Andrew3000

you’ll go blind. 

We wouldn’t have scored them under Rosenior. There was a “shock & awe” aspect to our opening 20 minutes and disagree therefore about defensive howlers:
1. 1st goal was really about NML power just nicking the ball off the toe of the defender - not a howler.
2. Goal #2 - a simple tap-in; noted that Rovers had no defenders on the posts from our corners which is indeed school-boy error-level tactics. 
 
3. Goal #3 again was about NML power stealing possession not an error
4. Goal #4 was about McG ghosting the defender and stealing the ball - again we would not have scored under Rosenior.
Sorry to disagree but I rate Warne especially his simple approach to what is a simple game made complex by young men with coaching badges and a point to prove.

Is this the same guy?...
 
 
 
Yeah, he's pretty damn good, to be fair.  ?
#searchtheforumfirst
#modspleasemerge
#atidyforumisasafeforum
#?
#etc...etc...etc...

Established number one now who has grown in confidence game by game. A confident keeper is ususlly a good keeper and Wildsmith is both. Long may he reign.
?
Wildsmith
You make my heart sing
You make everything groovy
Wildsmith

Wildsmith, I think I love you
But I wanna know for sure
?

That was absolutely stupendous. I have to admit looking at Bristol's recent run I was expecting a tough match, maybe even a defeat, but they hardly got a look in! I think that the pace we played at was an important factor, with the main one being the right formation. And playing 4 at the back meant that Mendez-Laing and Dobbin were playing further up the pitch, so they could attack better, and it mean that our midfield boys had mor options when passing the ball. Simples, hey?
I think Tuesday night's hair drying session had its effect - to see Hourihan run half the length of the pitch to cut out a cross was, I think unprecedented at Pride Park! And without the 3 goals, man of the match would have gone to Mendez-Laing. He was awesome! But the rest of the team were up there as well! The penalty aside, the only things Derby players got wrong were things like Bird playing the thrown in ball back to the taker too hard, twice. Don't you just hate Warne-ball? Oh, and the defendding for the two goals conceded. But apart from tht, and the shot which Wildsmith had to save in the second half, Bristol didn't get a look in.
There were a load of dubious decisions by the ref, with the 50 - 50 tackle by Hourihan being harsh, especially with the card given to him, but was still probably one of the better refs this season. Not that there is much competition - the bar is set so low that all he had to do was avoid tripping over it  as he stepped forwards! The penalty was a penalty for sure, although I was expecting at least one more which never came. But how often have we seen a ref book 3 players for time wasting? Especially as we have had to watch about 35 hours of wasted time over the last two and a half seasons going virtually unpunished? Although I cold see why Roberts got carded. He had taken his time at throws several times, including pretending to drop the ball a couple of times. So all the Bristol player did was throw the ball at him hard so that Roberts dropped it for real. He forced the ref to get the card out. Which reminds me - several times we had players in numbers surrounding the ref, one time leading to a booking for a Bristolian! Progress!
The fans were really good and loud, and there was good banter with the visitors, and all in all it was a great day out. This could be a watershed moment - we can kick on from this, especially as we seem to have found a way to get the team playing well.

Well, well, who'd have thought it? Put players into a formation they are more familiar with, round pegs in round holes and watch them go! Credit to Paul Warne for making the change that resulted in our most fluid performance since he took over (I hope it wasn't only born out of necessity.)
I will start with Hourihane, because I have been particularly harsh on him. I thought this was his best game for Derby (goals notwithstanding.) Not surprisingly, this also enabled Bird to have his best game for a while. Their workrate and closing down was excellent. When they had the ball, they were spoilt for choice who to pass it to. Our midfield has discovered its engine at last! 
The defence worked so hard. The rocksteady Cashin the standout for me, but Fozzy marshalled them well and his experience was vital at times. Smith and Roberts worked their short socks off and got up to support the attack admirably. I felt a bit sorry that they let two goals in, but that was a very inexperienced combination. Despite this  Wildsmith didn’t have a lot to do, says it all.
But the plaudits of course go to the forward-line. The first goal was simplicity itself, McGoldrick stroking the ball into the back of the net. I think it gave him the confidence to go for those other two shots. The best finishing we've seen at Pride Park for a while. I'm so pleased a player of his quality has got his first career hat-trick in front of such a boisterous and appreciative crowd, who seemed to have recovered from Tuesday evening's lethargy. Well deserved, Didzy, and I enjoyed your comments afterwards on Radio Derby about managing your training time to maximise your time on the pitch. Warne, take note - it's not all about running around! 
Having said that, Collins - what an engine today, and he did make so much difference to the team dynamic. Mendez-Laing was excellent as ever and Dobbin more at home, although he does need to remember to track back with his man occasionally. 
4-2 at half-time slightly flattered Bristol, I thought, but plaudits to their fans, who got right behind their team.
After such an explosive first half it was perhaps inevitable that the pace dropped in the second, but we started brightly, should have scored more, and managed to hold on comfortably with the introduction of fresh legs. 
A word about the ref, I thought he did a good job (only missed the blatant foul on Collins just outside the box first half.) I did think Hourihane's was a booking. On today's form we'll miss him on Tuesday night. Hope we've saved some of today's fight for then.
Well done, Rams!

Just thought I’d start off by saying Warneball is so s*** to watch ?
From hearing his interviews listening to his podcasts it’s clear today is how he wants us to play and if this is what Warneball is, give me more!! Yes please!! 
 
The only travesty today is that it was 4-2, we totally outclassed them, we were at least 3 or 4 goals better. They got a bit of luck with the first goal, and the penalty (yet another) was stupid from Foz but in a way down to a left back playing right centre half.
So many good performances today. Didzy gets the plaudits he was phenomenal, loved Collins’ performance and pleased he got his goal, Mendez-Laing is my player of the year so far he’s barely had a bad game, Dobbin gave a good solid team performance, ran his socks off, and Bird and Hourihane were so much better today, before we get to the full backs, Smith solid taking one for the team playing out of position, and Roberts has just given his two best performances back to back. And Wildsmith is the best keeper in the league!! And Cash!!! The best centre half in the league 
We should’ve been further ahead at half time, we went for the 5th first 15 mins of the second half unlucky not to get it, from that point in the game management was superb!
I missed Oxford and Wycombe, but from the rest this is by far the best performance of the season!

First half was excellent. Good, positive football. Second half we controlled the game. Never really thought that they were going to get back in it.
All in all it was much better. For the first time I think I saw what Warne is trying to do with this team. Personally I prefer to watch this kind of football over the slow possession football we've seen in recent years. I think it's far more exciting. 
I'm glad we played with 4 at the back. For the first time under Warne we played a formation that suited the players and it paid off. We must stick with this.
The most positive thing about today is that we scored 4. You look at the top teams in the league at this moment and they've scored a lot more than we have. If we are to be promotion contenders we simply have to score more goals. Today was a good start.
Now we need to go on a run. With a win on Tuesday we can go into the playoff places. Nothing in this league is decided yet. Only a week or two ago people were saying Ipswich and Plymouth are nailed on for top two. Far from it. A message to the wrist slashers, remember not to get carried away. Things change quickly in football.
Up the rams

Set up was great. Suited the players we have. For the first time in an age, we were fastest to react to lose balls, pressed harder than our opponents and when we had the ball we moved it more quickly. Result ? You win second balls and you score goals. McG’s were all beautifully taken. We could have had more, Dobbin was in the right place twice for a pass and a slot in. 
Ref made the same number of errors for each side which is fine by me. Cross about Roberts undeserved booking though, and clearly Bristol need a neurologist as too many of their players have balance problems.
Diddy has to be MOTM simply for the hat trick but I thought Fozzy, Cashin NML and Collins all put in special performances. 
 
Of course supporting Derby makes you nervous all the ducking time, but when you reflect back, did we ever look threatened or out played individually or as a team ? I don’t think so. 
 
Magic moment ? Got to be Diddzy’s  third. His skill and Warne’s philosophy neatly bundled together
PS  (1) What a good signing Wildsmith is. He won’t save everything but he’s awake and assured. You feel comfortable with him between the sticks and great all rounder.
PS (2) how do we stop someone nicking Cashin ? That boy is a foundation stone and a very good footballer.
PPS Warne ball isn’t lump ball L1 - he understands the game, there will be carp games but like us he knows what good football is. 

Just got home...
So, let's just re-cap on this afternoons game...
 
 
 
WTF just happened?  ?‍♂️
Collins:  Best performance thus far.
DMcG:  Same, but with the added bonus of being absolutely clinical.  BOOM (x 3).
NML:  A Beast.
Fozzie:  Best of the rest.
For once, all eyes were not on the defence, so I concede I couldn't name anyone else for being great or poor.
All Rams goals at my end.
Best 45 mins for what seems like an age... and the second half wasn't too shabby, all things considered.
Just a game-in-hand win away from a PO spot.
Even the ref was the best we've seen this season.  (Not perfect of course, but none of them are!)
Pleasantly mild (Why on earth did I take my coat! ?) And surprisingly dry, considering this morning's washout.
A stunningly beautiful woman waiting for me when I walked in.  Film night, sofa-cuddles,  and a celebratory tipple or two in store for later.
Oh... and an extra hour in bed... not that I'll need a full hour!  ?
 
What the heck... I'm putting today down as a good 'un!
??

Shout out to the ref. First professional performance we’ve seen from an official this season. 

The focus will be on that attacking first half, but I was equally impressed with how organised we were in the second.
Dare I say it, a little bit of identity to our game?
McGoldrick obviously MOTM, but Roberts, Fozzy, Bird, NML and Collins we’re all excellent. The whole team’s effort and pressing was relentless.
Great performance. 

I bought my 1st metal detector last week, Spent the weekend in a farmers field digging, Had what must have been over 100 hits but no look with owt, Got home and read the instructions all fine and the metal detector is working as should.
Put the kettle on and took my boots off, Then it dawned on me...I had toe tectors on.

Bird and Hourihane in CM?????

Men Des Laing???

It's certainly an option and one I would like to see.........back to the good old Stevie Mac days! 
I think it's success depends upon the performance of Rooney, if he can add physical presence and a decent shield in front of the back four it free's the other two up to go cause some damage. 
One of the most concerning things under Warne for me is the way the opposition keep wandering through our midfield unopposed. I don't think it's intentional, but the central midfielders clearly haven't got the hang of how Warne wants them to be covering each other without a dedicated CDM to do that job.
Putting Rooney or someone else in there to mop up and get stuck in to the opposition's midfield runners will give us more stability and our games will look a lot less end to end/chaotic!
 
 

Wippee! Another completely inexperienced ref lined up for his big day out.
Match Officials
Martin Coy will take charge of Saturday's contest and will be assisted by Anthony Da Costa and Marc Wilson.
 
The officiating team is made complete by Lee Freeman, who is on fourth official duties.
Coy has been in the middle for just four games so far this season and one in Sky Bet League One. He's handed out 10 yellow cards, one red card and awarded one penalty across those four matches.

Impossible to tell from a warm-up of course but Rooney at half-time looked every inch the professional footballer.
His control and range of passing was great and if you were a neutral he would have been the one you expected to be brought off the bench.
We have a few ‘senior’ players who are mis-firing and I would be seriously tempted to give the lad a go.
I’d then instruct Bird not to be in our half unless he’s defending a set piece!
 

A random post quoted above. If unhappy at the flux recently just look back at certain periods of this thread - euphoria of first couple of days of July (yes it was that late) and total despair when the yank pulled out. 
Cannot believe how fans seem to be forgetting. 

Had to suffer an anti-money laundering course at work this week. Sports-washing was discussed as a current risk area. We were ripe for it generally. We are so so so lucky to be discussing Paul Warne as manager 

Davies & Knight are out with contact injuries not strains, but of course that doesn't fit your argument does it.

Wildsmith 7 Not much to do, but some great passes to get us on the attack.
Chester 6
Cashin 8 Natural and combative defender, lovely passing, only struggled when briefly shifted to right of the 3 left footed CBs. I liked him in the middle, whether 3 or 2 CBs.  Imperious.
Forsyth 7 Defended well, passed well. Actually looked like a CB.
Mendez-Laing 6.5 put in a lovely cross early on.  Kept going. Hate to see him taking on people in our half though.
Smith 6.5 Good decisive passing, silly or perhaps 'professional' foul when he slipped? good at RB, defended well and got NML going a few times.
Bird 4 Jogged around. Barely touched the ball second half.  Looked unhappy and lost.
Hourihane 4 Too deep, too slow, too weak. When got into a rare advanced position in first half, he inexplicably played sideways and the attack broke down. For someone with his quality to do that was disturbing to see. Good free kick, corners nowt special. I thought he would be the most advanced midfielder because of his composed finishing. Wrong.
Roberts 7.5 He put in a ton of effort. Drove forward with purpose, set attacks up with Dobbin, won headers, controlled aggression to win tackles. Looked really good at left back. 
Sibley 6 Did OK but nothing came off. Made no sense to play him up top when we've 2 other fit strikers on the bench. Would've had more joy first half if we picked one of them, as Exeter were poor in defence.
Osula 6 Not much service, but glimpses of his pace and power.
McGoldrick 6 lots of effort, not quite match sharp but should have started.
Dobbin 6.5  Energetic, they couldn't live with his pace on the left. Iffy end product at times but can cause mayhem when played into space.  Nifty footwork to get away from man once or twice too.
 

Wildsmith 7.5 - one good save early on, great kicking & very secure under high ball. In great form recently
Chester 7 - was very steady until forced off by injury
Cashin 8 - fantastic all evening. Kept their front lads very quiet, great distribution & couple of superb forward passes
Forsyth 8 MOM - like Cashin, kept their very quick front men quiet. One excellent cross for Dobbin second half also
Mendez-Laing 7 - very prominent but was up against an excellent FB (Sparkes) & couldn't make that telling contribution despite plenty of breaks/runs down the right
Smith 6.5 - solid performance both in midfield & at right back. Didnt get tested much defensively 
Bird 5.5 - couple of good early passes but struggled to get into the game. Ball wasnt going through him & Exeter pressed well. Want to see him demanding the ball & making his presence felt
Hourihane 4.5 - last 15 mins were decent but first 75 mins were poor. Lacked energy all night & quality from set pieces was dismal
Roberts 7.5 - impressed with him tonight. His energy stood out in our apathetic display & kept Javani Brown relatively quiet
Sibley 5 - anonymous when playing centrally, he then got a silly booking which meant he couldnt stay left wing back for long. Dont want him in that position again though
Osula 6.5 - willing runner but struggling with lack of service & slightly heavy touch
McGoldrick 6.5 - not as much impact as other sub cameos but some nice touches & usual hard work
Dobbin 7 - played well left side & got past his full back a couple of times. Still struggling to make a game changing impact though

Tuned into radio Derby on the way home last night and you'd have thought we'd lost 5-0 to the Red Lion 2nd team.
It wasn't good but there was only one team trying to win it.
Some things are now obvious:
The quality of this league is pretty poor In the circumstances LR assembled a decent squad and, overall, they are under-performing, irrespective of formations or managers The standard of officiating in mind-blowingly poor on basic decisions and is a factor - for example, last night each wrong throw-in or corner lost us possession and about a minute of playing time - so you need to score first and early. I hope PW does well and I'm not going to join a pile-in on him at this early stage.
That said, his whole approach seems to be get forward quickly, get loads of crosses in the box and create loads of chances.........I have no problem with that.
Whether it's been 4 or 5 at the back, NML has delivered more crosses in and created more danger than any Derby winger in recent memory. 
However, on the other side, for a right footed winger, TB has done well with his left foot against weak sides but has dithered and gone to his right foot when under pressure.
Roberts did OK last night overall but he has a crossing phobia so is completely unsuited to LWB or attacking LB in a system that is based on getting crosses into the box.
The most prolific crosser in the squad is Fozzy - some are world class, some are rubbish but he's not scared of crossing and crossing quickly. Why not actually try putting a squarish peg in a squarish hole on Saturday and get crosses in from both sides? If he's knackered after 60 mins then take him off - you never know we may be winning, courtesy of one of his crosses.
I understand Roberts is actually a CB so why not let him play to his strengths?