Andicis

I really like the balance of Sibley and Ward as wing backs. I think Sibley in particular is excelling in that role and should keep his shirt in that position

I really like the balance of Sibley and Ward as wing backs. I think Sibley in particular is excelling in that role and should keep his shirt in that position

I really like the balance of Sibley and Ward as wing backs. I think Sibley in particular is excelling in that role and should keep his shirt in that position

I've said all along we should fear nobody and I sense the players are now starting to feel that way themselves which is critical in a game where confidence and form are almost as important as ability. Portsmouth are sitting pretty up top right now, but in no way are they home and hosed yet, not by a long chalk. 
As for the game, well I didn't see it being an easy match at all, but in hindsight, I think this was likely our most complete performance of the season. Our back three, led by the much maligned Sonny Bradley, looked really solid again and whilst not quite hitting the high notes of last week's game, in Sibs and Ward we seem to have a pair of wing backs who can trouble any side in this division. Ebou is the enforcer in midfield so many told me was not required and 'not a Warne player', while Gayle's intelligence and endeavour is surely now clear for all to see. There was some really silly stuff posted about him joining the club and it's pleasing to see him make a mockery of those rather one-eyed assessments. He has a a huge class edge over the vast majority of this league and as predicted, is scoring for fun. He's also improving the players around him and this only a few games into his time here too. 
Cash and Nelson scarcely need mentioning; two more consistent defenders, you'll absolutely not find in this league and they will more than hold their own at a higher level. Barks, whose form has been in and out this season to the point I was ready to give up on him, is now flying. I'd actually had him as MOTM yesterday and that's not something I would have seen before the game. Nate is building rapport with Gayle and finding more space with Gayle dragging defenders left and right and we have all manner of options in midfield. How things have changed in that regard.
Last, but not least, there's Warne. I've never seen a manager at this club take so much flak. He made a comment about the fans chants (during the Stevenage game) in a recent interview and how he was glad his family were not at the game as it would have, 'broken my heart'. I f****** hate to hear that to be honest and I think his treatment on balance, and not just by a small minority either, has been a disgrace. For that reason, it was lovely to see our seemingly always staunch away fans giving him a good cheer post-match yesterday. He's earned it and whilst I never wanted him here, he's very much earned my respect. 
Looking forwards, we have 3 tough home games to navigate (Reading, Bolton & Blackpool) prior to month-end and if we play well enough to sit 2nd when they're done and dusted, the title is there for the taking. It'll take a herculean effort from the chaps, but I think they can do and I shan't be giving up on us until topping the table becomes a mathematical impossibility.
COYR

Looking at some online posts at HT, I had to smile. The gist was "God, Derby are boring". I saw that as "scoreboard and stat driven opinion".
0-0 at HT. They'd had 1 shot which was off target. We were credited with 4, all off target although I viewed 3 of them as crosses. Those stats might persuade one to agree with the online opinion. I actually enjoyed the first half. We had 66% possession. Spent much of the half in their half of the field. There were some lovely passages of play which, alas, led to nothing but that was more down to Bristol's well organised defence than any great problems with our play.
Bristol were always going to have some passages of play, especially as they were the home team and couldn't really play the 2nd half hoping for the counter. That was always going to favour Derby as it would give us more room in our attacking third. That is how it turned out. They had 2/3 possession in the 2nd half, produced 5 shots, 3 on target but, IMO, only the Marquis header which was straight at JW, was dangerous and he'll be kicking himself for not scoring. At the other end we had 11 shots, 5 of which were on target, 3 went in and how Cash couldn't get it in off his thigh from a yard out will remain a mystery.
IMO it was a very good performance in a very enjoyable game which saw us showcase good defence and good attacking prowess. Here's hoping for more of the same this Tuesday and Saturday.

Agreed but then again I don’t see any amazing sides Bolton drew with Exeter who were average when we played them same as Lincoln who beat Barnsley 5-1. It’s more down to us than anyone. Before the last 2 games I don’t tend to think we’ve played with the 3 at the back very well. We looked stagnated struggled to get out the wing back situation we struggled with and we were getting penned in and not moving it quick enough. Also the back 3 just didn’t look like they worked together cashin looked all over the place in a back 3 as it’s picking up different positions. 
 
it looks to me like we have really started to work on the formation in training and people know what they are doing instead of chopping and changing formations to suit opponents. 

I don’t want to get ahead of myself or allow myself to be excited, but.. I feel like something has finally clicked.
Best performance we’ve ever had under Warne, in my opinion. We’ve fell on to a workable system, the main reason was the recruitment staff doing their job and finding a gem in Ebou Adams and very recently I think it’s not in any small part to having to change the dynamic with Gayle upfront. I believe these two signings in particular have changed our fortunes, similarly to how Nyambe did earlier in the season.
Sibley and Ward are excelling. The defence are well balanced, the cohesion between the midfield and defence is significantly better, gaps aren’t as freely available for the other team and we are now working well going forward. I think we actually look like a team now, which for the majority of the season has definitely been missing something. The last two performances, the dynamic of the team, I’m finally hopeful. 

Thought ward was excellent today, especially first half. 

As for stronger sides, this lot had won 3 out of their previous 4 games before yesterday, and we dismantled them on their own patch, when our rivals were dropping points against equivalent or worse sides. Of the remaining fixtures, only Bolton, Blackpool (both at home) and Pompey A are arguably tougher than yesterdays fixture. If we reproduce this performance consistently regardless of who we’re playing we have a great chance. 
Yesterday we were very good. Its grossly unfair to place some of it down to poor opposition when they weren’t poor. Vale I agree wasn’t the barometer as they were really bad but not the case yesterday. They had their moments and we stood firm.
 

I have been a vocal critic of both three at the back and the inclusion of Sonny Bradley.
Today, I was wrong. We negated the threat of Messers Martin and Sinclair. We played excellent pressing football and we broke with intent.
It was as comfortable an away game as you could wish for. Even at half time, we looked in charge.
Well done everybody, including the crowd. I loved it. Brilliant day out.

Btw that performance today and vale is how to play 3 at the back. I’ve been crying out to go to a back 4 but if we continue in this vain scrap the 4. We looked solid we moved the ball the front 3 interchanged. Best performance of the season and I loved every minute of the drive home. 

Top performance from the boys today under big pressure. Business end of the season, lots riding on every game. We followed up two back to back defeats with back to back 3-0 wins including dismantling a side in really good form and to be honest a place I thought we’d slip up at. Barnsley were certainties for autos according to some on here after beating us (you get promoted by beating your rivals after all!!), well not if you throw in a 5-1 home defeat to midtable Lincoln. Can you imagine what the meltdown would be on here if we did that. FWIW Barnsley are still well in it if they can bounce back. 
 
Think Warne has stumbled across the winning formula with this line up. Ward and Sibley have been outstanding so dangerous from Wing back, and the front three are a real threat. Then we actually look like we have a decent bench now.
Feel this could be a real defining moment today, this week can definitely be defining. Not if we don’t have a great week, we’ll still be in the mix if that happens but if we have a great week and win both matches, I’d be extremely confident in us getting over the line. 
But this is Derby, we’ll find a way to make things difficult and there will be plenty of twists and turns. But if we’ve found this level of performance at this stage of the season, and we can sustain it, then it’s extremely encouraging. 

Great atmosphere, the new stand is still a bit rubbish, with posts in the way, but much better than last year's! And not a cup of tea to be had in the ground. What's that all about? 
Strangely there were a lot of empty seats on our row, I think because some fans chose to "double up" at the end of rows, spending all their time and energy goading the home fans in the same stand. Their behaviour climbing across the divide after we scored the second goal was downright embarrassing and the sooner they are banned from away games the better, imo. 
Anyway, when I could actually concentrate on the game (they were right in my eyeline for the net at our end) I thought that first half we looked sharp and incisive up to the final ball, then didn't quite get it right.
It actually helped us second half when they came at us as we had room to play on the break. A comfortable win where we could have won by an even greater margin, apart from a big miss by Waggy and some unintentional heroics from one of their defenders when Smith's shot was bound for the net. 
We started in fine voice, got a bit distracted by the stupid baiting of their fans and then picked it up again once the goals started going in. Nice to learn the words to some of the newer songs, everyone seemed to get a tune today.
Good bouncing, will that stand hold was my biggest worry!  😟 😉
 

Yeah that's fair. It is possible to be pro DCFC, in favour of promotion and yet not convinced by PW.
Even so, a 0-3 away scoreline deserves applause - it's not likely a fluke!

Fair dos. Diversity of opinions is what makes a decent forum. Mutual respect for other positions and arguments just as important.
I'm chilled. Live and let live.

Most of us know who they are, and they’re entitled to their opinions. If they choose to be quiet and their usual posts annoy you, why bother goading them? There’s no need to sow any division on the back of a great away win, nowt to be gained from it, enjoy the win, enjoy the peace and quiet 🐏 

You always seem to come out with a post like this following a decent performance and result.
Why not give it a rest?

7 goal difference swing on Barnsley today, might make a difference come the end of the season 

Our goal difference is now quite superior to the teams around us. With such a tight race for second, this could make all the difference. It's been a great day for us, we've played some really nice football in stretches. 

Calling that half turgid is a bit dramatic in my opinion. We played some nice stuff at times, the final ball lacked but Nelson had a great chance and we've been comfortable. 

Our goal difference is now quite superior to the teams around us. With such a tight race for second, this could make all the difference. It's been a great day for us, we've played some really nice football in stretches. 

Calling that half turgid is a bit dramatic in my opinion. We played some nice stuff at times, the final ball lacked but Nelson had a great chance and we've been comfortable. 

Our goal difference is now quite superior to the teams around us. With such a tight race for second, this could make all the difference. It's been a great day for us, we've played some really nice football in stretches. 

Our goal difference is now quite superior to the teams around us. With such a tight race for second, this could make all the difference. It's been a great day for us, we've played some really nice football in stretches. 

Well today was alright.
Three points gained on Barnsley, +7 GD.
Two points gained on Pompey and Bolton, +3 GD.
Nil points gained on Peterborough, but +1 GD.
For argument's sake, if Posh and Barnsley win their games in hand (I know they're a little while away yet) then it'd be...
1. Portsmouth - 77
2. Derby - 72
3. Posh - 71
4. Bolton - 71
5. Barnsley - 70
I'd suggest anybody old enough to consciously remember a competitive first team game at the BBG invest in some Tena pants for men (or women), because it's going to be a nervy end of the season.

 

7 goal difference swing on Barnsley today, might make a difference come the end of the season