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Derby County : The Slow Build Starts Now

Derby ended their season today performing in the same way they have for the majority of games this season. That is: started brightly, had the better of the game for significant periods, created plenty of chances, gifted goals to the opposition, lost heavily to average at best opposition.

On the post match phone in I heard some guy, inexplicably, having a go at Nigel Clough saying he was sick of his team selections and reluctance to make substitutions. More worryingly,the guy sounded reasonably intelligent and not under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

Whilst everyone is entitled to their opinion, I just thought this was crazy and a great example of how so many clubs find themselves in trouble.

Derby County: Our Friends in the Norse

Most English clubs can count a few Scandinavian fans amongst their number and Derby County are no exception. It’s usually taken for granted but rarely do we pause to think how our Scandinavian friends came to share our passion. I recently had an email exchange with a Norwegian Rams fan and was asked by a couple of people why he supported Derby. I thought “why wouldn’t you support Derby?” was a more than adequate answer. However, I asked my new found friend Inge Haagensen the question…

Derby County : Labouring under the misapprehension?

On Saturday afternoon, I spent a fairly depressing couple of hours looking at various inappropriate potential new houses. During this unproductive tour of duty I kept tabs on our game at Selhurst Park as best I could between viewings and various songs from Pop Party 6 and the Disney Channel's Camp Rock Soundtrack.

Once at home, I immediately donned my shorts and went out in the garden to enjoy the sunshine. Being aware by this stage, we were 0-1 down against ten men, I switched on the Football Focus final score program and kept popping in for updates. At around 16.45, the vidi printer showed Tito Villa had equalised for Derby and I went back to the sunshine, happy with a point, to enjoy some time with the kids before the end of the Easter break.

Derby County : Nigel Kicks It Old Skool!

It's a widely touted claim that Alex Ferguson is the last bastion of the 'traditional' football manager. That is a central decision maker and figurehead for everything relating to football within the club.

Whether it be transfers, training, scouting, tactics, the reserves, the academy, fitness regime or the choice of a kit design, the manager would make the call. Sure Fergie probably has individuals on his staff who have a job title related to all of the above, but rest assured only one man makes the ultimate decision.

With Fergie being one of the most successful manager's in club football history, and his Dad being another one, you can see why this philosophy seems to appeal to Nigel Clough.

Derby County: A League on Loan

When Derby County’s squad regroups in August it will look dramatically different to its current form, with the revolving doors spinning in the usual manner at Pride Park. That is unless nearly a dozen deals are struck and the squad remains the same. Confused? Blame the loan system.

Derby County: Nigel Knows!

When Nigel Clough was made manager of Derby, the most common thread amongst the doubters was "would Derby have entertained employing any conference manager with a different surname". Likewise our good friends down the road (Brian Clough Way to be precise!) at Notts Forest will tell you that they have twice turned Nigel down for their manager due to his lack of experience; although this may just be sour grapes.

After two months in the job, it is clear that not only is Nigel capable at this level he is actually pretty good at it. 

Derby County - Billy's sweet talk music to the ears

Billy Davies is a special manager. He gave Preston two or three of their best seasons in modern history and made them a fortune in the transfer market. Yet he is widely hated by PNE fans.

At Derby, Billy performed three miracles in his first season. Firstly he took a bunch of ramshackle, relegation favourites and had them nine points clear at the top of the Championship at the end of February. After blowing that, he somehow rejuvenated the team to beat the superior Southampton and WBA in the play offs. Within seconds of the full time whistle, he then alienated the entire Derby fanbase with surely the most negative, self centred, post match interview ever given by a winning manager at Wembley.    

Derby County: Welcome Back Billy

Derby County fans witnessed a truly rare sight last Wednesday as the Rams defeated Notts Forest at the City Ground for the first time since Brian Clough lead the Rams to victory in 1971. What was more familiar to Rams fans was the pre and post match carping of new Forest boss Billy Davies.

Derby County : Reality Check for the Damaged Ram

I can't believe we've let Giles Barnes sign for Fulham. He's our best player and our best hope of staying in the Championship. How many players have scored twice at Old Trafford this season?

It's a disgrace and the board are obviously asset stripping. All our Premier League money's been wasted, the clubs in meltdown, the fans have been conned again by a self interested board and we're going to be the new Leeds.   

Meanwhile in the real world...........

Derby County: "If there’s one club..."

As Derby County fans prepare for the clubs biggest cup tie for several days, the build up to the Forest match is likely to focus more on off-the-field events than those on it. Both Derby and Forest have brand new managers: Forest lead by ex-Rams boss Billy Davies and Derby by – no introduction needed – Nigel Clough. When Clough announced he was leaving Burton, he said "It was heartwrenching to leave…but if there's one club to leave for, it was here." Cries of “Ouch” could be heard all the way down the A52.