FlyBritishMidland

Morning reflections, we deserved that.  In total control for the first 30-35 mins in particular, then again for the first 10-15 of the 2nd half.  Sometimes I think people forget there’s an opposition team on the pitch.  They came for a point, we’re slow, time wasting with little movement until each of our goals.  Then they upped the pace, moved the ball quicker and had some movement.  And the context is they have a new manager and are fighting for their lives.  They were always going to have a spell in the game, most teams do at all levels.

All the goals were well taken.  Not sure about Barkhuizen as MoM but he did well for the 1st and 2nd goals.  We just need to be a bit calmer when we get ahead.  I think we became a bit over confident at 2-0 and it took us a while to get back in.

I’d have liked to seen changes 15mins or so earlier to give us a bit more energy.  I’d also like to see Wildsmith back in goal.  I think the defence looks more assured with him in goal.

Derby 3 Burton 1

FRGS Collins

On 11/01/2024 at 20:15, Spanish said:

Yep I read the Tory graph were trying to get Blair and starmer enmeshed in this.  Clearly the tories have been out of power for decades

To be fair, it’s come upon the inquiry today.  Blair was PM when the system was implemented and some had made him aware of concerns but went ahead after reassurances.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67941495

Regardless, it shouldn’t take a TV documentary to bring this to a head.

I don’t get the criticism of Collins.  We’re halfway through and he’s got 11 league goals, 16 in all comps so heading for 20+.  Maybe 20 in the league.  And he works so hard, even when it’s not going for him.  I’d start him every game.

Having not watched Fleetwood, I wouldn’t be surprised if that was one of their best performances of the season.  And, to be fair, you could probably have predicted it.  New manager, at home against one of the top sides and needing the points.

Once we settled after the first 15 mins or so we were in control in the first half.  Even in the 2nd half, for all the criticism of the back 3, how many saves did Vickers have to make?  I thought it was good movement from the striker for their goal.  NML, deservedly MOM.  I thought he caused them lots of problems every time he got on the ball.

Bradley is by no means a disaster.  He made some interceptions and clearances at corners.  I thought it was a decent performance for his first start in a while.

2 minutes ago, archram said:

Is this on red button? If so, can I get it on Now sky sports pass? Thanks in advance - I hope!

It’s on Sky Main Event and Sky Football so you should get it if you have sports through Now TV 👍.

Fleetwood 1 Derby 2

FRGS Collins

Mrs FBM loves the darts.  I can take it or leave but it is a really good night with a cracking atmosphere.  First time we went was to Dublin about 8 or 9 years ago.  We were on a table and ended up sitting next to a fellow Ram.

I’ve watched more of this tournament than any other.  It’s been one of the most interesting, not just because of Luke Littler but a few of the bigger and established names went out fairly early on.  Littler looks so natural and composed.  Let’s hope he has good people around him who give him good advice and look after him.

22 minutes ago, Gerry Daly said:

Yeah and John Gregory was vastly different to this unknown kid. He was a senior pro who had played about 250 games in the first division and an FA cup finalist

And he earned the last of his 6 England caps a year before signing for us.

Derby 1 Peterborough 1

FRGS Collins

51 minutes ago, David said:

At 6pm? It’s midnight in Mumbai, doubt it’s fireworks I can hear from there.

Was about to take the dog out for a decent walk before the mayhem later, won’t go near the door now.

Not sure if I’ve mentioned it before, I strongly dislike fireworks and people that let fireworks off at inappropriate times.

We’ve been having a very similar conversation in our house.  Midnight I can understand but 6:50!!  Is there really any need?? 🤬🤬🤬🤬

I think he’s in a very different situation to the summer.  He’s now right in the middle of a promotion battle.  He also knows that Brighton will loan him out, so he’s not going to play in the Prem.  Assuming his extension has been taken in a similar way to Knights, him and the club have probably done a bit of a handshake agreeing to look at the situation again in the summer, depending how this season pans out.

Regardless, if I’m Warne I’m saying to Pearce and Clowes that any possible sales for players like Cashin and Bird need to be done in the first week.  I wouldn’t want any messing about with a sale done on 30th Jan giving 24 hours to get a deal for a replacement sorted, assuming a loan back isn’t an option.

6 hours ago, DiggerB said:

Can’t remember him not thanking the fans for staying with the team, whilst also acknowledging the times they’ve had the right to be unhappy. I don’t mind him having a chip back at the fans after some of the dog’s abuse he’s had on SoMe particularly. He’s a multi-layered character, but I’d rather that than some of the media-trained auto-matrons who spout the usual clichés every Saturday teatime.

He did thank the fans last night for sticking with the team.  Or at least the intelligent ones, and less intelligent ones would have given the team some stick, which doesn’t help.  Wonder if he was reading this forum around 8:00 😉.

13 hours ago, CBRammette said:

And then switched radio derby and there was gorgeous george. Perfect night! 

13 hours ago, Srg said:

Charisma vacuum that lad. 

To be fair, I don’t think it’s his charisma that @CBRammette is attracted to!!

Morning reflections, that was a cracking game of football.  A brilliant win and well deserved.  It took us a bit of time to settle and they came at us in the first 15 mins or so.  But that’s to be expected.  They’re a team in the same situation as us in that they’re aiming and battling for promotion.  They were the home side against the form team so they’ll want to get an early advantage.

But then we settled, got a foothold in the game and from then on, 2nd half in particular, we controlled it.  It felt like it was a matter of time before we scored.

On this run we’ve shown all the hallmarks of a good team/squad.  Everyone has played their part superbly, whether starting or from the bench.  You can tell by the celebrations in the last 2 games they’re a tight knit group which bodes well.  We’ve ground out wins when not playing that well, we’ve been resilient and fought back from behind and on Boxing Day, my favourite of the run, we’ve controlled a game.  When was the last time we conceded from open play?  From memory, the last 5 against us have been 2 free kicks and 3 penalties.

Oxford 1 Derby 1

FRGS Cashin

The most important pro-Warne fan is Mr Clowes.  I had a wobble after the Stevenage and Shrewsbury games but what a turn round.  It would have been very easy, and very Mel-like, to sack Warne around the November international break.  Fair play to DC for standing his ground.  In life, sometimes the hard decisions are often the right ones.

Still half the season to go, but you can see from yesterday that the squad are united and in it together.  That counts for a lot and is testament to Warne’s man-management, which I think is is main strength.

3 minutes ago, Mucker1884 said:

Not sure either part of that last line is true, in fairness.  Some threads seem to survive just fine on a sea of positivity alone. 

 

We may be "Only fourth", but:

A/  That's higher than our position at the start of this recent form.
B/  It's closer in both position and points difference, to the top, than it was when this recent form started., ergo, it hints heavily that we are "coming for Pompey", to paraphrase our mutual good friend.
C/  There is enough time, and enough games remaining between now and the season's end to realistically suggest we "are in with a chance of automatic promotion", should every team's "recent form" continue at the same rate. 

 

I'd suggest your post would have carried much more weight if the situation remained as per today's standings, but with only 3 or 4 games remaining.  We have 24 games remaining.

#Grinch Out!

Spot on.  And we have a game in hand on the top 2.   And 2 out of the 3 teams above us to play at home.  I’d much rather be 4th on Boxing Day and, hopefully, top 2 in May than the other way round.

59 minutes ago, ariotofmyown said:

Need this game done and dusted by about 60th minute as going to see Wonka at 4pm.

Take your iPad, let the family watch Wonka, you tune in to Rams TV with your headphones in for the 2nd half.  Win-win!!

#bemoreB4.

Wigan 1 Derby 1

FRGS Bird

Merry Christmas all!!

Derby 2 Lincoln 0

FRGS NML

12 hours ago, Steve Buckley’s Dog said:

Was a Wycombe equaliser the highlight of your season so far? 

Dawnie after hearing Wycombe equalised……

Was very frustrated last night, particularly with the ref.  But we didn’t have our best game and Wycombe came to stop the rhythm and disrupt us.

Technically, her bookings were right, but her management of the game - which previously has been spot on - was poor.  Sometimes a word would have sufficed and the fact that all the booking came so close together didn’t help.  The Sibley and Collins one frustrate me.  Sibley should know that kicking the ball away is a yellow card this season, we’re nearly halfway through now and that should be basic knowledge.  I get Collins was frustrated but he ran from the middle of the pitch to have an argument he didn’t need to have.

The trouble is, due to poor management of the game, the players played within themselves.  They became too scared to make a tackle.  And the inconsistency made it worse.  She should have booked the Wycombe player in the first half after, rightly, playing advantage.  Taylor should have been booked for ambling off the pitch.  She walked 5 yards with him and he completely ignored her.  I’m sure there are others but they’re 2 that spring to mind.

Derby 2 Wycombe 1

FRGS Collins