Saturday 30 March 2013
Latest Chad Blog, Fox on the Box.
The latest blah for the Mansfield Chad is at http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/derby-county/andy-buckley-taylor-s-derby-county-blog-fox-on-the-box-1-5533736
What has happened to the Scottish game?
Scotland this week once again made the exit from a major championship.
What has happened to a once proud footballing country?
This is the country that produced such stars as Archie Gemmill, Denis Law, John Robertson, Joe Jordan, Kenny Dalglish etc.
Scotland used to rival England for the Home International Championship and often had the upper hand.
This is the country that qualified for World Cup's that England failed to get to!
The downfall of the Scots has seemed to coincide with the influx of foreign stars into the English game. It's has also steadily gone downhill since the abolition of the Home International Championship. But, are they the real reasons that the game north of the border has sunk to an all time low.
I recall during the 70's and 80's the top sides featured many Scottish players. Derby, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest all relied on players such as Gemmill, O'Hare, McGovern, Robertson, Jordan, McQueen, Graham, Dalglish, Hansen, Souness etc. Manchester United had their Scottish stars such as Holton, Buchan, Law etc.
Nowadays there are very few in the top flight of English Football.
Scotland have historically fielded many English born goalkeepers such as Wilson, Harvey, Gould, Sullivan and go ram, but outfield players are now often playing for the country whilst being born in another. Commons, McEveley, Hutchison, Bardsley are but a few that have pulled on the blue shirt but were bown elsewhere.
Did the rot set in when Graeme Souness and his all conquering Rangers side of the 80's was made up almost entirely of imports?
In the 70's the Scottish League sides were 99% Scottish in make up. Today it's a different story.
Derby County currently field Craig Bryson, Paul Coutts and Craig Forsyth who are all Scottish. Good players that are a class act at Championship level, but how many Scots feature in today's Premier League? And by Scots I mean true Scots!
Prior to the home game with Bristol City, Roger Davies making his usual appearance in McFarland's bar, brought in Archie Gemmill who was attending the game. A legend in both Derby and Nottingham, Roger jokingly said 'Archie is still good enough to play for Scotland today'. Jokes aside, have they anyone who is anywhere near his class to play in their side today? Where are today's Archie Gemmill, Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish?
Surely the talent hasn't totally dried up! Or has it?
I would love to hear people opinions on this subject?
What has happened to a once proud footballing country?
This is the country that produced such stars as Archie Gemmill, Denis Law, John Robertson, Joe Jordan, Kenny Dalglish etc.
Scotland used to rival England for the Home International Championship and often had the upper hand.
This is the country that qualified for World Cup's that England failed to get to!
The downfall of the Scots has seemed to coincide with the influx of foreign stars into the English game. It's has also steadily gone downhill since the abolition of the Home International Championship. But, are they the real reasons that the game north of the border has sunk to an all time low.
I recall during the 70's and 80's the top sides featured many Scottish players. Derby, Leeds, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest all relied on players such as Gemmill, O'Hare, McGovern, Robertson, Jordan, McQueen, Graham, Dalglish, Hansen, Souness etc. Manchester United had their Scottish stars such as Holton, Buchan, Law etc.
Nowadays there are very few in the top flight of English Football.
Scotland have historically fielded many English born goalkeepers such as Wilson, Harvey, Gould, Sullivan and go ram, but outfield players are now often playing for the country whilst being born in another. Commons, McEveley, Hutchison, Bardsley are but a few that have pulled on the blue shirt but were bown elsewhere.
Did the rot set in when Graeme Souness and his all conquering Rangers side of the 80's was made up almost entirely of imports?
In the 70's the Scottish League sides were 99% Scottish in make up. Today it's a different story.
Derby County currently field Craig Bryson, Paul Coutts and Craig Forsyth who are all Scottish. Good players that are a class act at Championship level, but how many Scots feature in today's Premier League? And by Scots I mean true Scots!
Prior to the home game with Bristol City, Roger Davies making his usual appearance in McFarland's bar, brought in Archie Gemmill who was attending the game. A legend in both Derby and Nottingham, Roger jokingly said 'Archie is still good enough to play for Scotland today'. Jokes aside, have they anyone who is anywhere near his class to play in their side today? Where are today's Archie Gemmill, Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish?
Surely the talent hasn't totally dried up! Or has it?
I would love to hear people opinions on this subject?
Sunday 24 March 2013
Garibaldi Gazette
The above site carries a great feature on club finances. Click the link to read http://garibaldigazette.com/?p=946
Derby 2-1 Leicester
Derby finally ended a miserable run of games without wins by edging out a Leicester side going through a rough patch themselves in a scrappy tea time kick off at Pride Park.
Once again Nigel Clough was forced to patch up a team due to injuries, however Bryson and Ward were both risked as the importance of getting three points from a game escalated with The Rams only three points above the drop zone after the afternoons games.
It took 16 minutes for Derby to open the scoring. Morgan had given away a free kick and from the resulting kick, Ward 's cross found the head of Keogh who put it past Schmeichel with ease.
Derby added a second goal when a Craig Forsyth cross was met by Chris Martin to head in.
Leicester attempted to get back in the game during the second half. Schmeichel assuming the role of playmaker as he played many long balls into the Derby box. He was often found nearer to the halfway line than his own goal line.
Schlupp did manage to pull a goal back after 62 minutes when his strike from just inside the penalty area beat Fielding.
Both Nugent and Wood were virtually anonymous for the visitors and Sammon missed an opportunity to add a third for Derby near the end when he mistimed an effort to swing at a pass from close range.
A good three points for Derby, but they will need to keep the points coming in order to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle below them.
Derby - Fielding, Freeman (Gjokaj 81), Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson, Ward (Davies 62), Martin, Sammon. Subs not used - Legzdins, Hoganson, Jacobs, Bennett, Doyle.
Leicester - Schmeichel, St Ledger, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky, Wellens (Schlupp 46), Drinkwater, King, Nugent, Wood (Kane 69), Dyer (Marshall 56), subs not used - Logan, Whitbread, Vardy, Waghorn.
Man of the match - Chris Martin
Attendance - 23,123 (1,901 Away fans).
Once again Nigel Clough was forced to patch up a team due to injuries, however Bryson and Ward were both risked as the importance of getting three points from a game escalated with The Rams only three points above the drop zone after the afternoons games.
It took 16 minutes for Derby to open the scoring. Morgan had given away a free kick and from the resulting kick, Ward 's cross found the head of Keogh who put it past Schmeichel with ease.
Derby added a second goal when a Craig Forsyth cross was met by Chris Martin to head in.
Leicester attempted to get back in the game during the second half. Schmeichel assuming the role of playmaker as he played many long balls into the Derby box. He was often found nearer to the halfway line than his own goal line.
Schlupp did manage to pull a goal back after 62 minutes when his strike from just inside the penalty area beat Fielding.
Both Nugent and Wood were virtually anonymous for the visitors and Sammon missed an opportunity to add a third for Derby near the end when he mistimed an effort to swing at a pass from close range.
A good three points for Derby, but they will need to keep the points coming in order to avoid being dragged into the relegation battle below them.
Derby - Fielding, Freeman (Gjokaj 81), Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth, Coutts, Hendrick, Bryson, Ward (Davies 62), Martin, Sammon. Subs not used - Legzdins, Hoganson, Jacobs, Bennett, Doyle.
Leicester - Schmeichel, St Ledger, Morgan, Keane, Konchesky, Wellens (Schlupp 46), Drinkwater, King, Nugent, Wood (Kane 69), Dyer (Marshall 56), subs not used - Logan, Whitbread, Vardy, Waghorn.
Man of the match - Chris Martin
Attendance - 23,123 (1,901 Away fans).
Birmingham 2-1 Derby
A disappointing second half display from the Rams defence saw then lose grip of a game that they looked like winning at half time.
This was what you call a game of two halves.
Clear cut chances were few in the opening 45 minutes, but it was Derby who looked the moore threatening going forward. Chris Martin in particular looking dangerous.
It was five minutes before half time that they managed to snatch a goal to lead going into the break.
Ben Davies met a Craig Forsyth header to score from eight yards out.
Lee Clark made a double substitution at halftime bringing on Thomas and Redmond. This proved to be a good move tactically as Birmingham moved up a gear and looked the more threatening side going forward.
Reilly hit the Derby crossbar after 60 minutes and minutes later the Blues scored an equaliser. Morrison finding Wes Thomas who's shot hitherto of of the net.
Less than a quarter on a hour later, Redmond scored from 20 yards to put Birmingham ahead and complete the turnaround.
Derby battled away to find a leveller, but headed efforts from Keogh and Buxton both went wide.
Wes Thomas wrapped the game for the hosts when he beat the Derby defence to a lose ball and hit it past Legzdins.
All in all a very disappointing result for Derby who now face a play-off seeking Leicester at home in their next fixture.
Derby - Legzdins, Gjokaj, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts, Davies (Jacobs 62), Coutts, Hendrick, Forsyth, Martin, Sammon. Subs not used - Fielding, Hoganson, O'Brien, Freeman, Bennett, Doyle.
Birmingham - Butland, Caddis, Davies, Robinson, Ferguson, Burke (Redmond 46), Reilly (Morrison 62), Spector, Elliott, Lovenkrands (Thomas 46), Zigic. Subs not used- Doyle, Caldwell, Mullins, Fahey.
Man of the match - Wes Thomas
Attendance - 15,850 (1,317 away fans)
This was what you call a game of two halves.
Clear cut chances were few in the opening 45 minutes, but it was Derby who looked the moore threatening going forward. Chris Martin in particular looking dangerous.
It was five minutes before half time that they managed to snatch a goal to lead going into the break.
Ben Davies met a Craig Forsyth header to score from eight yards out.
Lee Clark made a double substitution at halftime bringing on Thomas and Redmond. This proved to be a good move tactically as Birmingham moved up a gear and looked the more threatening side going forward.
Reilly hit the Derby crossbar after 60 minutes and minutes later the Blues scored an equaliser. Morrison finding Wes Thomas who's shot hitherto of of the net.
Less than a quarter on a hour later, Redmond scored from 20 yards to put Birmingham ahead and complete the turnaround.
Derby battled away to find a leveller, but headed efforts from Keogh and Buxton both went wide.
Wes Thomas wrapped the game for the hosts when he beat the Derby defence to a lose ball and hit it past Legzdins.
All in all a very disappointing result for Derby who now face a play-off seeking Leicester at home in their next fixture.
Derby - Legzdins, Gjokaj, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts, Davies (Jacobs 62), Coutts, Hendrick, Forsyth, Martin, Sammon. Subs not used - Fielding, Hoganson, O'Brien, Freeman, Bennett, Doyle.
Birmingham - Butland, Caddis, Davies, Robinson, Ferguson, Burke (Redmond 46), Reilly (Morrison 62), Spector, Elliott, Lovenkrands (Thomas 46), Zigic. Subs not used- Doyle, Caldwell, Mullins, Fahey.
Man of the match - Wes Thomas
Attendance - 15,850 (1,317 away fans)
Sunday 17 March 2013
Latest Chad Blogpost - The Wonder of Ward.
http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/derby-county/andy-buckley-taylor-s-derby-county-blog-the-wonder-of-ward-1-5503502
Friday 8 March 2013
Cardiff 1-1 Derby
A patched up Rams side came away from Cardiff with a share of the spoils and a performance to be proud of.
John Brayford, Craig Bryson and Jamie Ward joined Will Hughes on the injury list and that saw Nigel Clough having to make several changes to the starting line up.
Coming in for his first ever start was Valentin Gjokaj at Right Back rather than his natural centre half position due to the absence of Brayford and Keiron Freeman. Such is the length of the injury list, Clough was only able to name five substitutes. Craig Forsyth a loan signing from Watford was brought straight into the starting eleven.
Gjokaj had a very satisfying debut and the Rams overall can take much credit from this game, although they might have gone home with all three points.
Chris Martin found the net in the first half and was harshly denied his first goal by the officials who decided it was offside. Many thought that he was onside when the pass was played to him.
Another Derby attempt by Hendrick appeared to be blocked on the line by the arm of Nugent, but again the officials denied The Rams.
After some early pressure by the hosts in the second half Derby continued to attack their hosts and in the 75th minute they were rewarded when a Davies cross was met by Conor Sammon who belted the ball into the corner of the net.
The lead lasted for a little over six minutes as Noone snatched an equaliser when a sky high ball proved too high for the Derby defence to get hold of and Noone knocked the loose ball in from close range.
Most Derby fans would have happily settled for a draw pre-game, however the performance deserved all three points.
Derby County: Legzdins; Gjokaj, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts; Davies, Coutts, Hendrick, Forsyth (Jacobs 71); Martin, Sammon. Subs not used: Fielding, Hoganson, Bennett, Doyle.
Cardiff City: Marshall; Connolly, Nugent, Turner, Taylor; Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Smith (Noone 72), Conway (Gestede 84); Campbell, Helguson (Mason 76). Subs not used: Lewis, McNaughton, Cowie, Kim.
Man of the Match - Connor Sammon
John Brayford, Craig Bryson and Jamie Ward joined Will Hughes on the injury list and that saw Nigel Clough having to make several changes to the starting line up.
Coming in for his first ever start was Valentin Gjokaj at Right Back rather than his natural centre half position due to the absence of Brayford and Keiron Freeman. Such is the length of the injury list, Clough was only able to name five substitutes. Craig Forsyth a loan signing from Watford was brought straight into the starting eleven.
Gjokaj had a very satisfying debut and the Rams overall can take much credit from this game, although they might have gone home with all three points.
Chris Martin found the net in the first half and was harshly denied his first goal by the officials who decided it was offside. Many thought that he was onside when the pass was played to him.
Another Derby attempt by Hendrick appeared to be blocked on the line by the arm of Nugent, but again the officials denied The Rams.
After some early pressure by the hosts in the second half Derby continued to attack their hosts and in the 75th minute they were rewarded when a Davies cross was met by Conor Sammon who belted the ball into the corner of the net.
The lead lasted for a little over six minutes as Noone snatched an equaliser when a sky high ball proved too high for the Derby defence to get hold of and Noone knocked the loose ball in from close range.
Most Derby fans would have happily settled for a draw pre-game, however the performance deserved all three points.
Derby County: Legzdins; Gjokaj, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts; Davies, Coutts, Hendrick, Forsyth (Jacobs 71); Martin, Sammon. Subs not used: Fielding, Hoganson, Bennett, Doyle.
Cardiff City: Marshall; Connolly, Nugent, Turner, Taylor; Gunnarsson, Whittingham, Smith (Noone 72), Conway (Gestede 84); Campbell, Helguson (Mason 76). Subs not used: Lewis, McNaughton, Cowie, Kim.
Man of the Match - Connor Sammon
Latest Chad Blog - Engaging with Fans.
http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/derby-county/andy-buckley-taylor-s-derby-county-blog-rush-to-engage-with-fans-1-5478257
Tuesday 5 March 2013
Derby 0-1 C Palace
A disappointing loss for Derby in a game that they dominated for long periods.
Despite Derby being quick out of the blocks, it was Palace who scored against the run of play. A defensive clearance fell to Bolasie who then rounded Legzdins to fire the visitors ahead.
Zaha overcame a late fitness test, but he was anonymous for most of the game. Gareth Roberts doing a good job at left back in his return from suspension. One play saw him shrug off and beat both Bolasie and Zaha on the ball.
The best chance for Derby in the first half saw Brayford beat Moxey down the right and then unleash a shot that rebounded off the underside of the crossbar.
The second half saw much pressure from the Rams and as with many games this season, just reward was not forthcoming. After losing Ward in the first half with a tight hamstring, many may have thought that the attacking plays would be less. Nothing could be further from the truth. Chris Martin impressed on his full debut and showed signs of adding another dimension to Derby's forward play.
In the dying minutes it looked like a draw could be snatched as a penalty was awarded for a foul on Ben Davies.
Sammon stepped up to take it a blasted it down the middle. Speroni had started to dive to his left, but managed to get his hand to it and tipped it up against the bar and denied Derby as the ball was eventually cleared away.
So another frustrating loss of points and the Rams next face a tricky looking visit to league leaders Cardiff City on Tuesday night.
Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts; Coutts (Davies 84), Hendrick, Bryson; Ward (Jacobs 41), Sammon, Martin (Bennett 79). Subs Not Used: Fielding, Gjokaj, Hoganson, Doyle.
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Richards (Williams 60), Bolasie (Phillips 73), Dikgacoi, Dobbie (Butterfield 58), Jedinak, Zaha, Murray, Moxey, Delaney, Ramage. Subs Not Used: Price, Parr, Marrow, Wilbraham.
Man of the Match - John Brayford
Attendance: 23,065
Despite Derby being quick out of the blocks, it was Palace who scored against the run of play. A defensive clearance fell to Bolasie who then rounded Legzdins to fire the visitors ahead.
Zaha overcame a late fitness test, but he was anonymous for most of the game. Gareth Roberts doing a good job at left back in his return from suspension. One play saw him shrug off and beat both Bolasie and Zaha on the ball.
The best chance for Derby in the first half saw Brayford beat Moxey down the right and then unleash a shot that rebounded off the underside of the crossbar.
The second half saw much pressure from the Rams and as with many games this season, just reward was not forthcoming. After losing Ward in the first half with a tight hamstring, many may have thought that the attacking plays would be less. Nothing could be further from the truth. Chris Martin impressed on his full debut and showed signs of adding another dimension to Derby's forward play.
In the dying minutes it looked like a draw could be snatched as a penalty was awarded for a foul on Ben Davies.
Sammon stepped up to take it a blasted it down the middle. Speroni had started to dive to his left, but managed to get his hand to it and tipped it up against the bar and denied Derby as the ball was eventually cleared away.
So another frustrating loss of points and the Rams next face a tricky looking visit to league leaders Cardiff City on Tuesday night.
Derby County: Legzdins; Brayford, Keogh, Buxton, Roberts; Coutts (Davies 84), Hendrick, Bryson; Ward (Jacobs 41), Sammon, Martin (Bennett 79). Subs Not Used: Fielding, Gjokaj, Hoganson, Doyle.
Crystal Palace: Speroni, Richards (Williams 60), Bolasie (Phillips 73), Dikgacoi, Dobbie (Butterfield 58), Jedinak, Zaha, Murray, Moxey, Delaney, Ramage. Subs Not Used: Price, Parr, Marrow, Wilbraham.
Man of the Match - John Brayford
Attendance: 23,065
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