Bianoic

We are away
We aren't losing
We haven't conceded a goal 
Its really not that bad !
 

This is a game between 2 teams who are scared to lose… need more in the 2nd half. They’ve looked more dangerous than we have.

So with Jozwiak a fraud, and Lawrence one of the worst players you've ever seen, is there any of our players you actually like? 

As we're all aware, this season marks the 50th anniversary of our first League title. Had an idea for a while to mark it by doing a walk through the season as it happened 50 years ago (rather than just next May) - sort of a variation on the 'Derby on this day thread'
Whilst its stating the obvious to suggest a first title changed a club, this season in particular acted as a benchmark for Derby. It was the first season we had the Ram that we still see on our shirts today, it set the platform for our European Cup exploits the following season (and Brian Clough's obsession with landing the trophy after the Juventus semi-final) & our later title in 1974-75. It is also the breakthrough season which still affords Derby a lot of respect nationally from fans of a certain age & one often remembered for the nail-biting ending.
I wasn't around 50 years ago so my efforts will be confined to finding Youtube footage (if it exists), match reports, memorabilia & updated league tables as the season gets going. Where it probably needs fleshing out is with contributions from those who were there at the particular matches - what do you remember about particular games, what were the away fans like (good & lets face it, bad in a lot of instances) & any other memories/match rituals of the time
Anyroad, enough wittering from me. Exactly 50 years ago today we kicked off 1971-72 against Manchester Utd at the Baseball Ground. Youtube highlights below but we were actually 0-2 down in our opener against the Man Utd side of Law, Best & Charlton...
 

My ideal XI would see Morrison replicating his second half position against Salford. Ideally you'd want that quality up the pitch but want us to control possession & games - Ravel alongside Bird should guarantee that and act as insurance for our CBs who aren't that comfortable on the ball. 
I'd start Lawrence, Sibley & Jozwiak as the 3 behind Kazim with Sibley in particular tasked to run beyond Kazim.

Cheer up old chum 
We’re all in it together, remember ?
 
Come on GG, things looking a bit better now than a month ago ? 
 
We can do this - together , Yes ? 

You dont seem to like many people, do you Rev !!!??? ?

I think that Chris Coles is an absolute gem and Steve Nicholson comes across as a really nice fella who knows his stuff. 

Before Chris it was OB , who is absolutely brilliant and surely destined for big things ( if he wants them ) - a bit like Darren Ferguson who used to be on local radio and now heads up BT Sport commentary and presents on Radio Five Live 
So someone at RD and DT must be doing something right !
 
I think its a particularly tough time for newspaper journalists so they have my sympathy even though the DT website is pretty infuriating !
 

No harm, no foul, as the Americans say.

I love everyone mate!
Well, nearly everyone.
I'm also big enough to apologise for my behaviour last night, I was like a Mardy toddler being told it's time for bed.
Welcome to the forum, btw.
(If you look hard enough, there's a topic enabling new members to introduce themselves to the forum, if they so wish.)
It's buried in the last subsection, whatever it's called these days.
The Jim Smith room.

Let me know, in the next say 30 to 45 minutes or so ( seeing as you know what is happening at every other club so well)  , what the season and match day ticket situation is at the following clubs ; 
Hartlepool United 
Ipswich Town
Norwich city 
Blackburn Rovers
Newcastle United 
 
 

You dont seem to like many people, do you Rev !!!??? ?

Fletcher isn’t it? At least that’s what I assume from McManaman’s constant “Fletch”.

Think you mean Darren fletcher!! I remember listening to century FM when they mainly covered Derby and forest - and they reluctantly covered Leicester - how that would be different now ahah. 

I’m travelling on my tod ! 
Up in west yorkshire (bingley) on tues and staying overnight and only just realised we are at Hull the following night !
 
 

Yeah that's fair play really David. I've been to a few games on my own and can definitely do it but find it much nicer to be with someone else if i can go with a second person. I definitely couldn't randomly approach someone in a concourse, but I can quite happily go to the game, have a pint and watch the match just by myself if need be but without doubt recognise that is not for everyone.  

I quickly drove through it, well I did stop at a park to let the kids stretch their legs and get some air (not very fresh) as I stood next to my locked car, praying that the kids would survive the park and we would all get out of the place alive..we did just!

Not been to Stoke-on-Trent then?

What I learned from the weekend, to paraphrase Mark Langdon from the Racing Post. Not sure I'm  any the wiser! I think it was interesting what Mark Warburton said on the post match highlights (Quest). After a strange interregnum (Covid) and empty stadiums, it will take time for sides/players to get used to crowds again. 
I posted that one side with a manager in place for at least a season usually challenges the usual suspects, the relegated PL sides with their squads & parachute payments. I now think Stoke could be that team if they sign Delap, meaning they could have four strikers once Campbell is back. O'Neill comes across as a durable manager, capable of organizing a side & after adding creativity (Vrancic), I'd be surprised if they didn't finish in the top six. They've downsized but were able to replace well. 
I thought Preston were going to disprove my prediction after taking the lead but that was a heavy loss at home to a promoted side. The loss of a GK didn't help but I think Alex Neil had done all he could under the circumstances. He is also regarded by some in the game as a manager whose sides are usually difficult to play against. So I anticipate Preston to make a change and I'd be surprised if they don't figure in the relegation dogfight.

Sure, fair comment
i just think that that song cant help build or improve his relationship with the fans or the club and so is not really in anyone’s interests,  as well as being grossly offensive to his family and other people like me.

These last few weeks especially Wayne has gone up in my estimation hugely.
I’ve been so impressed with his attitude and his calmness when being faced with an incredibly difficult situation.
He has personally significantly helped our situation by providing an air of,and promise of,stability at a time when the club is being buffeted from all angles. Having managerial issues at present would be just awful for everyone and wayne has removed that risk
To me he is coming across incredibly well in his media work and has effectively taken on the whole of the club’s communications onto his own shoulders.
Well done to Wayne and it seems like most people are feeling that way given the reception he is getting at matches.
I really, really wish, though, that those fans who sing that appallingly infantile and frankly insulting song about him would stop. Can you imagine how his wife and children feel when they hear it ? It is grossly offensive.

These last few weeks especially Wayne has gone up in my estimation hugely.
I’ve been so impressed with his attitude and his calmness when being faced with an incredibly difficult situation.
He has personally significantly helped our situation by providing an air of,and promise of,stability at a time when the club is being buffeted from all angles. Having managerial issues at present would be just awful for everyone and wayne has removed that risk
To me he is coming across incredibly well in his media work and has effectively taken on the whole of the club’s communications onto his own shoulders.
Well done to Wayne and it seems like most people are feeling that way given the reception he is getting at matches.
I really, really wish, though, that those fans who sing that appallingly infantile and frankly insulting song about him would stop. Can you imagine how his wife and children feel when they hear it ? It is grossly offensive.

These last few weeks especially Wayne has gone up in my estimation hugely.
I’ve been so impressed with his attitude and his calmness when being faced with an incredibly difficult situation.
He has personally significantly helped our situation by providing an air of,and promise of,stability at a time when the club is being buffeted from all angles. Having managerial issues at present would be just awful for everyone and wayne has removed that risk
To me he is coming across incredibly well in his media work and has effectively taken on the whole of the club’s communications onto his own shoulders.
Well done to Wayne and it seems like most people are feeling that way given the reception he is getting at matches.
I really, really wish, though, that those fans who sing that appallingly infantile and frankly insulting song about him would stop. Can you imagine how his wife and children feel when they hear it ? It is grossly offensive.

These last few weeks especially Wayne has gone up in my estimation hugely.
I’ve been so impressed with his attitude and his calmness when being faced with an incredibly difficult situation.
He has personally significantly helped our situation by providing an air of,and promise of,stability at a time when the club is being buffeted from all angles. Having managerial issues at present would be just awful for everyone and wayne has removed that risk
To me he is coming across incredibly well in his media work and has effectively taken on the whole of the club’s communications onto his own shoulders.
Well done to Wayne and it seems like most people are feeling that way given the reception he is getting at matches.
I really, really wish, though, that those fans who sing that appallingly infantile and frankly insulting song about him would stop. Can you imagine how his wife and children feel when they hear it ? It is grossly offensive.