archram

I always believe that if the team that finishes third go up via the playoffs, then natural justice has been served.
 

We came out of admin with 6 rostered senior pros and just missed out off the back a non-existent pre-season, with a cobbled together team. That team is now challenging for the autos in our second season since facing liquidation, all achieved while under soft-embargo and an enforced business plan too.
You can sneer all you like, but some folk are actually proud of how this club has turned things around, a notion you clearly find hilarious.

The memories Warne-Ball has given me this season, i.e away at Exeter, Charlton, and the sheer amount of team spirit on display, the never-say-die attitude, and also some terrific goals (fast paced, Vs they-always-walk-it-in), I've loved this season.

Looks like Warne is going to do it as we are odds on to finish 2nd as one win should do it now
He has to be given credit as do his coaching team and the players
Looking forward to Cambridge and Carlisle now
Paul says himself he is like marmite but he has to be given credit.
Well done Warney it’s been tough and you deserve a good summer holiday 

Nearly 20,000 home fans - I think that’s creditable given Bolton is not a big city and they’re down the road from the Manchester clubs. I respect fans who support their home town club rather than be tempted by the bright lights of big neighbours - eg fans of Orient, Stockport and - yes - even Wycombe who could easily be lured away to support a big London club.  

What a brilliant night! Dan (B4) and Angie Vallance received the Alfreton supporters award.  I almost missed it as I was in the loo 😂 the glass award is lovely and will have pride of place in my parents house. The players looked visibly touched when it was announced Dan and Angie were being awarded posthumously. It was lovely to see so over 200 people there to celebrate DCFC and those who love the club. I had no idea what to expect but it was amazing. Lovely food and company. I had no idea the players and David Clowes would be there, so that was a lovely surprise. 

Tell her you’re nipping to the shop for milk
# B4

Just got home. Story of our season tbh. Didn't play that well but somehow still came out with the three points and the title.
 
Appreciate the kind posts from the posters here. Bolton drew again so hopefully you guys will be joining us next season. You deserve it. 

Thank you for the gracious comments.  I'm a bit *ahem* tired and emotional - it's been a relatively long wait for us to get back in to the second tier.  I'm rooting for you to get over the line and other results this evening appear to have been in your favour.  Good luck and raising a glass to B4.

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.

He's doing the 'bounce' now, in heaven, that's why the weather is all over the place and unpredictable, bless 'im..

The Popside Fanatics group held a funding thing to raise money for flags. 50 of them (flags, not the Fanatics) were put on seats in the South Stand last weekend, 25 were "liberated" post match. The idea is for the flags to remain "on site" and not to be taken home. They were paid for by donations from ordinary fans like yours truly.
Both the Fanatics and I would greatly appreciate any flags that were inadvertently taken home being returned for the Carlisle game and then left in the South Stand post match for reuse next season.
They did post in all the Rams Facebook pages that the flags should not be taken home, it seems not everybody read that.  

Considering he's talking to me, that's not the case at all.  Long story short, me, my lad, and a few of his mates waited for the players after the Bolton game for pics, and I waited a bit longer than most for a pic with the gaffer, but I guess he was either still basking in the post victory glow at the bar, or he'd popped off early.  Fast forward to Saturday and my lad's mates were again waiting outside and one of them told him I was a Derby fan of 40 years & I was gutted I'd missed him a couple of weeks ago.  Warney politely asked him for his phone, asked what my name was, and hit Record.  Top bloke...

Fully endorse this. Great to go to a match again’ on my own’ - though with plenty of minders!
My son had been worried that I was going on a coach full time of football hooligans! He’s always wrong about predicting the score and he was just as wrong about this! 
 
Thanks everyone 

I think the combination works best. 4-3-3 so midfield doesn’t get overrun.
Difficulty there has been getting the right combination. Adams and Smith has worked well lately but in Bird’s absence we don’t have an automatic third (Thompson was okay on Saturday but Orient were rubbish)
If we had Bird with Smith and Adams for protection, we’d have quicker ball to the wide players so crosses are more effective.
Ideally we’d have slick first time passing, except our players have the limitations of League One quality so sometimes passes go astray. That’s not ideal in a tense, must win run-in so it doesn’t happen.
Pragmatism has worked this far. The target was promotion and we are within touching distance.
 

Way too soon to think about next season. We still don't KNOW which League we'll be in. More than half the squad is out of contract this summer. How anyone can say we won't this or can't that is way premature. The current squad and style probably won't work in the SBC. However, if we do go up you can expect 10 out and as many in and feasibly a change of style as PW has found out, to his cost on 2 occasions, what DOENS'T work in the SBC. Hopefully we'll have decent financial backing and be able to put together more of a footballing side capable of going wide and putting crosses in AND playing through the middle on the floor AND playing balls into the channels. The best teams can do all 3...

Still makes me feel slightly tearful - and I never met him.

I’m new but will be there from Bristol. I’m so excited to be able to go to a game on my own! We’ll, with other Rams of course.

Thommo is a brilliant footballer and a good asset to the team. His ability to keep the ball and his naturally attacking mentality is so important to us. 

Fully endorse this. Great to go to a match again’ on my own’ - though with plenty of minders!
My son had been worried that I was going on a coach full time of football hooligans! He’s always wrong about predicting the score and he was just as wrong about this! 
 
Thanks everyone 

Loved it when Thommo and Sonny walked back after celebrating Sonny’s first goal looked like bring your kid to work day 🤣

Personally, I think he was awful and error prone in his early games but since he has forced his way back into the squad, has been OK and certainly not awful. Since his return he hasn't made numerous mistakes (probably no more than most other players) and only showed a lack of leadership/maturity at the Northampton game. I don't know how you've come to the conclusion that he's not willing to own up to his mistakes. It could be argued that, whilst not coming out and admitting his mistakes in public (which players ever do?) I'd say that the way he has buckled down earned his place back in the squad is evidence that he at least accepts his early failings.
I can't help but feel that he has become the new scapegoat.

Fully endorse this. Great to go to a match again’ on my own’ - though with plenty of minders!
My son had been worried that I was going on a coach full time of football hooligans! He’s always wrong about predicting the score and he was just as wrong about this! 
 
Thanks everyone 

Fully endorse this. Great to go to a match again’ on my own’ - though with plenty of minders!
My son had been worried that I was going on a coach full time of football hooligans! He’s always wrong about predicting the score and he was just as wrong about this! 
 
Thanks everyone 

Great trip again yesterday. Thanks to all who made it possible.
Would recommend it to anyone in the region who wants a different routine on match day.
Lots of amiable chat amongst Rams fans, a spot of lunch and a drop off closer to the ground than you’d get by car or train.
The organisers guarantee a home win every time the coach operates (may have made that last bit up but two from two recently!)