make our defence look like it is made of granite, but in reality it is made of shale, which means there is always the chance of a landslide. Oh dear. 
And once again we saw the opposition adapting on the fly. As soon as Thompson came on and settled at right back, they started raining long balls into his area of the pitch, exploiting his lack of height. IT was instantaneous, almost as if the opposition management knew what they were doing.
Our apathetic midfield is down to Warne's insistence on 3 at the back, plus pushing our midfield forwards in an attempt to be on the front foot. But that puts them too far forwards for us to play through the middle, so our defenders have to resort to pinging the ball wide to the wing backs, which is Warne's preferred, and sole tactic. So despite having good players in the middle, they are being by-passed, to our detriment.
Wilson made an impact, and looks like he wants to play football, as did Thommo, he did more in his first 10 minutes the most of the team managed all match. Unlike many on here, I rate him, because he ahs good ball control, he doesn't waste the ball, has energy and commitment, and always looks to move the ball forwards wherever possible. He should start on Saturday, and given Bird's injury, he should be in central midfield, but knowing "the Derby Way", he'll probably be in goal to teach Wildsmith a lesson!
Another first was me going to a midweek match was me not having to worry about getting home late and compromising my sleep before going to work the next day. And then I left early! But do I want to turn up on Saturday and watch us get beached by Fleetwood? Common sense would say "No", but what has common sense got to do with it?

The reason I left early from the Newcastle game all those years ago was that I was working in financial services on commission based sales, so if I didn’t do my job I didn’t get paid, and was watching a bunch of millionaires or soon to be millionaires getting paid a fortune for not performing.
That sentiment wasn’t lost on me last night - we can only pay new players £4000 a week, but that equates to £208,000 a year. And many are on way more than that. We are watching millionaires and soon to be millionaires (in Division 3, remember) being paid more in a fortnight than I was earning in a year, and that for working 60 hours a week!
So while many of us are bricking ourselves about the still ongoing cost of living crisis, the Derby players and management are swanning around without a care in the world. So people criticising fans who boo the team need to think again. We are the best supported team in the midlands, and outdo many Premiership clubs, and we have stuck by the club through its darkest days, of which there have been many. So booing isn’t a sign of lack of support. It is saying it how it is, it is demanding that the players and management do their bit as well instead of just showing up for the pay-check. Maybe they should dip into their own well-filled pockets and refund all those fans who have to endure this tripe, because the fans are the only ones who turn up at a match.
And I have come to the conclusion that Queen Victoria was a Ram because she was famous for saying “We are not amused”. 😡