Ellafella

Absolutely. I’m 59 (today) and was lucky enough to witness from 1969 onwards. As I’ve told my sons, wring every ounce of celebration because success is rare in football. It’s just that we had a glut of it in the 1970’s. So, celebrate hard when it comes @DarkFruitsRam7. 

As I woke up tired and hungover this morning, I had a thought. While it's always great hearing stories about the glory days of the 70s, the iconic 80s and the fun 90s, there's a whole generation of Derby fans who have only ever known disappointment. I myself had my first season ticket in the 2006/07 Billy Davies season, but I was too young to properly appreciate it.
Since then, it's been a mix of hope, heartbreak and 'nearly' moments. Our generation of supporters have witnessed other clubs' fans celebrating siuccess (sometimes at our expense), but we find it difficult to fathom what it would actually feel like for Derby to ever get over the line.
Yesterday, as I walked back back to the bus with my arm round my mate's shoulder, belting Derby songs at the top of our voices, I had the first taste of what it might feel like to experience success as a Derby fan. This morning, I started making preparations for post-game jaegerbombs and cigars next weekend. And thinking about how I'll be raising a glass to the lad that we all miss. 
We're not over the line yet. But I'm well into dreaming territory. And for us fans who aren't old enough to know glory, it's going to be oh so sweet.
Up the Rams.

I know @angieram - I had that B4 conversation in my head as we were booking …”can’t you tell wife passport is forgotten on day you fly…” 🐼 

1Wildsmith  5
35Nelson 7
5Bradley 7
6Cashin 8
2Wilson 7
7Barkhuizen 6
12Smith 6
32Adams 6
17Sibley 8
16Thompson 8
8Bird 🦅  6
9Collins 6
11Méndez-Laing 7
10Waghorn 6

ATG but taking neighbouring home fans muttering into account
1Wildsmith 6 great save but dodgy hesitant moment and terrible kicks
35Nelson 7.5
5Bradley 7.5
6Cashin 8
2Wilson 6.5
7Barkhuizen 6
12Smith 7
32Adams 7.5
17Sibley 8
16Thompson 7.5
8Bird 🦅 6.5
9Collins 7
11Méndez-Laing 8
10Waghorn 5.5

1Wildsmith.....bit flappy and one led to a fine save, one great pass and several awful ones..... 6.5
35Nelson.....nuts and bolts CB..... 7
5Bradley......very good in an ungainly way..... 7.5
6Cashin.....my player of the season..... 7.5
2Wilson.....wears his socks too high..... 6.5
7Barkhuizen.....no time to make impact..... 6
12Smith.....not overly involved..... 6.5
32Adams.....industrious with a couple of excellent moments..... 7
17Sibley.....excellent assist and threatened going forward. Tidy defensively bar the obligatory yellow for a rash challenge..... 8 (MOTM)
16Thompson.....my favourite player. Got forward well in support and quick tidy feet on more than occasion..... 7
8Bird 🦅 .....great to see him back and hopefully can make his mark in his farewell appearance next week..... 6.5
9Collins.....numerous fine moments and tidy throughout. Unsung hero today for my money..... 7.5
11Méndez-Laing.....back on the scoresheet with the help of their keeper - why do goalies do that? Unlucky with effort from range against the bar..... 7
10Waghorn.....no chance to impact the game..... 6
 
 

1Wildsmith - 7.5 a great save but was shakey with a few crosses 
35Nelson - 8 I love him 
5Bradley - 8 was a warrior today 
6Cashin - 8 as expected 
2Wilson - 7 was bright on the ball, hopefully isn’t injured 
7Barkhuizen - 6
12Smith - 7 did well 
32Adams - 8 the man’s a legend 
17Sibley - 8 he’s been excellent recently
16Thompson - 7 love seeing Tommo back in the side 
8Bird 🦅 - 7 looked quality be sad to see him go 
9Collins - 7 worked hard 
11Méndez-Laing - 8.5 extra points for a winner, what a player 
10Waghorn - 6

TV
1Wildsmith 6 Kicks like a donkey in a blindfold 
35Nelson 6
5Bradley 7.5
6Cashin 7
2Wilson 6
7Barkhuizen 5.5
12Smith 6.5
32Adams 6
17Sibley 7.5
16Thompson 5.5
8Bird 🦅 6
9Collins 6
11Méndez-Laing 6.5
10Waghorn 4
 

…are you for the last 2 games? I’ve been home & away for most of the season but had to reluctantly relinquish my tickets for Cambridge & Carlisle for the sunnier clime of Sri Lanka from where I’ll be watching tonight. Pre-match today I’m taking plenty of fluid on board and doing some light pool work just to keep myself loose. It’s my birthday tomorrow so hopefully the Rams will present me with 3 points just to make tomorrow sweeter. 
Where are you watching from if you’re not at the game? 🐏

Rams TV in Tampere. Lovely springtime in Finland, woke this morning to this:
 

Got a bit of a touch up tonight. Bit of a learning curve for our youngsters. 6 new players so far this year so onwards to Cronulla next week. Got absolutely soaked but I got to try out my new wet weather gear for our 6 day hike in Scotland so all good.

Phoenix, Arizona for next week 🌵

A wet Saturday night in Brisbane watching Canberra Raiders take on the Broncos, flying to the UK next Sunday morning so hopefully the results will make a 36 hour flight more bearable.

Today watching on RamsTV with my fellow LS12 Ram - couple of beers in hand to get through the tension & a damn sight more afterwards if we win & results go our way elsewhere
Next weekend in my usual spot top of East Stand exchanging pleasantries with Carlisle's best & brightest
 

I’ll be taking the last of the ewes who we managed to adopt orphan lambs onto, back up onto the tops….then just sitting up there looking at the view, thinking thank duck 2024s lambing’ is over, whilst trying to get a signal for updates from the matchday thread.

#physicallybatteredmenatallyshatteredbutunbroken
Flipping need some sleep….perhaps I’ll count the sheep.
Support UK farmers, and care were your food comes from, you to @Mostyn6
COYRs

Both my parents have jetted off for a once-in-a-lifetime month-long tour of South America only to miss out on the entire last month of the season. I told them they'd better hope the season is over by the time they get back because otherwise we'll be in the play-offs. 

Be watching 1st half in the car on me phone. Er indoors lands back from 5 days in Barcelona with her Mam, 25 minutes before kick off. KO minus 5 I'll be in the Schiphol airport car park, €2.30 per 20 minutes or part thereof. Luggage hits the belt around 25 minutes into the game, I expect to see the two of them about 35 minutes into the game. Er indoors will then drive us back to her Mam's to drop her off and then us back home. Hopefully see the last 20 at home with a celebratory beer... 
Next week it's Block F, Row FF in the East Stand.

Tributes paid to former Wales, Burnley and Swansea winger Leighton JamesPopular winger has died at the age of 71James scored 10 goals in 54 appearances for Wales.
 
 

Hasn’t the pub got a toilet?

I know @angieram - I had that B4 conversation in my head as we were booking …”can’t you tell wife passport is forgotten on day you fly…” 🐼 

I have - in the King Arthur promotion year, and it was as flat as a fart. I think that day was when the word "underwhelmed" was defined.

Today is my in laws 50th wedding anniversary, we are due to go out for dinner. I have saved up over 20 years of hanging around waiting for Mrs. Chopper to be ready, and the kids taking at least 30 trips to the loo before we go anywhere, so now it's my turn. I'm listening to it, in my room and I'll leave when I'm ready!
 

If we lose switch to the stout, it's like rocket fuel 

…are you for the last 2 games? I’ve been home & away for most of the season but had to reluctantly relinquish my tickets for Cambridge & Carlisle for the sunnier clime of Sri Lanka from where I’ll be watching tonight. Pre-match today I’m taking plenty of fluid on board and doing some light pool work just to keep myself loose. It’s my birthday tomorrow so hopefully the Rams will present me with 3 points just to make tomorrow sweeter. 
Where are you watching from if you’re not at the game? 🐏