LE_Ram

First promotion for 17 years. First automatic promotion for nearly 30 years. Let’s counter your argument and say you think that finishing 3rd, playing good football but failing where it really matters is an achievement?
The arrogant attitude that anything less than running away with the title with triple figure points is a failure is why big clubs like Sunderland, Ipswich, Notts Forest etc got stuck down here for longer.
Less than two years ago we had about 6 players, no academy, no manager and had to play pre-season in temporary shirts because we didn’t even have kits. We were also put under restrictions, which still haven’t run out yet. So yes, I think getting automatic promotion in this timeframe is an achievement. A very good one, actually.

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🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏

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!   🙄

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
 

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

Really agree with this. Was noticeable today that the crowd was really giving it a good go at getting behind the team, especially in the build up to Bird’s goal.
 
This carried on for a few minutes after the goal and then we reverted to type, poor and misplaced long passes, no fluidity in possession and head tennis, and it sucks all the life out of the ground.
 
The result today was frustrating and yet we’re somehow in with a chance of promotion, but this season for me has been really flat to watch. I won’t care if we’re promoted come May, but I’ve lost a bit of enthusiasm this season and I don’t think I’ll be the only one.

I thought he had a massive left ear for a second

Going to be a crucial few days for PW and the squad. It's been a largely dreadful start to the season with little positives to take either results-wise or performance-wise and this is the point that they need to consider where we go from here.
I am not quite at the stage of wanting to see him gone as I do want stability, and although I have no inside information on the finances I would presume Clowes would prefer things to work out with PW than go through more flux and expense of signing another manager.
It's painfully obvious that the system at the moment just doesn't suit the players - we can't execute it well enough and as a result we look fragile and nervy at the back, ineffective in transition, and toothless up front. The fans can see it, the pundits can see it, and from the sound of PW's interview yesterday he might (finally) be starting to see it too. 
Something needs to change in the next few matches - imo Paul needs to cut his losses with the current system, switch to 4 at the back, and see how it goes. Couple it with some younger more mobile players mixed in with the experience and playing our best attackers in natural positions (NML has been a passenger so far for me) and we'll be reet. That'll go a long way to winning back over the fanbase which is (rightfully) annoyed with the lack of mobility and tactical nouse we've seen so far.

Going to be a crucial few days for PW and the squad. It's been a largely dreadful start to the season with little positives to take either results-wise or performance-wise and this is the point that they need to consider where we go from here.
I am not quite at the stage of wanting to see him gone as I do want stability, and although I have no inside information on the finances I would presume Clowes would prefer things to work out with PW than go through more flux and expense of signing another manager.
It's painfully obvious that the system at the moment just doesn't suit the players - we can't execute it well enough and as a result we look fragile and nervy at the back, ineffective in transition, and toothless up front. The fans can see it, the pundits can see it, and from the sound of PW's interview yesterday he might (finally) be starting to see it too. 
Something needs to change in the next few matches - imo Paul needs to cut his losses with the current system, switch to 4 at the back, and see how it goes. Couple it with some younger more mobile players mixed in with the experience and playing our best attackers in natural positions (NML has been a passenger so far for me) and we'll be reet. That'll go a long way to winning back over the fanbase which is (rightfully) annoyed with the lack of mobility and tactical nouse we've seen so far.

To be fair, it must be pretty tricky for Rick Parry to type with only one hand free as I’m sure he does when updating the Derby County embargo page. 

Got the feeling of 2 minutes to midnight this. I've been fairly okay with he fact that someone would come and save Derby but now I genuinely fear for our future.
Nothing will be resolved until these spurious claims by Wycombe and Boro are dealt with. I don't see what option Derby has to resolve it as the EFL seem unwilling to do anything.

Got the feeling of 2 minutes to midnight this. I've been fairly okay with he fact that someone would come and save Derby but now I genuinely fear for our future.
Nothing will be resolved until these spurious claims by Wycombe and Boro are dealt with. I don't see what option Derby has to resolve it as the EFL seem unwilling to do anything.

From a bit of snooping on Companies House - PPS is owned by Gellaw Newco 202 Ltd, which is 100% owned by Gellaw Newco 204 Ltd, which in turn has its shares held by Mel personally.
What this means exactly in terms of the admin I’m not sure - it appears that the stadium is ultimately owned by Mel personally and not DCFC.
 

Agreed - I'm in a fortunate position in that my income hasn't been affected by COVID, but the club really needs to stop treating their fans so badly and realise that for a lot of people, £37 a ticket isn't justifiable.

Yep, just bought my two (had to wait to get one for partner who isn't a STH) - there were plenty available, will be interesting to see how many end up going in the next few days.
As an aside, £37 to watch a game of football is ludicrous. I wonder how many we could get if tickets were reasonably priced?