Miggins

Football has been dire at times, but its a results business and fair play to Paul, he has got the results...I just hope we can finish the job now.
I thought we would finish 7th, I was wrong, I thought Paul would be sacked before the end of the season, I was wrong.  Its lovely being wrong at times!
Regardless of my personal feelings on the manager situation, what is deserving of so much credit is that we are in this position despite the huge amount of injuries we have sustained this season, to key players as well.
Paul has earnt his chance and I really hope we get to see him smiling talking to Owen after achieving what I never thought he was capable of doing.
Over to ariotofmyown to tell me why I am such an @rsehole 😆

I wouldn’t quite describe it as “exemplary”. Our performances against Northampton and Wycombe (in my book, by and large, the management and players take joint responsibility for the poor performances and credit for the good ones) in particular are enough of blot to make such an accolade unjustified. Even most of the wins have been less than convincing but, I agree with your other sentiments. 
 
whether he is the right man to rebuild and go again is uncertain (I do understand certain posters concerns) but I do think he’s got us close enough not to be sacked.
Again, I get the concerns voiced by some others if we go up but he will have earned the right to give it a go.

I think you’ve missed my point there, or I’ve missed yours.  No pitchforks intended from me.  I was trying to say it’s different times and society.  Back then, you really debated the football and formed your view of the general feeling of supporters by the opinions of your mates and those you went to the match with.  Now, you get views of anyone, anywhere in the world instantly.  Plus, more exposure to different styles of football from across the world.
I suspect if the internet, social media and as much live football on TV existed in the 80’s you’d see similar views.  From Arthur Cox is clueless we should walk the league, to we nearly went bust 2 years ago and he’s done an amazing job.  It would probably be very similar to now.  Flip it round, a lot the people I know think PW is doing alright and deserves to keep his job next year regardless.  With no internet, etc, I’d think all Rams fans felt similar.
I’ve probably done a very bad job of saying it’s hard to compare eras a feeling amongst fans.

Fair play to the police yesterday btw. They were some of the soundest I've met at the football, and they were very understanding of those of us stood outside (even though some had been kicked out of the home end). 

We deserve automatic promotion. It’s been a tough watch at times, but defensively we have been superb and the individual quality has seen us through.
We will beat Carlisle and the manager and players will deserve the plaudits for a job well done.

Very very happy tonight 🐏, little mention for sunny Bradley , had a decent game ,very solid

PG Wodehouse from the directors box.
Ah, what a jolly morning it was, dear chum! The sun beamed down upon us as we indulged in the quintessentially English pursuit of punting, navigating the tranquil waters with the finesse of seasoned oarsmen. Our hearts lightened further as we repaired to the Botanical Gardens, where libations flowed freely, and the fragrant blooms provided a most agreeable backdrop for our conviviality. Ah, but I must confess, my good fellow, I found myself obliged to decline young Shaun Barker’s entreaty for a round of ten-pin bowling, lest I risked forsaking the tranquility of our day’s pursuits. Instead, we ascended to the exalted environs of the director’s box, where great expectations filled the air like the scent of freshly-cut grass on a summer’s day.
And lo, as the match unfolded before us, it was young Sibley who, with a flick of his hair reminiscent of a dashing hero from the pages of a romantic novel, delivered a pass of such sublime weight and direction that even NML, blessed with the accuracy of a marksman, could not fail to convert it into the winning goal, thereby securing for Derby the coveted three points that now lay within our grasp like ripe fruit ready for the plucking. Indeed, our destiny, like a ship guided by a steady hand upon the helm, now rested firmly in our own hands.
Yet, let us not discount the valiant efforts of our adversaries from Cambridge United, who fought tooth and nail to thwart our aspirations. Wildsmith, our custodian between the sticks, displayed a fortitude akin to that of a one-legged war veteran, kicking and flapping with a determination that belied his circumstances. Our nerves, I must confess, were sorely tested, akin to the frayed edges of a well-read novel.
But now, dear friend, our attention turns to the grand spectacle that awaits us next Saturday, where we shall once again take to the field, this time against the venerable Simmo and his stalwart band of disciples. A single point, so they say, shall suffice to elevate us to the sunlit uplands of the Championship, where glory and adulation await like eager suitors at a debutante’s ball.
It shall be a contest of wits and wills, where the bobble-hatted tactical maestro Warne shall endeavor to marshal his forces with the precision of a seasoned general. Let us rally behind him, dear comrade, for victory is within our grasp, like a well-struck ball sailing towards the goalposts of destiny.

Are you sure it wasn't Thommo in his carry-cot?

Well the worst thing about home end is not not celebrating but not instinctively tutting or groaning when we lose the ball.  Their fans next me really did not like NML, Tommo, Ebou or Sibs showing they were good. The advantage of the home end was meeting lots of players and PW when they emerged. Not only does Collins work hard on the pitch but he carries very big bags to the bus

We’re an inclusive community on here, feel free 😊 

I thought Sibley was great today, dangerous in attack, provided a real outlet when we needed it and but for a limp right foot he could have scored to ice his performance cake. 

Love how after we've just won that people are already working out what we'd have to do to not go up! Blimey - talk about glass half full.  We get at least a point and we're up (and we're playing Carlisle ffs). Let's focus on that?  Not suggesting it will be a walkover, but I reckon if you said a few weeks ago that all we'd need to do is draw at home on the last day of the season against the bottom club, we'd be OK with that. 

Solid win once again under tough conditions. Nathan Jones last week was telling the truth when the surface was rustic at best alongside the wind which did effect some of the distance on clearances/goal kicks. The ball was also getting some serious bounce near the sidelines. I think Wildsmith was a getting a bit flustered with the wind and that effected his kicking a tad but he made a top save in the first half so can't be too critical. Everyone put a shift in. One more game!

He's carried the rest of the team at times this season. He'll be used to it.

Must admit, I was dreading it all getting settled today.
Next week's game would have been such an anti-climax!  Who wants to get promoted early?  Ooh no, thank you very much.
Now we have something to look forward to.  We have hope, expectation, excitement, anticipation, and lots and lots of laundry! 👀
I've ordered some beta-blockers, and checked out where the nearest heart-zapping machine is (To PPS).
I'm buzzing.  What a week to be al

I really fail to see why any true Rams fan would go to the game next week knowing the sheer torture of losing and Bolton winning and being present for the bleakest day in our history (apart from all the other bleak days that were bleaker).
Let me carry your burden by taking your ticket off you.
 

Ugly, untidy, but better than nothing.
Coincidentally, my wife’s description of me.
 

We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it.
lets have another good 45 mins, a couple of goals and that will do for the time being

Come on you bloody beautiful Rams. Let's have it lads. In their faces from the off, please, let's get this one done in style.
COYR
BE MORE B4

I don't think I'd be dropping Korey Smith anytime soon. He's playing the most effective football of his Derby career.
I'd stick with Saturday's line-up, safe in the knowledge that we have potential game changers on the bench.

To be honest, I find these end of season games where nothing is at stake a little dull. 

Cledara Abbey Stadium: KO- 15.00
We’re on a mini-run, aren’t we, but despite having our fate firmly back in our hands, the pressure to perform remains; two wins from our last two and we’re back in the sunlit uplands of the Championship; a loss, or even a draw and potentially the pendulum swings again.
It’ll be interesting to see whether we might see one or two back in full training this week, but it’s hard to view the win against Orient as anything other than one of our most complete performances this season and this despite being far from clinical in front of goal. Will the confidence garnered see us approach the game with the same positive approach? One hopes so! Another slip up when seemingly set to turn the screw and inevitably, PW’s management will be under fire. A win and we head back to Pride Park with only Carlisle standing between us and our first promotion since 2007.
Our Opponents:
The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United, and took the name Cambridge United in 1951. They played in local amateur leagues before joining the Southern League after finishing as runners-up of the Eastern Counties League in 1957–58. Under Bill Leivers's stewardship they were crowned Southern League Premier Division champions in 1968–69 and 1969–70, which helped to secure their election into the Football League in 1970. 

Recent Form & Key Players:
Off the back off two absolute kickings from Reading, 4-0, then a 6-0 hammering from Lincoln, Cambridge were held 1-1 by Northampton before closing out March with a 2-0 loss away to Bolton. April has seen them draw at home to Charlton and lose by the odd goal to Blackpool, before showing better form in defeating Wigan 3-1 at home.
Top of the scoring charts sits Gassan Ahadme with 11, with Fejiri Okenabirhie next best with 9. Ellis Kachunga is next best having netted 6 times in 34 starts. Sully Kalkai tops the assists list with from Jack Lankester and George Thomas with 4 and 3 assists respectively.
Rams Match Squad:
Hard to get away from the 11 that started against Orient, given the resounding nature of the win and the style in which it was achieved. A buoyant Paul Warne confirmed in the post-match presser that everyone came through unscathed and it was interesting to hear him saying that we had more energy coming off a shorter break than was the case at Wycombe, where he felt we lacked energy, despite the 8 day break.
The injury picture remains murky and it’ll be interesting to see whether Gayle and Bird might be fit enough to make the matchday squad. I’ll not bother with my selected 11, as I always get it horribly wrong and the gaffer seems to be doing a decent job matching squads to opponents without our guidance. Instead, here’s the top of the table as it stands:

Don't forget to keep an eye on @Caerphilly Ram's injury updates thread across the week, for any snippets on player's likely return dates. I'll append anything I see to this htread as best I can in any case.
The Promotion Picture:
Some key fixtures tomorrow night, none more so than Bolton’s home game against Shrewsbury, whom we know to be a strong and obdurate side, though one lacking the Trotter’s class edge. I’d expect Bolton to take the points, but should Shrews grab an early lead, it could make for rather tougher game.
Oxford, fresh off the back of their 5 goal hammering of Posh play hosts to Lincoln City, whose charge towards the play-offs has faltered a little in most recently. It ought to be a tightly contested affair and to be honest, I’d not be surprised by any result.
The aforementioned Posh have what appears to be a routine task against lowly Fleetwood, but what will be the aftermath of their humbling at the hands of Oxford on Saturday. Might they have a hangover?
Perhaps the best tie of the round features champions-elect Portsmouth hosting Barnsley. A point will surely suffice for Pompey, but I expect them to win and win well en route to a thoroughly well-deserved title win. They’ve been excellent this season and this despite being one of the few clubs with comparable injury concerns to our beloved Rams. It'll be good to see them back where they belong after some very difficult years of their own.
Of the weekend ties, the most interesting involve Peterborough, who have a tricky away game at Bristol and Bolton host Port Vale. It seems odds on we will be going into the final week needing to beat Carlisle to be absolutely certain of promotion and I doubt too many Rams fans will be counting their chickens early! 
Final Thoughts:
A brief digression is in order to congratulate Eiran Cashin and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, both of whom made the EFL League 1 Team of the Year. Bit miffed that Curtis Nelson was overlooked to partner Cash at CB, as for me, he’s been top of the pops for us, but I doubt he’ll mind too much if we win come Saturday.
A last word as always to all Derby fans travelling to the game, safe journey to and fro, Rams and Ramettes and hopefully plenty of good stuff to chatter about on your way home. Honestly, I think our away support has been as good as any in the entire EFL this season and they’ll hopefully be rewarded with another complete and controlled performance as we ourselves edge closer to that vital 2nd place finish.
COYR
BE MORE B4
 

You will like Waterlog then and yes the Salt Path is very inspiring, have walked several sections of the SW coast path since reading it!