A Look Back at 2013

As a new year is almost upon us, it's time to look back on 2013 and wonder what 2014 may bring.

It's been quite an eventful 2013. Once again we missed out on a top six place at the end of the 2012/13 season and fans again were left with a team consolidated it's place in the second tier of English football.

Derby were pretty good at home, but couldn't quite bring home enough points on their travels. As Archie Gemmill stated In an interview in McFarlands bar, the team needed a goalscorer.

Chris Martin had come in on loan towards the end of the season, but was short of match practice. 

The summer break saw Johnny Russell join the club from Dundee United and it has to be said that he certainly looks the part. Ok, he's only got five goals so far, but he's only started a few games. His ability to control the ball and link up well with Chris Martin promises excitement.

 A few weeks ago Nigel Clough was relieved of management duties following the loss at Nottingham Forest. At the time there there was a mixed reception from fans. Some remaining loyal to Nigel, whilst others saw it as a time for change.

During the time he spent in charge, Nigel had brought back some financial stability to the club and introduced many new promising players into the team including Craig Bryson, Johnny Russell and Chris Martin. However, even though we had started an impressive run of away results, the home results had been disappointing.

It didn't take the club long to appoint former player and assistant manager Steve McClaren as Head Coach. Once again this was met with a mixed response from Rams fans. Some pointing to his unhappy period in charge of near neighbours Nottingham Forest.

He was supposed to sit out the game against Ipswich and leave Academy boss Darren Wassall in charge of first team affairs. However, we were 4-1 down at half time and he intervened and made a couple of changes. A second half fight back saw Derby snatch a 4-4 draw.

Since that game Derby have won all but three of their fixtures with McClaren in charge and only lost the one game.

There is a real 'buzz' and belief that the team could now at long last be making a challenge to return to the Premier League. I'm not one for counting chickens, but this side in my opinion is a better one that last made promotion.

Existing players have improved dramatically under Steve McClarens leadership and some great loan signings have also played a part.

Simon Dawkins was something of an unknown quality when he was brought in. A few years ago he was advised to quit the game after suffering a career threatening injury. He has added some real firepower to the attack.

Andre Wisdom has been class since his arrival from Liverpool. Normally a centre half, he has played at right back and dazzled fans with his ability. 

Michael Keane has recently come in to replace the injured Richard Keogh and shown he will be a Premier League player sooner rather than later.

These additions plus the form of the players McClaren inherited have pushed us up to second in the league table.

Chris Martin now has 15 goals and we are only halfway through the season. The best return from a front man since Steve Howard during the last promotion campaign.

Craig Bryson has also chipped in with 11 goals from midfield. More goals than most strikers have.

All in all a great end to 2013. We are well placed for a top six finish and dare I say a top two place. It's important that we keep our feet on the ground as we will lose matches just like everyone else, but it certainly looks like we have some exciting days ahead! Here's to 2014 and hopefully promotion!

Festive Quiz

1. What is the surname Steve, Barry, Darryl, Chris, Darren?

2. What do the following players have in common, Charlie George, Bobby Davison, Nigel Callaghan, Roger Davies, Archie Gemmill?

3. Who made Derby's shirt for their centenary season!

4. Who was the sponsor?

5. Who am I? Apart from Derby I've played for FC Bruges, Leicester and Chesterfield?

6. Which Yorkshire County cricketer played centre half for Derby?

7. Name the ITV skills series Derby won in the 70's? 

8. Who's transfer to Derby in the 70's was stopped by his parent club after the paperwork was found to leave a loophole to cancel it?

9. We aren't signing him because we can't afford him said Brian Clough, who then went out to promptly sign him. Who?

10. Name the legendary scout during the Clough and Taylor years who wrote a book about them?

Fit and Proper Owners

Before anyone can take over a league football team, prospective owners have to go through what is called a fit and proper owners test. This is to make sure that they are fit to run a football club. The clue is in the name of the exercise.

Despite this actions of several owners has been called into question and rightly so!

I will start with Vincent Tan who has done more to alienate himself with fans than any other owner I can remember. Starting off by scrapping the famous blue shirts that Cardiff have worn for as long as I can remember and I'm knocking on the door of my half century on this planet, and changing them to red.

A teams colours are it's history, it's identity and to do this showed a real disregard for the feelings of the fans who turn up week in and week out paying their hard earned cash to support the club.

Mr Tan doesn't stop there though. His dealings with manager Malky Mackay are now well documented and show a total lack of respect for the best manager that they have had in over fifty years. 

The Venky's at Blackburn are another example of trigger happy owners. How much longer will Gary Bowyer get to improve the side?

The total disregard of history and tradition by Hull city's owner Assem Allam who is attempting to change their name to Hull Tigers! 

The shenanigans at Coventry where SISU have them playing at Northampton, whilst the modern stadium 'The Ricoh' stands unused!

The King Power Group at Leicester appear to have calmed down lately, but they were hiring and firing regularly until a couple of years ago!

Even our neighbours in Nottingham had some early moments where a revolving door was needed in the managers office after three managers were fired within a few months.

It would appear that the fit and proper owners test simply isn't working!

I have been amongst the fans to criticise GSE at Derby, but they aren't guilty of throwing stupid money at the club and not giving managers a fair crack of the whip. Both Paul Jewell and Nigel Clough were given time. Jewell was given a funds, Clough was given time.

Nigel Clough steadied the ship and helped bring financial stability to the club with his dealings, but many thought that it was time to move on and move up a gear.

Currently challenging for an automatic promotion place and with the books in order, perhaps all of us who were quick to criticise GSE will eat humble pie at the end of the season. I'm happy to take a large portion if we are promoted. 

Paper Blog

Last weeks blog post that was on the Mansfield Chad and various other regional papers.

Tin Man Returns

Well it's Monday morning after another great away win and the feel good factor has certainly returned to Pride Park (It is still Pride Park until Saturday).

Yesterday's win at Wigan was a great result and shows that this side can be up there challenging for promotion. The win moved us up to 5th place ahead of our two home games this week.

There's no time to get cocky and over confident though. Promotion is won by continuing to play to your strengths and Derby's strengths are to attack. 

Steve McClaren has so far resisted changing the side unless he is forced to do so by suspensions and injuries. What is great is the fact that there appears to be more cover now when he does lose players.

Michael Keane is in on loan, but who will he drop to accommodate the Manchester United youngster? People will point to Jake Buxton, but does he deserved to be dropped? He's certainly upped his game lately as has Craig Forsyth in the left back position.

I expect an unchanged side for the visit of Middlesbrough on Wednesday night barring injuries. 

The visit of Middlesbrough on Wednesday night is followed by another home game, this time it's Blackpool who provide the opposition. 

Blackpool have had a good start to the season and will provide a stern test for the Rams. A win against them will confirm that we are ready to maintain our top six position and push on for a promotion challenge.

Over the next few games more Rams legends of the past will be visiting the club on matchdays.

Last time out we had Stefano Eranio, who was given a great reception by the crowd. Igor Stimac is our next VIP visitor and I'm sure he will get an equally warm welcome.

Ted McMinn has been lined up to, to make an appearance. Ted was something of a cult hero at Derby. He played in the Arthur Cox team that achieved 5th place in the Old First Division.

Ted's testimonial game set the record attendance at Pride Park as Derby and Rangers fans packed the stadium in honour of a great player.

I later years Ted went on to become a match summariser for BBC Radio Derby. He had a reputation for telling it like it is. I'm sure he will be a very popular guest of the club. Ross Fletcher and Ted McMinn during our last promotion season, seems so long ago now!

Sunday Athletics

We look ahead to this Sundays clash at Wigan coming off a very good three points from our south coast trip to Bournemouth. A very satisfying win and Bournemouth manager was full of praise for the Rams describing us as the best side they've played so far this season.

Wigan is likely to be a tricky game. They have underperformed so far this season and on e in their stride they should be challenging for the top six.

They are a side that has proved that you can be a smaller club and flirt with the higher echelons of the league. Of course this was helped by the millions of Dave Whelan, but it still required good managerial skills to steer them there.

They hit the big time a few years ago when Paul Jewell took them to the top tier. Jewell kept them there against the odds. He has though failed to repeat his Wigan success. Two awful spells in charge of the Rams and Ipswich has devalued his stock as a manager.

Roberto Martinez did a similar job before they were finally sent back down to the championship last season.

As a young schoolboy, Wigan Athletic were a name from the non league circles. They were competing in the Northern Premier. It was during the days of when the bottom four clubs in the fourth tier had to apply to be re-elected in to the league, that Wigan replaced Southport. Their rise has been impressive.

Derby hope to see the return of several players from the treatment room. Johnny Russell has already played since recovering and Jeff Hendrick, Mark O'Brien, James Bailey and Adam Legzdins are also set to return. Kalifa Cisse is back in contention after suffering with an infected toe.

Although I'd suggest that an unchanged side is likely, you can't beat a bit of competition about the club.

iPro a go go!

Derby went into the international break with a 3-0 one sided win against Sheffield Wednesday and come out of it with a trip to the south coast at Bournemouth and a final fixture at Pride Park.

Sam Rush announced that iPro sports drinks are to sponsor the stadium with it becoming the iPro Stadium after the visit of Middlesbrough.

It seems quite fitting that Middlesbrough are the last side to visit the club where the Stadium is known as Pride Park given the similarities of the clubs two grounds.

So the renaming has been announced and had been anticipated for many weeks now and it was met with a mixed reception. Had this been the Baseball Ground I myself would have been one of the protesters, however I've never been a fan of the name Pride Park. I would have preferred a name that used Baseball in its title.

Some protest that £7m over ten years is not enough. Well it's a record deal for outside the Premier League by a third party. It's also free money! With the lead up to financial fair play, it could prove to be a good deal for the club.

Does iPro Stadium sound that bad? To be honest I don't think it does, but then again we all have our own opinions.q

On Saturday we face a trip to Bournemouth. They are a side that has surprised many and are doing very well in their first season at this level. Eddie Howe has done well since he returned from an unsuccessful spell in charge of Burnley.

The fixture is a tricky looking one, but Derby need to push on and keep the momentum going. Much improved performances under Steve McClaren need to be built on and a push made to get us into the top six.

Kalifa Cisse earning a short term contract is good for the club. Some much needed competition for John Eustace in the holding midfield role is very welcome. Eustace has looked good in front of the back four and Cisse looked a class act against the owls.

So on to Saturday and injuries allowing I'd be tempted to announce an unchanged side. There's nothing worse than chopping and changing the team. 

Come on you Rams!

Racism from 1969 to Present

It was reading a column by John Barnes that finally made me write this after months of wondering what to put in and what to leave out. I don't intend on leaving anything out on purpose.

I have been a fan of Derby County since 1969. Since my 5th birthday. During the forty odd years of watching the game the examples of racism and racist chanting has risen and then fallen. It hasn't fallen as quick as it rose though.

What are you talking about? When did it rise! Is questions I have been asked often by younger fans.

Well, when I first started watching the game, there were so few foreign or even black players in teams. I remember Clyde Best of West Ham and struggle to think of another black player from those days.

Those were the days when Rudolph Walker and Jack Smethurst were two actors paid to trade black and white racist insults in the name of comedy! Love thy Neighbour was the show, and Walker and Smethurst were friends off screen. But the insults that they traded were real reflections of societies attitude to the Black community.

Warren Mitchell was a small screen star playing the small minded, bigoted, West Ham supporting Alf Garnett. Mitchell was nothing like the screen character and once told a racist fan of the show that he was taking the Mickey out of people like Garnett and not those at the receiving end of his abuse.

Edging towards 50 I can recall many people with that attitude in the past. Thankfully the worst racism I have experienced at football wasn't at my beloved Derby County. That's not to say I haven't heard such filth coming out of fans mouths at the Baseball Ground or Pride Park.

The worst example I ever saw was at a then fourth tier club.

Whenever Derby aren't playing I often feel the need to watch a game somewhere else. I love the game and could even spend an afternoon watching a Sunday league side.

I actually live in Lincoln and they have often been graced by my presence in the stands when the Rams haven't had a fixture. My brother is a regular at Sincil Bank.

Back in the seventies I witnessed their home fans harass Cec Podd of Bradford City,with racist chants all the way through a game. The player was obviously upset by the sickening comments coming from the terraces.

A few years later, a friend at work invited me to watch The Imps one Wednesday evening. Although the racist comments were not as loud on the previous occasion, they were this time aimed at a home player. Devon White getting racist abuse from his own supporters.

I don't mean to pick on Lincoln City as I have encountered such behaviour at nearly all grounds over the years.

Nowadays we have the kick it out campaign, but it is worthless and meaningless if our own pro players  themselves are caught using racist language. Even more meaningless if any of their fellow pros show the offender support.

With so many players now in the game coming from so many different cultural backgrounds it is surprising that there still are so few black managers. Some aren't even getting to the interview stage when jobs are up for grabs! Why? There's plenty of talent out there waiting for a chance. The Late Keith Alexander, Paul Ince and Chris Powell have done good jobs for various clubs, yet so few black pros are given a second look. 

Michael Johnson the former Derby, Notts County and Birmingham player is a great pro. The guy gave his all on the pitch. He is a gent off the field. I'm amazed that such a professional is not in a senior coaching position.

In the NFL clubs must at least interview a black applicant for coaches positions. This is called the Rooney Rule. It itself has been challenged and called racist itself!

The fact that we are now in 2013 and we have to discuss these issues shows us all how in

the last 40 years we have failed to make enough progress against racism or any other kind of bigotry.

Homophobia has hardly been touched on! 

I myself hate all discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia and all other forms.

Positives from Defeat.

Normally a defeat has Derby fans letting their feelings known by moaning and groaning on social media immediately after defeat.

We lost yesterday 2-1 at QPR. Only our second away defeat of the season and we became the first away side to score at Shepherd's Bush since the opening day of the season.

Instead of the usual moans and groans fans were actually praising the way the team battled hard against a team loaned with players of premier league experience.

I haven't seen the game yet as the full ninety minutes has yet to be put on our club website, but the response from fans is certainly different to last season when away drubbings were the norm.

The one downside though was John Eustace picking up another booking. This means he misses next Saturdays home clash with Sheffield Wednesday. Eustace has played an important role in front of the back four and will be missed. Those who point out that the Owls are a week side surely must have had that illusion shattered by their 5-2 demolition of Reading yesterday.

There are many options to cover for Eustace's absence. The most logical one could be to play Wisdom in his holding role and recalling Freeman or Smith to Right Back. Personally I prefer Freeman as his defensive skills are superior to Smith. Adam Smith is a threat moving forward, but the first job of a defender is to defend.

Kalifa Cisse continues to be monitored. The club has been looking at him in training. There does need to be some competition for Centre Half. Richard Keogh has failed to reproduce the form he showed last season and Jake Buxton who always gives his all is not the long term solution.

The signing of Cisse and the return of Zak Whitbread when fit will give some much needed options in the middle of defence.

The most worrying position for me is left back. Craig Forsyth simply isn't a left back. We have struggled with the position for too many years now. Michael Hoganson is a left back, but Nigel Clough seemed reluctant to play him. Steve McClaren has only used Forsyth so far, so perhaps he too isn't convinced that Hoganson is ready.

If our defence was tightened up a bit make no mistake this would be a top six side. Shaun Barker is chomping at the bit to return, but fans should not have high expectations of a player coming back from such a horrific injury. To expect him to simply come back and return to his previous form straight away would be like living in cloud cuckoo land.

What was good to see yesterday was that we were showing intent with making attacking substitutions. No sign of sit back and defend. Fans will always respond better from positive play.

On to Saturday and the visit of Sheffield Wednesday. Despite their thrashing of Reading yesterday I fully expect a home win. However, it's essential that the defence is tightened. We don't want any repeat of last season that saw two games with them, leading 2-0 in both and only managing two draws.

Useless? Really?

Many Rams fans were quick to start moaning at the start of the season when we signed John Eustace. The cruel moans calling him John Useless were typed out from many keyboard warriors desks! 

I think that it's fair to say that the majority of them were basing their judgement of him on a couple of games a few seasons ago as a season of struggle was winding down.

I must admit that I wasn't exactly over excited by the fact that we were after him prior to last season kicking off. I even tweeted words to that effect.

It was a reply to that tweet by a Coventry City fan that made me do more research on Mr Eustace. The said fan pointed out to me what a good team player he was and that we would get nothing short of 100% from him.

When we took him on trial and then subsequently gave him a seasons contract, many Watford fans took to twitter to praise the efforts of him and they genuinely seemed sorry to see him leave Vicarage Road. I, myself sort out the views of people who knew more about the player than me.

I was told that he was a very Good pro, who would enhance most Championship teams.

Since he has been starting for Derby it has become evident for those who attend games that he does sit well in front of the defence. His inclusion has allowed Will Hughes and Craig Bryson to play more attacking roles. Bryson especially has shown his value in a more attacking role. His goal scoring and assists statistics for the season so far confirms my belief that he is a very valuable player to our team.

John Eustace has shown himself to be a far more competent player to the club than many anticipated he would be. Many saw him as a bench warmer. If recent performances are anything to go by he may become one of our most important players.

Eustace useless? Anyone who still thinks that, that is the case is clearly clueless!

International Break

Normally I hate international breaks. I hate the two weeks of no club action in which we fans regularly feed our need for Football watching our national sides attempt to limp over the finishing line on the way to the next major tournamount.

This time I am actually pleased we have one. Not because I'm any more excited about England reaching the World Cup (Surely they will!), but because it will give new boss Steve McClaren time to assess the players at Derby and decide which areas need strengthening.

It's not rocket science working out that our defence needs looking at. It was at centre half, however Zak Whitbreads loan signing may help sure things up in the middle. It's the full back positions that do need some serious improvement. In the last three games against Forest, Ipswich and to a lesser extent Leeds they have been found wanting.

The left back spot has been a problem position for me dating back to when Chris Powell was allowed to leave the club. Craig Forsyth has shown improvement in the last couple of games, but I don't think that he is the long term solution. He's not a natural in that position and it shows!

The right back spot is another. The sale of John Brayford has left a bigger hole than I had expected. Keiron Freeman has the potential to do a job there, but after being blamed for the defeat against Burnley he has been banished to the bench. In my opinion one bad game does not make a bad player and he is certainly a lot better defensively than Adam Smith.

Adam Smith himself has promise when we go forward, but the first role of a defender is surely to defend. Freeman gets my vote every time!

The last tow and a half games has seen what exactly an experienced player like John Eustace can bring to the table. His qualities as a deep sitting midfielder are obvious. Our fans cruelly dubbing him 'Useless' based on two loan games in a period we were struggling were I'll thought out and unfair. If you want to know how valuable he can be speak to Watford and Coventry fans. 

I'm sure barring injury, Eustace will feature in nearly every game. He did struggle with injury last season and I would be looking at a decent player to back him up. We don't have to go mad as a loanee could be effective in providing the cover. He also has a habit of picking up yellow cards so I'm certain we will need someone else there at sometime during the season.

As I've said previously if our strikers get the service they will be effective. The formation used on Saturday allows Bryson and Hughes forward more to assist our striker more. If Martin and Russell get the ball more in front of goal they will score. Both were impressive on Saturday as were Hughes and Bryson. Fifteen goals is a realistic possibility for the front men and I could see Bryson maybe edging towards ten and half a dozen or more from Hughes.

Should all of this happen we are knocking on the doors of a top six place, however lets step back and take stock. We face an awkward looking trip to Watford next. A very difficult fixture! Let's hope that Steve McClaren has an effective game plan to come back with something.

It was brilliant to see the lads demolish Leeds 3-1 on Saturday and beating them for the tenth successive meeting too! Let's keep the momentum going.

There are four categories in my book of teams wishing for play off football and they are-

A) Will make it

B) Should make it

C) could make it 

And 

D) Won't make it

At the moment I'd give us a C let's move up to a B - YOU RAMS!

Steve McClaren

Unless a lot of so called experts are wrong and they are often wrong, Steve McClaren is expected to be appointed the new Derby County 'Head Coach' very soon.

There are a lot of cries and protests from fans and I'm not one who had him at the top of the list as the man for the job.

He is without doubt a coach that is respected in the game. The former Rams fringe player no doubt played a part in the club finishing sixth in the Premier League and we have been in decline ever since.

After he left us for Manchester United the rot set in and Jim Smith was never able to find an adequate replacement.

He then went on to Middlesbrough where if you look at the record books it shows him as their best ever manager in terms of cup finals and league positions. An awful spell as England saw him ridiculed and he moved on to success with Twente winning the Dutch League. That was no mean achievement in a Division that includes teams like Feyenord, Ajax and PSV. Wolfsburg wasn't quite the same success and neither was his stint at Nottingham Forest.

The spell as Forest manager is what most people are basing their judgement on. He took a team that had for the last two seasons been knocking on the door of Premier League Football and managed to leave them in the bottom half of the Championship.

I think we need to look at that spell with greater scrutiny. There is absolutely no doubt that Billy Davies has an ability to lift players and get them performing to a level that other managers struggle to do. His re-appointment last season showed that when they narrowly failed to make the play offs. Preston and Derby have failed to match what they did under Davies since he left them. People might also question McClarens choice of coaching staff and the signing of players well past their best in Boateng and Greening too!

He left Forest waiving his right to compensation and with his reputation damaged. Surprisingly axed by Twente during his second spell, Harry Redknapp employed him as a coach at QPR. Love or Hate Harry he knows his onions and on radio this morning was stating how great a coach McClaren is and not wanting him to leave.

In my opinion he is without doubt a very good coach, however that doesn't equate to being a good manager. If he is appointed as Head Coach and not manager, the real decision to get right will be who is going to be the Director of Football and exactly what role they will play in the day to day running of the club!

Post Clough Thoughts!

Anyone who read this blog may have noticed the disappearance of match reports. The answer is simply because many of them would be reporting the same game after game. Dominated possession lacking creativity up front and no width.

We have just seen our first away defeat of the season and the dismissal of manager Nigel Clough.

We didn't deserve anything from the game! Be honest for all our possession we never even tested Karl Darlow. Forest could have had two or three more goals had it not been for Lee Grant.

We have three wins on the road. Yeovil, Millwall and Brighton. I'd only expect to see the latter challenging for a top six place at the end of the season.

Prior to the summer break, Sam Rush stated that a centre half was a priority for the club. Well where is that centre half. Baptiste was way out of our price range, despite having immensely wealthy owners. We were then told by Nigel that we didn't need a centre half!

I disagree. Despite Jake Buxton upping his game and possibly being our most consistent defender we have struggled. Especially against set pieces. Freeman has had one bad game at right back and was promptly dropped. His replacement Smith is definitely not an upgrade.

Craig Forsyth has struggled at left back and most Derby fans seem to agree that he is not the answer in a position we have struggled to fill since Chris Powell left the club.

Richard Keogh, last seasons player of the season has been the biggest disappointment of all. Never have a seen a player who looked a class act one season struggle so much the next season.

Midfield has issues too. Bryson and Hughes along with Hendrick are good players, but we don't have that commanding ball winning general! A Seth Johnson style player or a player that shows leadership.

We all know that we lack any sort of threat down the wings. We only have one real winger on our books in Michael Jacobs, yet Nigel seemed reluctant to start him. Until we get our midfield general I would suggest that playing wingers would leave us vulnerable in the middle.

With regards to the strikers. Russell and Martin are capable of scoring a bucket load of goals, but they need more service. 

Goalkeeping is an area that has seen constant changes. Stephen Bywater, Saul Deeney, Frank Fielding, James Severn, Brad Jones, Ross Atkins, Adam Legzdins and Lee Grant have all made an appearance between the sticks. It's an area where chopping and changing does nothing for the good of the defence. Our goalkeeping coach must share some of the blame here.

Nigel has made some good signings over the years, but there's been some poor ones too! David Martin, Chris Maguire, Ben Pringle are amongst those who failed!

Looking back, Nigel Clough inherited a pigs ear of a mess when he took over as manager. Littered with Paul Jewell's panic buys and gambles and a massive wage bill he has season by season sorted the mess out. However unless this club gets into the Premier League very soon, it will become mission virtually impossible. Parachute payments don't necessarily mean that relegated clubs will bounce straight back, but they do help deprive teams such as Derby buying players of known quality.

If the club is too move forward it needs to show some real ambition and support the manager who replaces Nigel Clough. Otherwise it would be like mending the puncture on your bicycle and riding over broken glass immediately after. It really is a show of a lack of real ambition by GSE when clubs like Doncaster and Huddersfield are signing better quality players.

I was supportive of Nigel up to the Burnley game but now we need to see a change of direction and it's time for our owners to put up or shut up and sell up.

Cloughie - Nine Years On!

Today marks the ninth anniversary of the death of Brian Clough O.B.E.

Never has one individual made such an impression on supporters of four different football clubs. A prolific goal scorer with both Middlesbrough and Sunderland and the best ever manager of both Derby County and Nottingham Forest.

I say he is the greatest manger of club football in Britain. Cloughie took two struggling second tier clubs to the top! With the greatest respect to all other claimants to the crown of being the best, how many started with so little and ended up with a roomful of trophies?

Every competition he won he did so because he took them seriously! From League titles and European Cups, to Anglo-Scottish and Watney Cups! All games were to be played to win.

He not only had a great footballing brain, but he knew exactly what he believed in! He was a staunch socialist and a friend of the then Labour MP, the late Phillip Whitehead. He did however vote for a Conservative Councillor whilst at Hartlepool in recognition of the said gentlemans loyalty to the club. He practiced what he preached and was generous to those who  served him. He did in fact give his O.B.E. to his gardener though it was returned.

He laid out a challenge for Alan Sugar to accuse him of wrongdoings without privilege that is afforded in the High Court. Sugar never dared to do it!

He trusted very few Chairmen. Mike Bamber of Brighton was an exception.

He trusted very few journalists and referred to them as 'Shithouse'. John Sadler was an exception.

He wrote two autobiographies and they are a must read for anyone who has a serious interest in the thoughts of a genius. Countless other books have been written about him.

His favourite musician was Frank Sinatra and that's fitting because Cloughie did it his way!

RIP Brian Howard Clough and God Bless! 

'Oh you are a bloody disgrace! Bazza for missing the target from there you want bloody shooting' 'Rubbish, Bloody rubbish'.

Bolton 2-2 Derby - Verdict

A good point away! Bolton may be bottom, but that is an early season false position.

It was pleasing to see Johnny Russell bag a couple of goals. At long last we are creating some chances in the box. 

Smith again played well at Right Back and almost had a goal. He looks threatening down the right flank.

Richard Keogh beginning to look more like the player from last season.

After a hat-trick on Saturday Craig Bryson added a couple of assists onto his stats for this season. It's very obvious to me why he his held in such high regard by Derby fans. He always puts in a shift.

Will Hughes had a good first half, but had to be substituted early in the second. Hopefully he will be fit for Saturdays home game with Reading.

On to Saturday, and Reading. We are overdue a win against them. This game will be interesting as they are now led by Nigel Adkins who previously did such a good job at both Scunthorpe and Southampton.

If we tighten up at the back and continue to create chances up front there's no reason why we can't be celebrating a first ho,e win at tea time on Saturday. It would be foolhardy though to underestimate the task ahead. We have three tough games coming up. We could easily win or lose all three!

Stats #bwfc v #dcfc

Possession 60%-40%

Shots 22-14

On target 4-8

Corners 9-2

Yellow cards 3-2

Rams Man of the Match - Richard Keogh

1.   Grant 7

2.   Smith 7

6.   Keogh 8

25. Buxton 7

3.   Forsyth 7

14. Eustace 7

4.   Bryson 7

19. Hughes 7

10. Ward 7

9.   Martin 6

11. Russell 7

13. Deeney

7.   Coutts 7

12. Jacobs

16. Davies -

17. Freeman

18. Sammon -

20. Bennett

Millwall 1-5 Derby, Verdict

A great away win in a game controlled by the Rams.

Eustace did a decent job in front of the defence. Bryson had a fantastic game and ran the show in midfield. All three of his goals were top draw. Two were certainly contenders for goal of the day.

Hughes was also great in midfield. Only time will tell how much longer we are able to hold onto him.

Smith had a very good game in the right back position. He may well go on to be a better player than Brayford. His withdrawal was unfortunate, but with missiles being thrown at him by home fans it was for his own safety. Such behaviour by so called supporters is unforgivable and I think it's time that the FA took decisive action. 

Neither Russell or Martin added to their goals tally, however both would benefit greatly by the addition of a winger into the side.

It was good to see youngster Mason Bennett score his first league goal. A cool and composed finish put Derby 5-1 up.

A third successive away win is great for the fans, but we need to start winning home games or the efforts on our travels are wasted. Bolton in our next game will in my opinion probe to be a much sterner test. They may be bottom at the moment, but it's a false early season position.

Stats #mfc-#dcfc

Possession 47%-53%

Shots 3-9

On target 1-6

Fouls 16-14

Yellow cards 3-5

Red Cards 1-0

Rams Man of the Match - Craig Bryson

Ratings

1.   Grant 7

2.   Smith 8

6.   Keogh 7

25. Buxton 7

3.   Forsyth

14. Eustace 7

4.   Bryson 9

19. Hughes 8

10. Ward 7

9.   Martin 7

11. Russell 7

13. Deeney

12. Jacobs

7.  Coutts 7

16. Davies

17. Freeman 7

18. Sammon

20. Bennett 7

Brian Clough Trophy Memories

The Brian Clough Trophy

As Rams and Forest fans eagerly await the next meeting of our two clubs at the end of the month I thought that I would take a look back at previous meetings for The Brian Clough Trophy.

The inaugural clash for the new Trophy was just before a Billy Davies led Rams side were to embark on a disastrous Premier League campaign and Forest were looking ahead to a third and final season in League One under the management of Colin Calderwood.

Starting for the Rams that day included a player that proved to be one of the biggest big money flops in a Derby shirt, Robert Earnshaw who went on to better days with our Red Rivals. Forest included Kris Commons who would go on to make headlines in this fixture playing for Derby a season later.

The first match was a pre-season game, but don't call it a friendly! There's no such thing when these sides meet. A crowd of just over 25,000 saw Derby stroll to a 2-0 win through goals from Jay McEveley and Craig Fagan.

The following season saw a relegated Derby and a promoted Forest meet no less than four times. The first was a league game that ended all square at 1-1. Tito Villa's own goal put Forest ahead at Pride Park, before redeeming himself by knocking in a Commons cross to level things up. What followed was possibly the most controversial incidents in the history of the fixture.

Miles Addison seemed to have put the Rams ahead only for referee Staurt Atwell to rule the goal disallowed and instead give Derby a penalty. Former Rams keeper Lee Camp saved the spot kick and just about everyone in the ground were baffled by both decisions. Why was the goal disallowed? What was the penalty for? Only Mr Atwell knew the answers. 

If that wasn't enough, Addison again headed into the net a few minutes later and again his goal was disallowed. There appeared to be nothing at all wrong with the goal, but Mr Atwell stuck by his decision and therefore earned himself the notoriety that he has with Derby supporters today.

The F.A. Cup draw paired Derby with Forest again. Another game at Pride Park and live on TV saw the game switched to a Friday night. Derby edged the first half and went ahead through Rob Hulse. Earnshaw equalised in the second half, but the star man was Paul Smith in the visitors goal who pulled off some miraculous saves as Derby pounded their goalmouth.

The game ended 1-1 like the league meeting and so would go to a replay. Fresh from beating Manchester United 1-0 in the league cup, Derby headed across the A52 to the City Ground for the rematch. After twenty minutes it looked like The Rams were going to be in for a spanking. Cohen put Forest ahead and Tyson extended the lead through a penalty awarded after he was brought down by Stephen Bywater. Hulse and Paul Green had levelled things by midway through the second half and what was to follow capped a memorable night for Rqms fans. Kris Commons who had been getting a fair amount of stick from his former clubs fans scored a sensational winner to take Derby through to the next round.

Barely a fortnight later the return league fixture was played. Lewis Nyatanga gave Derby an early lead and Hulse then added a second early in the second half.  A Steve Davies penalty then put the Rams firmly in control before Earnshaw grabbed a consolation goal for the hosts. This was one of the easiest wins ever over the old enemy.

The following season our rivals finally got some revenge. Radislaw Majewski scored an absolute screamer to give them an early lead. Nathan Tyson added a second and before the break we found ourselves 3-0 down and a thrashing appeared to be on the cards. Thankfully Derby did give a better account of themselves in the second half. A Wes Morgan own goal and another deflected effort by Jake Livermore made the score more respectable, but Forest were deserved winners in the end. The game is famous for Nathan Tyson grabbing a corner flag at the end of a game and the players partaking in a 22 man squabble. Both clubs fined later by the FA.

Billy Davies took the Reds to Pride Park later that season in search of their first ever win at Pride Park. Forest fans appeared confident, but a Rob Hulse header from a Kris Commons free kick sent them home without that elusive win once again.

The next game in the series was the biggest embarrassment ever suffered by many Rams fans. Losing to your biggest rivals is bad enough but by 5-2 is gut wrenching. What made matters worse was the fact that former Ram Marcus Tudgay grabbed a brace of goals to send us packing. He did show some class though by not celebrating against his old team.

Forest edged the return game at Pride Park, when Robert Earnshaw popped up with a winner in the second half. To be honest they did deserve the win.

The win with ten men was the next encounter. Fielding red carded and a penalty conceded in the opening couple of minutes. It looked like a damage limitation exercise when Andy Reid slotted the penalty past Legzdins. However, Later in the half, Ward danced around the forest defence and beat Camp at the near post to equalise and then Hendrick scored a winner in the second half minutes after missing an easier chance when he headed wide.

On to Pride Park on a cold Tuesday night and into the 4 th minute of time added on and up popped Jake Buxton to clinch a winner and condemn Steve Cotterill's struggling side to another frustrating defeat.

Last season saw the Rams win at the City Ground thanks to a point blank finish by Craig Bryson and the Pride Park game was a draw. Chris Cohen giving the visitors a lead in the first half and then in the second period, Conor Sammon robbed Simon Gillett to set up Jamie Ward to level things.

Sendings off, dramatic games, it's never boring in the East Midlands!

Derby Launch 3rd shirt FAB

This morning saw Derby release pictures of a new third shirt.

The home and maroon away shirt was met with a mixed response as was the latest shirt which is blue with a yellow diagonal stripe across it.

Many fans say it reminds them of a Thunderbirds uniform or a jockeys shirt. Whatever the opinions I'm sure it will sell. Many fans protested that the maroon shirt was too close to red, but pay a trip into the club shop on match days and you will see them selling plenty of them.

For next season I have suggested that the club invites fans to submit designs and then vote on the new shirt. A good idea? Or would it be too simple?

Derby 0-3 Burnley, Verdict

Disappointing, disjointed and disastrous performance.

I know the defence needs strengthening, but Saturdays calamitous efforts were embarrassing. I remain convinced that we need another Centre half and also a Left Back.

Freeman had an off day, Keogh looked a shadow of the player he was last year, Buxton tried, but is he a long term solution really? Forsyth is not a Left Back. At least Smith looked lively when he came on after half time.

I've always rated Jeff Hendrick and his absence was felt on Saturday. The midfield was shocking! Will Hughes was the best of it, but in all honesty didn't play well, though he produced the best attack of afternoon for Derby.

It's all very well fans getting on our strikers backs, but there were few great chances for them to convert. A lack of wingers doesn't help creativity! Credit Conor Sammon who showed some grit and determination when he arrived in the second half.

Chris Martin has got to stop all of his diving. We were wrongly awarded a penalty and I'm afraid it was just deserts when Russell's attempt was saved by Heaton.

Outsmarted, outmanoeuvred and outclassed! In my opinion our worst home display since getting thrashed by Scunthorpe a couple of seasons ago! Burnley were denied a fourth goal that was wrongly ruled offside as well! 

Time and time again, we dominate possession without any end product.

With very little indication of moves to strengthen the squad, a quick bounce back after the international break is essential.

Stats DCFC V BFC

Possession 57%-43%

Shots on target 3-5

Off target 11-5

Fouls 9-12

Ratings

1.   Grant 6

17. Freeman 5

6.   Keogh 5

25. Buxton 5

3.   Forsyth 5

7.   Coutts 4

4.   Bryson 5

19. Hughes 5

10. Ward 6

9.   Martin 5

11. Russell 5

Subs

26. Legzdins 

2.   Smith 7

12. Jacobs

14. Eustace

16. Davies 6

18. Sammon 7

20. Bennett

Rams man of the match - Adam Smith

Derby 5 v 0 Brentford -Verdict

Rams made a few changes from Saturday and gave Smith, Eustace and Sammon a run out. Our opponents made wholesale changes and it proved to their downfall.

This was a stroll and looked like a training match.

Conor Sammon grabbed a brace of goals and might have had another when he saw an early effort cleared off the line.

Chris Martin was masterful upfront and looks the part up front. Another two goals bringing him up to five for the month.

Adam Smith had a very good game at Right Back and he will be snapping at Keiron Freeman's heels for the chance of a league start.

Will Hughes scored a beautifully taken goal and his retention by the club is proving to be a must, especially as Hendrick is rumoured to be out for the next few games.

All in all it was job done. Round three awaits and a visit to the KP to face Leicester.

Stats #dcfc v #bees

Possession 51%-49%

Shots 24-11

On target 8-2

Off target 16-9

Corners 7-4

Fouls 9-6

Man of the match - Chris Martin

1.   Grant - 7

2.   Smith - 8

6.   Keogh - 7

25. Buxton - 7

3.   Forsyth - 7

7.   Coutts - 7

14. Eustace - 7

4.   Bryson - 7

19. Hughes - 8

9.   Martin - 9

18. Sammon - 8

Subs

26. Legzdins

10. Ward

11. Russell

12. Jacobs - 7

16. Davies - 7

17. Freeman 

20. Bennett - 7

Goals, Cards etc.

Goal scorers

Chris Martin 7

Craig Bryson 6

Johnny Russell 5

Conor Sammon 3

Will Hughes 3

Jamie Ward 3

Michael Jacobs 1

Mason Bennett 1

Jake Buxton 1

Zak Whitbread 1

Assists

Craig Bryson 8

Ben Davies 2

Keiron Freeman 2

Adam Smith 1

Conor Sammon 1

Craig Forsyth 1

Richard Keogh 1

Keiron Freeman 1

Chris Martin 2

Will Hughes 2

Jamie Ward 1

Michael Jacobs 1

Mason Bennett 1

Cards, yellow unless stated.

Paul Coutts 3

John Eustace 3

Keiron Freeman 2

Chris Martin 3

Craig Forsyth 2

Jeff Hendrick 1

Richard Keogh 2, 1 Red

John Eustace 4

Will Hughes 3

Lee Grant 1

Yeovil 0 v 3 Derby - verdict

A good victory at a side hungry for their first ever championship victory.

Freeman again had a good game in defence. He is really making a great effort to claim the right back slot his own.

Yeovil were uncomfortable against the Derby midfield. Hughes again showing maturity with his game, Bryson putting in a performance that we come to expect of him. Hendrick limped off on the latter stages of the game and will perhaps be rested in the Capital One Cup game against Brentford.

Forsyth was better than last week, but I still maintain that he's a midfielder. 

It's good to see Jamie Ward back in the starting line up. He adds a spark to it and creates more chances for our forwards. Of the forwards, Russell took his goal well and Martin showed us that he is an immensely skilful front man. If he plays like this every game, he could easily hit 15 goals. 

Yeovil are far from being one of the stronger sides we will meet this season, but games like this were lost only too recently. It's now important to build on this and by build I mean a convincing win v Burnley. 

Match stats #ytfc v #dcfc

Possession 50%-50%

Assists 0-2

Corners 8-6

Offsides 0-2

Shots 6-11

On target 3-7

Off target 3-4

Fouls 14-14

Yellow cards 1-2

Man of the Match - Keiron Freeman

1.   Lee Grant - 7

17. Keiron Freeman - 8

6.   Richard Keogh - 7

25. Jake Buxton - 7

3.   Craig Forsyth - 7

8.   Jeff Hendrick - 7

19. Will Hughes - 8

4.   Craig Bryson - 7

10. Jamie Ward - 7

9.   Chris Martin - 8

11. Johnny Russell - 7

Subs

26. Adam Legzdins

2.   Adam Smith

7.   Paul Coutts - 7

12. Michael Jacobs

14. John Eustace - 7

16. Ben Davies

18. Conor Sammon - n/a

Will Hughes, Speculation

Last season a youngster emerged straight form the Derby academy to become a first team regular. Will Hughes is hus name and since then he has been scouted on a regular basis by many top clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and even Barcelona. Only this week he has been mentioned in nearly every tabloid with Liverpool apparently about to submit a bid of £6-10m depending on which rag you read.

We are talking about a talented young player who has undoubted skill and should he continue to improve, will no doubt get a full England cap in the future. However, there many stories of talented young players failing to live up to their early promise. Indeed, Gareth Bale found the going tough in his early days at Tottenham and was at one time said to be heading back into the Championship with Nottingham Forest.

The best single scenario for Derby is perhaps that he is sold for a large fee and loaned back. There is no point in such a player moving to simply warm the bench or play reserve team football. Will Hughes does need regular first team football.

At this stage Rams manager Nigel Clough has confirmed that no formal bids have been made and he expects Hughes to still be a Rams player when the transfer window closes. He has been accused by some fans of talking up a move, but when the media continuously link the player with a move away a manager will respond.

He has been talked up by the much respected writer Henry Winter and former England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce. I myself, have seen every second of his playing career and my thoughts are that He is

 the most gifted young player that I have ever seen at the club. He will no doubt move on at some stage for big money. However, if he is to realise his potential he needs looking after. Too many young pros fall by the wayside. You only have to look at former Manchester City player Michael Johnson for a perfect example.

Will seems to be a young man with a good wise head on his shoulders and as I understand he doesn't even have an agent at this time. Whatever happens in the future I hope it sees a successful one for him and we watch him in the white shirt of England in the not too distant future.

Derby 0 v 1 Leicester verdict

Thought that we should have had a point in this game. Leicester were very solid in defence, but Mostly ineffective in attack.

Derby had their fair share of the ball, but simply didn't create enough for the front men to use. Schmeichel in the Foxes goal won't have many easier afternoons. All Derby's efforts went wide or were handled easily by Schmeichel.

Chris Martin continually falling to the floor when he came into contact with a Leicester player was embarrassing at times! 

Too much play down the middle and very little coming down the wings. Paul Coutts when he did move out right was easily dealt with by Schlupp.

Morgan owned the ball every time it was played into the box. To play against these type of defences it's no good playing too many high balls. Morgan will eat them all day.

Ward added a bit of spark into the attack when he came on and surely will start at Yeovil.

Forsyth again had a poor game in front of his home fans, but Freeman continues to impress and improve game by game.

With only Michael Jacobs who was on the bench, a natural wide man in the squad, perhaps some investment in a winger wouldn't go amiss.

The goal followed a corner that shouldn't have been. Buxton was shoved over and the result was a corner that Coutts hit off the line into Grant which resulted in the ball dropping over the line. Grant twice came to Derby's rescue during the first half.

Stats dcfc v lcfc

Rams Man of the Match - Keiron Freeman

Possession 58%-42%

Shots 15-8

On target 5-3

Off target 10-5

Corners 7-4

Fouls  10-13

Yellow Cards 1-2

Ratings

1.   Lee Grant 7

17. Keiron Freeman 7

6.   Richard Keogh 6

25. Jake Buxton 6

3.   Craig Forsyth 5

7.   Paul Coutts 7

8.   Jeff Hendrick 6

4.   Craig Bryson 7

19. Will Hughes 7

9.   Chris Martin 5

11. Johnny Russell 7

Subs 

10. Jamie Ward 7

18. Conor Sammon 6

Not used

26. Adam Legzdins

2.   Adam Smith

12. Michael Jacobs

16. Ben Davies

14. John Eustace

East Midlands Xl

Peter Shilton (Leicester, Forest, Derby)

Viv Anderson (Forest)

Roy McFarland (Derby)

Colin Todd (Derby, Forest)

Stuart Pearce (Forest)

Alan Hinton (Forest, Derby)

Archie Gemmill (Derby, Forest)

John McGovern (Derby, Forest)

John Robertson (Forest, Derby)

Kevin Hector (Derby)

Gary Lineker (Leicester)

Having been a fan of Derby for over 43 years, I have seen some great players not only for us but also our rivals Nottingham Forest and the other club Leicester :) I'm not meaning to be rude to fans of Notts County, Chesterfield or Mansfield, but none of their players make my first eleven.

The above eleven is whom I consider to be the best players from 1969-present day and I'm no doubt others will have their own opinions.

Who makes your team. I will publish all teams that are submitted.

Battle for the Right Back Spot.

Prior to the season starting, many fans were upset with the new that John Brayford had been sold to way Cardiff City. A fee of £1.5m rising to £2m was agreed and Brayford was on his way to the Premier League side.

Having played under Nigel Clough at Burton Albion he then moved on to Crewe and then was re-signed by Clough for Derby. He became an instant hit with his link up play with whoever was p,axing on the right wing for The Rams and went on to become a player of the Season winner.

Brayford isn't an easy sort of player to replace. Tom Naylor filled in whilst he was injured a couple of seasons ago, but a natural successor was needed not just to cover, but to step up to it when he eventually moved on.

Last season it became apparent that Keiron Freeman, a product of Nottingham Forest's academy was going to either face another spell in their reserves or be loaned out possibly to Notts County again should he have signed a new contract with the reds. Understandably this must have frustrated the Wales Under-21 international and rather than sign a new contract, he joined Derby.

Despite managers singing his praises during his loan spells, he was not seen as a player ready to step it up and become a first team regular in Nottingham.

Initially he was mainly used in the Under-21 / Reserve team for Derby, but he played a few cameo's from the subs bench and then covered at both full back positions when either Gareth Roberts or John Brayford were injured.

When Nigel Clough brought in Tottenham's Adam Smith on a full season loan many thought that Freeman may miss out on staking his claim for the Right Back spot, but after a good solid game against Blackburn he held the position for the away trip to Brighton and had a great game.

It might be frustrating for Smith, but the competition for a vital position in the team is healthy and is indeed showing the depth in a position that many thought we would struggle to fill.

A Foot in Both Camps - Derby and Leicester

Played for Both, Derby and Leicester

Below is a list of players who have played for both Derby and Leicester. It's not comprehensive, but includes most of those who have worn both shirts.

Peter Shilton

Mark Wallington

Russell Hoult

Gary Mills

Gary Charles

Roger Davies

Willie Carlin

Billy Hughes

Steve Howard

Matt Oakley

Paul Kitson

Phil Gee

Ian Ormondroyd

David Nish

David Webb

Jacob Laursen

Bobby Davison

Johnny Morris

Robbie Savage

Gerry Daly

Marc Edworthy

Gary Rowett

Lee Morris

Dean Sturridge

Jack Bowers

Chris Powell

Ian Wilson

Spencer Prior

Chris Makin

Jordan Stewart

Paul Dickov

Brighton 1 v 2 Derby - Verdict

The Rams got their first ever victory at the Amex thanks to a great team performance throughout.

Forsyth and Freeman were outstanding in the full back positions and provided some decent balls to the front men. Freeman especially timing a great pass to Martin for Derby's second goal.

Jake Buxton was brilliant alongside Richard Keogh in the centre of the defence. Despite any limitations Buxton may have, he is a good honest pro who is rising to the challenge of regular starts with some great displays. Many more like this one and Nigel Clough may hold back on bringing in another centre half.

What looked to be a midfield diamond formation worked well and although we only had one recognised wide man. There was plenty of width provided.

Derby's midfield oozes quality and once again they bossed the middle of the park for greater periods in the game.

Chris Martin bagged a couple of goals in what must be his best performance in a Rams shirt to date. He took both goals well and certainly is providing a presence up front.

Performances like this demonstrate why some have the Rams as dark horses for promotion.

The stats

#bhafc v # dcfc

Possession 49%-51%

Assists 1-2

Corners 6-6

Offsides 1-1

Goals 1-2

Shots 10-8

On Target 4-2

Off target 6-6

Fouls 14-14

Yellow cards 3-5

Ratings

Man of the match - Chris Martin

1.  Grant - 7

17. Freeman - 7

6.   Keogh - 7

25. Buxton - 8

3.   Forsyth - 7

7.   Coutts - 7

4.   Bryson - 7

8.   Hendrick - 7

19. Hughes - 7

9.   Martin - 9

11. Russell - 6

Subs

10. Ward - 6

14. Eustace - 6

Not used

26. Legzdins 

2.   Smith

12. Jacobs 

16. Davies

18. Sammon