Wistaston Ram

I’ve been a fierce critic of how Derby play out from the back. But I’m a massive fan of playing out from the back sensibly.
If you always go long from the back the opposition drops off, compressing the midfield making it very difficult to play through them. The rationale for playing out of defence is to draw your opponents onto you so there is space behind their players to exploit. It makes perfect sense, but the players need to understand why they are doing it.
Often Derby try to play out from the back when we are outnumbered by our attacking opponents, who are pressing us very high. They do this because they’ve seen how we play, know we don’t do things as we should and are very likely to give them goal-scoring opportunities high up the pitch. What we need to understand in this situation is that the job is already done. We have maybe four attackers pressing our two or three defenders so there is already space available upfield and risk-free we can play over the heads of these onrushing opposition forwards and start our own attacks. Instead we often see Wildsmith try to thread a pass through three opposition forwards to one defender who is already under pressure. Madness.
It's the same for our short goal kicks. When opponents are already grinning in anticipation on the edge of our penalty area waiting to charge, just go long over their heads as we already have created the space and outnumber them up the field. Don’t risk a short pass across our own six-yard area for no additional benefit, but only potential disaster.
Sometimes we see the press, for instance at goalkicks or when Wildsmith has the ball at his feet, and we decide it’s simply too risky to play through it and to go long instead. But we do this in the most infuriating way possible by announcing to our opponents that we are going to go long. So Wildsmith with gesture for our defenders to run up the field towards the halfway line before he kicks. Thereby allowing our opponents to also run back towards the halfway line and compressing the game. In this situation we should always be trying to fool the opposition by going long when they think we are going to play it short.
Ultimately, the secret to effectively playing out from the back is variety. When your opponents know you will try to play out no matter what, they will always press because it is risk-free for them.
Finally, once we break our opponent’s press, the golden rule should be to never turn back. If we have left many of our opponents behind us and have the chance to attack at pace, it must always be taken. Sometimes that means being braver with the pass we play or carrying the ball. Instead, all too often we turn around, and end up playing the ball all the way back to our defenders or keeper, only to be pressed again and try to beat the press again, when we just have but didn’t capitalize on it.

The SW Upper got a couple of songs going when it was quiet in the South Stand.

The SW Upper got a couple of songs going when it was quiet in the South Stand.

Did a quick reccy of ground location, while passing through Shrewsbury last week.  The ground is pretty much tucked away behind a Lidl with minimal sign posting. Finding Lidl is a lot easier!  Strange banner at the entrance which read 'Breathe on 'em Salop'. Watch out for locals with halitosis to those travelling on Tuesday.

Less than an hour for me, so easier than Pride Park. Looking forward to it.

Less than an hour for me, so easier than Pride Park. Looking forward to it.

Yes, the ground is a bit of a trek from the train station. I am driving to my mates and then his missus is dropping us off and collecting us after the game. Just a 25 minute drive for me ??

Looking like it will be about 32 degrees for the game on Saturday. I cannot remember going to a match in such a hot temperature. The hottest I can remember was when we played at Fulham back in the Jim Smith years (0.0 I think). Must have been the first away game of the season and it was roasting in the old cramped wooden stand (the away fans were housed along the side in those days) and what a relief to get out into the fresh air at the end. 

Looking like it will be about 32 degrees for the game on Saturday. I cannot remember going to a match in such a hot temperature. The hottest I can remember was when we played at Fulham back in the Jim Smith years (0.0 I think). Must have been the first away game of the season and it was roasting in the old cramped wooden stand (the away fans were housed along the side in those days) and what a relief to get out into the fresh air at the end. 

Why did you have to say that!

Hi anyone who supports the Poppy Appeal and wants a Derby poppy just seen these
https://www.poppyshop.org.uk/products/derby-county-poppy-football-pin-2022

Looks heavy, what is that flag made of?

Why did you have to say that!

Why did you have to say that!

Why did you have to say that!

Why did you have to say that!

I am such a kn0b. I’m in Holland lol.
Ticket now bought.

Yep - all direct from DCFC. Two additional hospitality which I appreciate won’t be included.

Why did you have to say that!

Why did you have to say that!

Why did you have to say that!

Why did you have to say that!

I was tempted to wait for the game tonight before starting this thread (and making my opening comment). At least it was correct for 5 hours ?

Why did you have to say that!

Why did you have to say that!