DavesaRam

So having calmed down (again), here we go: First half I was ok with the Rams, because we had been competent overall, aided by Wycombe's terrible start. They were awful. Even so, we should have been 2 or 3 nil up. But most of our threats came from a long hoof upfield (the only times we played through the middle?), but there still were some concerns. We did have one move of very slick, one-touch passing which sliced them wide open, I think ending up with NML trying to convert the rugby try! But after 30 minutes or so Wycombe seemed to change things up and were getting into the ascendency. This continued in the second half when they went up another ger, and we were left chasing shadows for much of the half. The highlight of the the half was Smith's performances, with 2 or 3 "Gorgeous George" through balls - delightful. What was he doing playing the ball through midfield? 
The real issue is yet again we treated midfield as though that is where you go to catch the plague. So yet again we find a way to play that works, and then we slither back to the tied and trusted methods which we have proved over and over again don't work. Our main gambit is still "get it wide and cross it in", and just as Northampton did, Wycombe simply doubled up on our wide men, and it was effectively game over. And when we did cross it, there was only 1 or 2 of ours in the box. Were we holding back to guard against Wycombe catching us on the break? Will they did anyway, because we only had 2 men in midfield. So having played with 3 in midfield and avoided the collapse which our crop of injuries should have brought us, we went back to 2 in the middle, and spent much of the match being over-run there.
Add in that a number of players yet gain didn't show up in a crucial match and in the end a draw was seemingly a good result. Only it wasn't. I wonder if the no-show performances is because the players know that no matter how hard they try, they are being asked to play in a way that doesn't work?
And for anyone who wants to have a go at people who have the temerity to criticise what is happening: as I said earlier in this thread, with this bunch of players it should be Portsmouth who are fighting for second place, not us.

Its not so much we don’t know how to play through the middle, it is more that the players are not allowed to.

I was there last night and my god it was a hard watch. The constant Wildsmith to Nelson, Nelson to Wilson followed by the ball being lumped up the line invariably to a Wycombe player made my eyes bleed. A lot of people on here blaming CBT for the early miss but Washington was clean through and should have buried that himself. On the extremely rare occasions where we kept the ball on the deck we cut through them but of course that’s not the Warne way so it was back to lumping it. Not one player looked on it last night just like at Northampton. 
It is just so dispiriting to see us floundering in a match like that at such a crucial stage of the season. 

1.26 am just got home after numerous road closures and diversions.
It's hard work sometimes. 

Its not so much we don’t know how to play through the middle, it is more that the players are not allowed to.

Its not so much we don’t know how to play through the middle, it is more that the players are not allowed to.

I stumbled on a Youtube video of all of Chris Martin's goals (97, I think).Oh what memories. And no, I am not calling him to be brought back to Derby, his day is done. But if only we could see team football like that again. We have the players to make a passable imitation of it, but with this coaching team, it ain't going to happen.

I stumbled on a Youtube video of all of Chris Martin's goals (97, I think).Oh what memories. And no, I am not calling him to be brought back to Derby, his day is done. But if only we could see team football like that again. We have the players to make a passable imitation of it, but with this coaching team, it ain't going to happen.

And here is why: as I said a few comments ago, we should have been clear in top place ages ago, but because of gutless performances and absolutely terrible formations and tactics we are now asking our rivals for favours. 

And here is why: as I said a few comments ago, we should have been clear in top place ages ago, but because of gutless performances and absolutely terrible formations and tactics we are now asking our rivals for favours. 

Funny enough I happened to look at a YT vid last night of some of Johnny Russell’s goals for Kansas… some classical finishes in there…

And here is why: as I said a few comments ago, we should have been clear in top place ages ago, but because of gutless performances and absolutely terrible formations and tactics we are now asking our rivals for favours. 

And here is why: as I said a few comments ago, we should have been clear in top place ages ago, but because of gutless performances and absolutely terrible formations and tactics we are now asking our rivals for favours. 

And here is why: as I said a few comments ago, we should have been clear in top place ages ago, but because of gutless performances and absolutely terrible formations and tactics we are now asking our rivals for favours. 

And here is why: as I said a few comments ago, we should have been clear in top place ages ago, but because of gutless performances and absolutely terrible formations and tactics we are now asking our rivals for favours. 

And here is why: as I said a few comments ago, we should have been clear in top place ages ago, but because of gutless performances and absolutely terrible formations and tactics we are now asking our rivals for favours. 

Sadly Portsmouth will have secured 1st place and taken their foot off the gas when they play Bolton, who will therefore take 2nd place!
It should be Portsmouth fighting for 2nd place, not us.

Sadly Portsmouth will have secured 1st place and taken their foot off the gas when they play Bolton, who will therefore take 2nd place!
It should be Portsmouth fighting for 2nd place, not us.

Sadly Portsmouth will have secured 1st place and taken their foot off the gas when they play Bolton, who will therefore take 2nd place!
It should be Portsmouth fighting for 2nd place, not us.

The ballboys want fcuking

Comparisons with Northampton are incorrect. You can tell we are on the pitch tonight - we’ve played loads better, apart from the finishing.

Comparisons with Northampton are incorrect. You can tell we are on the pitch tonight - we’ve played loads better, apart from the finishing.

Too soon. 

This lot looks dreadful.