Loughborough Ram

It's good to see that the vast majority of people on here understand football. In my opinion Collins WILL get goals for Derby and WILL create goals for others, without a doubt.
I think that anybody who is prepared to write off a centre forward because he hasn't scored for three games is either on a wind up or needs an alternative hobby other than watching football.

It's good to see that the vast majority of people on here understand football. In my opinion Collins WILL get goals for Derby and WILL create goals for others, without a doubt.
I think that anybody who is prepared to write off a centre forward because he hasn't scored for three games is either on a wind up or needs an alternative hobby other than watching football.

I always enjoy it when Jamie Ward is on, I liked him as a player and I like him as a pundit.
I'm not a big fan of the current arrangement of interchangeable Co-commentators. I'd much prefer having Jamie Ward or Adam Boulder on every game

I always enjoy it when Jamie Ward is on, I liked him as a player and I like him as a pundit.
I'm not a big fan of the current arrangement of interchangeable Co-commentators. I'd much prefer having Jamie Ward or Adam Boulder on every game

It's good to see that the vast majority of people on here understand football. In my opinion Collins WILL get goals for Derby and WILL create goals for others, without a doubt.
I think that anybody who is prepared to write off a centre forward because he hasn't scored for three games is either on a wind up or needs an alternative hobby other than watching football.

It's good to see that the vast majority of people on here understand football. In my opinion Collins WILL get goals for Derby and WILL create goals for others, without a doubt.
I think that anybody who is prepared to write off a centre forward because he hasn't scored for three games is either on a wind up or needs an alternative hobby other than watching football.

It's good to see that the vast majority of people on here understand football. In my opinion Collins WILL get goals for Derby and WILL create goals for others, without a doubt.
I think that anybody who is prepared to write off a centre forward because he hasn't scored for three games is either on a wind up or needs an alternative hobby other than watching football.

It's good to see that the vast majority of people on here understand football. In my opinion Collins WILL get goals for Derby and WILL create goals for others, without a doubt.
I think that anybody who is prepared to write off a centre forward because he hasn't scored for three games is either on a wind up or needs an alternative hobby other than watching football.

It's good to see that the vast majority of people on here understand football. In my opinion Collins WILL get goals for Derby and WILL create goals for others, without a doubt.
I think that anybody who is prepared to write off a centre forward because he hasn't scored for three games is either on a wind up or needs an alternative hobby other than watching football.

What exactly are you looking for?
Personally I was expecting some radically changed, modern nonsense, so I was pleasantly surprised. I don't want fan vox pops, experts standing in front of a smart screen over explaining what we already know, a raft of meaningless stats analysis, I want to see the highlights with a small amount of comment and that's what we got. Not everybody will agree so I'm interested what your ideal highlights programme would be.

What exactly are you looking for?
Personally I was expecting some radically changed, modern nonsense, so I was pleasantly surprised. I don't want fan vox pops, experts standing in front of a smart screen over explaining what we already know, a raft of meaningless stats analysis, I want to see the highlights with a small amount of comment and that's what we got. Not everybody will agree so I'm interested what your ideal highlights programme would be.

What exactly are you looking for?
Personally I was expecting some radically changed, modern nonsense, so I was pleasantly surprised. I don't want fan vox pops, experts standing in front of a smart screen over explaining what we already know, a raft of meaningless stats analysis, I want to see the highlights with a small amount of comment and that's what we got. Not everybody will agree so I'm interested what your ideal highlights programme would be.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

I enjoyed the match yesterday, the atmosphere was positive from the crowd even if we weren't at our most exuberant, and the players all did well. 
I liked the look of Mendez Laing although I think that he will entertain and frustrate in equal measure. I thought Corey Smith was extremely influential in the first half before he faded a little in the second, understandable at this stage of the season. I felt a bit sorry for Collins and Barkhuizen because they were both left a little isolated but both did enough with the small amount of ball they had to suggest that they are capable of winning games for us once everybody has bedded in.
Knight was superb and my MOM despite playing out of position, thankfully he seems to be the type of character who is happy to play wherever as long as he's in the team. Hourahaine showed that there is no substitute for class which leaves Louie Sibley. I criticised him after the stevenage game but yesterday he was brilliant, playing with an intelligence and positivity which changed the game.
I don't think anybody will get carried away by a 1-0 victory at home  because we should expect to win our home games. Next week is the big test and probably the biggest indicator of how we are going to do this season, because our away form can make or break our hopes, so a pat on the back for yesterday but stay realistic.

Well happy with that! We have things to work on, but have plenty to work with!
It was actually quite a good game of football, especially the first half, and felt at times that there was quite a difference in quality between the two teams. Our opening 20 minutes was especially good. And for the first 45 minutes was happy with the notion put forwards in the forum pre-match that Oxford were a footballing side. Even so, there was plenty of "thug" about their play, and they had definitely singled out our key players - Max Bird was clattered heavily on 3 or 4 occasions, needing 2 lengthy bouts of treatment, and they had a go at Jason Knight as well. 
Oxford only made a half hearted attempt to press our playing out from the back, and we quickly established a pattern between Davies, Wildsmith and Cashin, which followed the same pattern during the entire match, and what it did was create space further up the pitch, something which Oxford never really addressed, and for a change our playing out from the back didn't create any danger. Conversely, when we did pick the ball up at the back, there was an almost complete aversion to trying to catch Oxford out with a breakaway. Maybe something to work on there.
Once again the match officials displayed their allegiance to their EFL masters - we actually got 45 - 50 minutes of reasonable officiating, although the ref couldn't wait to book Collins. Our striker puts himself about a bit, and after his first hefty challenge the ref had a lengthy chat. He completely ignored the constant barging and pushing off the ball by their centre forward and centre half, and fell for several dives as soon as Derby player got within a yard or two of an Oxford shadow.
Second half and Oxford were clearly sent out to rough things up, with 3 really nasty challenges, all gong un-noticed. But when Collins challenged their left back(?) he didn't make any contact, but the defender flew through the air like he'd been hit by an Exocet missile, and out came the yellow card like it was on steroids. Moments later Knight was clattered with a challenge that lifted him 2 feet in the air, but the ref didn't even give a free kick. Towards the end, Davies went in hard and was carded almost immediately, with what was his first offence, and yet again there were at least 3 Oxford players who should have been carded.
It was getting to be frustrating, and then Sibley came on, and immediately Oxford tried to wind him up. And suddenly his running was pulling their defence all over the place and making spaces, and it was only a matter of time  before we scored. There were 3 consecutive bagatelle sessions in the Oxford area, and the inevitable goal duly arrived. And isn't great to get that feeling back? What is also great is the universal acknowledgement of Sibley's impact. Here's to a great season, Louie!
Despite the criticism from a West stander, the noise from the South Stand was tremendous for long periods, especially in the first half. The pre-match noise on the concourse was louder than for the Brighton play-off semi!
Its great to be back. Thank you David!
COME ON YOU RAMS!!!

Kemar Roofe anyone?

Pre season friendlies, what a dilemma. 
Pro clubs losing to non league clubs has always happened but 15 to 20 years ago nobody knew it had happened or if they did they didn't know the circumstances because nobody was there to report on it.
The advent of 24 hour sports coverage coupled with football clubs seeing an opportunity to monetise pre season, means that the genie is out of the bottle it is open to us fans, and we are unable to deal with the information we are given.
The manager and the players will be disappointed with the performance but they won't be making too many judgments about the season.
The only match that matters is Oxford, that was the case at the beginning of July and it is still the case, the rest is just window dressing