RamDotFi

Oh my goodness, what a response!
Hello everyone, I’m Claire, Daniel’s (B4) sister. I am overwhelmed by your kind words, support, and the memories you have shared.  Thank you so much for the kindness and love you have all shown to Daniel over the years. My parents are working their way through all of the posts and will offer their own thanks in due course.
I wish I knew about the scraves, flanges and ballions before now. I wouldn’t have let Daniel live that down at home. This made my husband and I laugh this morning.
I will be wearing Daniel’s shirt and keeping his seat warm at the Bristol match. Really looking forward to hearing a big cheer and round of applause in the 38th minute, a goal at the time would be perfect!  Do please continue to share the picture with details of the applause. Let’s raise the roof for Daniel!!!
Thank you all again ❤️
#BeMoreB4 

A stranger we had yet to meet.
Our paths had never crossed.
And yet, it seems, we knew him well,
A dear friend we have lost.
A heart of gold, a Kindly soul,
A friendly word to each.
A clumsy gaff may oft appear,
But ne’er offence be reached.
A call to arms, a plea for fight,
A positive embrace.
Defiant stance, a pumping fist,
A smile on his face.
Hatred of pink, and all things red,
More strangers for him to meet.
“A sea of black and white” he’d call,
“Let’s all stand at our seat”!
A disregard for marriage,
for relationships of two,
“Never, ever” he would wail,
“That would never do”!
Yet he loved all, and we loved him.
His quirks always forgiven,
His stubbornness frustrated,
But missed, now he’s in Heaven.
The truest Ram, amongst us all,
Now gone for evermore.
For Daniel, for DCFC
Let’s all be more B4
xxx
🐏🤍

I have some very sad news this evening.  Daniel (B4) died earlier this week. He was just 38.
As you know, he has been battling numerous health conditions for a long time, but always remained cheerful  and was the most loyal supporter of his beloved Rams, home and away.
He was at the match at Crewe and gave his full support as always. 
Daniel leaves behind a grieving dad, mum and sister. Our thoughts go out to them and we only hope they get a little comfort from knowing how well loved Daniel is by all who know him. 
Here are a couple of photos that his dad agreed could be shared. I'm sure many of you have others, as Daniel loved a selfie at the game.
David is hoping to arrange a more fitting tribute in time, but for now please raise a glass in his memory and a good Derby win today. I am sure that's what Daniel would have been doing tonight.
 

Maybe because there are eight first team players needing minutes..?

Maybe because there are eight first team players needing minutes..?

When? Sat 2nd Sept
Where? Toughsheet Community Stadium, Burnden Way, Horwich BL6 6JW (Located in the Middlebrook Retail & Leisure Park).
Last Season Bolton finished 5th in League 1 last season before losing to Barnsley in the Playoff Semi-Final.
Opening 5 Matches The Trotters started the season with three straight L1 victories, scoring three goals in each game. They have since gone two without a win as Saturday's draw at Burton followed a heavy 0-4 defeat at home to Wigan.
BWFC Dangermen On paper it would appear to be their two top scorers, former Burton man Adeboyejo (four goals) and NI international Dion Charles (three goals). They have lost two fine loanees from last season though as keeper Trafford and the Liverpool RB Conor Bradley have moved on.
History This fixture will be the 136th time these two Founder Members of the Football League have met in a competitive match. In the Cup competitions it is Bolton who have had the upper hand with five wins to the Rams' two. 
In League encounters though it is Derby who have had the better of it. Of 128 League meetings DCFC have won exactly half. The overall League record is as follows:
P 128  W 64  D 23  L 41
In recent meetings between the sides Wanderers have won just once in the past dozen matches compared to the Rams' seven wins with four draws. 
Although this is an away match for us, our home record against Bolton is fantastic, with Derby unbeaten since a 0-2 loss at the Baseball Ground way back in Sept 1981. Since then the Rams have won 10 and drawn four on Derby soil. That run includes wins in the last five at Pride Park, scoring 17 and conceding three in those five games.
Connections Players who have represented both clubs include Frannie Lee, John McGovern, Jeff Chandler, Nicky Hunt and currently at Bolton is Cameron Jerome. There is also a connection through our ex-gaffer and their former player Phil Brown whilst ex-Rams player Ian Evatt is seemingly doing a fine job at Bolton as manager.
Pair of Titbits Firstly, Bolton's 73 seasons in the top division is the most of any English club without winning the title.
And secondly, and I like this one tbh, the first ever Football League goal came in this very fixture on 8th Sept 1888 on the original opening day of the season. It was scored at 3:47pm (3:45pm kick offs all round then) by Bolton's Kenny Davenport although Derby went on to win the game 6-3.
Rams Expected Line Up I'm not aware of any injuries picked up against Peterborough so we could see another unchanged starting XI as Derby seek a third straight win. 

Date: Saturday 26th August, 3PM
Venue: Weston Homes Stadium
Form Guide: Peterborough have started the season well as they aim to put their playoff nightmare from last season behind them. Their 1-0 defeat at Northampton ended the 100% record they opened up with in their first three matches. Impressive wins at Reading (1-0) and Barnsley (3-1) came either side of a 1-0 success over Charlton in their only home match to date. Nine points out of twelve sees them handily placed in third position albeit just three points ahead of ourselves.
Danger Men: Mason-Clark, Poku and Clarke-Harris are perhaps the trio most likely to get on the scoresheet. Often the most free-scoring (and conceding) of teams at this level, it is perhaps a surprise that their four matches thus far have only yielded seven goals in total (scored five, conceded two). Their current top scorer this season is midfielder Kyprianou with two.
Rams vs Posh History: The two clubs didn't meet competitively until 1963 and it was another decade until the second clash between the sides. Both those matches were FA Cup games and were both won by Derby.
The clubs first met in a league fixture on the opening day of the 1992/93 season when heavily fancied Derby lost 1-0 at London Road. Posh completed the double over us that season with a 3-2 success at the Baseball Ground, a victory which remains their only win on Derby soil.
This is a fixture in which the home side has largely dominated. Only 14 league games have been played with near-identical records for the teams.
Rams Record vs Posh
Home:  P 7   W 5   D 1   L 1    F 13  A 7
Away:   P 7   W 1   D 1   L 5    F 8  A 13
Six wins for each team then with a couple of draws thrown in. Derby are looking to avoid a fifth straight defeat away to Peterborough, with the Rams conceding ten goals in those last four visits. 
Derby's only victory on Peterborough territory came courtesy of a 3-0 win in January 2010 with the goals being a Steve Davies penalty followed by a brace from DJ Campbell. 
Derby Team News: It would be a tough call predicting the XI Paul Warne selects as - to the best of my knowledge - there are injury doubts about Joe Ward, Kane Wilson, Max Bird and Tom Barkhuizen. There is also the possibility of transfers this week. Whatever the personnel available, most Derby fans will be expecting Liam Thompson and Jake Rooney to be given the chance to further showcase their abilities after both added plenty to the overall Derby performance against Fleetwood. The feelgood factor watching the younger Rams play well was the biggest boost I left the ground with today and hopefully next to get league minutes will be Dajaune Brown. To that end, a spot on the bench for him at Posh would be lovely please Mr Warne.
Summary: This is a tough match and if I'm still rolling for the trip to Bolton which follows then I'll be pleasantly surprised. We shouldn't fear anyone in this division but I think it's fair to acknowledge that Peterborough are a more settled team than us right now and that a draw - and especially another improved performance - would represent a decent return as well as ending that four-match run of defeats in this particular fixture.
 
 

If we lose today, I think we are looking at 6 or 7 consecutive relegations. A draw, maybe 4?

Disagree. This is of course just my opinion, but there are stats to back this up so it’s somewhat based on fact.
NML, Hourihane, Barkhuizen, Sibley, Collins, Washington, Bird, Ward have all shown themselves capable of scoring goals at this level.
Ward, Wilson, Elder, Hourihane, NML, Barkhuizen, Sibley, Bird have all shown themselves capable of assisting goals at this level.
We’re carrying a better threat from set pieces, be that corners or indirect/direct freekicks. So if a goal from open play isn’t likely due to teams sitting in we can lump corners in towards Nelson and Bradley.

The squad has options in terms of how we could play, yes Warne has shown a preference for a back 3, but we have the options (especially if we do add a couple more) to play 3-5-2, 3-4-3, 3-4-2-1, 4-3-3, 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1 etc etc. 
I know it’s all opinions but I really don’t get how some fans are so down on the season before it’s started. We’ve got a better balance, which has helped provide better depth, there’s some viable options in the u21s which should help with rest and rotation at times, the peak age of the squad as been improved. Yes a couple of very talented individuals have moved on, but we’ve got a squad of committed players all working towards a shared goal….plenty to be optimistic about for me 

Yeah, I think we have so much better balance already than last season that I have no doubt we will do well. If we get another CF and AMC as targeted and maybe a backup LWB I believe we are fine and then we can do fine tuning in January if necessary.

You genuinely think he sat there and told a bare faced lie in an interview? I just can’t see that. This is what he said;
"Paul has been given a budget, I think a good budget for League One that is good enough to get us out of the league. But it's football and nothing is guaranteed."
Where is the lie? Paul Warne has been set a budget, one that Clowes thinks is a good budget good enough for promotion (that’s his opinion), it doesn’t say “we have x amount”, it doesn’t say “we will reinvest all funds raised from player sales”, it doesn’t even specify “transfer budget”….just that a budget has been set. People need to recognise their own interpretation and expectations don’t always equate to the facts. 

It was 2-0 at half time then they put a lot of younger players on. Only what I was told by someone who went. 
 
Typical first pre season game. A win is good in any game. I must say at times I do wonder about some of our fan base. Stood behind the goal next to a bloke and must have been his mum, scooped straight off Skeggy market, absolutely slating every one, hurling abuse at Collins while we were defending a corner, and digging out Warne. Luckily baby pig went and got himself and mummy pig a chip cob and it seemed to quieten them down while they were troughing. Apart when his bottle of Carling fell over, the sheer confusion on his amply round face as he didn’t know whether to sacrifice his beer of stop eating. Luckily Dominoes must have had an offer on at 16:00 as they disappeared at half time. 
 
Decent day out though. 

WARNING! This will be a long read.
Summary, for those who don't like to read:
I've assumed Knight and Bielik are sold, with no other first team departures.
We still need to fill the following positions: RCB, RWB, LWB, SS/AM, CF, CF. Suggestions for these roles are...
RCB: Matty Pennington (out of contract, from Shrewsbury)
RWB/LWB: Tom Hamer (Burton)
SS: Andy Moran (loan, from Brighton)
CF: George Hirst (Leicester)
CF: Conor Washington (Rotherham)


I would argue the main reason for our lack of success last season was down to quantity of chances created. We were heavily reliant on crosses from Hourihane and Mendez-Laing and set pieces from Hourihane. Whilst McGoldrick, Sibley, Bird, Knight and Barkhuizen chipped in with a few, we need to be looking at 40-50% more this season.
We have partially improved on that by signing two wing backs who love to get the ball in the box for attackers. Between our full backs last season, we were averaging roughly 2 key pass per game, only slightly better than what Hourihane was achieving by himself. Ward averaged 2.1 per 90 last season, whilst Elder averaged 1.7 in Hull's promotion season. That's almost twice the improvement on what we had last season in the wide areas. This is also before we add depth to these positions - either someone who covers both wing back positions, or with them also covering CB (such as Jaden Brown being a LWB covering CB, or Harding being a CB covering RWB).
Contrary to popular belief, our goal contributions from our midfielders are fine. Bird and Hourihane got a combined 25 in all competitions last season, whereas all of Plymouth's combined got 23 and Ipswich's got 28. With Smith and Thompson (or a new signing) chipping in with a couple as well, we're well set. You could argue we could do with someone else off the bench with more end product. Jensen Weir (Brighton) and Owen Moxon (Carlisle) would be high up my list.
It's no secret that we need more goals from our defenders, but Nelson isn't the answer. Cashin, Forsyth, Nelson and Rooney made a combined 5 goal contributions last season (11789 minutes played).
Plymouth's CBs had 14 contributions (14697 minutes) and Ipswich's also had 14 (13059 minutes). We definitely need to get an aerially dominant CB who is a threat from set pieces to make up some of the difference. Hopefully, Cashin can improve this part of his game too.
We're also desperate for at least 3 additions in the attacking positions. Plymouth got 109 goal contributions from playerss predominantly playing in the front 3 last season (15815 minutes) and Ipswich got 106 (14875 minutes).
Since we only have Collins, Mendez-Laing, Barkhuizen and Sibley left, our remaining forwards got 52 goal contributions from 12394 minutes, although that includes 3 of those players also covering at full back. Remove those games and it's roughly 45 in 10500 minutes.
Whilst Collins and Barkhuizen's contributions per 90 were on the low side, they're perfectly suited for backup roles. Sibley's contribution was also relatively low, but with a consistent run in his best positions, and more creativity in the rest of the team, I would back him to  at least double his output next season if given the same amount of game time (12 goals and 4 assists). He could easily achieve over 20 goal contributions if we get the other additions in the forward area right.
Our two most important signings this summer will be in the attacking area. One CF and one SS/AM capable of getting close to 50 contributions between them. We'll also need a 2nd choice CF, capable of 15  contributions in 1500-2000 minutes (Cosgrove got 14 in 1692 minutes as 3rd choice CF for Plymouth).
The squad size will cater for giving some minutes to promising U21s: such as Moloney (LWB), DRobinson and Hawkins (CM), Davidson (SS) and Brown (CF)
Now back up to the top to see my actual suggestions for each positions needed.

Good interview imo. My guess is that the 20-22 are strictly first team and we get loads of academy signings on top of that. I remember reading that restocking the academy was one of main priorities for Thomas.

Good interview imo. My guess is that the 20-22 are strictly first team and we get loads of academy signings on top of that. I remember reading that restocking the academy was one of main priorities for Thomas.

I’d like to think the staff at the club will process this disappointment promptly and move onto preparing for next season. My preferred list of priorities as of today would be something like;
1) Knowing which league we’re in next season and the financial situation that the senior figures at the club will speak with the EFL as soon as possible to agree whatever amendments they can to the business plan.
2) Get on with shaping the squad part 1 - extend the contracts of those who Warne wants to stay and confirm the departures of whoever is leaving on a free. I suspect we’ll try to re-sign McGoldrick and maybe Forsyth, can see Stearman retiring as a player, Curtis moving on either retiring or a season at Leyton Orient. We may end up selling one, some or all of Knight, Sibley, Bird, Cashin… provided there is interest in them and I fully expect Bielik will go.
3) Get on with shaping the squad part 2 - Sign Roberts and McGee on frees. Roberts has done well and is a good option (provided Brighton don’t offer an extension and he wants to stay). McGee hasn’t had much to do but based on his performances for FGR he is capable at this level and an able deputy for Wildsmith, gives some continuity in that position and would be relatively cheap wages I suspect.
4) Get on with shaping the squad part 3 - We’re led to believe from comments in the DET that some conversations about recruitment have already been happening with agents invited to attend training, let’s get some of those deals (whoever they are) over the line nice and early.
5) Season tickets and that
6) Sexy new kit announced
7) pre season tour of South Wales taking in Newport, Cardiff and Swansea for my own personal convenience.
That’s all I’ve got so far

If this is it today, the end of our season, the players should leave the pitch with their heads held high.
A bunch of out of contract players, came together as a team over one summer and took us to the last day with a chance to be in the play offs.
Forget any frustrations or feeling of disappointment, we cannot ignore the context around this season.
It’s been incredible.
At 4pm, if we are in the play offs, what an unbelievable achievement that would be.. 
Whilst the football may not have been as sexy as it was under McClaren in 13/14, the greatest season in recent times, in my own personal hall of fame seasons this one would rank higher thanks to David Clowes, Liam Rosenior and Paul Warne.
🐏. 

A really good result & a really good performance - the most unexpected league result of the season so far for me.
The tone was set with the line up - the decision to go with Knight & Roberts as wingbacks gave the side much better balance & playing Mendez-Laing off McGoldrick gave the attacking side much needed variation & pace. I was a bit surprised by the negative reaction to the first half on here - aside from a dodgy 10 mins around the 20 minute mark, I thought we had control of the game albeit we were moving the ball around too slowly to hurt them & were too deep at times. We did look comfortable in the main though & fashioned some decent half chances, most notably Knight (who played well at RWB) & Sibley.
Second half our attitude & work-rate were excellent though. Got on the front foot right from the kick off & our intensity surprised them - they barely got into the game that first 30 mins after half-time. I really liked the interplay between Mendez-Laing, McGoldrick & Sibley & think that's a promising attacking unit we should be fielding again. Also thought Hourihane was very good, both defensively & with his forward passing/crosses.
Two fantastic goals from McGoldrick - funnily enough he had been quiet first half but his quality thereafter showed just how lucky we are to have him. Second goal in particular - such a delicate touch from Mendez-Laing's pass to make the space for the finish. Wonderful. It was such a shame that we had an absolute brainfart a couple of minutes later to gift them a goal - no idea what Wildsmith was trying to do but it was totally undeserved for an Exeter side that had been chasing shadows since the break. Fortunately we managed the game really well to the conclusion & the subs were well chosen & well timed - Collins and Dobbin to chase their defenders down and Smith to add another body to the midfield.
I'm a lot more enthused after that. Same line up & intensity for Saturday please. Well done Derby & yes, well done Paul Warne 👏

Another scenario is we go up, get battered week in week out and get relegated back to league one which could result in us yo-yo-ing between the two. 
My view isn’t that another season in this league is “best for us”, just that it isn’t necessarily the worst case scenario some suggest either. There are pros and cons to both situations.
Promotion this season - increased revenue in the championship, potential to retain better players, potential to attract better players. We COULD do fine and stay up at the first attempt, or we COULD struggle to compete with others due to the ongoing restrictions and be relegated.
Miss out on promotion this season - We might lose some of our better players, we’ll potentially still be able to attract decent free transfers with the wages and facilities we can offer, Warne gets chance to build a more balanced team and we COULD go up next season carrying momentum into the championship at which point it’s guaranteed the business plan/restrictions will end. We COULD also miss out and be stuck in league one for longer as you suggest, but again with restrictions lifted we’d then be able to recruit far more competitively to get promoted at the third attempt.
The bit I struggle to reconcile with my own views versus other people’s is the apparent urgency some feel to be promoted and the implied short term thinking that is coming from some areas of the fan base with regards to the management team. What would be so terrible about staying in this league compared to being promoted? I want to watch Derby County play football matches and ideally win more than they lose, if that is in league one, the championship or the premier league it’s essentially the same expectation I’ll always have, just that the surroundings and standard of the opposition might change which could then affect our ability to win those games. I won’t lose the opportunity to support the club if we stay down, anymore than I will if we get promoted, so any scenario will work for me once I’ve dealt with the associated emotions of being promoted or missing out, the summer will happen, players will come and go, the club and our support will remain regardless of league, that’s the great thing for me as we so nearly lost that. 

It came about through necessity at the time, and coincided with our unbeaten run and excellent defensive performances, it’s not exactly a case of “isn’t Warne mad”, more “it was good coaching and use of the squad during a difficult time, however now we have other options let’s use him further forward” 

It’s been driving me nuts for weeks/months! Yes, his finishing is poor at times undoubtedly, but he works hard for the team and has attributes that help us. He’s contributed goals and assists in the team and has missed chances too, same as Barkhuizen, Mendez-Laing, Collins, McGoldrick, Hourihane etc etc yet he gets unfairly slated by people in my view. 

Always room for improvement but he's not been poor. It has been also working well defensively with Horihane and Bird shielding the backline.

Three assists in the last six, definately really poor.

Three assists in the last six, definately really poor.

My view is people often look for a scapegoat of sorts. Expectations were sky high for some when we signed Hourihane, the “HMS p*ss the leaguers”, he’s contributed solidly if unspectacularly to the team, as have pretty much all of them who have pulled on the shirt. He’s scored goals and assisted, puts in a shift alongside Bird. 
I do wonder if we’d converted a few more of the draws into wins would people still be as critical? Possibly as there does seem to be a want for us to control games in the middle of the park a bit more, I’d probably agree with wanting to see a little more control in games. Either way Hourihane, like the team, has been solid enough in my view. He’s helped us stay unbeaten in 13 games and be in or around the play off spots, pretty good scenario given where we were in the summer. I’m hopeful he’ll carry on contributing for the Rams, steering us to a top 6 finish and promotion via the playoffs ?