Miggins

surely this equates to match fixing,he;l have no intention of trying to win on saturday

Imagine how Burton and Cambridge are feeling!

He was a lovely lad and would have been so proud of the team.  
Hope the team can get promotion for the club and fans .
 

This in spades 🙌 
Bittersweet for sure and as much a relief as anything, after our troubles. it's been a proper slog and we still need one more big performance to be sure. I wouldn't worry about B4 too much though, as word has it he told the big boss he was nipping out for milk on Saturday evening and has not been seen since 👀

The opportunity to win promotion at Pride Park, in front of a sell out crowd, after what the club has essentially gone through the last four years, is something that could create memories that will last a lifetime.
If, and hopefully when it happens, I'll definitely spare a thought for B4 and others who marched through the city to help keep the club alive but sadly won't be here to see this significant step in our rebuilding process. 

Pride Park Stadium
KO - 12.30
Ticket Update: Forgeddaboutit
Match is  also live on Sky Sports
What it is to be a Derby fan. After Northampton, even yours truly was feeling a tad deflated. With Blackpool, Pompey and Wycombe next up, my mood was more pensive and hopeful, than upbeat, as many others seemed to feel that we'd blown another golden opportunity. In fairness, that was understandable, if only to a point. Happily though, it appears that Warne and the chaps did not get the memo informing them of their impending capitulation and decided to go on an 5 game unbeaten run instead. That effort not only cemented us in the top 2, as others buckled under pressure, but now sees us teetering right on the edge of promotion glory; agonisingly poised, we have one foot in the sunlit uplands of the Championship (*shudder), the other remaining firmly planted in the nightmarish possibility of yet more play-off induced football terrors. But need we really be worried? 
After recent history and the near demise of our great club, I think it's understandable that some Derby fans might adopt a mildly cautious outlook and demeanour. In recent years, whatever may go wrong, typically has done and in so much, it's fair to say that a robust constitution is a mandatory requirement for a group of fans who've had more than their fair share share of emotional kickings over the last decade. Most Rams will confess that in some ways, it's hard not to expect the worst, based on recent history, but then isn't the dream what it's all about? After all, if you strip away the hopes and dreams, what do you really have left? It's been a season to test our nerves, that much is clear, but despite a lot of infighting, we've hung it all together in the end and here we are, fate firmly in our own hands. Remember too, that for some of our young 'uns, Saturday is a potentially momentous day. Automatic promotions don't come around every year and many won't have experienced one in their lives to date and for our elder statesmen and women, this could be an emotional roller coaster too. 
Outside the club itself, expectations are sky high. The bookmakers have all but closed the book on our promotion chances and after all, a single point is all we require against a Carlisle side who remain 10 points adrift at the very foot of the table and with seemingly nothing other than professional pride at stake. The oddsmakers are undoubtedly right from a statistical standpoint, but playing devil's advocate for a moment, Carlisle will view this as a free hit and will play without pressure (think Wycombe) and for some, the game provides an ideal opportunity to showcase their talents in a high-profile game with the Sky cameras watching on. Summer moves may beckon, for any player who shines.
Worthy favourites then, IMHO, but doubtless a good few will still be anxiously awaiting Saturday's outcome.
Not me mind. I’ll be drunk from @noon on Wednesday.
The Permutations:
Quite simple now, on paper at least; a win or a draw and we say, 'hasta la visa, baby' and kiss this league goodbye, hopefully forever. A loss, by a single goal would leave Bolton needing to beat Posh 3-0 in order to break the hearts of the Rams faithful, snatching 2nd place by virtue of having scored more goals. Not quite the proverbial slam-dunk then, but we're strong favourites, all the same and rightly so IMO.
Elsewhere, we, along with Bolton, will be hoping Posh slip up midweek; Posh will be hoping they don't and Barnsley and Lincoln will be nervously looking over their shoulders with both Oxford and Blackpool snapping at their heels. I'd dearly love to see Blackpool snatch the last playoff slot! 
 


The key fixtures for the final rounds, with promotion hopefuls underlined, are as below:
Tuesday 23/04-2024
Cheltenham vs Peterborough - 19.45
Saturday 27/04/2024
Barnsley vs Northampton - 12.30
Exeter vs Oxford - 12.30
Lincoln Vs Portsmouth - 12.30
Peterborough vs Bolton - 12.30
Reading Vs Blackpool - 12.30
My guesses are Posh to beat Cheltenham and draw with Bolton. Barnsley to beat Northampton, Oxford to turn over Exeter, Lincoln and Pompey to draw and Blackpool to beat Reading. Make of that what you will! 
Our Opponents – A Brief History:
Founded in 1896 as Shaddongate United, Carlisle United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Cumbria, who have played their home games at Brunton Park since 1909. The club's traditional kit is blue with white and red detail, whilst the badge takes elements from the city's coat of arms by including two Wyverns. They are nicknamed the "Blues", due to their kit, as well as the "Cumbrians". The club is the northernmost English professional football club seated close to the Anglo-Scottish border. Crowned Lancashire Combination, Division Two champions in 1906–07, they entered the North Eastern League in 1910 and went on to win the league title in 1921–22, before being elected into the Football League in 1928. 
Head to Head:
Sadly, Carlisle have a pretty decent record against our beloved Rams. Twenty-three competitive fixtures have seen Derby win 9, draw 6 and lose 8. Our first fixture, in the old Division 3 North back in 1955, saw Derby win 3-0. More recently, the two teams have met three time in the last decade with Derby bookending the decade with 2-0 wins, with a 1-1 between them.
Games Played: 23
Games Won:9
Games Drawn:6
Games Lost:8
Our last Meeting:
The corresponding fixture at Brunton Park was way back in September with a James Collins brace giving the game a rather more comforting veneer than was perhaps warranted. Carlisle looked tidy and Gibson and Moxon in particular, gave Derby plenty to think about. On that performance, you might have been forgiven for thinking Carlisle would do ok this season, but it’s fair to say that things have not gone well for the Cumbrian outfit and their relegation was a formality from some way out.
Carlisle United - Recent Form:
Carlisle's recent form has been distinctly patchy, with their last 5 games comprising a 3-1 home loss to that awful club near Henley, another home loss by the odd goal to Blackpool, a hard-earned away win at Cheltenham, before consecutive losses to Northampton and Lincoln. 
Saturday 20th April
Carlisle United 1 Wycombe Wanderers 3
Saturday 13th April
Carlisle United 0 Blackpool 1
Tuesday 9th April
Cheltenham Town 0 Carlisle United 1
Saturday 6th April
Northampton Town 2 Carlisle United 0
Monday 1st April
Carlisle United 1 Lincoln City 3
Carlisle United - Key Players:
Quite a relief that we won’t be facing Owen Moxon, snapped up by Pompey in the January window. Most of what was good about Carlisle seemed to start with him, but in Jordan Gibson, they still retain some meaningful threat. He's tricky with ball at feet, looks to attack and has a shot on him. He tops the scorer’s chart with 7 goals and 3 assists whilst Sam Lavelle with 4 assists is a goal provider to note. Mellish with 5 goals and Butterworth and Garner with 4 a piece, round out the principal Carlisle goal threats. it would be remiss not to mention also that their current manager, is none other than the much respected, Paul Simpson. Nudge, nudge, wink wink, Paul! The other ex-Rams fun fact would be that Luke Plange had a brief and unremarkable spell with the Cumbrians this season, before seeking warmer weather with HJK Helsinki.
Rams Team News:
Some will be itching for change after a stuttering performance at Cambridge. My own thoughts on that game are that Cambridge fought ridiculously hard and we had to try and match that extreme intensity before we could even think about playing our game. The pitch looked both short and narrow to me had clearly been subject to a hosepipe ban and I think all of these factors led to a feisty and extremely combative game, from which we did well to emerge with maximum points. Back on home soil, a larger pitch and a (marginally) better surface, I’d expect us to look rather more fluid.
Sadly, this will be the last time we get to watch young Max Bird play for the club. There’s been some really silly stuff written about our most technically gifted footballer and I have to confess that seeing him leave for Brizzle will be like a kick to the gut. That said, the fee garnered enabled some key signings and it could be argued that in hindsight, this was smart business. Nah, I'm not convinced either, but needs must? Quite possibly. Irrespective, I’d love to see him among the starting 11 for his swansong. I’m sure the Derby faithful will give him the send-off he deserves, in what may be a somewhat bittersweet celebration, for both us as fans and Max himself, lest we forget.
With that in mind, here’s my team selection, which will of course in no way resemble the gaffer’s:
 

 

The defence really needs to remain unchanged. A more determined and obdurate back 3 you’d struggle to find. Wildsmith retains the #1 jersey, despite some idiosyncratic ball distribution. To my way of thinking, he makes saves that matter and that outweighs his wayward passing.
I’ve drafted in Bird to replace Korey Smith, who would perhaps be hard done by should Warne follow suit. Max would partner the irrepressible Ebou Adams, a pairing that ought to give us a solid foundation in midfield. Working hard on the flanks, I’d have Wilson and Sibley, two players I absolutely love. The latter especially, has really matured over the course of the season, proving yours truly and others wrong in the process and he has oodles of ability if this progress and work ethic can be maintained.
Thommo is also retained and will hopefully sit a little higher and rat like his life depends on it. He and Collo put in Herculean shifts against Cambridge, doing the work that seldom attracts the plaudits, but is often key to our success. He can also interchange with a front two of Collo and Nate, who should give Carlisle plenty to think about. Barks, Gayle and Smith appear the obvious change-ups, with Hourihane, Vickers and Elder in reserve, but much will depend on who is truly healthy on the day.
And that, ladies and gentlemen is me done for the season. I’m fancying us for a decent performance, with a little style on show after an early goal to settle the nerves. 3-0 is the call with Collo, Nate and Sibs my fancies as the scorers. After some 55 games across the season, this one has definitely felt like something of a marathon, but in spite of the divided fan base, I’ve enjoyed seeing us tough it out. The football has been mildly bipolar, great one week, not so much the next, but I think all sides at this lowly level are inconsistent, only us and Pompey slightly less so than the others. Should we progress, of course we will face different challenges, but we will also have a very different playing roster. Doubts about the style of football will persist, but personally, I don't think Clowes will even contemplate letting Warne go and as such, Warne will retain my support until such time as he doesn't! 
Here’s hoping then,  for a resounding win, a respectful but joyous celebration of an important and healing day for all connected with the club and one that the majority can safely enjoy. Also, calm and stress-free journeys for any fans travelling significant distances and a bright and shiny, new future for Derby County Football club.
COYR
BE MORE B4
 

I think it was Brailsford Ram who used to say MM wasn’t really a football man. I think he went to school with him or something.  Brailsford Ram doesn’t post any more.  Shame, I used to like reading them.

It'd be grand if it could be Derby lads (or lasses) retaining full ownership. I think part of football losing its way has been as a result of too many owners who treat clubs like toys for the billionaire boys club. Lose interest and your club that's been around over 100 years is all of a sudden teetering on the edge.
I see Gadsby and even more so, our own David Clowes, as custodian types, as much as owners. Clowes' prime interest was and I think will likely always remain, the longevity and sustainability of the Derby County Football Club. In all honesty, I'm fine with that, though I suspect many won't be.
@Boycie has reminded us that Morris was popular and regarded as 'one of our own' prior to dumping us into admin and he's right. I was very much taken in myself. That said, I can't see any similarities other than their Rams ownership at all. The two men are worlds apart in everything from actions to demeanour. I think it's already safe to assume that Clowes is the owner we needed, arriving precisely when we most needed him to. 

Passion! 
BTW, if you're on X, Georgia Knight is well worth the follow. Takes some great photos.

The problem with David Clowes is I think he would cringe and be uncomfortable, if we started singing to him on any sort of regular basis.
Better show our appreciation through the tills at Pride Park.
Buy that programme you'll never read, that pint you don't enjoy, that season ticket you'll barely use etc etc. 
If everything is going our way Saturday, a quick burst of "ole, ole, ole, ole David Clowes, Clowes, Clowes", towards the end of the game probably wouldn't embarass him too much, mind.
 

They've beaten you to it...
 

He's my hero. Saved our club and looks like undoing the bulk of the damage endured under MM in only his second season as owner. Deserves all the plaudits he gets in spades IMO.

🙏🏻 agreed. We are on the verge of being promoted. And another step closer to the prem. We were so close to there not being a DCFC anymore, only for David to save us. He deserves the credit and all the sentiment he gets. We should have a song for him of course. And we should all be eternally grateful for his sacrifice. He deserves this more than anyone 

Couldn’t find a standalone Clowes thread, so started this one. As someone who was very much in the Warne Out camp and thought Clowes was making a mistake for keeping him on, I have to hold my hands up and say he was bang on to hold his nerve and not be swayed by an increasing amount of hostility.
I still have my thoughts on how the club should be run differently, but we can save those for another day. I may have missed it, but this man needs a proper song ASAP.

League standings so far, with one game to go, upto and including Cambridge Utd (A) Game.
 
Premiership
leroyoftherovers    57      (CHAMPION)
Dordogne-Ram    51
RadioactiveWaste    51
True Ram    49
europia    48
Foreveram    48
Miggins    47
rynny    47
Brammie Steve    46
Kernow    46
Cardiogram    45
mozza    45
HedgeEnder    44
Osbaldwick    44
OohMartWright    43
timlondinium    43
dcfc the 1 4me    42
BucksRam    41
Fla Ram    41
StevenageRam    41
 
Championship

taffyram    41
Carnero    40
RodleyRam    40
Addingham Ram    39
hydraulic ram    39
Mucker1884    39
Malty    38
WharfedaleRam    38
archram    37
Comrade 86    37
Grimbeard    37
MarsdenRam    37
Puffin    37
Ramifications    37
EssendonRam    36
rammieib    36
Ramsamwidge    36
Bessie1    35
BodminRam    35
harwich ram    35
Ted McMinn Football Genius    35
DiggerB    34
ramant62    34
TheHospitalier    34
 
Div1
 
angieram    33
BramcoteRam84    33
Chris_Martin    33
FlyBritishMidland    33
ilsonram12    33
MidWalesRam    33
Wolfie    33
DCFC Kicks    32
FindernRam    32
Kenavo    32
BathRam72    31
Blondest Goat    31
hintonsboots    31
Jase116    31
Jourdan    31
Premier ram    31
TimRam    31
Wolfie20    31
AndyB    30
Rich84    30
Simmo's left foot    30
SKRam    30
Topram    30
Mckram    29
 
Div2

InstaRam    28
LeedsCityRam    28
Curtains    25
DCFC1388    25
Elgin_Ram    25
gccrowdpleaser    25
SKHunter    25
ColonelBlimp    24
Jimbo Ram    24
cstand    23
jimtastic56    23
Amberram    22
DesertRam    22
REDCAR    22
Eoghan1884    21
Steve How Hard?    20
Van der MoodHoover    19
PendineRam    18
BriggRam    17
JuanFloEvraTheCocu'sNesta    17
1967Ram    17
r4derby    17
BOB BIGGS    16
Jortat    16
 
Div3

BarrowRam    15
JMC    15
MadAmster    14
oodledoodle    14
TomTom92    14
Scott129    12
Animal is a Ram    10
DCFC4LIFE    10
DerbyAleMan    10
Mick Brolly    10
CBRammette    9
Elwood P Dowd    9
Magicman    9
NegativeCreep    9
TF Ram    9
Chopper    8
DE56Ram    8
uttoxram75    8
Will Hughes Hair    8
Alan Ramage 4 EVA    7
Brailsford Ram    7
21CSchizoidRam    7
Foxy Ram    7
MaltRam    7
 
Div4

PrideParkhead    7
Sheff Ram    7
Wistaston Ram    7
dantheram    6
Gladys_was_the_Greatest    6
Keepyuppy    6
Rampant    6
Dean (hick) Saunders    5
one_chop    5
sheeponacid    5
Top Lino    5
bucktwo    4
EnigmaRam    4
Gabby'sThighs    4
MackworthRamisGod    4
Ram-a-lama fa fa fa    4
S8TY    4
Turk Thrust    4
Woodley Ram    4
Abu Derby    3
BaianoPOTY98    3
HonitonRam    3
Idiakez    3
ivo_knoflicek    3
 
Div5

Jram    3
Justa    3
JustOneBiblicalKazim    3
kevinhectoring    3
LittleEatonRam    3
Matchday Fred    3
Mrso    3
Needlesh    3
NottmRAM    3
oohmarkwright    3
Old Spalding Ram    3
SinceIWasntSoYoung    3
Slaapwekkend P    3
strawhillram    3
B4's Sister    2
dabber    2
Dava75    2
EraniosSocks    2
glyn1957    2
Hoppo    2
Johnnyoj    2
8Leeds    2
Makedoh    2
Marriot Ram99    2
 
Div6

minesahartington    2
OUTSIDER    2
Paultheram    2
plymouthram    2
Ramaldo    2
Ram_in_Cumbria    2
simmoram1995    2
Skin em Ted    2
trappatoni    2
ziggazagga    2
Anag Ram    1
Archie    1
CapeTownRams    1
CBX1985    1
Charliegeorge1962    1
CodnorRam    1
De22Ram    1
DavesaRam    1
DCFCmaz    1
deanoakram4life    1
Donegal Ram    1
England Ram    1
Electric Ram    1
Ghost of Clough    1
 
Div7

jameso    1
lagavulinram    1
littleover ram    1
lrm14    1
lukedcfc    1
MACKWORTHRAM     1
MickD    1
NG2Ram    1
old tray boy    1
Raich Carter    1
Ram a lamb a ding dong    1
ramboy63    1
RamDotFi    1
Ramrob    1
RoyMac5    1
sage    1
Seth's left foot    1
Smon Bradley    1
Tamworthram    1
TheRamOfSwad    1
The_Sheriff    1
TomG    1
WhiteHorseRam    1
Alty_Ram    0
 
Div8

AlvoRam    0
Ambitious    0
Andrew1    0
Barney1991    0
bcnram    0
bimmerman    0
BLB    0
Chellaston Ram    0
chewbacca    0
Chesterfield_Ram    0
CrapSince99    0
Davec2203    0
Dethorn    0
devonram1980    0
Diego    0
Eargasm    0
eddy779h34    0
Ellafella    0
et arietem    0
Franks Tanked    0
Gee SCREAMER !!    0
GeneralRam    0
Gritstone Ram    0
Guest    0
 
Div9 

Hustler    0
Ian Buxton's Bat    0
Inverurie Ram    0
Jayram    0
Jubbs    0
kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong    0
Kinder    0
Kokosnuss    0
Kooklaram    0
Lac291884    0
LazloW    0
LeedsRam1999    0
McMuffin    0
Mikeyboy1963    0
MK-Ram    0
Oldben    0
oldtimeram    0
Parsnip    0
1977 Ram Raider    0
Ramism    0
ramit    0
Rample    0
Ramslad1992    0
Ratpackram    0
 
Non-League

Reggie Greenwood    0
richinspain    0
S6 boy    0
Saturn5    0
secretsquirrel    0
Sparkle    0
Srg    0
SSD    0
StarterForTen    0
Stommo    0
SWRam    0
Sussex Ram    0
swadieram    0
Sweetness34    0
TaahnRam    0
ThePrisoner    0
TINMANTED    0
Toadbelly    0
valakari    0
VulcanRam    0
WestStandStartTheBounce    0
 
 
T.B.C.
 

Lets also give Simmo a warm welcome. A decent player, ex assistant manager and he has also beat cancer. Well done to him.

Of course the squad needs an overhaul, my concern is where the money is coming from.  DC is running a tight ship - and I approve of that, given the past few years, but if you recall the lean GSE years even they were pumping money into the club and getting nowhere.
You could argue that (assuming we finish the job next weekend) we've gone up too quickly - the squad needs a fair amount of surgery next season to compete and we're still a fair way from any youngsters coming through.  I don't envisage many signings as such, more freebies and loans again.
We we're warned at the fans forum a while back that if we do up we're looking at a couple of seasons of stability before we hopefully push on - to me that means avoid relegation/push for mid-table. Given that we've been in and around the top 6/top 2 for months and some people have still wanted to get rid of PW, unless we've got some 'god tier' scouting lined up next season is gonna be a tough and PW will come under pressure again from the usual suspects.  
Personally, unless we get some outside investment I'm okay with slow and financially prudent progression.

I’d argue his Rotherham spells indicate very much that he can get more out of players as his promotion seasons from league one all coincided with “bigger, better resourced” clubs (the likes of Bolton, Portsmouth, Blackburn, Sunderland) being in the league and yet he got plucky ol’ Rotherham up into the championship at their expense. 
It’s also clear that he’s not then done the business when he gets to the championship, that could be down to his ability as a manager/coach, it could be down to resource.
We will recruit in the summer, there are a number of players out of contract and loan players who will return to parent clubs. For every “duff signing” some folk will be at pains to point out, he’s also shown he can pick a player with the likes of Adams, Nyambe, Nelson, Ward and Wilson all looking like good additions. 
He’s earned a crack at the championship with Derby, provided we get there, but as I’ve said many times before…if we’re struggling when we’re in that league and fans turn then he’ll likely be shown the door, so these statements about being bottom 3 or bottom 6 and going down with him as he’s not a top coach almost feel like hollow hyperbole to me.
He’s the manager for now, he’s probably won promotion, he’ll probably get a crack and if it’s not working he’ll be replaced and maybe they’ll do better.
How did Watford and Hull get on in the end?

Funny you should mention Bielsa when Warne is criticised for running the players into the ground.
Anyway, you're comparing managers that have much longer CV's and been at clubs where the base level of player has been better than what Warne has had at Rotherham to work with.
By going up, we are entering new territory with Warne having a club of this size to manage, we are not Rotherham.
I just can't understand the eagerness to write him off as being this incapable fool, surely the bloke deserves a little respect and a chance to manage this club in the Championship and prove his inabilities?
You went from this team wouldn't stay up, well duh, shifting it to his inability to get the best out of players whilst we're 1 point away from achieving promotion.
Feels like you've just set out to moan and piss on peoples chips on a day where we have moved to within a point away from promotion, no matter how much you may dislike or not rate his abilities, the timing is just bizarre, why can't we just sit and enjoy the moment instead of playing Nostradamus.
Whilst it might not be promotion to the Premier League, it's still a promotion and a significant one at that, if you can't just sit back, crack open a beer and enjoy it, I don't know why you bother with the game. It's not often we will have moments like this where the club has achieved something.
FA Cup, League Cup? Not a chance, the only other things we have left are promotion to the Premier League and Premier League survival, now in a week where the FA and PL have colluded to F the football pyramid over, to think the only time we can celebrate will be when we join that lot is s sad state of affairs.
And that's coming from someone that's desperate to see us back in the Premier League as well. 

I like him as a person.
He's good at this level, if pretty pragmatic and favouring percentage football.
He deserves a chance to have a crack at it next season.
IF we struggle and with the opposition much better if we see many repeats of our worst football from this season, then I expect him to be under pressure and I understand why.

The bloke is a league one promotion specialist who was hired to get us out of league one and has successfully got us out of league one
Love Paul Warne
Love bobble hats
Love him being a bit of a weirdo
Love s****, hard to watch, un-entertaining football
Love more points and away wins than a club that founded the football league over 100 years ago has ever had in one season
Love getting out of league one in just two seasons off the back of a huge crisis
YOU RAMS 🐏❤️

I must admit I like Paul Warne and I hope he can do a good job for us in the championship next season 🤞

They are chanting warnes name AFTER games now , that’s not in game chants to raise the team , it’s praise for the job he is doing and well deserved it is too , he’s also not jumping in on the bounce to steal the players / fans joy , he is maintaining that line as the boss with a job to do , some on here may not like it but the majority of fans at games are giving Warne the respect and praise he deserves for what he is creating at derby ,
there’s an honesty and culture at the club now that’s been missing for a long time and I for one want to see where he can take it given time and a bit more to spend 

Really enjoyed this interview 👍👍