Charlton 1-1 Derby

Derby came away from the Valley with a point, but are probably kicking themselves for not getting all three.

Again the Rams failed to capitalise on having dominated possession. The inability to make the most of dominating play could well prove costly come the end of the season.

Ben Davies saw an early chance denied by the home keeper and in the 19th minute Danny Haynes put Charlton ahead with a cracking strike from 25 yards. Such was the quality of the shot it is certainly going to be a contender for goal of the season.

Robinson, Tyson and Hughes all saw efforts saved by Hamer and the home side went in ahead at the break.

The game became a real competitive affair with both sides playing some neat football.

Ward came on as a second half substitute for Tyson early in the second half and in the 71st minute saw his name being added to the scoresheet. Morrison handled inside the penalty area and Derby were awarded a penalty that was duly converted by Ward. Morrison received his marching orders for having gotten a second yellow card for the offence.

Despite pressurising the Charlton defence in the last quarter hour, Derby were unable to find a winning goal.

Jamie Ward's appearance was to be a brief cameo as he was withdrawn minutes after scoring due to his hamstring tightening.

A draw wasn't a bad result, but the inability to make possession count is costing Derby. Next up is a tricky looking game with Middlesbrough.

Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O’Connor, Roberts; Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes (Ward 68) (Jacobs 83), Davies; Robinson, Tyson (Sammon 65).

Subs Not Used: Fielding, Doyle, Freeman, O’Brien.

Charlton Athletic: Hamer; Solly, Cort, Morrison, Evina; Wilson, Pritchard, Stephens (Dervite 73), Jackson; Haynes (Wright-Phillips 35), Kermorgant (Fuller 85).

Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Kerkar, Hulse, Wagstaff.

Man of the match - Michael Jacobs

Attendance: 17,761 (1,372 Visiting Supporters).

Burnley 2-0 Derby

Yet again The Rams left Turf Moor empty handed.

Charlie Austin struck after 40 minutes to put the home side ahead.

Both sides had produced many attacking moves and the hosts very nearly scored early on in the game when Martin Paterson found himself with a one on one with Legzdins after only four minutes. The Rams keeper producing a fine save though.

Paterson proved to be the main threat for Burnley and Rams centre half Richard Keogh was instrumental in making sure that he was prevented from capitalising on the chances created.

Both Wallace and Ings saw chances go begging in the second half and both John Brayford and Mark O'Brien made vital challenges to prevent the home side from extending their lead.

The game and three points were sealed when a Wallace corner was met by Duff to make it 2-0.

Unfortunately that mention that yet again Derby left Burnley pointless.

Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O'Brien (O’Connor 83), Roberts; Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes, Bryson (Tyson 65), Jacobs; Sammon (Robinson 72).

Subs Not Used: Fielding, Doyle, Freeman, Davies.

Burnley: Grant; Trippier, Shackell, Duff, Lafferty; Marney, McCann, Wallace; Ings (Stock 72), Paterson (Treacy 62), Austin (Vokes 68).

Subs Not Used: Jensen, Edgar, Mills, Bartley.

Man of the match - Martin Paterson

Attendance - 13,779 (832 away fans)

Derby 1-2 Hull

A disappointing night for the Rams saw them go down by the odd goal in three against the high flying Hull City at Pride Park on Friday night.

Mark O'Brien was missing from the starting eleven due to illness. Nigel Clough opted to play 4-5-1 with Sammon as the lone striker.

It was Derby who started the game fastest out of the blocks and Michael Jacobs had the first real effort on goal. Hughes and Hendrick also played some neat touches inside the box, but any efforts to turn them into a goal were soon thwarted by Chester.

It was Hull who took the lead against the run of play when Quinn found Koren in the box who coolly knocked the ball past Legzdins despite the claims from Derby players that the ball had gone out of play prior to this.

Bryson, Hughes and Dammon all had chances to level before Jacobs finally did score to level things up. Coutts corner was knocked away by Faye, but fell to Jacobs who volleyed the ball home from twenty yards.

The second half was barely five minutes old when Brady found Faye who nodded in to restore the advantage to the visitors.

Hull looking a lot livelier in the second half still found Derby determined, but despite having more opportunities and most of the possession The Rams just couldn't find a route to goal.

Hull City again recording a victory at Pride Park and now move up to second in the championship table.

Derby sit in tenth place and four points off the top six.

A tough looking away fixture at Burnley now awaits Clough's men.


Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O’Connor, Roberts (Davies 87); Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson, Hughes, Jacobs (Robinson 78); Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding, Gjokaj, Freeman, Tyson, O’Brien.

Hull City: Jakupovic; Chester, Hobbs, Faye; Elmohamady, Quinn, Evans, Koren (Cairney 90), Meyler, Brady; Simpson (Proschwitz 76).

Subs Not Used: Amos, Rosenior, McLean, McShane, Ojofinjana.

Man of the match - Jeff Hendrick

Attendance: 25,442 (1,201 Visiting Supporters).

Academy Grads, Who's Next?

Last Saturday three former academy players started for The Rams, Mark O'Brien, Jeff Hendrick and Will Hughes.

The latter two are first team regulars whilst O'Brien has many first team appearances behind him.

Mason Bennett made his debut at sixteen and both Josh Lelan and Kwame Thomas have sat on the subs bench.

Who's going to be the next player to make the move up from the youth team? Max Lowe and Adam Wixted have been getting rave reviews and big things are expected of Charles Vernam who made the switch from Scunthorpe.

It is reassuring to know that Darren Wassall, Craig Short and Co are safe hands where the academy is concerned. Wassall's son Ayrton, is also a scholar at Moor Farm.

The future does appear to be bright where youth is concerned.

Kick Off! About Kick Off Times!

This Friday a derby host Hull City with a 7.45pm kick off time. Many people wrongly assumed that this was to enable live TV coverage.

Listening to Sportscene Talk-in on Radio Derby last night, it was explained the switch was to allow players an extra rest day before Boxing Day and also because Nigel Clough likes night fixtures.

This switch means that Derby have no home fixtures at 3pm on a Saturday for over two months.
I know for a fact that many season ticket holders have complained that due to other commitments such as work, that they will not be attending.

I myself, having started a new job recently, will miss my first home game in over eight years.

There is enough messing around with kick off times for TV and the inevitable early starts against teams like Leeds and Forest due to police instructions. Therefore to switch dates when it isn't necessary is simply not good enough in the eyes of many fans.

When I purchase a season ticket I intend on attending all home games. With crowd figures down at most clubs, the last thing that encourages the casual fan back is the constant meddling with kick-off times.

The majority of fixtures should be played at 3pm on a Saturday. All others that aren't being televised should be on the clubs designated mid-week slot, Tuesday or Wednesday. Obviously there is some adjustment needed for Holiday periods. It's time clubs returned to putting the concerns of loyal supporters higher in their list of priorities!

Rant over!

Bristol City 0-2 Derby

The Rams finally won another away game as they came away from Ashton Gate with all three points on Saturday.

With Jake Buxton being ruled out for about eight weeks, Mark O'Brien made a welcome return to first team action. Nigel Clough also preferred to go with Conor Sammon playing a lone striker role with Craig Bryson playing behind him.

Visiting a side who have been struggling at home often presents a golden opportunity to grab some away points and Derby did just that.

The Rams made a bright start and played some neat football in the opening few minutes of the game. The breakthrough came after 34 minutes when Jeff Hendrick met a Michael Jacobs cross to hit a volley past Heaton in the Bristol City goal.

Travelling fans didn't have to wait long for a second goal. Gareth Roberts crossed for Craig Bryson to head against a helpless Heaton.

The home side could have pulled a goal back just before the break when Baldick broke through, but his effort was saved by Adam Legzdins.

Bristol City did try to step it up in the second half, however the killer instinct in front of goal was lacking.

Derby nearly added a third in the 66th minute, but Jacobs effort was deflected wide by the home defence.

A good away win for Derby and they now sit just three points outside the Top six. Victory against a good looking Hull side on Friday night would for 24 hours at least see the gap closed.


Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, O’Brien (Freeman 87), Roberts; Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson (B. Davies 68), Hughes (O’Connor 90), Jacobs; Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding, Tyson, Robinson, Doyle.

Bristol City: Heaton, Foster, Bates (Cunningham 44), McManus, Fontaine; Adomah, Elliott, Bryan (Stead 71), Danns; Taylor (S. Davies 46), Baldock.

Subs Not Used: Gerken, Wilson, Pearson, Anderson.

Man of the match - Michael Jacobs

Attendance: 12,526 (846 Visiting Supporters)

Derby 3-1 Leeds

Derby headed into the game with Leeds looking to put last weeks loss at Leicester behind them. Having beaten Leeds in their previous seven meetings many were wondering if they could keep this run going.

Nigel Clough named the same side from the Leicester game with Bryson, Roberts and Ward still missing due to injury.

The first half was completely dominated by the Rams. Leeds hardly ever seeing the ball in the Derby half of the field.

The Rams persistence paid off in the fifteenth minute when Will Hughes passed to Sammon in the box who slotted the ball past Kenny.

Derby continued attacking for the rest of the first half, however they were unable to add to their lead. It was the visitors who scored on the stroke of half time against the run of play when former Ram Paul Green guided the ball into the net from close range.

One can only imagine what words of encouragement Leeds manager Neil Warnock had for his players at half time, but when the game restarted, they were certainly a different proposition.

Leeds bombarded the Derby half of the pitch for fifteen minutes but were frustrated by The Rams who managed to see off every attempt. One of those saw a combined effort by both Legzdins and Jacobs clearing the ball off the line.

After sixty five minutes Derby restored their lead when Richard Keogh's shot from the edge of the box was diverted into the net by Jake Buxton.

Leeds did look more dangerous when Diouf was introduced and another effort was cleared off the line, this time by Keogh.

The Rams did manage to hold on and in the dying seconds of the game, substitute Ben Davies made the game safe with a great curling shot from the edge of the penalty area.

A very good game and the Rams made it eight wins on the trot against a Leeds side that had recently seen a good run of form. Derby now need to perform as well on the road and then they can make themselves serious contenders for the play-offs.


Derby County: Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, Buxton (O’Brien 79), O’Connor; Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes (Freeman 90), Jacobs; Robinson (Davies 82), Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding,Tyson, Doyle, Bennett.

Leeds United: Kenny, Peltier, Lees, Tate, Byram; Green, Tonge, Norris (White 80), Hall (Varney 68); Becchio, McCormack (Diouf 74).

Subs Not Used: Ashdown,Pearce, Brown, Gray.

Attendance: 25,034 (3,453 Visiting Supporters).

Man of the Match - Will Hughes, superb performance dominating mid-field from the youngster.

Phew! SISU

Coventry City fans are currently experiencing very worrying times! In arrears with the rent on the Ricoh Arena, possibly facing a winding up order and a league position that suggests that they still have much to do to avoid a drop into the lower reaches of the Football League!

They are owned by Hedge Fund SISU, yes SISU! The very same company that came very close to owning Derby County in 2006. The failed bid headed by former director Jeremy Keith beaten by that of the consortium led by local businessmen Peter Gadsby.

Those Rams fans who often criticise Mr Gadsby cannot afford to forget the potential mess that he saved us from!

Coventry were for many years a proud top flight club! I think their demise is a warning for all clubs out there! It could happen to most of them!

Below are pictures of The Ricoh and the old Highfield Road Ground which at its time of demolition was still far better than a lot of venues.

What Happened to the Football Magazine?

When I was a kid there were plenty of football magazines on every newsagents shelves. Today there are few! Charles Buchan's Football Monthly, Shoot!, Goal have long disappeared.

The Internet revolution has certainly helped kill an industry that saw most young lads and adults rushing to the paper shop every week for their copy of Shoot! Or Goal!

Goal was the first magazine that I got on a weekly basis. It was read by children and adults and was a must read for all Soccer fans. It was an impressive publication and included some impressive pictures to go along with the various articles it published. It ran into the late 70's when it was eventually merged with Shoot! In the nineties a short lived magazine using the same title could be found on news stands.

Shoot! Had already swallowed Football Star and now had merged with its main competitor. If featured Star writers such as Billy Bremner, Kevin Keegan and Alan Ball. Every pre Season I would rush to get the issue that gave away the free league ladders. This was a gift given annually during all of it years as a weekly.

Shoot! Eventually moved to a monthly format like another magazine it incorporated, Soccer Monthly! The final print editions were when it returned as a weekly, but as a poster magazine aimed at younger fans of the game! Shoot! is now an online magazine available by subscription.

Match Weekly launched as a rival to to Shoot! and for many years had a similar format, however a glance at today's version will show that it's gone down the poster magazine route.

Match of the Day used to be a monthly magazine based at the older reader, it's now too a poster magazine for kids.

Ninety minutes was a shirt lived magazine in the nineties at a time when weekly publications were starting to be hit by advances in online technology.

Today apart from kids poster magazines, the choice is between long established titles such Four, Four Two and World Soccer or independently produced titles like When Saturday Comes and Late Tackle! Some clubs do produce their own glossies too.

How I do miss Goal!

Derby v Leeds - An Old Farts Rivalry From the 70's

Leeds United visit Pride Park on Saturday and those of us in our 40's can remember the rivalry that existed between the two clubs in the 1970's.

Dirty Leeds, as they were often referred to lead by Don Revie against a Rams side managed by Brian Clough.

I don't propose to start a great debate on the physical nature of the old Leeds side, nor do I propose to start another Clough v Revie debate either. Both managers put their respective club on the map and there has even been a book written about the rivalry between the two.

The clash has seen some great games. Even today the fixture has seen fans witness some cracking encounters. Fortunately for Rams fans, the last seven times the clubs have met, it's been Derby who have emerged victorious.

For those expecting Derby to make it eight on the trot I would say that Leeds appear to have found their feet in recent weeks and a tough encounter lies ahead.

Back in the 70's, this was a game that used to give me butterflies whilst walking up Shaftesbury Crescent towards the old Baseball Ground.

One of the most famous clashes between the two was after Clough and Revie had departed their roles as managers.

In the 1975-76 season, Jimmy Armfield brought his Leeds side to face Dave Mackay's reigning league Champions. Derby won the game 3-2, however it's not the football that most people recall in this clash.

Francis Lee went down after a challenge by Norman Hunter. Hunter obviously thought that Lee had dived and a bout of fisticuffs followed. Both were given their marching orders and made their way to the dressing rooms. Seconds later they were at it again, laying in to each other before being split for a second time.

Any Rams fan as old as me will remember the game well. It was a featured game on Match of the Day.

The two players are reported to have a laugh and a joke over it nowadays when it comes up in discussion too.

Derby versus Leeds rivalry might not be highlighted in today's game, but back then it was probably one the the top flights most hotly contested fixtures.

Leicester 4-1 Derby

Yet again the Rams were comprehensively beaten at the King Power Stadium.

Nigel Clough was without injured duo Craig Bryson and Gareth Roberts, who picked up knocks in the midweek draw with Cardiff. This meant recalls for James O'Connor and Jeff Hendrick. The Rams midfield having a real young look to it with Paul Coutts at 24 being the oldest.

From the off the Foxes put pressure on Derby and it was down to Legzdins in the Derby goal that the score was kept respectable in the early stages.

The home side took just six minutes to go ahead when Waghorns's corner found Whitbread, who headed in. Another goal came after twenty three minutes when Waghorns's strike beat Legzdins. The Leicester striker had been foiled by both the woodwork and the Rams keeper only minutes before scoring.

It was after Leicester went two goals up that Derby started to get into the game. Coutts and Jacobs both had efforts stopped by Schmeichel, however after thirty eight minutes Jacobs looping cross was met by Robinson who netted from close range. Minutes later Sammon squandered a chance when he shot straight at Schmeichel.

Despite having much possession in the latter stages of the first half and the opening twenty minutes of the second half, Derby struggled to make use of it.

The introduction of David Nugent proved to be a master stroke for Leicester as he added a further two goals and put the game out of reach for Derby.

A headed goal and a cracking volley in the 88th minute sealed the points and yet again the Rams were to go home pointless on their travels.

Next up is a home game against a resurgent Leeds who will be determined to end a losing streak of seven games against Derby.

Derby County: Legzdins, Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, O'Connor (Freeman 76); Coutts, Hendrick, Hughes, Jacobs (Bennett 85); Robinson (Tyson 81), Sammon.

Subs Not Used: Fielding, O'Brien, Hoganson, Davies.

Leicester City: Schmeichel, De Laet, Konchesky, Drinkwater, Morgan, Whitbread, Vardy (Nugent 66), King, Dyer (Marshall 66), Waghorn, Knockaert.

Subs Not Used: Logan, James, Schlupp, Moore, Futacs.

Attendance: 20,680 (883 Visiting Supporters)

Man if the match - Wes Morgan, kept Sammon quiet all game.