Derby County - The crazy world of DCFC part 783

It would nice for once to come on here and write a steady piece about the price of pies, our silly slime green away kit, moan about a ref (Stuart Atwell excluded!) or ticket prices. But Derby County don't seem to do normal, mundane weeks; which is actually our main problem.

They say a week is a long time in football. Where Derby County are concerned, a couple of days can seem like an eternity! 

At around 16.30 on Saturday afternoon, most Rams fans probably felt like the world was at an end. The Rams were trailing 2-3 at conference Forest Green. Officially managerless, but under the stewardship of serial under-performing, Paul Jewell stand-in, Chris Hutchings. Meanwhile at the City of Manchester Stadium, a resurgent Notts Forest were tonking Man City with our ex manager, Billy Davies, running the rule over his new charges from the Directors box.

I don't know any Rams fan who likes Billy Davies as a person, but you'd back him every time to take a side to the top six of the Championship. When we thought things couldn't get any worse, it looked like they had.

Then everything changed.

Paul Green equalised for Derby, Steve Davies slotted a late winner from the spot and the Rams squeezed through. The following day we predictably/astonishingly draw Forest at home in the 4th round.
From a personal point of view, I was trying to decide whether this was a good or bad thing until I realised the game clashed with my first wedding anniversary and I am due to be in Paris that weekend. After considering various deals (upgrade to New York in the spring?) to move the trip, I concluded it was a bad thing and my fear of watching us lose to Billy Davies was greater than my desire to see us beat him. It certainly wasn't worth punting a grand on the outcome.

The following day it becomes apparent that the rumours of Nigel Clough's move to Derby are true. Cue unbridled joy and enthusiasm across Derby. Meanwhile in Nottingham, the deep fried potatoes are soaked in urine.

Fast forward to Wednesday. Nigel is formally unveiled as the new Rams boss and immediately puts across the quiet dignity, steely determination the Rams need. Meanwhile on the pitch, academy coach David Lowe restores several players who had fallen out with Jewell and pulls off one of our greatest results in recent memory, as we deservedly (even Fergie said so!) beat Man Utd in the Carling Cup.

Taking a step back from all this, one goal is probably not enough to defend at Old Trafford and Nigel has undoubtedly got a massive job on to turn the Rams back into a proper force. However what we do know is that he will go about it in the right way, he'll play football the right way and he WILL get time.

As for me, Setanta have very conveniently moved the Forest game to the Friday night before I fly to Paris. Obviously it's unthinkable to miss us putting Billy's Forest to the sword! 

Good times are here again, well for a few days anyway.

C Spaceram
www.ramspace.co.uk

 

 

Comments

[Oli]

Well done. You fully deserved to beat us on Wednesday night and it could have been my more. I was worried about new manager syndrome before the game but deep down thought we would still win or draw at Pride Park anyway and be strong favourites for the second leg. But on the night the result was a fair one and Derby can walk away with their heads held very high. Good luck in the second leg.