Andicis

Played really well, got quite unlucky in that first half. More like that and we'll win this.

Played really well, got quite unlucky in that first half. More like that and we'll win this.

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 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

Check out his movement for Barkhuizen’s goal,  thought it was excellent 

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 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

You could have just said “Yes” to the scapegoat question. 

What makes CBT a 4 compared to the other subs? He came on in the 92nd minute same as Thompson, what marks CBT down in those few mins that didn’t affect Thompson? Is he your new scapegoat? 

I said a few weeks back that Louie seemed to have turned a corner and was adding consistency to his game, irrespective of where he was asked to play. Some might argue that that is to Warne's credit too, as a string of managers have failed to get the best from the lad in the way he now appears to be and whatever has clicked, it's certainly helping Nate too. The pair of them are a handful for any side at this level and have struck up a really good understanding. Ebou's contribution providing the cover required to allow Sibs to maraud forwards should be noted too. 
Joe Ward is a quality WB at this level and while it puzzles me that he's taken time to find his form, his quality is clear for all to see now. In a position that makes huge physical demands on a player, perhaps them 'arriving late' might benefit us, as that role over 50+ games is a man-killer, whereas our lads are comparatively fresh and are improving all the while.

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.