Rams Managers since 1969

I became a Derby fan in December 1969 at the age of five! There's been many occupants of the managers seat since then. I now rate them all....

Brian Clough, quite simply the best! Took over when the club was slip sliding towards the third division and very nearly took us to Champions of Europe. Will never be equalled!

Dave Mackay, the on,y person who could have took over from Cloughie! Another league title and went so close to a double in 1976. Board messed up sacking him big time!

Colin Murphy, given mission impossible following two previous bosses. Had success as boss of Lincoln City in two different spells. Had a stroke recently and is often seen in Lincoln wearing his old track suit. Sad to see!

Tommy Docherty, inherited a decent squad and sold them off on the cheap! Made a series of bad signings. Only one player he bought was a long term success, Steve Buckley.

Colin Addison, was left to try and pick up the ruins after Docherty's spell. Unfortunately struggled to put things right and simply wasn't the man for the job.

John Newman, despite success at Grimsby, Newman who was Addisons assistant was never going to be a long term solution. Out of his depth!

Peter Taylor, came out of retirement and the signing of John Robertson ended his friendship with Brian Clough. Loved Derby, but after helping prevent relegation to the third tier, his job was impossible without money to spend. A great guy nonetheless.

Roy McFarland, was a caretaker after Taylor left and no one expected him to be given the job full time. Was Taylor's number two and also played assistant to Arthur Cox.

Arthur Cox, took the Rams from the third tier to top five in the first. Restored pride back into the club. Unfortunately Robert Maxwell helped undo his good work and relegation came again. Despite Lionel Pickerings millions he couldn't repeat the success of his previous years. Very good manager though.

Roy McFarland, took the Rams to a play-off final, but never came close in repeating it! Legendary player that didn't quite cut it as manager.

Jim Smith, best manager in recent years. Promotion and some great days in the Prem, but when his assistant Steve McClaren left for Manchester United, he failed to recruit a good replacement.

Colin Todd, another legendary player that failed to cut it as manager.

John Gregory, outstanding Rams player but awful manager. Was dismissed when the Rams were struggling at the wrong end of the Championship.

George Burley, performed miracles on a shoe string. The club was skint, but he had good connections to bring in players like Rasiak and Idiakez for free. Resigned after taking the club to the play-offs.

Phil Brown, as a rookie manager, was the wrong man at the wrong time in the wrong place. Had one striker at the time of his sacking by the crooks on the board.

Terry Westley, academy manager who did a good job in restoring some pride whilst doing the job on a temporary basis. Was overlooked for permanent appointment and left for Birmingham's academy.

Billy Davies, a victim of his own success. Took The Rams up in his first season with a team that over performed. Was sacked halfway through a dire premier league season.

Paul Jewell, replaced Davies and spent big when new owners were unveiled. Total failure as boss and has since been appointed and fired by Ipswich.

Nigel Clough, was left to pick up and sort out the mess left by Jewell. Has a difficult task balancing the books whilst making progress on the field. Has shown a good eye for young talented players though. The rest remains to be seen.

Reclaim the Game - The Great Premier League Swindle

Many of us as fans have serious views on how the game is being run at the moment. On the one hand, we want our clubs to sign the best players available and on the other we want them to be financially stable!

Those of us who support clubs in the Championship (Division 2 in old money) are impatient more than most as we want Premier League Football and to see all the big names play at our stadiums.

The task of promotion is made more difficult every year due to the fact that relegated teams bring with them the riches of parachute payments. If these clubs have been financially prudent during their time in the top flight, they can afford a further two years of outspending the other clubs in the division. To put this in perspective, a few weeks ago, Blackburn Rovers, had on the substitutes bench, Danny Murphy. Murphy's wages are claimed to be more than twice that of the entire Derby squad.

The Premier League breakaway in 1992 created massive gaps in revenue between the member clubs and those in the other three tiers of English Senior Football. The shareout of TV money by the ninety two clubs was massively changed to enable the Premier League teams to get their snouts in the trough first and the others were left to scramble for the leftovers.

The millions, soon to be billions, paid by Sky TV has created a championship now that is only won by big spending teams owned by Billionaires. Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea are now set to fight it out for the title of English Champions foreseeable future. That is unless some Sugar Daddy decides to adopt another club.

The days of Derby, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and even Leeds United winning titles are long gone. That's unless the powers that be move towards stricter financial control. It's worth mentioning that Chelsea were close to going out of business until Roman Abramovich decided to purchase them as his new toy.

I have never begrudged players getting a big wage as its a short career, but when you hear of £250,000 a week going to certain players and their own supporters struggling to purchase tickets to cheer the team on, the game certainly needs to get back in touch with its fans!

I have heard certain ex-players now working in the media (Not Stan Collymore btw, he does stick up for the fan) brag off that the fans are not needed to pay their wages anymore! How disrespectful is this? So those fans who supported these players during their days of playing in the lower leagues don't matter anymore? I'm sure the people won't need to be Sherlock Holmes in working out whom I'm referring to. I like the guy himself, he's a nice bloke and always gave 100% as a player, but you don't gain fans by telling people how much it costs to fill your Mercedes. It's also worth remembering who pays subscriptions to Sky!

Wayne Rooney signed his latest contract at Manchester United at the same time that thousands of people across the country were fearing for their jobs! Fearing how they will feed and cloth their families!

Many players spend too much time nowadays looking through glossy magazines at their wedding or holiday pictures.

Paul Gascoigne is one of the most gifted players to pull on an England shirt in the last thirty years and what did he earn at Tottenham? £2,000 a week! Thats what he said on the Piers Morgan TV Show. It's madness to think current players can earn 125 times that amount!

American Football is not everyone's cup of tea, but the NFL and other sports leagues over there such as the NBA, NHL and MLB do share out TV money equally! Being Champions actually gives you last pick in the Annual College Drafts! Their sports titles are won by good management!

To get back to the English game, why do we have a so called Golden Generation of players who can't perform for their country? I don't claim to know the answer, but back in the days when players didn't earn megabucks, they did appear to put in a better shift.

I think we have to look at Germany! Lower ticket prices, good standard of football and nearly always competitive at a world level. Time our so called FA Premier League/FA took a good hard luck at how to run a league and national team successfully without fleecing the fan.

If you are interested in the game and the years of Sky splashing the cash and want a good read about what's wrong with the game, I highly recommend 'Reclaim the Game' by John Reid. It is a Socialist Party published book, but I know of people with very different political views who agreed with the many issues discussed. Whatever your politics give it a read!

Derby 1-1 Cardiff

Nigel Clough named an unchanged side for the visit of table topping Cardiff. The only change to the match day squad was the return of Ben Davies to the bench in place of Mason Bennett.

It was a game that Derby dominated possession and yet time and time again were unable to convert into goals.

Despite Derby starting the quicker of the two sides, it was the visitors who took the lead. Peter Whittingham crossed the ball into the box which was met by Hudson. Legzdins could only tip the ball onto the bar and Helgusson had an easy close range header find the net.

Both Jacobs and Coutts had attempts at the other end, but to the frustration of the home side they fell well short of hitting the target.

The first half then fizzled out with The Rams trailing by 1-0.

Derby started the second half in top gear and immediately went on the attack. Jacobs and Sammon were continually proving to be a menace to Cardiff's defence.

Down the right there was some nice link up play involving Coutts and Brayford, but although Derby were seeing more of the ball, every attempt on goal was getting blocked in a crowded penalty area.

Cardiff were reduced to ten men in the 63rd after Craig Noone received his second yellow card in three minutes after he fouled O'Connor.

The Rams continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded after 69 minutes when Bryson crossed from the left and Robinson had the simple task of tapping in from close range.

Try as they might, Derby just couldn't find a winning goal. Brayford saw a shot brilliantly saved and the Tyson saw a header, headed off the line.

A game Derby should of won, but the positives taken from this game was the fact that again the team showed that they can compete with the top teams in the division.

Saturday sees an awkward looking short trip to Leicester. Can The Rams get their first ever victory at the at the King Power Stadium?

Derby County: Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts (O’Connor 27); Coutts, Bryson, Hughes, Jacobs (Tyson 67); Robinson (Hendrick 82), Sammon.

Subs: Fielding, Freeman, O'Brien, Davies.

Cardiff City: Marshall, Connolly, Hudson, Nugent, Ralls, Bo-Kung, Whittingham, Gunnarsson (Conway 73), Noone, Bellamy (Mutch 70), Helguson (Mason 79).

Subs: Parish, Kiss, Gestede, John.

Man of the Match - John Brayford

Attendance: 20,911 (777 Visiting Supporters).

Derby 3-2 Birmingham

Cold and wet conditions greeted the Sky TV Cameras and Birmingham City for this tea time clash at Pride Park.

Nigel Clough made one change to the Derby side, with Jeff Hendrick dropping to the bench and Michael Jacobs called up for a rare start. It proved to be an inspired switch as Jacobs was to have an excellent game.

Despite The Rams starting quickly, it was the visitors who had the first attempt on goal after four minutes when Mullins saw his effort fail to test Adam Legzdins.

Derby dominated the first half, however they failed to capitalise despite having the Lions share of possession. Theo Robinson saw three attempts fail and Jack Butland was there to stop every Derby attack. Derby continued to be frustrated until just after the half hour mark. Then Michael Jacobs came through from the left and saw a shot crash against Butland's right hand post. Conor Sammon then found the rebound with his head to open the scoring. Looking back at the replay, Sammon did appear to be offside although the flag stayed down.

After 43 minutes the Rams had a shout for a penalty denied when Jacobs went down in the box and he also found himself booked for diving.

Birmingham made more of an effort in the second half. Starting better than in the first, but were often left frustrated by Derby's defence.

Theo Robinson wasted a golden opportunity for Derby when he knocked one over the bar with only the keeper to beat. Will Hughes also brought a good save from Butland when he tried his luck from the edge of the box.

Birmingham levelled after 72 minutes when Richard Keogh brought Hall down. Marlon King converted the resulting spot kick. Moments later, King also saw an effort strike the Rams crossbar.

Derby regained the lead after eighty minutes when Sammon hit the ball beyond the reach of Butland to get his second of the game, but the Blues responded when Lovenkrands glanced a header in two minutes later.

The deciding goal came in the 84th minute when Jacobs played the ball across the box for Tyson to slide in and get the vital touch to send the ball into the net.

A very entertaining game for the TV cameras and Derby for once having some luck. The Rams now face two very difficult looking fixtures. On Wednesday night they host table topping Cardiff and then have a very tricky looking visit to the KP Stadium, Leicester.


Derby - Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts; Coutts, Bryson, Hughes (Hendrick 90), Jacobs (O’Brien 90); T Robinson (Tyson 72), Sammon. Subs Not Used: Fielding, O'Connor, Freeman, Bennett.

Birmingham - Butland, Spector, Caldwell, Davies, P Robinson; Burke (Hall 60), Mullins, Morrison, Elliott (Lovenkrands 68); Zigic, King. Subs Not Used: Doyle, Ibanez, Diop, Hancox, Reilly.

Man of the Match - Michael Jacobs, two assists and a constant threat down the left.

Attendance: 21,505 (1,571 Away fans).

BBC Radio Derby Reporting

It's not all fans who are lucky enough to have in their possession, a season ticket. Many cant attend all games because of work commitments or simply because they can't afford to purchase one. Indeed if you are taking a family then you are talking a substantial withdrawal from the living allowances of most of them.

For those who are unable to attend games at any time, BBC Radio Derby does a great job in keeping the fans in touch with the goings on at Pride Park. That is provided that you are in range of the signal. Those unlucky enough to live too far away to pick up the station have to rely on listening in via Rams Player. This is a subscription based service provided on the official club website. I used to use this for the odd away game I couldn't attend, however the reliability leaves a lot to be desired.

Getting back to the Radio Derby team, the earliest duo I can recall commentating is 'The Legendary Graham Richards' and Ian Hall. Graham produced some classic moments in radio commentary such as 'Pick that one out of your net Mark Crossley, not a chance!'. He also was fond of having trivia questions, just for fun, when the game was entering quiet spells. His knowledge of East Midlands Football was second to none and he was passionate about Derby County.

When Graham retired a new young commentator called Ross Fletcher was let loose with the microphone and he and Ted McMinn provided many memorable moments that fans still like to listen to in the stations archives. The play-off win v Southampton was a classic Fletcher moment. 'This is so, so Wembley' roared Ross as The Rams won a dramatic penalty shoot-out. Ted on the other hand was a summariser that didn't pull any punches. If players weren't pulling their weight he wasn't afraid to say so. Not popular with all at the club, but what's the point in him being there if he can't give an honest opinion.

It came as a surprise to many when Ross left to go on to regional TV followed by his latest gig covering MLS over the water in the States. This happened during a season and another young commentator was thrust into action. Colin Bloomfield a man who admits to once being fired by McDonalds now had the responsibility of describing the action in a partisan, but interesting manner. Colin took to the job like a Duck to Water doing a very capable job and in his own style too rather than trying to mimic others. He's had quite a few different summarisers to get used to including Dean Sturridge, Gary Rowett and his current partner in crime, Roger Davies. I just love those Davies Rants!

I suppose I wouldn't be forgiven without mentioning the pitch side reporter and interviewer. Having done a similar role myself in the past (Albeit not live), it would be criminal not to mention Colin Gibson. A real legend of Derby and not afraid to ask awkward questions to players and managers. I personally thought the way in which he kept his cool whilst Robbie Savage had an on the air blast at him spoke volumes of his professionalism. Colin retired recently and as someone who often listens in on an earpiece whilst at the game, it doesn't half seem strange not hearing his voice.

Ed Dawes has stepped into Colin's shoes and to be quite honest, he sounds like he has been doing the job for years. I was fortunate enough to be part of the fans panel on Sportscene recently and it was interesting to see how relaxed and confident Ed is in the role. Finally perhaps we should remember the role that people like Owen Bradley play at the moment. Always there to step in and cover for those who are ill or on holiday.

Of course many of the names above are also connected with the Monday Night Sportscene Talk-in........but don't get me started on that show or this feature could take a negative turn and that's not a reflection on the hosts either!

The Secret Footballer

Much speculation surrounds the true identity of 'The Secret Footballer' ever since his Saturday columns in The Guardian started.

Under the pseudonym he lifts the lid on the game with true stories from the changing room, on the field and his own experiences off the field. There has been much speculation that he is Dave Kitson who does appear to fit in with most of the clues from the players column. He doesn't however seem to be a perfect match for all of them.

When you read the book (Well recommended I couldn't put it down), you will perhaps draw your own conclusions or then again favour the Kitson or Danny Murphy theory. I have my own theory as to his identity and have never stated what this belief is. I could well be wrong, but when I suggested it to a certain journalist that I know, his response seemed to indicate that I could be right! Or maybe he was kidding!

We will all have to wait until the day he does reveal his identity or when someone else spoils the mystery by leaking it to the media. Personally I hope that his identity is kept secret until he himself decides to reveal all!

Robbie Savage and Stan Collymore, two ex pro's now heard on the nations airwaves are said to know his identity. Indeed Stan dropped a few clues a couple of weeks ago.

He played for two clubs that Shaun Derry has played for.

His first name is where a rivalry starts.

If I were to give you the biggest clue, it would be Game Over! That is a clue in itself!

You can follow him @tsfguardian on twitter and for those sleuths amongst us try the website www.whoisthesecretfootballer.co.uk

Do buy the book though, it's a great read!

ITV Regional Football

The older fans amongst us will remember when the TV football coverage for the league and cup competitions was split between the BBC and ITV. Match of the Day on a Saturday night if you had been good and were allowed to stop up by your parents, Regional games on a Sunday afternoon and the odd mid-week sports special or Sportsnight with Coleman or Carpenter.

The ITV regions all had there own particular show. London and the south had the Big Match with Brian Moore, Anglia had Gerry Harrison with Match of the Week. Yorkshire's offerings was Football Special which was hosted by Fred Dinenage and over the years featured Keith Macklin, Martin Tyler (A very young Tyler) and John Helm. Tyne Tees show called Shoot! once had the legendary Kenneth Wolstenholme with the microphone. For Granada their Kick Off Match show was fronted by Elton Welsby (where is he now) and the action on the pitch described by Gerald Sinstadt.

My own viewing was Star Soccer with Gary Newbon and the informative Hugh Johns.

The Sunday roast barely had time to settle when the familiar signature tune sounded at around ten past two. Derby, Forest, West Brom, Villa, Leicester, Birmingham, Wolves and on the odd occasion, Notts County or Walsall.

Of course these shows didn't feature the hi-tech replays and game stats of today, but they were devoid of excessive chat in the studio. Far less glamorous than the beers Match of the Day, but you were guaranteed of seeing local clubs highlights.

Hugh Johns was a fine commentator and I was saddened to hear of his death a few years ago. He gave a good honest description of the game being played. Hugh was the ITV commentator for the 1966 World Cup Final, famously overshadowed by Kenneth Wolstenholme's famous 'They think it's all over' line!

The young fans today don't realise how lucky they are to have so much live Football on the box, however despite the riches that it brings to the game, I tend to feel back in the days as described above, fans were far closer to their club and the players in the pre silly money pay, were more in touch with the fans!

Press Speculation

Today's Sunday rags are once again full of Will Hughes transfer rumours.

The Good Old Sunday Mirror now speculating that Barcelona have now joined Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool in tracking the young midfielder. We will wait and see.

Another rumour to resurface is that Conor Wickham could be joining Derby on loan for the rest of the season from Sunderland. The Black Cats manager, Martin O'Neill, did stop the young striker from going out on loan to newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday earlier on this season. Could his friendship with Nigel Clough see a deal to allow Wickham join Derby?

Crystal Palace 3-0 Derby

Manager Nigel Clough selected a 4-5-1 formation with Robinson dropping to the bench and Jacobs starting out in a wide left position. This allowed Bryson to move behind Sammon up front and Hughes to move to a more natural central midfield position.

Wilfred Zaha showed his intentions in the first minute with a wicked flick to get past three Derby defenders. Fortunately the attack amounted to nothing.

Minutes later a Jacobs cross was flicked wide by Sammon.

Crystal Palace took the lead after twelve minutes when a corner found the head of an unmarked Murray who nodded it home with ease.

Eleven minutes later Zaha again found Murray from a corner, this time the striker hit the ball wide. Derby were struggling to handle the home sides set pieces.

After twenty eight minutes Derby produced their best attack of the game up to that point. Bryson played a nice ball into the box, but Ramage beat Sammon to the ball to head behind for a corner.

Ten minutes before the break saw another chance for Crystal Palace with a great strike by Moritz, however Legzdins pulled off a great save to deny him.

Late in the first half saw a real chance for the Rams when a Buxton header went across the box, however Hendrick was unable to get a touch on it.

Palace led at the break, And deservedly so. They looked the most dangerous going forward and Derby seemed to lack any great creativity up front.

Immediately after the restart Zaha crossed in from the right and Moritz fired a shot over from only six yards out.

Will Hughes saw an effort easily saved by Speroni minutes later and despite looking second best for most of the game, Derby were starting to look a little stronger. However, immediately after the Hughes effort Zaha squandered a chance for Crystal Palace.

Palace looked to have sealed all three points after fifty eight minutes. Murray headed down a long cross into the box for Moritz to knock in.

It was inevitable that the home side would get another goal and the Rams just seemed incapable of creating a scoring opportunity.

Moritz nearly made it 3-0 after seventy five minutes but his effort just went wide.

Murray did add a third after a long run and slotted the ball past Legzdins after eighty two minutes. Nothing more than the league leaders deserved.

A very inept performance from Derby who will now need to regroup ahead of next Saturdays tea time clash at home to Birmingham. Crystal Palace are a side who look good enough to go for promotion with or without Zaha.

Crystal Palace - Speroni, Ward, Delaney, Ramage, Parr, Bolasie (Easter 89), Dikgacoi, Jedinak, Moritz (Garvan 76), Zaha, Murray (Wilbraham 89) Subs not used - Price, Blake, Moxey, O'Keefe.

Derby - Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts, Coutts (Tyson 80), Bryson, Hendrick, Hughes, Jacobs, Sammon (Robinson 74) Subs not used - Fielding, Gjokak, O'Connor, O'Brien, Hogansson.

Attendance - 16,211 (1,005 Away fans)

Man of the match - Andre Moritz

Press Gossip

It has been reported in various Fleet Street comics this week that Derby are ready to offload Will Hughes for a fee of around £4m due to the fact that the board have requested Nigel Clough to raise 1.8m.

It would appear that once again certain Journalists (Or S**thouses as Brian Clough used to call them) are guilty of reporting on fiction rather than fact.

Will Hughes has recently signed a new contract and Derby manager Nigel Clough has made a clear statement that he has not been under any pressure to sell or indeed raise the said amount.

Of course, Will Hughes being an outstanding talent and only seventeen years old, will attract media attention and also that of Premier League sides. That said he is worth far more than the £4m being stated in the Daily Rags.

He is one of the emerging talents in the country today and when the leading lights of the Premier League come calling, Derby County Football Club need to dig their heels in and demand the highest fee they are capable of getting. Also plenty of add ons would be desirable.

In my opinion anything short of £8m in today's market shouldn't even be considered. For those who think that this is a 'Cuckoo Land' type demand, Zaha is currently being valued at £20m and in my opinion again, is not as good a player.

The Daily Mirror have also reported that West Ham are interested in John Brayford. Yet again, another story without any substance whatsoever.

Footnote- when a players fee is undisclosed the press often speculate what the actual fee is! They are often wide of the mark too!

Millwall 2-1 Derby

This report has been written after viewing the game on Rams Player - The Full 90.

Millwall continued their good run of late with a hard fought victory over Derby.

Despite the absence of Henry and Vassell, the Lions did enough to secure all three points against a Rams side that was unchanged for the third successive game.

Millwall stated their intent early on in the game when Liam Trotter went close in the third minute.

Derby also found themselves with a chance to strike early in the seventh minute, but were unable to capitalise when Paul Coutts free kick was cleared by the home defence.

Chris Wood might have put the home side ahead, but he missed a couple of chances midway through the first half.

Millwall did take the lead in controversial circumstances in the 33rd minute. The ball was crossed to Feeney, who fired home, however the Assistant Refs flag was up for offside. After a few moments of discussion the referee awarded a goal.

The Rams started the second half a lot more determined than in the first. Plenty of attacks being launched, however the front two were not getting much change from the home defence.

Derby did equalise in the 53rd minute when a Bryson ball found Will Hughes midway in the Millwall half. The result being Hughes hitting a rocket of a shot into the top corner from 35 yards leaving the hosts stunned.

The joy lasted twenty two minutes before Andy Keogh restored Millwall's lead when Brayford failed to clear a loose ball.

Despite a late effort from Hughes, Derby were unable to equalise for a second time and it was the home fans who were to go home happy.

Despite the loss, the Rams put in a spirited display, but their failure to create enough chances was in the end the reason for going home empty handed.

A very tough fixture away at Crystal Palace now awaits Derby, who will still be missing the architect of many attacking plays Jamie Ward.

Millwall - Forde, A Smith, Beevers, Shittu, Lowry, Trotter, Abdou, Feeney, C Taylor (Malone 55), A Keogh, Wood. Subs not used - M Taylor, Wright, Batt, J Smith, N'Guessan, Osborne.

Derby - Legzdins, Brayford, R Keogh, O'Connor, Roberts, Coutts, Bryson, Hendrick, Hughes, Robinson, Sammon (Jacobs 81). Subs not used - Deeney, Tyson, Buxton, O'Brien, Davies, Freeman.

Man of the Match - Liam Trotter

Attendance - 10,392 (Away approx 650)

Will Hughes England Under-21 Call Up

Derby's exciting young midfield prospect has been called up to the national Under-21 squad after a string of impressive displays this season.

Hughes made one start last season in the final game against Peterborough. He has since been an automatic choice for the Rams.

It's difficult to believe that Will is only seventeen given the maturity he displays whilst in first team action.

There has in the past and no doubt will be in the future, speculation that some of the Premier league's top clubs have an eye on Will. Hopefully that is in the distant future rather than in the January transfer window.

Leon Osman a former loanee at the club has received a call up to the full England squad following some impressive early season form for Everton.

Derby 2-0 Barnsley

Barnsley were the latest visitors to Pride Park and have proven to be a thorn in Derby's side in recent years.

Without a victory in the last eight meetings, the Rams were determined to get three points from the Yorkshire side after a few years falling short.

Despite Jake Buxton being available following a one game ban, Nigel Clough decided to stick with the side that beat Blackpool on Saturday.

Barnsley included former Ram Tomasz Cywka in their starting eleven.

The first half was uneventful. Not many clear cut chances were created by either side.

An early move saw Coutts cross, but Robinson failing to meet it.

For the visitors Dagnall shot wide and Mellis hit a volley well over the bar.

Towards the end of the half Hughes and Hendrick both saw efforts comfortably stopped by Luke Steele.

The stalemate looked like continuing until 69th minute. Then, a Hughes free kick was met by the head of Keogh whose touch came of the post for O'Connor to prod home.

The introduction of Nathan Tyson in the 84th minute proved to be an inspired substitution as yet again he showed his effectiveness as an impact player. Almost immediately he was causing problems in the Barnsley defence. Seconds after coming on, he hit an effort over from a tight angle.

It was duty injury time that Tyson scored his fourth goal of the season. A pass from Bryson found him on the edge of the box and then with time to spare, Tyson hit a rocket of a shot into the top of the net to make it 2-0 and game over.

Not the most exciting game you are likely to see, but an important three points that sees Derby just one point from the play-off zone. A tricky looking visit to Millwall on Saturday now awaits.

Derby - Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, O'Connor, Roberts, Coutts (Freeman 90), Bryson, Hendrick, Hughes, Robinson (Jacobs 75), Sammon (Tyson 84). Subs not used - Deeney, Buxton, Davies, O'Brien.

Barnsley - Steele, Wiseman, McNulty, Kennedy, Golbourne, Cranie, Cywka (Done 72), Dawson, Mellis (O'Brien 79), Etuhu (Harewood 79), Dagnall. Subs not used - Alnwick, Hassell, Foster, Silva.

Man of the Match - Richard Keogh, Captains performance.

Attendance 20,808 (404 away fans).

Derby 4-1 Blackpool

Derby welcomed Blackpool to Pride Park with the knowledge that the visitors were managerless following the morning departure of Ian Holloway to Crystal Palace.

The Rams were still without injured duo Frank Fielding and Jamie Ward but welcomed Craig Bryson back into the side.

From the kick off to the final whistle it was more or less Derby all the way.

After some early chances were missed, Paul Coutts cross was met by Theo Robinson to put Derby ahead after just 12 minutes.

The lead was doubled just after the half hour when John Brayford curled in a great shot from the edge of the box.

The Rams continued to dominate and despite the best efforts of Matt Phillips and Tom Ince, Blackpool just couldn't get in to the game.

Four minutes after the break, the visitors did pull a goal back via a penalty. Keogh was adjudged by the referee to have handled, though many will dispute the decision. Ince scored from the spot, however Legzdins very nearly stopped it. The ball just being squeezed into the bottom right corner.

The best goal of the game came after 54 minutes when Robinson beat two defenders to the ball and took it forward and slotted it underneath Gilks.

The job was completed in the 65th minute when a Coutts cross was met by Conor Sammon who had an easy task of tapping into the net and confirming a big win for Derby.

A very good performance by every member of the match day team. Derby need to build on this when Barnsley are the next visitors to Pride Park on Tuesday night.

Derby - Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, O'Connor, Roberts, Coutts, Hendrick (Freeman 81), Bryson, Hughes (Jacobs 85), Robinson (Tyson 67), Sammon. Subs not used - Deenay, Gjokaj, Davies, O'Brien.

Blackpool - Gilks, Broadfoot, Evatt, Baptiste, Crainey, Angel (Dicko 66), Sylvestre, Grandin (Basham 74), M Phillips, Ince, Taylor-Fletcher. Subs not used - Halstead, Eardley, Cathcart, Gomes, Delfouneso.

Man of the Match - James O'Connor, did a great job deputising for Buxton and was dominant in central defence.

Attendance - 22,272 (905 away fans).

Peterborough 3-0 Derby

Derby's unbeaten run came to an end at London Road as Peterborough cruised to victory against a Derby side that was clearly missing the influence of Craig Bryson in midfield.

Will Hughes was partnered in the middle by a returning Jeff Hendrick and Michael Jacobs who got the nod on the left wing.

This was a game that saw Derby create very few chances, the best being in the latter stages of the first half when a Theo Robinson effort crashed against the upright.

Adam Legzdins performed heroics in the Rams goal and the score line could have seen a greater deficit had he not been as sharp and ready as he was.

The first Posh goal came after Grant McCann's corner was volleyed in by Bostwick after half an hour.

After 57 minutes Peterborough were awarded a penalty when Keogh was adjudged to have fouled Boyd. Legzdins saved the resulting spot kick taken by Tomlin and Derby breathed again.

Their joy was not to last though. With 70 minutes gone, Buxton was harshly given a second yellow for allegedly fouling George Boyd and the Rams were reduced to ten men.

It was always going to be an uphill struggle with one man down and it proved to be the case when Berahino doubled Peterborough's lead after 84 minutes. He added another in time added on to complete Derby's misery.

A disappointing result for the Rams ahead of a tricky looking home fixture against Blackpool.

Peterborough - Olejnik, Alcock, Brisley, Knight-Percival, Little, Bostwick, McCann, Nthle, Tomlin (Sinclair 79), Boyd (Swanson 75), Berahino. Subs not used - Richardson, Zakuani, Barnett, Newell, Ferdinand.

Derby - Legzdins, Brayford, Buxton, Keogh, Roberts ( Tyson 79), Coutts, Hughes, Hendrick (O'Connor 84), Jacobs (O'Brien 72), Robinson, Sammon. Subs not used - Deeney, Bennett, Davies, Freeman.

Man of the Match - Adam Legzdins, was a rock in goal.

Attendance - 8,427 (2,200 approx away fans).