Kinder

Just crawled into my pit. Great to see old friends and banter at the Exeter Arms pre match. We were behind the shot which was something special and deserved  to win any match . Will rate players when I’m  sober as for now I’m  a very content and drunk Ram . 
Goodnight Rams wherever you are. Lots to do still but hey we’re sitting pretty and content yes?!! 🐏

What a weird game. A lot of tactics and mind games between managers I reckon. Why did we sit so deep, let them have the ball ? Yet, with it, they didn’t seem very scary did they ? A fair few individual errors, tried a few things early on that didn’t come off, then we got all “safe” with no panache or zip;  but giving the walking wounded thing, maybe that was inevitable ?
Loads of effort from all the lads. Beautiful technique and finish from Adams, well deserved MOTM. That was a certified belter of a goal and worthy to win any match anywhere. CBT’s performance was very encouraging and I  thought Smith had an excellent game.. All the subs made a difference, Tommo’s energy,  Collo’s physical presence and guile shored everything up in the last 20. 
Fussy ref, Lino made some terrible offside calls and just didn’t see others. Very poor on both lines today in my opinion.
3 precious points … it’s getting closer everyone. Keep the faith. 

Great interview with Ebou Adams talking about Derby County, his faith, Ramadan. Four o'clock was his last meal. No food or water since. Wonderful attitude and discipline. Fully deserves MOTM.

League one, what a s*** show of a league it is. It's a tough league to get out of. This is our 7th season in league one, and we spent the prior 4 seasons in league 2. 
Like yourselves we have been proper turned over by owners in the past. 
So it's 11yrs for us in the bottom two leagues. 
Not counting my chicken's, because 3 of the past 5 seasons we've been top of this league and blown it. 
You'll be hard pressed to find a pompey fan that thinks promotion is guaranteed this season. We're only two defeats away from blowing it. 

Evening lads. Looking forward to our match next Tuesday. 
Think we'd both be happy with a draw? 
I'm a moderator on a pompey forum and we'd love to read your views on the match. 
Were a friendly bunch, so if you want to exchange views with pompey fans please feel free to register and post on our forum. 
You'll be welcome. 
They'll be a match thread going up after tomorrow's games are done and dusted. 
We look forward to welcoming you. 
Good luck for your remaining games. 
Please register and post your views here 
https://www.thepompey.uk/
 

I've missed so many games this year that I think it's time to knock it on the head.
Too old and too tired. 

This is fine if we’re talking about an inexperienced defender learning a lesson the hard way. We’re talking about an experienced pro who was part of a promotion to the premier league last season. He should be thoroughly embarrassed that he couldn’t control himself and in doing so has left the team with 2 centre backs for the next 3 matches. I’d pay him off at the end of this season and cut our losses - dread to think what championship strikers would do to him. 
 
This isn’t just about the sending off either. Constantly passing it behind the player he was playing it to. Constant poor touches including needing Wildsmith to rush out and spare his blushes to stop a repeat of match day 1. 
 
These mistakes shouldn’t be happening from a player at this stage in his career who has dropped down a level. 

Thank you for all the love, well wishes and oh matron moments, everyone.
Shame about the result, but I suppose it would not be Derby County if it was all smooth sailing.
With six games to go, we have our destiny in our own hands and that’s what counts. Blackpool will be tough but we’ll hopefully bounce back and flicker into life again.
Must admit I am a bit disappointed that it was just me who rose to the occasion and performed when it mattered.

Still plenty of time before we’re in “chucking it away” territory. 

I did! Over the moon about the prospect of attending my first away game since seeing the mighty Rams win 5 - 2 at Hillsborough. Fingers crossed for a similar result. I was just looking at our team that day...Stimac,  Wanchope,  Eranio, Poom...what a team that was.

Nailed it.

Timely return 👌 

At least I'm one of the few attendees without a bald patch! 

Loved the atmosphere yesterday. Managed to blag myself a flag/flange by telling the person giving them out I was only five 😂 Most enjoyable match of the season for me 

Oh Ebou bou bou,
Runs the midfield in a 3,
Oh Ebou bou bou,
He is tearing up the league.
With a Liam and a Max, and then sometimes with Korey,
He breaks up their attacks and then sets Dwight Gayle free.
 
I'm sure you can work out the tune....👍
 
 
 

The Stranglers gave me neck ache. Funny old world.

Saturday 23rd March
Northampton vs Derby
Sixfields Stadium (KO 1500)
 
Parking: There is apparently parking available at the ground (NN5 5QA) for a fiver or at a place called Duston Mill (NN5 5FP).
Opponents Bio: Founded in 1897, Northampton Town are well known by their nickname, 'The Cobblers', a nod to the town's historic shoe-making industry. Previously based adjacent to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, their move in 1994 now sees them play home matches at the 7,798 capacity Sixfields Stadium.
The swinging 60's was quite the decade to be a member of the Shoe Army as Northampton started the 1960/61 season in the fourth tier of the English game before three promotions and three relegations saw them back in Division 4 (ask your parents kids) in time for the 1969/70 campaign. Their one season in the top division was their only appearance at that level in their history so far. Indeed, since their relegation in 1966/67 from what is now the Championship, the Cobblers have played each of the subsequent 56 seasons in either the third or fourth tier. That run could have been broken in 1993/94 when they finished bottom of League 2 but they had a reprieve as Kidderminster Harriers' ground wasn't deemed suitable for the Football League.
This season sees Town looking to consolidate a League 1 berth after their promotion from League 2 in 2022/23 and sitting in 14th place and well clear of the drop zone they have comfortably achieved their initial target. A decent run of results could see them finish in the top half as they are one of four sides on 50 points before this weekend.
Opponents Gaffer & Dangermen: They are managed by an Australian, Jon Brady, who I know nothing about. 
Top scorers for Northampton this season are Sam Hoskins (14 goals), Kieron Bowie (eight) and Mitch Pinnock (six, plus seven assists). They also have Huddersfield loanee Tyreece Simpson and another loanee is a certain Tony Springett who played a few times for ourselves last year.
Other Titbits & Links to DCFC: Notable names associated with Saturday's opponents include former managers Herbert Chapman (of Huddersfield and Arsenal fame), Tony Barton (European Cup winning manager at Villa), Chris Wilder (when he was good), Ian Atkins (coming good again at Tranmere maybe), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Aidy Boothroyd and Graham Carr (father of comedy twins Alan and Jimmy). Their most famous ex-player is probably former Liverpool and England full-back, Phil Neal.
Derby links include Kevin Wilson (managed them) and those who played for both clubs include John Gregory, Ian Taylor and Marco Gabbiadini.
Opponents Form: They've struggled over the past five games, picking up just two points from draws against Charlton at home and Cambridge away. They've lost two on the bounce, both without scoring, with a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackpool followed on Saturday by a 2-0 loss at Wycombe. 
Their league record at home is respectable overall, reading: W8-D5-L6.
Rams History vs Northampton: We tempted fate against Bolton by highlighting the fact that they had never won in the league at Pride Park in 10 attempts. Lets be bold again by stating that;
Derby have never lost a competitive fixture against Northampton.
It's true. Six FA Cup ties (four original and two replays) and seven League matches is the sum total of the two clubs' historical matches against each other but the Rams have managed eight wins and five draws thus far. 
In League matches only, we currently stand at W4-D3-L0 with an away record of W2-D1-L0 on their turf.
The match earlier this season at Pride Park saw Derby run out comfortable 4-0 victors in a game where we saw the best of Conor Washington and a brace by Max Bird.
Likely Rams XI: We can possibly expect a change or two. Or maybe three? Assuming we maintain the back three then Warne has to decide between a recall for Sonny Bradley after illness or sticking with Fozzy. I'd be amazed if he didn't stay with Craig Maldini tbh. 
There are obvious doubts over those withdrawn against Bolton. Gayle is surely out and Barkhuizen and Ward are possibly struggling too. The gaffer also needs to make a decision on Hourihane as we look better with either Smith or Thompson in the middle (or both ideally for me) alongside Ebou Adams who must surely be our transfer target #1 for the summer. 
A return to the 18 for Conor Washington (MotM in the reverse fixture) would be welcome.
Other Notable Fixtures: None. Certainly not as far as those chasing automatic promotion is concerned. We are the only one of the five involved in that battle for a top two finish to be playing so it's a perfect opportunity to apply pressure on those now playing catch up with us. Seven points with a game in hand has to seem psychologically further away for Bolton than the current four points and equal games played so hopefully we can turn that screw.
COYR
 

This
We nullified an attack which had scored for fun the previous game. We scored from a well worked set piece. We defended excellently and as a team. We have magnificent support. We won 😄
I said to my grandchildren at the final whistle this is why we come to football for moments like this…I’m still buzzing COY🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏

That was massive today. Wildsmith, Nelson and Cashin all immense but special mention to Foz. What a guy.
Also huge credit to Warne. I think all his subs, whether forced or not, made a difference. It would have been easy to replace Gayle with Waggy but it was crucial to get the extra body in midfield and stop Bolton from dominating. The changes at half time all worked. Wilson was a threat all half, Tommo brought loads of energy and possession, Waggy is still getting back to fitness but good to be able to bring on a striker and he played his part. And how about Elder’s first touch?
I’ve seen a lot of criticism of Hourihane and today wasn’t his best game - and he wasn’t suited to playing in a midfield 2 against Bolton’s midfield. He will make contributions over the rest of the season though, the whole squad will. I really hope CBT gets a chance soon and shows what he’s made of.
I would say I enjoyed it today but I really didn’t! I was tense as hell but I really enjoyed the result and the table looks very healthy indeed. Also, the atmosphere was amazing - both sets of fans did their clubs proud. Was very satisfying to shut them up though, didn’t hear a peep out of them after we scored. 
 

That was massive today. Wildsmith, Nelson and Cashin all immense but special mention to Foz. What a guy.
Also huge credit to Warne. I think all his subs, whether forced or not, made a difference. It would have been easy to replace Gayle with Waggy but it was crucial to get the extra body in midfield and stop Bolton from dominating. The changes at half time all worked. Wilson was a threat all half, Tommo brought loads of energy and possession, Waggy is still getting back to fitness but good to be able to bring on a striker and he played his part. And how about Elder’s first touch?
I’ve seen a lot of criticism of Hourihane and today wasn’t his best game - and he wasn’t suited to playing in a midfield 2 against Bolton’s midfield. He will make contributions over the rest of the season though, the whole squad will. I really hope CBT gets a chance soon and shows what he’s made of.
I would say I enjoyed it today but I really didn’t! I was tense as hell but I really enjoyed the result and the table looks very healthy indeed. Also, the atmosphere was amazing - both sets of fans did their clubs proud. Was very satisfying to shut them up though, didn’t hear a peep out of them after we scored. 
 

That was massive today. Wildsmith, Nelson and Cashin all immense but special mention to Foz. What a guy.
Also huge credit to Warne. I think all his subs, whether forced or not, made a difference. It would have been easy to replace Gayle with Waggy but it was crucial to get the extra body in midfield and stop Bolton from dominating. The changes at half time all worked. Wilson was a threat all half, Tommo brought loads of energy and possession, Waggy is still getting back to fitness but good to be able to bring on a striker and he played his part. And how about Elder’s first touch?
I’ve seen a lot of criticism of Hourihane and today wasn’t his best game - and he wasn’t suited to playing in a midfield 2 against Bolton’s midfield. He will make contributions over the rest of the season though, the whole squad will. I really hope CBT gets a chance soon and shows what he’s made of.
I would say I enjoyed it today but I really didn’t! I was tense as hell but I really enjoyed the result and the table looks very healthy indeed. Also, the atmosphere was amazing - both sets of fans did their clubs proud. Was very satisfying to shut them up though, didn’t hear a peep out of them after we scored. 
 

That was massive today. Wildsmith, Nelson and Cashin all immense but special mention to Foz. What a guy.
Also huge credit to Warne. I think all his subs, whether forced or not, made a difference. It would have been easy to replace Gayle with Waggy but it was crucial to get the extra body in midfield and stop Bolton from dominating. The changes at half time all worked. Wilson was a threat all half, Tommo brought loads of energy and possession, Waggy is still getting back to fitness but good to be able to bring on a striker and he played his part. And how about Elder’s first touch?
I’ve seen a lot of criticism of Hourihane and today wasn’t his best game - and he wasn’t suited to playing in a midfield 2 against Bolton’s midfield. He will make contributions over the rest of the season though, the whole squad will. I really hope CBT gets a chance soon and shows what he’s made of.
I would say I enjoyed it today but I really didn’t! I was tense as hell but I really enjoyed the result and the table looks very healthy indeed. Also, the atmosphere was amazing - both sets of fans did their clubs proud. Was very satisfying to shut them up though, didn’t hear a peep out of them after we scored. 
 

@Rev