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Steve How Hard?

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  1. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Rampant in Dwight Gayle   
    My biggest takeaway from this thread is we're a poorer side minus Gayle. 
    Going off on a tangent, all these injuries are probably just a sine of the times.
  2. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to StarterForTen in Dwight Gayle   
    Another thread descending into a pun-fest. That will divide opinion. 
  3. Like
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Rampant in Match Thread: vs Northampton Town (a)   
    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
     
  4. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Bob The Badger in Watchable telly   
  5. Like
    Steve How Hard? reacted to eddielewis in The run-in: some analysis   
    Whilst Peterborough on the face of it have the 'easiest' run in I would consider that their game against Port Vale 3 days after Wembley cup final a massive banana skin alongside that away fixture vs Cheltenham (who were unlucky not to beat Barnsley at the weekend) on the tuesday of the final week. You want to avoid teams who still have something to play for. Their constant 2 games a week schedule you would think will make them vulnerable to fatigue in games. Even their away game vs Orient before the pizza cup final you would think for those players to try and not get injured and miss playing at Wembley.
  6. Like
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Sussex Ram in The run-in: some analysis   
    As Dom Dietrich might say, these are “take it or leave it” stats. Below is my attempt at showing the league position of the opponents our direct competitors face on the run in:
    Portsmouth- 12 2 17 3 5 11 7- average 8.14
    Derby- 14 9 1 12 10 20 24- average 12.9
    Bolton- 8 18 13 1 17 23 4- average 12
    P’Boro- 24 10 23 6 22 13 21 3- average 15.3
    Barnsley- 20 19 16 8 18 1 9 14- average 13.1
    I haven’t considered home or away ties, but on the face it Portsmouth have by far the hardest run in, playing us, Bolton and Barnsley. My personal preference would be for them to beat Barnsley and Bolton, let them take the title, and it gives us more breathing space on the final day. But looking at it another way, if we can beat them on 2 April and other results go against them, might we be looking at a title push?? I would love that, for B4 if nothing else.
    Peterborough have the easiest run in and face all three bottom teams, although I noticed they are one of only four teams to play midweek before the final game of the season- which for them is a massive 6-pointer against Bolton.
    Our games seem to get “easier” as time goes on, whereas others are more mixed. Portsmouth finish against one the form teams of Europe (I’d guess?) in Lincoln. Let’s see if the Imps are still averaging three goals a game by then- if they are, they might well finish 4th or 5th!
    Final point- our GD is 4 better than Portsmouth, 7 better than Bolton and P’Boro and 13 better than Barnsley. That could well be the half point advantage that makes a difference come 27th April…
  7. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Tamworthram in Match Thread: vs Bolton Wanderers (H)   
    Yes but we still don’t know if student A was luckier than student B. That’s the big question that still needs answering. 😉
  8. Like
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Rammy03 in Match Thread: vs Bolton Wanderers (H)   
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/article-13207613/Fallen-giants-bring-passion-noise-Pride-Park-Derby-Bolton-stared-abyss-two-proud-clubs-thriving-League-One.html
  9. Like
  10. COYR
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Sufferingfool in Match Thread: vs Bolton Wanderers (H)   
    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🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏
  11. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Mucker1884 in Match Thread: vs Bolton Wanderers (H)   
    I had the misfortune to miss this game.  Caught the short highlight snippets yesterday.
    However, due to the prolonged discussions relating to "Waggy's handball", I decided to do some research... the wording of related laws, stills and video playback at numerous speeds, and from various angles.  I've checked match reports, and on line discussion board comments.  I've then returned to the laws of the game, before publicly offering my own thoughts on the matter...
    4 hours and 23 minutes I've spent on this research, and bugger me, it turns out the result cannot be changed, and we still won 1-0.  We will always have won this game 1-0.  Bolton themselves will go down in history as the team that lost this game 1-0.
    The referee has sent in his match report, which will also back up this outcome.  It showing on league tables and results lists the world over.
    That's right... 4 hours and 23 bloody minutes!
    Sometimes, I despair!  I feel a right twonk!   🙄
  12. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Ram-Alf in Match Thread: vs Bolton Wanderers (H)   
    ...☺️
  13. Haha
    Steve How Hard? got a reaction from Kathcairns in Bolton sellout.   
    He put us in administration and scarpered never to be seen again. 
    Ps- it's usually spelt robbin but I'll not make an issue of it. 😉
  14. COYR
    Steve How Hard? reacted to RoyMac5 in Match Thread: vs Bolton Wanderers (H)   
    Derby's No.1
  15. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to RadioactiveWaste in Paul Warne   
    Legend has it Pep was washed up, going nowhere and set to be a footnote in the annals of football history until he adopted the dignified beard n bald looks which revived his team's confidence in him and propelled him to his current status.
    Those of us with a full head of hair can only weep.
  16. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Crewton in Paul Warne   
    Are you my ex-wife?
  17. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Ian Buxton's Bat in Dwight Gayle   
    It's because he's no longer in his prime.
  18. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Archied in Dwight Gayle   
    Yes ,, that is odd
  19. Haha
    Steve How Hard? got a reaction from StockholmRam in Match Thread: vs Bolton Wanderers (H)   
    Poor old frustrated Oodledoodle 
    Couldn't satisfy Mrs Oodles poodle 
    Even though he gave it a rub
    He'd spent too long in the pub
    So instead he just gave her a coodle
  20. Haha
    Steve How Hard? got a reaction from ossieram in Match Thread: vs Bolton Wanderers (H)   
    Poor old frustrated Oodledoodle 
    Couldn't satisfy Mrs Oodles poodle 
    Even though he gave it a rub
    He'd spent too long in the pub
    So instead he just gave her a coodle
  21. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to hales300k in Fozzy   
    Fozzy put a great shift in yesterday , his experience could be crucial in the run in , I bless the day Tim Ward signed him 
  22. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Caerphilly Ram in Match Thread: vs Bolton Wanderers (H)   
    ….and substituted them…

  23. Haha
    Steve How Hard? got a reaction from eccles the ram in HUGE!   
    Had to ask for a cushion at full time to hide my modesty as it was beginning to show. 
  24. Haha
    Steve How Hard? reacted to Carl Sagan in New joke thread (trigger alert, may offend if you want it to)   
    I confess I have never seen that as a requirement, so have circumvented any complicated problems. Meanwhile:
    A teenager brings her new boyfriend home to meet her parents. They’re horrified by his haircut, his tattoos, his piercings.
    Later, the girl’s mother says, “Dear, he doesn’t seem to be a very nice boy.”
    “Oh, please, Mum!” says the daughter. “If he wasn’t nice, would he be doing 500 hours of community service?”
  25. Haha
    Steve How Hard? got a reaction from EtoileSportiveDeDerby in HUGE!   
    Had to ask for a cushion at full time to hide my modesty as it was beginning to show. 
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