Fulham 2 Derby 5

A midweek trip into the capital awaited The Rams ahead of a return visit down south to Brentford on Saturday.

It was a case of going down to two early goals which we gifted the Cottagers and then mounting a comeback to destroy our hosts.

Steve McClaren made five changes. One enforced change was in goal. Jack Butland being cup tied saw another chance for Kelle Roos. Jake Buxton took over from Zak Whitbread at centre half, Omar Mascarell replaced John Eustace in midfield along with Jeff Hendrick who came in for Will Hughes. The final change saw a return for Simon Dawkins instead of Jordon Ibe.

The first Fulham goal was handed on a plate to the home side. Craig Forsyth saw his backpass snaffled up by Dembele and he took it round Roos to knock it into the net.

The second was equally as shocking! Mascarell caught in posession was mugged and Dembele added another.

Derby did the get into their stride. A handball in the box saw a penalty awarded and Chris Martin made no mistake in registering his eleventh goal of the season. That was the turning point.

In a twenty minute spell Derby went from being behind to register five goals. 

Johnny Russell smacked a second goal in, Dawkins scored the goal of the game to make it 3-2 and then Jeff Hendrick made it four.

Simon Dawkins with a cheeky near post flick completed the comback and rout.

Again the lads showed great character and the nack to come from behind.

Defensive errors though like the ones we made at Craven Cottage must be ironed out.

On a positive note we now look forward to a quarter final tie with Chelseas.

That though must be put to the baxk of our minds for the time being. We head to Brentford on Saturday with an important task to complete. Three points to remain on top of the Division is what all Rams fans will expect.

Derby 1 Wigan 2

An unbeaten run always has to come to an end and end it did against Wigan.

Uwe Rosler's side came and played some physical and determined football.

Derby were outmuscled in midfield and closed down bery quickley when they had the ball. Not quite the same Wigan who parked the bus last season.

It was poor display from Derby who never looked like winning the game despite going into half time one goal up.

There were very few positives from the game. Johnny Russell put in a shift and Jack Butland saved a penalty and made a couple of good saves. His distribution wasn't good though.

Feeling though are much more positive at Derby. Steve McClaren has instilled the belief that we can come back from defeats. Its only our second loss of the campaign and theres still much football to be played.

Wigan are a side whom many believe are in a false low position. I think we will see a steady rise up the table from them.

We now look forward to a Capital One Cup tie at Fulham midweek and the chance to move into the quarter finals. It would be great to see us make progress again, but don't underestimate the task ahead. Kit Symons has got the London club going!

Blackpool 0 Derby 1

No the easy ride that many were predicting! Played in strong windy conditions the hosts made a determined effort to get the points.

Games like these are all about patience and keeping to the task in hand.

Yes sure enough we were playing the bottom club, but i think that most were happy with the three points gained on a cold and windy night on the West coast.

A big plus point is the fact that we managed to convert a penalty. Thats something if a rarity nowaday, but Martin smashed the ball home.

Jack Butland had a very good debut and Johnny Russell had a busy game after coming in for the injured Ward.

The victory sees us now top of the division and although fans are right to enjoy the fact, its far too early to start crowing to other clubs.

Our team does appear to be one of the strongest at the moment, but its important that we keep the momentum going as we head into this weekends home game with Wigan.

The Latics have underachieved so far this season, but its still October. They will be no oushovers on Saturday.

Butland in on Loan

Lee Grant getting injured at the weekend was not the news that Rams rans wanted to here this morning.

Grant along with Jamie Ward are each expected to miss about six weeks of action.

Grant returned to Derby last season and has proven himself to be one of the best keepers in the championship. He has become a fans favourite and no doubt his absence will leave a big gap to fill.

Whilst the club are expected to cover for Ward using existing Squad players, Jack Butland is being brought in on loan from Stoke City to cover for Grant. Kelle Roos has appeared in our Capital One Cup game, but perhaps its unfair to throw him in at the deep end whilst we sit second in the table. 

Once again are management team pull off a deal when its needed nd use the loan market to good effect. Butland is expected to start tomorrow night at Blackpool.

Reading 0 Derby 3

Prior to Saturday our last success at the Madejski had been back in the term of George Burley's reign with a Tommy Smith goal.

On Saturday we were facing a side that although stuttering latetly, are expected to be in the mix at the end of the season.

Reading did in fact play a decent game of football and had a few chances themselves. They were just outclassed by Derby who once again took a side apart without having to hit top gear.

For once we made a corner count when Chris Martin headed in the opning goal. Our lack of success from set pieces has been one of the few frustrations this season.

Jordon Ibe took the second goal very well. I loved the way he barged into the box and slammed the ball into the corner of the net.

Martin could have had four or five on Saturday but had to be satisfied with a brace. His second saw a proper strikers finish.

Chris Martin now has nine goals in all competitions so far this season. Could he surpass last seasons total of twenty five?

We now move on to a trip to the seaside against struggling Blackpool. We cannot afford to be too cocky about out chances of winning, but its a great chance to keep us in second place or indeed move up to top spot should Watford falter against Forest.

Non League Saturday

Quite often during the international breaks we are encouraged to take in a lower league or nin league game.

During the last break I managed to get to the Lincoln City v Grimsby Town match. A real Lincolnshire Derby with plenty of pride and passion.

Lincoln is the city where I currently live and my brother is a season ticket holder. 

T,hey have reached the second tier of football in the past, but they currently languish in the lower half of the National Conference.

A club that has had such players as John Fashanu, Mick Harford and the excellent Trevor Peake, now struggles to attract crowds much more than a couple of thousand fans.

On Saturday my ten year olds team, the North Lindum Hawks will be visiting adding some much needed support to the Imps.

I will be there with him.

So where are you going on Saturday?

Derby 0 Millwall 0

For anyone who is suffering from Insomnia, play the game film from this match and you will soon be out like a light!

I think we were all expecting the negative tactics after last seasons display. They did the same on Saturday but left without the smash and grab win.

Its fair to say that all sides do their fair share of time wasting towards the end of games, but to do it from the kick off really is poor football.

Ian Holloway is a master of getting results with limited resources and I've no doubt that he will often use these tactics when up against better sides in the division.

For Derby, games like these are a test of character and its a reality check too.

We on the whole play nice attacking football and often pass teams off the park. Saturday, we had to grit our teeth and attempt to grind out a result.

We go into the latest international break having lost only one game so far and in a good position. Just one point off top spot is pleasing so early into the campaign.

The players will now get a rest after a hectic schedule and should be fully refreshed once they return.

For the rest of us its England and maybe taking in a lower league game.

Derby 2 Bournemouth 0

Once again Bournemouth proved to be tough opposition. They passed the ball around well, but didnt look like they were going to go away with three points.

There was some confusion over the sending off of their goalkeeper, Lee Camp, a former Ram.

Camp collided with Ward and the ball ended up in the net. Despite the referee appearing to give the goal initially, he eventually showed Camp the red card and gave Derby a free kick instead.

Last season we won this fixture by a Chris Martin Free Kick. This time however, the kick struck the post.

Will Hughes, who is playing the best football of his life at, the moment scored a well taken goal for our first and Chris Martin took his tally to seven for the season when he met Russell's cross for our second.

People were mystified with the half time substitution that saw Ibe make way for Russell. It was explained that the Liverpool loanee had been suffering from a stomach bug.

The last three games have seen us play some great football. Millwall come into town on Saturday and its no secret that Holloway with have them to order with a set plan to snatch the points.

Expect hard knocks, time wasting and spoiling tactics.

Let's hope we brush them aside with total football.

 

Bolton 0 Derby 2

It was gery much evident in this game that at the current moment in time, that Derby are on another level to their hosts.

Bolton are so far looking at another season of struggle both on and off the field.

This game couldnt have come at a worse time as Derby are now begining to look like the side that finished third in the Division last season.

Despite having an early penalty saved by Andy Lonergan, Chris Martin did have the satisfaction of adding a brace of goals to his account.

Those fans who question his place in the side really must be clueless. Stikers are ultimately judged on goals scored and Martin continues to add to his total.

Jordon Ibe once again performed well and he looks like he will be a tremendous player for us this season. Ironically it was Bolton who led the chase for him before he arrived at the iPro.

Dougie Freedman implied that Bolton had tried and failed to play Derby at their own passing game. There are very few teams at this level who will accomplish such ambitions.