Johnson and Johnson

We have had a few players over the years called Johnson. 

Michael Johnson was a centre back during the George Burley and Billy Davies eras and was a fine example of a professional with his never say die attitude. 

Before him Tommy Johnson was a tricky winger that like Michael had previously played for Notts County. 

The focus currently is on a midfielder who had added some much needed bite into the position. Bradley Johnson, a no nonsense player who carries a bit of muscle. He wins balls, he passes very well and has an eye for goal when the chance is there. 

Many eyebrows were raised when we paid six million pounds for him. Indeed, I really didn't know what to think. It's obvious now though what Paul Ckement saw in him and for me he has proven to be that missing link we needed from midfield to forwards. 

I suppose there are a few similarities with former Ram Seth Johnson though they aren't exactly the same type of player. 

If we are to have a successful season, I can see Johnson along with Geirge Thorne being key players. 

A nice 2-1 away win at Huddersfield last weekend after the goalless draw at Blackburn sees us sitting pretty in fifth place. We move on to three games in seven days. Home games with Rotherham and QPR followed by the big East Midlands clash with our arch rivals Nottingham Forest. 

A very important run of games and hopefully nine points or seven at the very least though you can't take anything for granted in this division. 

Keeping the Momentum Going

It's been a very satisfying week with a great win over Wolves and a draw at Blackburn. 

A good performance against Wolves in front of the to cameras saw a very good display. Chris Martin bagging two very good goals and some very good performances from most players too!

Bradley Johnson with another commanding display in midfield again giving us that extra bit of bite. 

I was delighted to see Johnny Russell get on to the scoresheet. Russell has worked his socks off so far this season and the goal was nothing more than he deserves. 

A draw away at Blackburn wasn't a bad result. They're not an easy team to beat nowadays and the old cliche 'win at home and draw away' can be referred to when chasing promotion..

The one player that seems to have gone off the boil, in my opinion, in the last few games is Tom Ince. A match winner on his day, he has yet to enjoy the same success as his loan period. That said he still causes proble,s for opposition defences. 

If as expected Jeff He drink still isn't available for the visit to Huddersfield, Jacob Butterfield will likely be given the chance to shine in midfield. It's an ideal game for him to stake his claim for a regular place in the starting line up. 

I am yet to be convinced that he is worth the fee that we paid for him, but as they say it is early days. Terriers fans constantly tell me that he is a quality player. 

It was a surprise to a few people on Wednesday night that Stephen Warnock started ahead of Craig Forsyth. However, I suspect that Paul Clement is wanting to give Warnock some game time just I case he has to step in should Fozzy get injured. 

Finally the subject of penalty taker raised its head again on Sunday.  Chris Martin again saw an effort saved. He's missed a few chances over the last couple of seasons and I'm guessing he was allowed to take the spot kick last Sunday due to him being on a hat trick. 

We really must get the spot kick taker sorted out! Martin cannot carry on taking them! Perhaps it's time to give the job to Ince or Johnson!

Dons Mugged and Bees stung!

We are currently in the international break and we went into it following two victories in a row. 

Our third victory came away at Milton Keynes and to be quite honest it could have so easily been a defeat. Carson saved us more than once in goal and for a good hour or so we were second best. 

We were simply awful! Total against the run of play Bradley Johnson scored his first goal in a Rams shirt, but the hosts replied quickly. 

It wasn't until the last ten minutes that we actually started to cause any real problems. Darren Bent was there for a tap in and Tom Ince with a snatch of the ball from the MK Dons defender giving us a very flattering 3-1 win. 

In contrast the 2-0 home win against Brentford was a much improved showing. Some very nice football and a more organised display. 

Two very worked goals too! Chris Martin getting a fifth of the season and Tom Invce getting his third. 

Hopefully the Brentford game was a sign of things to come.

Bradley Johnson, Jeff Hendrick, and George Thorne were exceptional in midfield. The back four looked very solid too! Keogh is playing some of the best football of his career and Cyrus Christie seemed to have gotten his confidence back again. 

We looked very threatening on the attack too!

We will need to be on our toes on Sunday as we host Wolves in front of the to cameras. Hopefully a repeat of last seasons encounter where we gave them a 5-0 shellacking is on the cards. That said, I'm sure it will be a fiercely competitive game. 

We have now edged our way up the table and now sit just three points off second place. A win is a must in home games from now on as Middlesbrough and Brighton who have got out if the starting blocks quickly must not be allowed to build up a large gap and run away with the automatic promotion places. 

As a first I will name my preferred team for Sunday it is as follows. 

Carson

Christie

Keogh

Shackell

Forsyth

Johnson 

Thorne

Hendrick 

Ince

Martin

Russell

Stalemate

Well Burnley came and Burnley went away with a point from the iPro and saw off a spirited challenge from The Rams. 

The Clarets are another side that we don't have a good record against in the recent past and Monday night was not one where we were going to take all three points. 

Putting the result to one side, there were areas on the pitch that we can feel thoroughly satisfied with the performances. I for one have been a critic of Richard Keogh during his spells of indifferent form. This season his form has been good and against Burnley he was the standout player on the pitch. Keogh thoroughly deserving his man of the match award from the television company. 

Cyrus Christie had his best game since early last season and credit where it's due as he did struggle during last seasons run in. 

Bradley Johnson showed us some glimpses of what he's capable of. It's early days for our record signing, but two exceptional passes stick out in the memories of last nights game. 

Johnny Russell yet again ran his legs off! However, what was disappointing was the lack of goals. Make no mistake though we were against a very good side who no doubt will be up there at the end of the season. 

I felt that Tom Ince was missed on the right, but Andreas Weimann is not a Right Wonger. To be honest I'm struggling to work out where he fits in a 4-3-3 formation. To me he looks more like a second striker and I'm not sure that we can be very effective playing 4-4-2. 

We head out on to the road again this Saturday as we travel to Milton Keynes to play the Dons. We must come away with three points and a good performance now! Now is the time to get this season really moving. 

Thames Valley Triumph!

The Rams picked up three more points with a second successive away win this time at Reading. 

Our visits to the Madejski haven't always bared fruit but this time they did thanks to a second half goal by Tom Ince after our hosts had been reduced to ten men.

When you visit teams like The Royals, a win is welcome no matter how it comes. Despite being slow out of the blocks apart from last Friday nights thrashing of Ipswich, it's not an easy place to go and win at. 

Two wins on the bounce will only improve team spirit and confidence in the team and will put the players in the right frame of mind for our next home game against Burnley.

The players will get a couple of extra days rest thanks to the game being switched to a Monday night due to the demands of Sky TV again. 

A win against Burnley would be very big indeed. They have already begun to pick up and will be formidable opposition for anyone this season. They may have lost Danny Ings during the summer, but Sam Vokes and Andre Gray will provide enough menace to worry most championship defences.

Will Monday nights game see Joey Barton make an appearance? Whatever people's thoughts are on the often troubled player, he is a talent and an asset ability wise in this division. 

Paul Clement may have a few important decisions to make himself. As he has shown, he's not afraid to swap things around. Should George Thorne, Chris Baird and Craig Bryson be fit, he will have something Rams! tough choices to make in midfield. That said most people would be surprised to see Jacob Butterfiled and Bradley Johnson omitted from the starting line up.

One thing is for sure and that's that our defence and holding midfielder will have to be on top of their game. You can't afford to give players like Vokes and Gray half a chance.

Hopefully our next appearance in front of the TV cameras will end better than the last couple of times. You Rams!

Finally a Win.

The visit to Deepdale saw us finally pick up a win and get our season going. 

There was a lot if good football played in that first half and we deservedly led by two goals at half time. 

We won't see many better goals than the first. A superb pass by Johnny Russell picked out Chris Martin who slammed the ball into the corner of the net. 

The second was a brilliant free kick as Martin moved on to four goals for the season. 

Whilst it was great to pick up the three points, what we must remember is that we did allow Preston to get back into the game in the second half. 

Preston are a newly promoted side and we face much tougher tasks starting with an away visit to Reading. Also Monday next we host Burnley. 

What we achieve against these two teams will be a pointer towards how good our team really is. 

To have ambitions of automatic promotion wins really are what we should be aiming for. Although it's early in the season, failure will indicate that we still aren't at the level needed to avoid the play offs if we are indeed a top six side. 

Both Burnley and Reading will be in the mix at the end of the season and we don't have a great recent record against either side. 

We have a great squad on paper, but matches are won on the pitch. We usually dominate possession, but it's no use having the ball unless you are going to make it count. 

What will be interesting is to see who takes the holding midfield role with Geirge Thorne and Chris Baird unlikely to be available. Perhaps a chance for Jamie Hanson again?

Two very tough games, let's see if we are up for them!

Derby Delights

We my be enjoying an international break at the moment, but the club have been very busy in many different areas.

First of all local entrepreneur Mel Morris took full ownership of the club. The self made millionaire who is also a genuine fan, bought out G.S.E. to become sole owner.

G.S.E. have had their critics over the years, however most of us were eventually won over when they put the club back into a healthy financial state.

A special shout out to Brett Wilson who often interacted with fans.

The transfer deadline day proved to be one of the most interesting in years for Rams fans. Not only was the signing of Jacob Butterfield secured for £4m, but a bonus was the unexpected capture from Norwich of Bradley Johnson for £6m.

Mr Morris certainly hasn't wasted any time in opening his wallet. Such was the surprise in adding Johnson to the playing staff, Norwich fans were left agasp on social media and many vented anger at the decision to cash in on him.

Away from the first team news, fans then were treated to the announcement and unveiling of a Dave Mackay statue. A special memorial to a man who was a legend both as a player and manager at Derby. Fantastic to see such a fitting tribute to the great man who passed away earlier this year.

Finally, the inevitable third kit was revealed to fans. A Sky Blue based outfit that has largely got the thumbs up from the fans. Do we really need one is the question that comes to mind when you see the colours of the away kit?