HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums.

The Last Chance Saloon

“Teams like Derby making a late push often reach the play-offs, so I see no reason why it cannot be us this season”. A three-game winning streak – against both Leicester and Bristol City at Pride Park, and away to Leeds – has left a chink of light open for the Rams after a dismal run in January and February.

It is just a chink: “If we did make the play-offs, it would be a mighty achievement. Currently at 54 points, we’d almost certainly need at least 70 to get there. So that is 16 from six games. Something truly special would have to happen and even that might not be enough.”

“We are woefully underprepared for a challenge anyway. Imagine this squad as the base for a Premier League team!”, “To be talking about this team in the play-offs is hilarious”, “Just imagine if we somehow fluked going up. Just think how many points would this team get?”

“We concede some laughable goals. Hansen would murder us on Match of the Day. At the other end, our control has been poor and the support has been weak”.

And Now Peterborough are Winning. Jesus Christ!

Things were not so calm three games ago. Derby have spent most of the season blissfully on the fringes of the play-offs. They had no idea of the tsunami of teams coming up the table at them until deep into their eight-game winless run.

A wave of panic swept over their forums ahead of the Leicester game. “We need the win today. Please Lord let us win today!”, “Why are results going against us? It’s ridiculous”, “Ipswich have taken the lead against Bolton. Dear God! Everyone is winning below us”, “Results couldn’t have been worse today”.

“If the form over the last eight games is anything to go by, we are relegated!” they continued. “How on earth are we looking over our shoulders? I thought we were pretty decent”, “Why do I get the feeling I have stumbled into the Mad Hatter's Tea Party?”

The Paul Jewell Legacy and the Aftermath

“One of the worst managers in our history,” many Derby fans felt that he did lasting damage to the club's morale and prestige: “Thank you Paul Jewell and THAT Premier League season. The side effects are kicking in now.”

“We are in a massive phase of transition. Yes, I know that four years is an awful long time in football, but with the strategy the club is taking, it may be another few years before we are challenging to get out of this league”. The board’s strategy of buying sensibly and developing youth players is welcomed by most Rams.

“This lot have a plan. They want to achieve promotion but they have set themselves limits. While we flirt with the play-offs, there will always be the argument that what they offer is just about enough. Then it is up to Nigel to hit a home run”.

Nigel Clough

A poll on one website has a 45% positive and 43% negative rating on the manager.

First the positives: “Whatever happens, Nigel has done a brilliant job with extremely limited funds”, “If Cloughie left, who would realistically come here?”, “We have made a lot of progress in the last four years. Not in terms of league position, but in terms of the value of the squad”, “We have the basis of a new young squad, and we can run a tighter ship financially than we have in the past”.

His supporters welcome an approach similar to that which worked in his previous job at Burton Albion. “Nigel’s not the kind of guy to spend £8 million on a forward. He’d prefer to buy six or seven players with that money”.

Now the negatives: “Are you drawn in by the name ‘Clough’? You people worship him like he is a cult”, “He is a manager with a bad temper who we only signed for his name”, “He is unable to string together a reliable formation or sign a striker”.

His detractors are simply frustrated. “All sense of excitement is gone. He is publicly showing an awful lack of ambition. He’s not fighting some sacred battle that only he can fight”, “While that muppet is here, we’re stuck with all this ‘honest and hard-working’ crap”.

The Tactical Overview in One Sentence

Rams have specific worries with their keeper and especially up front, but their chief concern is the thinness of the squad and the lack of any players with the experience to take a lead in difficult games.

Defence

Poor set-piece defending is a constant theme. “Clough says he is not concerned by the amount of goals conceded from corners. It has cost us too many games”, “There’s not much either keeper can do if told to stay on the line when our players keep losing their men in the box”.

”Fielding: the goalkeeper who is always glued to his goal-line. His goal-kicks go for throw-ins, and his distribution is dreadful. 99% of the time he kicks it long, going to the opposition. He doesn’t come off his line for corners and has no domination in the air”, “My worry is still Frank from crosses. He’s too small, although his shot stopping is great”.

Frank Fielding currently has the role ahead of former Burton keeper Adam Legzdins. “If you haven’t seen Lego kick the ball three miles in the air but only forty yards up the pitch, you haven’t seen him play”.

At right-back, Forest youth product Kieron Freeman is an “excellent back up” for the injured John Brayford. “He’s been caught out a few times defensively, but his awareness and ability with the ball is very good”, “He does not look out of place”.

One-time ITFC academy schoolboy and ballboy Richard Keogh recently made his international debut for the Republic of Ireland in a friendly against Poland. The former Coventry player is “solid and steady”. He “had Morison in his back pocket all afternoon” against Leeds.

He made his “weekly crazy centre-back run towards their goal” against Leeds. However, Keogh was the one defender most criticised for losing his man at set-pieces. He was “at fault for several goals in the past few weeks”.

“Keep calm and unleash Bucko”. Former Mansfield and Burton defender Jake Buxton scored a winning headed goal at Elland Road on Monday. “Buckenbauer” is a “proper Ram”, and “dedicated his winner to the travelling fans that paid £35 for a ticket on a bank holiday”.

“One of Nigel’s better signings”, the combative player can operate in midfield. “Simple approach – head, tackle, kick, pass, score. He’s not blessed with pace, but in my mind he’s a proper centre-half”.

“Bucko reminds me of Robbie Van de Laan, He’s a limited footballer, but very good within those limits, and someone you always want in your side”.

“Heading into no-man’s land”. It’s worth noting that the centre-backs have been regularly criticised for their weak distribution. “Bucko and Keogh play hoofball”.

Craig Forsyth’s loan from Watford has just been extended this week. The 24-year-old Scot played at left-back at Leeds, but can play further forward. “He is defensively sound, and offered substance going forward”, and “played some gems of crosses in”.

Midfield

“It’s frustrating how easily our midfield was infiltrated [by Leeds]”. For all the criticism of the attack, the Rams' midfield lacks imagination and can lose confidence: “Our midfield has hardly provided that final ball for the strikers”, “We’ve dropped horrifically deep”.

“There is no technical ability on show. It’s just honest endeavour and terrible ball retention. We seem to lack spatial awareness. We cannot keep the ball with our backs to goal, and several times we have bumped into each other”.

Former Posh and Preston right midfielder Paul Coutts “looks worn down”. “He tried to beat his man, but rarely got past him” against Leeds. “He looks knackered. He seems to insist on trying to beat a man every time he gets it. A give and go would be more effective”.

“He plays better with John [Brayford – the currently injured right-back] in the side”. This was picked up by a few Rams as a reason for his poor play. “Coutts problem is that he can never make a decision”, “Coutts has still been the worst player on the pitch”.

Former Kilmarnock central midfielder Craig Bryson “does lots of running but loses the ball a lot”, “He doesn’t get hold of the ball often enough, and hasn’t looked right since his [recent] knee injury”, “He looks off the pace and out of practice”.

Twenty-one-year-old Jeff Hendrick is the Rams' deep-lying midfielder. “At times he is just standing there when he should be giving an option. He is far too deep to do anything with what ball he gets given”.

“He makes mistakes, but also shows the most quality”, “He’s desperate to make things happen, but as soon as he got within 30 yards of the goal it just got sloppy. At least he’s the only one full of confidence”.

“Ben Davies is a great squad player to have around”. The 31-year-old ex-Notts County player “has done okay”, producing “dangerous crosses” from the left hand side.

There was actually very little comment about 17-year-old Will Hughes, the Old Reptonian with the shock of blond hair, who is attracting the interest of Premier League scouts. “He has done very well,” and “shows promise for the future”. They are happy with, but not raving about the technically gifted midfielder.

Strikers

“Decent cross, but where are the strikers?”, “We’ve got no one to bring on up front to change the game”, “Christ we need to get some players in”. “We’re playing 4-4-0” was said by several Rams during the Leeds game. “Get Paula Radcliffe up front. She’d be more use”.

“Every year under Clough, we have got rid of our best striker”, “I’ve just realised that Clough has never actually signed a decent striker”. Steve Davies left for Bristol City in August. “I’d have him back in a heartbeat”.

“Pretty much our whole game plan is to pass it side to side, then get it to Ward and see what happens”. Former Blade Jamie Ward has recently returned from a hamstring injury. “He wasn’t at his best [against Bristol City]”, and “showed his ability only in brief moments [against Leeds].

“Connor Sammon looks like Bambi, on ice, on crack. Garbage”, “He played cracking football at times, but at other times looked like he belonged in the Conference”. The Republic of Ireland striker is overwhelmingly the most discussed player on Rams forums.

“Sammon just needs a bit of confidence. His work rate’s phenomenal”. “He has great movement, power, pace and link-up play, but he can miss sitters”, “Sammon has offered some quality support at times, holding off the defence and laying it off to Wardy, but he is not the best finisher”.

“Connor tries so hard but lacks talent. That said he appears anxious. The boos are affecting him”. Home supporters are quick to turn on the former Wigan player. “Confidence can affect a young attack”. Despite the criticism, 73% of Rams backed him in a forum poll.

“I see Chris Martin hasn’t missed out on his pie quota again this week”. The 24-year old, on loan from the Budgies “has good touches and ability, but is a player you can expect more from”. “He has a poor touch, is not mobile enough and is no threat”, “Why is he drifting into central midfield more than up front?”

One small side note is that Derby have missed their last three penalties, and this is a source of concern and debate.

Derby Fans' Views on ITFC and the Game

“This weekend we entertain the carrot crunchers from the broads. Well, they like their football in those parts, namely Norwich, who get similar crowds to us. Ipswich not so”, “Imagine if we had lost nine times on the trot to an average Championship side like Ipswich. You’d give up going to watch them play”. Leaving the geography to one side, Derby supporters are masters of the back-handed insult.

At least one Ram has done some homework: “They've scored six and conceded four in their last 10 games (bearing in mind as well that they recently beat Leeds 3-0), and they're by the far the lowest away scorers in the league, so goals will be at a premium”.

They have little in-depth knowledge of our squad: “Jewell spent some serious money while there, but the only player I can remember is – who is it – Chopra from Cardiff, the striker. But he has not been prolific like he was in Wales.”

“On paper, Ipswich is an easy win”, “Ipswich at home will be tough but most certainly winnable”. Chris Martin the most tipped home scorer in a confident set of score forecasts thus far. JET and Chops got a few mentions for us. I will update the forum on Saturday morning with more detailed feedback ahead of the game.

All Quiet on the Pride Park Front

”Our support was f***ing sh*te”, “Yet another small away following, who were putting the home crowd to shame. The appalling atmosphere and constant stick for Sammon is making me fed up”. The home supporters are quick to turn on their players, and this could work to our advantage if we impose our rhythm and tempo on the game.

A Particular View of Leeds

“Nigel looked euphoric when we beat Leeds. It’s a justifiable axe to grind”, “He always does. This game means a great deal to him”, “That is a nine-game winning run against ‘the Dirties’”, “We have done the triple double against Leeds. I love this club”, “Bet Clough Senior would have been proud”.

“Probably my favourite win of the season”. The Rams' victory on Monday at Elland Road had echoes of ‘the Damned United’ rivalry forged in the Seventies. ”We got him sacked!” They were especially delighted to see off Neil Warnock.

Websites

The best website I found by a distance was dcfcfans.co.uk. Some additional feedback was found on footymad.net.

Len_Brennan added 10:36 - Apr 4 You must be wondering "Where does all the time go?". As comprehensive a report as I have read in many a year. Thanks for that. Looks like the Derby fans are in for a shock when McGoldrick slams home his second of the game.
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IvorFeeling added 11:06 - Apr 4 reading your notes Harry has made me think that Tommy to score on Saturday (from a corner) could be a good shout.
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HarryfromBath added 12:10 - Apr 4 Many thanks Len and Ivor for the feedback. I was very nervous about this game on Monday, having seen their winning run. Having been through their forums, I am more confident that we can get something from this game. Derby can be got at from set pieces, and we are solid defensively on the flanks. The one variable is the venue. The Rams have a very good home record, but they can be got at by their fans if they are not imposing themselves on the game. If we can set the rhythm and tempo of the game, we can get at least one point.

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BillBlue added 14:33 - Apr 4 Lovely report Harry, many thanks. It took me ages to read it as I kept falling asleep, not through boredom I hasten to add but am so desperately tired! I have been a bit worried about this game but you might have found a chink so you have cheered me up somewhat. Has the hallmark of another 0-0 draw perhaps. You do excellent research and put it together well so I wonder, is it a hobby or are you practicing for the real thing? Good luck, whichever.

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wkj added 19:54 - Apr 4 I have a weird feeling were gonna get atleast 1 point this weekend- we will have to be a fortress and maybe if Nouble an McGoldrick pair up their habit of popping up in dangerous places can nick us a draw- I don't feel this is the kind of game Chopra and Murphy are suited for; if we do score a goal I agree that it will most likely come from a set peice
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HarryfromBath added 22:11 - Apr 4 Many thanks for your comments, Billblue. This is very much a hobby, and comes from the idea that when we turn up for matches, we know all about our own team, but little about our opponents. The blog aims to be like having a chat with a friend who supports the opposition and who gives you the low down. wkj - I really enjoyed reading your blogs earlier in the week. The more I think about Saturday's game, the less anxious I feel. They have had some good recent results, but we can get something from the game given how we are set up.

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Surco72 added 09:41 - Apr 5 Nice work Harry , i feel we may get an early goal and hold on to this one ending our relegation woes for another season ,i was underwhelmed by them on Monday and thought Leeds through the game away as they did at our place ,two equal teams and 1 goal will take it . Probably be a goal feast thriller now !!
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HarryfromBath added 16:41 - Apr 5 Thanks Surco. I agree with you about Derby - they were only as good as an ordinary Leeds team, and their other two wins have come against poor Leicester and Bristol City teams. Caution and patience, though, are the watchwords, but we could make a gant leap forward tomorrow (Saturday).
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Sindre94 added 23:52 - Apr 5 Cheers. excellent piece mate! Really enjoyed it. They seem to underestimate us. I'm from Norway and I went to see us play Derby in october, such an awful night, still in the back of my mind, hope we can get some revenge! COYB
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IamSpartacus added 20:41 - Apr 6 I'm enjoying these, bud.... huge amount of research, and even more satisfying when we win :-)
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HarryfromBath added 21:51 - Apr 6 Many thanks Sindre and IamSpartacus. The little comments like them missing their last three penalties before today come crashing back when you are following the game. Today was wonderful.
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Pessimistic added 10:18 - Apr 11 I really enjoyed reading this Harry. It had a bit of everything. Honesty, humour and imagination. Well done and I look forward to more of the same!
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