1967Ram

I enjoyed Kane’s chat earlier, the comments he made about his teammates and nicknames struck me as there is unity within the dressing room and staff, despite suggestions from some posters elsewhere.

Edit. Also like his humility in holding his hands up to the pass into Adams on Tuesday that led to the second. 
Interesting to hear him mention the pressure that wobbled FGR when they were pushing for promotion during his time there, it’s one of the things I can’t work out with the current squad and management we have. There is supposedly knowledge and know how within the squad and staff, I know a growing number doubt Warne and have no interest in joining that argument anymore, I personally don’t see it being solely his fault that we’re having this sticky run, just interested in IF he and the players can find a way to get over the mental block to see games out from winning positions and get home in the auto places. 🤞 

When I was sat down at the front of the stand in October/November we had a decent run of results against lower teams, playing a 4-2-3-1. 
I recall Fozzy and NML playing really well at that time, probably encouraged by my very loud vocal support for said players (I could almost reach out and touch them!) 😂
Now I'm back up in the lofty atmosphere of the West Stand Upper we need someone else to make that racket. It obviously worked! 😉
Or perhaps PW just needs to play a more positive formation? 😄
Incidentally, the game we won 4-0 against Northampton Conor Washington led the line, with Barks and NML either side and Bird in that advanced role. I see no reason why Gayle can't do what Washington did that day. 

I'd like to see a different approach.
Perhaps a slow, laborious first half, with maybe 2 corners and one half-hearted shot on goal.
Then a good 30 mins of the second half being... erm... even less productive.
Then bring on a ruck of defenders to hopefully seal the draw, after 14k fans have already departed "to beat the traffic"*, before... wait... wtf... it's just gone in off Gayle's ar5e!

By Jove, It's back on!  Arise Sir Warne of Bobbleshire!
 
 
*Traffic my ar5e!  🙄

Formation ? Names in a hat.. Result ? No bloody idea. That's not being negative, I genuinely have no clue. Bounce-back victory and comfortable win or back to dross again, or anywhere in between. Whatever else we need a formation where the players understand what they are doing and for several players to significantly raise their game. Oh and don't hand the opposition soft goals... oh and score some... er.. sorted.. possibly

Honestly, there is so much tripe posted in here after a defeat it is laughable!
We've lost back to back league games for the 1st time.
We are 2nd in the table despite having to deal with a lack of attacking options.
Yes, we would all like to see more flair, more attacking football, but we just don't have the personnel for it atm, our financial restrictions have limited who we have been able to recruit and more importantly, IMO, who we were able to keep hold of.
I really wish we had played a 5 at the back last night with the lack of a left back being available, Sibley at LWB and Wilson at RWB would have given us more attacking options IMO, but he chose to play a 4 with Cashin at LB, a 4 that the vast majority are screaming for despite the personnel not being available.
No matter how poor the football is perceived to be by some, we ONLY lost to stupid, amateurish individual errors again, just like at the beginning of the season.
Is it Warnes fault that Wildsmith had another brainfart? We could see from the South stand that when the ball went forward he would never get there in time as he wasn't on his toes in anticipation, so he should have got close and stood his grd to make the player have to beat him.
Was it Warnes fault that the numerous mistakes from individuals cost us the 2nd goal, fgs, I came from us trying to pass it around at the back instead of launching it forwards (what most people complain about as Warne ball.... so it feels like all those moaners got what they deserved by trying to pass it around with league 1 players!).
I for 1 will be there on Saturday and give him my full support, despite not agreeing with some of his decisions,  after all, what do I know compared to the man that has us 2nd in the table?
And for all those that say any other manager would have us 1st, prove it, Where's the evidence? Who's to say we wouldn't have lost more games? Or is it just your opinion, a bit like mine, so worthless other than being an opinion of a fan that has watched thousands of games but never had access to the inner workings of a club out of administration and the coaching badges to allow me to be on the training ground. 
 
 

Had time to calm down a bit now after yesterday to give my honest opinion.
First 20 minutes of the first half, I thought we looked good. It was all us, but we didn't create any chances at all. Scored from a corner. 
We go in at half time and you just think come out and get the second goal. But we started so poorly. Despite us being poor, we were still ok and Charlton did not look dangerous at all. 
Then Wildsmith decides to give the most ludicrous penalty away you will see (exactly the same as Oxford away) unforgiveable. Clearly not learnt his lesson. You cannot legislate for that at all. As soon as Vickers is fit, he would be going back in. Then i'd be looking for a new number 1 in the summer. 
Then it just gave them hope, when they had none. Another mistake and another goal.
I was ok after the Barnsley game, thought it was tight, neither team created a lot. Both scored a set piece. The difference was they scored a really great finish, Neither keeper had anything to do. Draw would have been fair.
But last night, we are playing against a team that has not won for 18 games. Regardless of the fact that they have good players and are underperforming. I cannot remember their keeper making a save or us testing him at all. At no point did I think we would score in open play, we could still be out there now and not scored. Which against a team 20th in the league is unacceptable. 
Warne comes out after every game saying we moved the ball to slow, we weren't brave enough on the ball. Yet every game we do it again.
I am not a fan of Warne or the football. You can forgive the football if we win games. But last night was hideous and inexcusable.
I saw people moaning he took Smith off. But Smith was blowing out his arse and was done after 50 odd minutes. Not sure why Thompson didn't get on to replace the energy vacated by Smith. Really not sure why Cashin was left back either. 
We simply have to win the next 3 games. All winnable. But my biggest concern is that we just are not creating any chances at all. 2 games in a row now I can't remember the opposition keeper having to make a save. Even last night if their keeper had made save after save and we were creating chances. You would have come out thinking, its one of them days, Gave 2 poor goals away but we are creating chances so carry on like that and we will be fine. 
The best I have seen us play this season was the second half at Oxford. We were on the front foot, brilliant. That's what we need.
We have nothing to lose now, I want to see us come out, create chances and put teams to bed.
Sitting on a 1-0 lead at home is criminal and has cost us so many points this season. 3 last night, 2 against Wycombe, 2 against Shrewsbury. 
We aren't sacking Warne now. So we have just got to get behind them and hope we can do enough to get up. 
 
 

I wonder how many supporters would have selected that back four last night based on what we have seen this season with who was available? 
                  For me the strongest and balanced back four available would have been Nyambe Nelson Cashin Sibley and yes Sibley could be a potential weak link it hasn’t really transpired that way when he has played and not to mention he can cross a ball and shoot. 

Last night unfortunately exposed all of Paul Warne's flaws as a manager. Even before Wildsmith's kamikaze moment, the lack of ball retention after going 1-0 up was appalling. Sunday morning rushing to get the ball forward which caused so many unforced errors. What has the manager got against keeping the ball for 10-15 minutes? I know it's dull and boring, we have got to be smarter in certain games. Charlton were a terrible team and we somehow gifted them a win.
Derby had most of the control in the first half. We got the goal, beautiful header by Cashin and another assist for NML. Came out in the 2nd half and kept giving the ball away by forcing it forward. Charlton's press was very aggressive in the 2nd half. Instead of playing it around Charlton and exposing them, we kept pumping the ball forward. In a game where patience and calm was required, we absolutely fell apart.
Making our lives more difficult sums up this season. Even though we've been accumulating a really healthy points total, it has been a proper slog to get points on the board. I hope this is just a small blip and we will get back to form on Saturday! 

I watched the game last night and I thought first half was fine. We generally kept the ball well but made some terrible decisions once we got into the final third. We had more pace but the way we played didn't really suite Gayle. It will take some adapting to so we can make the most of his qualities i think. 
The second half was poor. We never really got going and didn't look confident. Wildsmith is a keeper I've rarely been sure of. He flatters to deceive by making a great save now and again but in the middle makes a host of blunders. Last season he probably cost us around a dozen points with all his mistakes. I think this season he's going the same way. But that doesn't excuse the lack of shape from the squad. The substitutions did more harm than good and we had so little in the middle of the park. 
We'll get in the playoffs which is an improvement but I can't see us picking up an automatic slot unless something changes. If we spend another year in the division it will be much harder for us to leave it with key players such as Bird leaving. It will require another facelift in terms of personnel. If it is the playoffs there is no one that really scares me as such except for ourselves. When we do play well we can beat anyone in this league but those days are too few and far between at the moment. 

Utterly moronic by Wildsmith. Once he realised he wasn't going to get there first he simply has to have the self-restraint to not dangle a leg towards the attacker. 

I don't get it. Cory Smith was having a good game tonight and gets substituted. NML was not at the races tonight and could have done with a rest and stays on the park. We continue in this vein of form in our home games and we will fail to get 2nd place.
 

Bird has been good recently but he was poor tonight …some may blame Ebou for second goal but he covers so much of the pitch and puts his body on the line he’s the first name on the team sheet in midfield for me also thought Sibs and Waggy were very ineffective Korey Smith was good tonight 

Positives;
- some promising passing and movement in the first half, good attacking intent though admittedly without much of a cutting edge. 
 
- Gayle and Waghorn getting minutes will hopefully help with the striking situation.
- Cashin scored a lovely header.
- Smith did well in midfield with Adams.
Negatives;
- Rash decision from Wildsmith leading to the pen.
- Poor decision making and defending for the second.
- Once again unable to build on a lead and put a team away, worrying pattern.
- NML quiet and ineffective.
- Nyambe injured.
 
Feel pretty flat after that. ANOTHER another chance to “put it right” on Saturday at least 🤷🏻‍♂️ 
 

Should have kept Korey on he was everywhere tonight with Ebou . NML was shattered did nowt. Wildsmith reckless and Bird had poor game. 

It is what it is. 
 
If we do go up we’re gonna do it playing this industrious version of football. If we lose then obviously the style of play opens Warne up for criticism. 
 
Had Barnsley down to beat us today and that’s exactly what they did. Bit concerning as their run in is easier than everybody else’s but maybe they’ll stutter once they feel the pressure. 
 
A win on Tuesday will be nice whether it’s by hook or by crook.

Nothing quality from the wing backs.  Why beat a player once when you can go round him three times then get tackled Mr Wilson.
Adams looked as poor as he has good thus far, looked a yard of the pace and his passing was rather dodgy. Awful picking up for their second.  We lost some aggression further up when Sibley went off. Wildsmiths distribution was abhorrent so we needed to keep it down and play through and took the constant easy back pass option. 
Overall, we looked second best in a game we had to get a result from against an efficient but not overly special side. The usual when it really matters. 
 

So so disappointing! 1-0 and you’d back us to show the grit and determination to get a point at least. To loose it on a set piece will break Paul Warne’s heart. 
 
Bolton and Pompey to play, and plenty of twists and turns to come in the season. However, for me, if we are going up automatically, we are limping there rather than sprinting! 

You love it?

We're second in the division. Why don't we deserve it? That makes zero sense.
We're not very good, but CLEARLY, neither is the entire division.
You don't fluke your way to 20 wins out of 33 games.

Spot on. I'd hate to work with some on here as clearly they are perfect each and every day, which I'm utterly certain their co-workers would corroborate!
I'm not Madley's biggest fan, as he does seem more than a tad needy, but I do think the Twatter Karens need to pipe down as it's not as if we're the only team ever to be on the end of poor calls. Looking at the Barnsley fan's response, they don't even know he was a former academy player and he's a Huddersfield fan anyway. He was jogged on by Barnsley anyway, effectively ending any aspirations to play pro footy, so I'm not really understanding the assumption he will favour them. I'd be more concerned if I were a Tykes fan tbh.

Any chance you could show your working out for these figures?
I'm almost tempted to say they make no sense at all.  
I'm as eager as anyone to reach that point where it is mathematically impossible for those behind us to catch us up, but this appears to be more than a tad premature?  🤷‍♂️

I remember the excitement when Dave Mackay added two “have beens” to the Rams line up!
Lee and George brought a whole new perspective to the team and helped us win our second League Championship.
Come to that, Dave Mackay played a massive part in taking us into the top tier despite injuries and being ‘older than the manager, Brian Clough!” at 35.
All the best Dwight. Enjoy your promotion bonus as a Ram!
 

Depending on which hat you wear there's several ways of looking at it.

1st half. From one point of view it was a borefest of a game played in midfield with little happening in the goalmouth. There were 2 real chances, both to them. One saved well by JW and the other cleared off the line by Sonny Bradley who finally seems to have settled in and is showing exactly why we got him in. I don't remember us having a shot, on or off target. There were also some "pretty" passages of play which, unfortunately, led nowhere. For the neutral or the open minded there was plenty to see. A half of many faces. The South Stand started well but after 10 minutes or so, apart from the berating of Steve Evans, they and the rest of the crowd were pretty bland.

2md half saw the South Stand wake up and their infectiousness got to much of the ground ending in a lot of bouncing after the goal. The crowd's awakening seemed to light the players' blue touch paper and we were on top. A really enjoyable half that started to look like it would fade into a 0-0 draw... cue Sibs, the impact sub. Cracking ball for Smith to NML. Reports I've read go on to say NML crossed to Sibs.. I don't see it that way. They weren't all that far apart and I maintain that NML passed to Sibs who hit it first time into the bottom right hand corner of the net. Cue unbridled joy both on and off the pitch (unbridled joy if you're not Stevenage, their players were stunned, fans too, Steve Evans just got mardy as did others in his staff, one of whom got a yellow for his efforts). Worth the win, IMO.

Steve Evans? Will he ever answer the question posed by the South Stand? Has he ever seen it? Post match he claimed they should have had a penalty for a hand ball in the lead up to Bradley's goal line block. I won't comment on that as I didn't see it, if it happened. What Evans did miss was the 2 occasions in the first half when Derby players were thrown to the ground in the Stevenage penalty area. I've not yet seen the 2nd half charge on Barks back yet but it looked like a red from my vantage point on the front row some 10 yards North of the halfway line.

The ref? I have to say I found him even handed. Both sets of players were guilty of holding opponents and the ref ignored 90% of it. Eventually their keeper got yellowed for time wasting, far too late, IMO. Players of both sides went down unnecessarily, IMO, theirs more so than ours. The number of poor tackles he let go could have had a lasting effect, fortunately, it seems we have no new injuries from the clattering the lads got at times. One example is Sibs, about 30 seconds after coming on he gets clobbered. He just got up and got on with the game. A year ago he'd have exacted revenge... grown up a bit?

Basically, depending on your hat, it was a borefest, it was interesting, it was enjoyable. I left feeling that my various hats of former player, coach, referee and fan, had had enough to make it a good day out... and we won. Next up for me is the Reading and Bolton double header in mid March.

Thanks for the advice. Parked on the road near The Coronation. Good meals before the game and the walk was indeed around 20 minutes, though it felt less on the way back with the spring in our step after Sibbo's late winner.

You've gotta love a last minute winner against a team who are set up to spoil the game we were not great but they were worse