Ramrob

Just watched the highlights back. My god I miss that squad of players. What a team. 

My son Edward was mascot that day. Living in West Bridgford & surrounded by Red Dogs at school, Derby County had the foresight to offer the job to Edward…He fully milked the bragging rights accordingly at school on the Monday morning. 😉

Edward was wearing black Adidas Kaiser 5’s that day; Jake Buxton said to Edward in the dressing room pre-match “Thems proper boots yeuth”. I still have them. 

I loved reading all the great stories of ten years' ago. 
Hard to believe that silky smooth team ultimately didn't deliver for us. It's been a bumpy road ever since.
Maybe the grittier but effective fight of the current team will give us something to really celebrate this season instead.
Up the Rams! 

Can't believe it's ten years! 

I once tried to explain to my wife what a 6 pointer is 
never again 

Good article on the situation here by Barney Ronay (who someone on here told me was a forest fan?!):
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/18/supporters-should-blame-club-owners-not-the-rules-for-points-deductions
 
Particularly enjoyed this paragraph:
The issue is buying 29 players in a single year, spending more than every year of your entire club history combined, more than Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Failing to make the emergency stop because you’re careering off the mountain side is really an issue about careering off the mountainside in the first place. Football follows the market. If Johnson were more valuable to more clubs he might have been sold in time for the right amount. He wasn’t. So pay up.

Good article on the situation here by Barney Ronay (who someone on here told me was a forest fan?!):
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/18/supporters-should-blame-club-owners-not-the-rules-for-points-deductions
 
Particularly enjoyed this paragraph:
The issue is buying 29 players in a single year, spending more than every year of your entire club history combined, more than Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Failing to make the emergency stop because you’re careering off the mountain side is really an issue about careering off the mountainside in the first place. Football follows the market. If Johnson were more valuable to more clubs he might have been sold in time for the right amount. He wasn’t. So pay up.

Good article on the situation here by Barney Ronay (who someone on here told me was a forest fan?!):
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/mar/18/supporters-should-blame-club-owners-not-the-rules-for-points-deductions
 
Particularly enjoyed this paragraph:
The issue is buying 29 players in a single year, spending more than every year of your entire club history combined, more than Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Failing to make the emergency stop because you’re careering off the mountain side is really an issue about careering off the mountainside in the first place. Football follows the market. If Johnson were more valuable to more clubs he might have been sold in time for the right amount. He wasn’t. So pay up.

but you put it more eloquently than me. Well played Sir/Madam.
I also tried to do the same with Brexit voters. That went about as well as it does with this Chris Martin poster.

Here’s a website with the stats from the game on Saturday as you possibly don’t remember the details;
https://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/163100/derby-county-vs-bolton-wanderers/stats
They had 6 shots, 3 on target. We had 10 shots, 3 on target.
It says both sides created and missed 1 big chance each.
They had 2 shots off target, we had 4.
They had 1 blocked shot, we had 3.
Our xG for the game was 0.55 theirs was 0.43.
Both teams had 6 corners each.
Now, the big and most important stat, we scored a goal, they didn’t.
We know you don’t like/rate Warne, it’s possible for you to still have that stance and also admit the reality that he got a decent result against a promotion rival, all the evidence is there if you find just the tiniest bit of humility.

Saturday 23rd March
Northampton vs Derby
Sixfields Stadium (KO 1500)
 
Parking: There is apparently parking available at the ground (NN5 5QA) for a fiver or at a place called Duston Mill (NN5 5FP).
Opponents Bio: Founded in 1897, Northampton Town are well known by their nickname, 'The Cobblers', a nod to the town's historic shoe-making industry. Previously based adjacent to Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, their move in 1994 now sees them play home matches at the 7,798 capacity Sixfields Stadium.
The swinging 60's was quite the decade to be a member of the Shoe Army as Northampton started the 1960/61 season in the fourth tier of the English game before three promotions and three relegations saw them back in Division 4 (ask your parents kids) in time for the 1969/70 campaign. Their one season in the top division was their only appearance at that level in their history so far. Indeed, since their relegation in 1966/67 from what is now the Championship, the Cobblers have played each of the subsequent 56 seasons in either the third or fourth tier. That run could have been broken in 1993/94 when they finished bottom of League 2 but they had a reprieve as Kidderminster Harriers' ground wasn't deemed suitable for the Football League.
This season sees Town looking to consolidate a League 1 berth after their promotion from League 2 in 2022/23 and sitting in 14th place and well clear of the drop zone they have comfortably achieved their initial target. A decent run of results could see them finish in the top half as they are one of four sides on 50 points before this weekend.
Opponents Gaffer & Dangermen: They are managed by an Australian, Jon Brady, who I know nothing about. 
Top scorers for Northampton this season are Sam Hoskins (14 goals), Kieron Bowie (eight) and Mitch Pinnock (six, plus seven assists). They also have Huddersfield loanee Tyreece Simpson and another loanee is a certain Tony Springett who played a few times for ourselves last year.
Other Titbits & Links to DCFC: Notable names associated with Saturday's opponents include former managers Herbert Chapman (of Huddersfield and Arsenal fame), Tony Barton (European Cup winning manager at Villa), Chris Wilder (when he was good), Ian Atkins (coming good again at Tranmere maybe), Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Aidy Boothroyd and Graham Carr (father of comedy twins Alan and Jimmy). Their most famous ex-player is probably former Liverpool and England full-back, Phil Neal.
Derby links include Kevin Wilson (managed them) and those who played for both clubs include John Gregory, Ian Taylor and Marco Gabbiadini.
Opponents Form: They've struggled over the past five games, picking up just two points from draws against Charlton at home and Cambridge away. They've lost two on the bounce, both without scoring, with a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackpool followed on Saturday by a 2-0 loss at Wycombe. 
Their league record at home is respectable overall, reading: W8-D5-L6.
Rams History vs Northampton: We tempted fate against Bolton by highlighting the fact that they had never won in the league at Pride Park in 10 attempts. Lets be bold again by stating that;
Derby have never lost a competitive fixture against Northampton.
It's true. Six FA Cup ties (four original and two replays) and seven League matches is the sum total of the two clubs' historical matches against each other but the Rams have managed eight wins and five draws thus far. 
In League matches only, we currently stand at W4-D3-L0 with an away record of W2-D1-L0 on their turf.
The match earlier this season at Pride Park saw Derby run out comfortable 4-0 victors in a game where we saw the best of Conor Washington and a brace by Max Bird.
Likely Rams XI: We can possibly expect a change or two. Or maybe three? Assuming we maintain the back three then Warne has to decide between a recall for Sonny Bradley after illness or sticking with Fozzy. I'd be amazed if he didn't stay with Craig Maldini tbh. 
There are obvious doubts over those withdrawn against Bolton. Gayle is surely out and Barkhuizen and Ward are possibly struggling too. The gaffer also needs to make a decision on Hourihane as we look better with either Smith or Thompson in the middle (or both ideally for me) alongside Ebou Adams who must surely be our transfer target #1 for the summer. 
A return to the 18 for Conor Washington (MotM in the reverse fixture) would be welcome.
Other Notable Fixtures: None. Certainly not as far as those chasing automatic promotion is concerned. We are the only one of the five involved in that battle for a top two finish to be playing so it's a perfect opportunity to apply pressure on those now playing catch up with us. Seven points with a game in hand has to seem psychologically further away for Bolton than the current four points and equal games played so hopefully we can turn that screw.
COYR
 

Another thread descending into a pun-fest. That will divide opinion. 

I'm not here to challenge anyones opinions, they are what they are, let them be.
Personally I'm delighted with the job that Warne is doing, I think Dwight Gayles recent interview and the scenes at full time in front of a sell out crowd on Saturday show the togetherness of this team is a credit to the management team. 
His style may seem a little unorthodox to some and it won't suit every player, yet it's working with what was assembled whilst scraping barrels under EFL's restrictions makes it even more of an achievement.
When you look at the likes of Sunderland, Leeds, Forest who came down here, to think we can be in and out in 2 seasons is truly remarkable given the state of the club.
Important to point out, the season isn't done, we still have 7 huge games to play before we can start to think about the Championship, although no matter what happens between now and May, I have seen significant improvement to be fully behind Warne next season regardless of what division we are in.

Yes ,, that is odd

I think I could leave the forum for weeks, get married, go on my honeymoon, see Derby further strengthen their grip on second with two or three wins, and still come back to the same two or three posters trying to downplay the job Warne is doing.
Even after a hard-fought win against a direct rival where Warne clearly had the tactical edge, they are still picking faults.
How tiresome.

Good work again Daniel.
Keep it up👍👍

Great result for both of us today. You guys deserve to go up with such amazing support. I honestly can’t wait until we meet in April. The atmosphere is going to be electric with our fans on good form and yours as well who never disappoint. I think we both go up in the automatic promotion places it’s now down to who wins the league. We are blighted by injuries at the moment so I’m nervous for our match and if we play like we did today we could be facing a drubbing. 
 
I’m from Pompey originally but live in the midlands now so I’m pissed by the change to an evening game like I imagine many here are as well. Best of luck for the rest of the season. 

Decided to read through the thread after hearing the inspiring albeit sad tale of your recently passed young supporter. This post popped out. 
 
Year after year we’ve had close calls with promotion and have thrown it away.  Even now with the lead we have I won’t believe we are promoted until it’s mathematically safe. 
 
After hearing the story about B4 I genuinely hope it’s Pompy and Derby who go up in the automatics. What a fitting tribute that would be for someone who was obviously well loved by this forum and had a good heart. 
 
 

It's a thread started by a young, Derby mad fan known to us as @B4ev6is, B4, or Daniel. He passed away recently which broke many a heart among us Rams as he was as sweet a lad as you could wish to meet and the most fervent and loyal supporter of any club, not just Derby, that I've ever met. His spelling however was shocking, but as a result of learning difficulties, hence the jokes about 'scraves and ballions' you'll find all over the forum. We bumped the thread as part of an effort to keep him close to our hearts and the title was left as was out of respect to Dan and his family. In its own way, it kind of sums up who he was and why he such a favourite among us Rams faithful. No disrespect is intended.

I’ll shed an actual tear (or two) when he finally leaves us. He is still a link to that amazing second half of the 13/14 season, which was as enjoyable as anything I can remember (going back to early 80s). But he has also been that reassuring presence throughout the dark times, ten(?) managers and countless left backs, all inferior. Still quality, still a Ram.

Over ten years of service, never a problem in the entire time he's been here, seen off every left back we've signed since he arrived, flexible enough to cover multiple positions.
A club legend. No doubt about it. 

What a great day out at the Park! The atmosphere was already stoking up while we were outside the South Stand for pre-match supping, and the fans were terrific all match long! Well done you Fans!
It was a fascinating game of football, and it makes a change to see a good team out on the pitch with us. There wasn't a lot in it, and we started well, dispelling my fears that Warne would get us sitting back trying to keep Bolton out and then nicking a win. Only he did, didn't he? The bright start was just a smokescreen, and especially after Gayle went off we were sitting deep. So what? Smith coming on changed the pattern of the game as we started to get more influence in midfield.
The triple substitution could have backfired, but such is the team nowadays that we soldiered on, and at times I thought Thompson was vying for man of the match. A lot of people didn't think he did much, but actually he started knitting the play together, and was having massive influence, because he is high energy, doesn't waste the ball and can spot a pass and can spot an interception. Putting Wilson on was also a great substitution - Bolton didn't know what to do with him - a bit curious because it turns out they tried to sign him a while ago!
And although Bolton seemed steady and composed, when we attacked and put the pressure on, their backline looked like it was on the verge of panicking, and most certainly weren't comfortable with high balls. It is hard to single players out because no-one was holding anything back today, but Wildsmith, Fozzy and Adams deserve our thanks.
And the ref - I know you are all waiting for this! Well, it was 28 minutes before I booed him! He did pretty well, although there a few poor decisions, the main one being Adams getting hauled to the ground on the edge of the 6 yard box late on in the match. Oh, and chasing after Fozzy for his first offence immediately after dipping out of a run of 3 or 4 handball decisions in a row. But given that in a match of this importance we can normally depend on the ref to cost us, he did just fine!
My only regret is that we have come across a way of playing the works, that wins games and actually looks like football. But today we took several steps back to Warne's percentages football. Again, so what? We won. But please, Paul, don't abandon the football, because we are good enough to play that way and win.
We are in a very strong position now, effectively making 2nd place all our own, and ours to lose or throw away. We are going up! And we have left our closest rival trailing in our dust!
COME ON YOU RAMS!!!

FFS Wildsmith that out injured now, pulled his back carrying some bobble-hatted lunatic after the match 😛
 
 

Apologies if any of this is a repeat of what's already been said but haven't had time to catch up with the thread yet.
Firstly hats off to Bolton, thought they came and had a decent go. They are probably licking their wounds wondering how they didn't go home with something from that game. I won't begrudge them that as they were much improved from the reverse fixture. Wasn't that impressed with them that day.
Having said all that I don't want to take away from the shift all of the boys put in. Cashin, Fozzy and Nelson in particular were immense. Fozzy quite rightly the MoM. To put in that level of performance after being out so long was beyond impressive. 
Big shout out to Wildsmith too. Two world class saves gave us a platform on which that victory was built.
Absolutely buzzing with that result. Won't be getting much sleep tonight as my adrenaline levels are off the scale.. Trying my best not to get carried away as there will be more twists and turns yet but we are firmly in the driving seat. Every club in that division barring Pompey would love to be in our position right now.
You beautiful bloody Rams. You've caused us all so much heartache  over the years but it just makes moments like this all the sweeter.