Hoping we aren't choking

Two points from the last four games is a disappointing return and let's hope that this is the start and end of our blip this season.

We deservedly lost on Saturday against a determined Birmingham City side and we were very fortunate to get a point against Reading on the Wednesday night previous.  

Saturday was painful to watch as a fan as yet again we failed to create chances up front. Kuszacz was barely tested in the Birmingham goal and their defence didn't have to overwork themselves to keep us at bay. 

Paul Clement dropped Chris Martin to the bench in favour of new signing Nick Blackman who failed to make any kind of impression whatsoever.  That said the service to him was appalling. 

Johnny Russell ran his legs off but was ineffective, Tom Ince put the effort in without an end result and our midfield was simply outmuscled again. 

It's the midfield problem which is the biggest head scratcher for me. We are blessed with a glut of talent yet at the moment they are failing to click. 

Bradley Johnson continued his run of poor form and he looks a different player to the one who started so brightly when he first arrived. 

Abdoul Camara again had to be content with a substitute appearance and although we haven't really seen much of him my early impressions are that he does seem to be a little lightweight. 

Reading fans are convinced that the 2.5 m we paid for Nick Blackman is a complete mugging. Many pointing out that he has played well for two months in his entire time at the Madejski Stadium. Well, after seeing Southampton bag Charlie Austin for 4m I can see their point. 

If Blackman doesn't prove to be a success than the book will stop with Paul Clement as he knew the player at Blackburn. 

Much chat on social media has fans arguing about getting behind the team and not criticising the players. Well my take on this is you pay your money, you are entitled to make your point. After the capitulation of last season it's no surprise that fans are getting nervous. No Derby fans enjoys seeing players struggle. 

We must now focus on getting promotion ambitions back on track and the next game could hardly present a much more difficult test with a visit to Burnley. Turf Moor hasn't been a happy hunting ground for us in the recent past and next Monday will be no different. 

Our aim of automatic promotion will need us replicating the first half of the season. We need to prove that we are just having a blip and not choking!

Rip off Ticket Prices

This morning Derby County announced the ticket prices for the FA Cup match with Manchester United. To be quite frank I am disappointed that they have been set at £35 for adults and £19 for kids who are season ticket holders. 

This is also bearing in mind that shift workers have already seen the tie switched to a Friday Night due to the demands of TV. 

At least it is on a free to view channel, however imagine how many young lads and girls are excited by the fact that their team is playing one of the biggest clubs in the world and just might have a chance in beating them. 

We are living in a country that has seen some drastic cuts due to the incompetence of rich bankers. It's the lower paid who are bearing the brunt of cuts! 

Rents are increasing as is council tax, car insurance, public transport, food etc. We are living in times where those of us who are fortunate enough to have a regular income are having to budget. 

Our club has to be fair, been very good when it comes to season ticket prices, but £35 for any domestic football match is too much. 

I appreciate that there are clubs that charge more, but that is no excuse to defend our club. 

I appreciate that Manchester United have to agree with the price charged, but so what! Stand your ground! Let their 5.5k fans see a game at a fairer price. 

Nowadays fans are getting taken for a ride when it comes to ticket prices. It doesn't stop at the Mach ticket, it's a programme at £3 (though I stopped buying them years ago), then there's food and drink! 

£2.60 for a cup of tea! 

The cost of getting there too! 

So please do respect the opinion of those who are complaining! It's a valid point! 

Two out of Nine

The last couple of games have seen a mostly second string Derby side edge past League Two Hartlepool to make it into the fourth round of the FA Cup. 

Not a fantastic performance but the win saw us go into the hat where we have drawn Manchester United at home. Some are saying that we are playing them at the right time as they continue to struggle to recapture their form under Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Well, we aren't exactly in good form ourselves at the moment. Two points out if nine is not promotion form and our performances have been far from satisfactory. 

Reading came to the iPro ten places below us and having just sold their leading scorer to us. Yet again like so many times in recent years they left without being defeated. In fact they can count themselves very unlucky not to have snatched all three points. Had it not been for a class save by Lee Grant or a timely tackle by Cyrus Christie towards the end of the game they would have left with a win. 

The problem currently seems to lie in midfield. Bradley Johnson needs to start performing to justify his position as the clubs record signing. He has been woeful in the last half dozen games. 

Jacob Butterfield is showing glimpses of what he us capable of, but we need it week in week out!

Also our strikers are not performing to the best of their ability.

We are failing in both the 4-3-3 and 4-3-2-1 formations. Chris Martin hasn't played to his best in the last dozen games. I question his suitability as captain too. A player that is picking up silly yellow cards and diving as well as failing to gee the players up, isn't a captain. Perhaps the likes of Jason Shackell or Stephen Warnock would do a better job. 

Finally, isn't it about time we seriously thought about looking at Darren Bent starting up front say with Nick Blackman up there with him. We have three strikers at the club who we keep persisting playing out wide! Square pegs in round holes!

On to Saturday in what really is a must win game with Birmingham. Let's hope we are up for it, because at present we are looking like a side on the decline. Let's stop the rot before it sets in. 

Two in one out!

Our last two games have seen a slight stutter as we drew 2-2 at Leeds no then went down 2-0 at league leaders Middlesbrough. 

The game at the Riverside was always going to be a tough one and it was tactics that did cost us in the end.

After holding out for the majority of the game, Paul Clement decided to gamble and try and snatch a win with his substitutions, but alas it backfired and we suffered our third defeat of the season.

We need to push on and replicate the first half of the season. Should we do that a top two place should be achievable. 

Clement has done his business early in the transfer window by bringing in Adboul Camara and Nick Blackman. What is interesting is that these two along with Tom Ince are capable of playing anywhere up front. 

I'm intrigued to see if he plays the 4-3-2-1 formation with these three behind Chris Martin as they can swap over from side to side during a game. 

Simon Dawkins has returned to San Jose in the MLS and I for one thank him for his efforts and wish him well over in the states. 

Alex Pearce has attracted the intention of several clubs and it would be no surprise to see him go given that he has barely played for the first team. 

The main topic on social media has been whether we will meet financial fair play rules next season. Although we have spent quite a lot this season, we do have insurance pay outs on various players and the fact that most deals are spread over a number of years. 

Also, the limits for allowed losses have been raised to 13m a season or 39m over the previous three seasons. The way in which Mel Morris has conducted his own businesses does tend to make people believe him if he says we will comply with the rules again!

Most of the moaning though has come from supporters of clubs who apart from not paying bills on time, have failed miserably in staying within limits. 

Saturday seesa visit to the North East as we face Hartlepool in the FA Cup. I'm expecting pretty much a second string side to be fielded for the game. It will allow Paul Clement to look at fringe players. Maybe a start or some game time for our new signings. What has been confirmed is that Jake Buxton should make his return from injury.