Super_Gord

Ian Taylor came back to me with his decision about his retirement.

Ian: "I'm sticking with my choice gaffer"
Me: "Ian, I respect your decision, but I think your fool for retiring when you have the potential to carry on"
Ian: "My mind is made up"
Me: "Okay Ian, .... Okay"

I was left shattered, Taylor was our rock in the centre of midfield, I'd of loved to have seen him play for Derby in the Premier League. It just wasn't going to happen.

Derby County v Sheffield United
Pride Park Attendance 32,063

The first 45 minutes I took some time out from the dug out to watch the game from the Executive's Box, I was uncomfortable from the kick off, I was a man that liked to be on the touch line shouting orders to my players motivating them. The first half breezed by, neither us nor Sheff United carved out any opportunities. I went down to the dug out. Angelos Charisteas had picked up a slight knock which I didn't want to risk, so I gave Izale McLeod his chance again. The match never changed. Two consecutive 0-0's have brought me and the lads down, Izale not up to much, will have to work wonders to get himself an improved contract.

Full Time Derby County 0 v 0 Sheffield United

I was lifted by the full recovery of Tom Huddlestone, such an inspirational figure at such a tender age of 16 years.

I decided on giving a few First Team regulars a rest, Angelos Charisteas, Simo Valakari, Paul Tierney and Ian Taylor were all rested for Adam Bolder, Adam Murray, Lee Holmes and Izale McLeod.

League Cup Second Round
Derby County v Bury
Pride Park Attendance 12,783

2 minutes in and Lee Holmes skipped in from the left flank and played Lee Morris into space for the striker to cooly finish 1-0 County. Candido Costa knocked a deep ball into the back post for Michael Johnson to rip the net open with a bullet header 2-0. Half time I decided to give Tom Huddlestone his first run out back from injury, just to get his fitness back up, he replaced Adam Murray. 64 minutes gone and Lee Morris made way for the un-used striker Junior. 89 minutes gone an Candido Costa plays a deep ball to the edge of the area, Bury's keeper Glyn Garner came to meet it, only for Lee Holmes to nod the ball back across goal for Candido Costa to slot home 3-0 County.

Full Time Derby County 3 v 0 Bury

The Third Round Draw was upon us again, I stayed away in my office at Pride Park waiting for Frank to ring me on my mobile.

Me: "That was quick Frank, the draw only started a minute ago"
Frank: " We came out first we've got ........... Everton at home"
Me: "I'll have that, we can definately take them especially at Pride Park"
Frank: "Too right Paul we'll be ready for them"

I really did fancy the Everton game, if we could beat them I could show the world what I was capable of. In my eyes the League always came first no matter what, that had been my mentality in every job I'd had.

Today we travelled to Wales to play the 'newboys' Cardiff, I knew that Cardiff were too good to be sitting at the bottom of the table and all that it would take to kick start their season would be a victory.

Cardiff City v Derby County
Ninian Park Attendance 15,154

Cardiff started brightly with Earnshaw squandering a great chance but it was us who took the lead. Angelos Charisteas was tripped in the box by Richie Barker, leaving Luciano Zavagno to cooly slot the ball away from the spot 1-0. Morris who to me has perfected his dribbling skills dilly dallyed with the ball breezed past experienced defender Tony Vidmar and played the ball into Angelos Charisteas's path who finished without breaking into a sweat 2-0. Candido Costa played what I would call an awful corner into the box, was missed by Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Alexander for Ian Taylor to nod home from all of 2 yards 3-0. I was feeling embarresed, 75 minutes had gone on the clock we were 3-0 up and the Cardiff fans were heading for the exits. Ian Taylor was going to be missed, today he was electric, every ball he touched turned to pure brilliance.

Full Time Cardiff City 0 v 3 Derby County

Super_Gord

Gary Caldwell was due to return to Newcastle in the next couple of days, I was toying with the idea of starting Steve Elliott who I think has been poor recently or try and capture a loan signing till the end of the season. I made an approach to loan Stephen Caldwell from Newcastle for the rest of the season, Sir Bobby Robson accepted my approach and also indicated he is for sale. But I wasn't buying nobody, I couldn't.

Monthly Awards

Player Of The Month
Stuart Nethercott - Millwall

Young Player Of The Month
Simon Francis - Bradford

Manager Of The Month
Neil Warnock - Sheffield United

Stephen Caldwell laughed off my approach for a season long loan, I'd of thought I was helping him out by getting first team experience? I decided on trying to capture Gary Caldwell for the second time this season on loan.

Rotherham v Derby County
Millmoor Attendance 11,456

I was shellshocked, with only 13 seconds on the clock Lee Morris ran through the whole of the Rotherham team setting Angelos Chariteas up to slot the ball across Mike Pollit's goal 1-0. 66 minutes gone and Lee Morris made way for the young Izale McLeod. Izale wasn't very inspirational, nothing to write home about. We held out for a comfortable 1-0 win.

Full Time Rotherham 0 v 1 Derby County

I managed to capture the season long loan signing of Gary Caldwell, I was happy he'd signed up for the season. Charisteas' loan deal was also coming to the end and he was a pivitol player, I had to sign him up on a season long loan, it was essential that I did. I rang Werder Bremen's coach Thomas Schaaf about bringing Angelos Charisteas back till the end of the season.

Me: "Hello Thomas, hows things?"
Thomas: "I guess your ringing about Angelos?"
Me: "Yes, I'd like to bring him back here on a season long loan"
Thomas: "That isn't possible"
Me: "What! you must be joking?"
Thomas: "After his recent success in England I've decided to give Angelos a run out in the first team"
Me: "I can't believe you telling me this!"
Thomas: "I'm sorry but at the moment he's staying put"

I slammed the phone down in pure rage, I was left with the free scoring Morris, the young lad McLeod and the not so featured Junior.

With GarPride Park Attendance 30,182y Caldwell back in the squad for the rest of the season he slotted in at right back and Izale McLeod made his first professional start.

Derby County v Preston
Pride Park Attendance 30,182

With a mere 54 seconds on the clock we went 1 up. Paul Tierney raced through the Preston back line to find Luciano Zavagno in the box who stuck a sweet shot that went under the keeper. Chris Lucketti controlled the ball in our box and was pushed by Michael Johnson, I had no complaints what so ever, it was a stupid thing to do from such an experienced pro like Johnson. Gary Alexander placed the ball on the spot and scored a great penalty 1-1. Candido Costa had picked up a nasty knock and made way for Adam Murray. We were missing Charisteas up front, Lee Morris was superb but Izale was lacking, how I would eat my words. Lee Morris skinned Gary Alexander and swung a deep ball into the path of Izale McLeod who couldn't miss 2-1 County. Chris Lucketti hero turned villan was dismissed on the hour mark for chopping Izale McLeod down on the edge of the area, as it was last man he had to go. We held out for another 20 minutes and picked up all three points.

Full Time Derby County 2 v 1 Preston

Although we got a win, I figured that our strike force was lacking, Izale McLeod was poor. I was willing to give him time to improve but it wasn't looking hopeful.

Our next game was against Nottingham Forest at Pride Park, Junior made his first start of the season in place of McLeod and Tom Huddlestone returned in place on Ian Taylor who was exhausted.

Derby County v Nottingham Forest
Pride Park Attendance 33,239

Nottingham Forest started much the better team but fritted a few good chances, but as usual we scored first. Candido Costa struck a wonder freekick on the edge of the area which curled into the top left hand corner. Beautiful! the roar of the Derby faithful was tremendous. Paul Tierney played a ball to Lee Morris inside the area who was unmarked to make it 2-0. Half time and I led my lads into the dressing room. "Your an absolue F**king disgrace!, you have no pride! no compassion! now get the F**k out there and earn you F**king wages!" was the cry from Paul Hart in the Nottingham Forest dressing room. I let my lads listen in, the Nottingham Forest lads were under pressure to perform, my lads were cruising. 82 minutes in and Pablo Mills got his head to the ball and sent it across the goalmouth 3-0 County. Paul Hart threw a water bottle down to the ground in pure rage. I'd hate to be in the dressing room with Paul Hart after Nottingham Forest's performance.

Full Time Derby County 3 v 0 Nottingham Forest

Super_Gord

Our big day was upon us, the League Cup 3rd round. We played hosts to Everton. This was my time to shine, to show the country what I'm made off. To show my critics, how far we've come in the space of 3 months. I wasn't a fan of suits, I always was a tracksuit manager. So the combination of tracksuit top and bottoms with a Derby County dut perched on top of my head.

We had no injury worries infront of us whilst the experienced Steve Watson and Kevin Campbell were both going to miss the encounter which added to my confidence.

League Cup 3rd Round
Derby County v Everton
Pride Park Attendance 29,016

You could see the class of the Everton players, the young starlet Rooney missed a brace of chances in the opening half. Junior started well for us, his movement and positioning was almost Charisteas-esque. 74 minutes in and I decided on some subs. Lee Holmes came on for the rather lack lustre Paul Tierney and Simo Valakari made way for Ian Taylor. My substitues seemed inspired. Lee Holmes picked up the ball in the middle of the Everton half, he layed a ball off for Lee Morris who curled the ball past Richard Wright to make it 1-0. I jumped up in the dug out and cracked my head off the roof, I didn't feel the pain, my jubilation had hid it. With only 10 minutes to go Everton completely switched their formation, they changed from a 4-4-2 formation to a 3-3-4, they couldn't get beat. "You F**king idiot!" I screamed out, Lee Grant started messing about on the edge of the area with the ball, with a rather rushed clearance it landed to the feet of Francis Jeffers who cheekily chipped Lee Grant from 20 yards out. We needed to fight fire with fire. I took Gary Caldwell of and replaced him with the dissapointing Izale McLeod, we were now playing a 3-4-3 formation. 93 minutes gone and Everton received a free kick on the edge of my area. My heart was pounding in my chest, McFadden ran up and struck a wonder freekick, Lee Grant pulled a fantastic save off and managed to keep hold of the ball, I was relieved. The 90 minutes were up, I had my lads huddled round me.

Me: "Come on lads your doing me proud! We need a single goal, one goal to go through!"
Me: "This is your moment to shine, now get out there and show not only me, not only the fans, but the whole entire country what your made off! Come On!!"

I felt inspired by my own words of wisdom, I knew David Moyes would be saying the same, he was my managerial idol, young succesful and a generally good guy.

111 minutes gone, James McFadden shattered my dreams, a devil of a ball by Tony Hibbert was played into the back post were an unmarked James McFadden rocketed an unstopable volley which almost tore the net open. The dream was over, I let my lads know that although I was proud of them that they had let themselves down, a tremendous first half display from the lads for them to throw it away in the second. There was definately a gap between Premiership and the First Division, but not much.

Full Time Derby County 1 v 2 Everton

Super_Gord

I promised a signing to the fans in my recent interview, I wasn't going to let them down. I'd made my first cash signing, Orri Freyr Oskarsson from Por Akureyri. A young Icelandic midfielder with exciting pace. I was extremely pleased with the purchase, he'd go into the team against Crystal Palace.

Monthly Awards for November

Manager of the month
Paul Sewell - Derby County

Player of the month
Marlon King - Gillingham

Young Player of the month
Stefan Moore (loan) - Stoke City

I received my second award. My first bottle of champagne I received has been locked away at my home, but my second was going to be shared. Me and Frank sat down in my office and drank the champagne between us, we discussed the up coming games and our chances of promotion.

Paul Tierney returned to Mancherster United after he successfully completed a three month loan deal with us, I thought he was excellent and would be a great aquisition for the future.

Simo Valakari was dropped to the bench to make way for new Icelandic boy Oskarsson. Crystal Palace were struggling in the mid table mediocracy of the First Division, but I wasn't going to take them lightly.

Crystal Palace v Derby County
Selhurst Park Attendance 25,057

6 minutes in and we were caught sleeping at a corner Michael Hughes played an easy play into the box were Darren Powell was there to nod home, we were 1-0 down and I wasn't happy. From a bad start to a disaster, big Neil Shipperley muscled his way into the box to pile the ball into the bottom corner of Lee Grant's goal 2-0 Palace. First half went and we had amassed a total of zero, yes, zero shots on goal. I calmly led my lads into the away dressing room, closed the door slowly and handed any throwable objects to Frank. I tore into them. I'd never seen my lads looked so dissapointed, not in me but in themselves, I wasn't feeling sorry for them they deserve everything they received off me. Yes! I bellowed at the top of my lungs, "Come on lads stick in!" I had a feeling that my rant may pay off, the eccentric Candido Costa played a magnificent ball into Lee Morris' feet who unleashed his anger on the ball to ripple the back of the net 2-1, we were back in it. Tom Huddlestone made way for the veteran Ian Taylor. I couldn't believe my eyes! Lee Holmes stroked a ball down the left wing to Lee Morris who turned Darren Powell and struck the ball from an angle no greater than 20 degree's into Matt Clarke's right hand corner, a shot which really should of been saved. The final whistle went and I ran out onto the pitch to celebrate with my team, I made sure that all the player's went over to applaud the travelling Derby faithful who kept singing all the way through.

Full Time Crystal Palace 2 v 2 Derby County

Since the departure of Paul Tierney we seemed shakey at the back, I was on a mission to try and lure him back, hopefully Sir Alex will be more giving than Werder Bremen's coach Thomas Schaaf.

I made a few changes after the Crystal Palace display. Tom Huddlestone went into the heart of the defence replacing Michael Johnson who was poor last game. Valakari was over looked for Ian Taylor who had been warming the bench for the past two games.

Derby County v Ipswich Town
Pride Park Attendance 30,751

We started brightly with Oskarsson hitting the target with a good effort. The new addition to the heart of the defence Tom Huddlestone was having a good game until he misplaced a header leaving the free scoring Pablo Counago to slot it under the oncoming Lee Grant. The young Icelandic Oskarsson had a 25 yard curler saved by the kepper who dropped the ball into the feet of Junior who really couldn't miss 1-1. 85 minutes gone and I looked at my bench, garbage nothing there to improve my teams performance, I took a chance valiant Lee Morris departed for Izale McLeod. "Rubbish" I told them after the match, Ipswich were languishing at the depths of the division, if we were seriously going to mount a promotion challenge we had to finish off our opposition.

Full Time Derby County 1 v 1 Ipswich Town

Super_Gord

A tough challenge in my native North East awaited us, we had the difficult task of playing Sunderland who were finally starting to find their feet in the First.

The experienced Michael Johnson came back into the fold in place of Tom Huddlestone. Morris and Junior continued to build a partnership uofront.

Sunderland v Derby County
The Stadium of Light Attendance 34,755

I was gobsmacked! Literally only 1 minute had gone when Sunderland were reduced to 10 men after Ben Clark was dismissed for an awful two footed challenge on Lee Morris. Candido Costa intercepted a miss placed pass from Colin Healy to set Lee Morris through on goal 1-0 County. 39 minutes gone and we were cruising, Pablo Mills pumped a deep ball into Junior's feet from the half way line, Junior swivelled on the ball delighfully and once again turned provider for Lee Morris to grab his 12th goal of the season. 80 minutes in and I decided that we would operate defensively, on came the unused Dave Walton for Junior. We were now playing 5-4-1.

Full Time Sunderland 0 v 2 Derby County

dcfc.co.uk came upto me after the game and asked for an interview, I was more than happy to after such an uplifting performance.

Me: "Today's performance was absolutely outstanding, I am pleased with every single one of my players as they all performed excellently, but special praise must go to two players. Lee Morris and Michael Johnson, Johnson having just came back had an inspiring game at the back never looking shakey, Morris is also finding his form once again and I'm proud of everyone tonight

Young David Bellion joined the club on loan for three months, I figured it would push nt only Junior but Morris for a place in the squad. The lad had a eye for goal and was real quick.

Wimbledon finally had gone into administration, it had been on the cards for a while and as cruel as it seemed I pounced. I made a bid of £24,000 for their young Serge Makofo which was unhappily accepted as he was a natural talent.

cms186

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Super_Gord:
Full Time Derby County 3 v 0 Nottingham Forest<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Only in CM would you find that sort of result
Although I should probably save that comment until after we give you a thrashing

Super_Gord

I'm sure we'll get the same result at your place!

cms186

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Super_Gord:
_I'm sure we'll get the same result at your place! _ <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not after getting rid of your best players you won't, swopping McLeod for Peshisolido? what were they thinking?!?

Super_Gord

Darre Whyte - Thanks for the feedback! Any is appreciated, Morris has been pivitol for me so far this season.

cms186 - I'm not really a Derby fan, sort of a team I look out for don't know why though, Pesh is a proven goalscorer, I'm sure he'll keep the Rams in the First!

Serge Makofo signed on the dotted line to become only my second money signing, I knew he had raw talent and at the tender age of 17 I'm sure he would mature into a great player.

Crystal Palace came in with a bid for my reserve team defender come midfielder Chris Palmer, they offered me Danny Granville in exchange for him, I didn't need another left back I had cover for Zavagno, I negotiated the offer and asked for £60,000 cash despite Palmer being valued at £95,000.

Walsall made the short journey over to Pride Park for our First Division clash, new signing David Bellion was on the bench in place of McLeod, other than that the same side that beat Sunderland.

David Bellion asked me for the number 9 shirt, I told him it was reserved for the Greek, he didn't know what I was on about.

Derby County v Walsall
Pride Park Attendance 23,679

A rather uneventful first half with neither teams troubling the opposition's keeper. Best chance going to Oskarsson who skimmed the bar from 18 yards out. 52 minutes in and a rather poor Junior was replaced by David Bellion, still bemused by my comments pre match. 64 minutes into the game and we struck first, Candido Costa picked up an awful goalkick from keeper Jimmy Walker, he took a touch and rifled the ball from all of 35 yards to notch only his 3rd league goal of the season. After Candido's goal the game just fizzled out to nothing, Walsall as expected due to their league position were poor, only getting on shot onto Lee Grant's goal. Another three points secured.

Full Time Derby County 1 v 0 Walsall

With 4 striker's currently above him in the pecking order I decided to place Izale McLeod on the loan list, I figured by sending him down to the Third or Second the lads down there could rough him up a bit, show the young lad what 'lower league' football was all about.

Crystal Palace came back with a bid that matched by negotiations, Chris Palmer was on his way. I went out to watch a Wimbledon reserves match to see whether or not there was any talent in the squad. A young lad called Dean Lewington impressed me very much, a leggy left back who could play in midfield, I made a bid of £8,000 for him. I was hoping, as cruel as it sounds, that the administrators would have to accept my rather low bid.

Today was our hardest test of the season, we had the task of travelling down to West Ham who were currently sitting pretty in 2nd just behind us. I played the exact same team, only this team including Tom Huddlestone on the bench in place of Dave Walton.

West Ham v Derby County
Upton Park Attendance 32,616

Both teams started brightly with Matthew Etherington coming close with a long range effort and Lee Holmes missed a sitter from were I was sitting and knocked it well over the bar, much to the delight of the West Ham fans behind the goal. West Ham struck. David Connolly played a peach of a ball that split my defence in half, for Jermaine to race through and push the ball past the on coming Lee Grant. 41 minutes in an Pablo Mills was forced off due to injury and was replaced by Tom Huddlestone. 53 minutes gone and we were level. Lee Morris dinked a lovely ball of Hayden Mullins head into the path of Junior who had the easiest of finishes 1-1. With 10 minuted to go and West Ham looking the more likely to score I decided to push for a second. Ian Taylor made way for David Bellion, who was to play up front with Morris and Junior. I was now playing a 4-3-3 formation. It didn't turn out as I had of liked, although we managed to keep it 1-1 which at the end of the day I was chuffed to bits with.

Full Time West Ham 1 v 1 Derby County

Super_Gord

Another player headed for the exit door at Pride Park. Chris Palmer left for Crystal Palace for a fee of £60,000.

Derby County v Watford
Pride Park Attendance 30,646

The first half flew by, it was a half which we were much the better side and were awarded for it after 44 minutes, Candido Costa swung a corner into the back post were Michael Johnson was waiting to head home 1-0 County. I decided to freshen things up in the second half by introducing David Bellion who replaced the exhausted Junior and Tom Huddlestone who came on for Ian Taylor. 79 minutes gone and Lee Morris picked the ball up on the half way line, he took two Watfrod players with him leaving the loanee striker David Bellion to finish the ball with ease, 2-0.

Full Time Derby County 2 v 0 Watford

Monthly Awards

Manager of the month
Paul Sewell - Derby County

Player of the month
Nathan Ellington - Wigan Athletic

Young Player of the month
Danny Webber - Watford

I'd won it again, for the third time this season. I was starting to build a platform for myself, I was a young manger, my Derby County side had played 18 matches won 12 of them drew 6 and lost zero. Out of every single league in the country my team were the only team to still be unbeaten and I was damn right proud.

Dean Lewington became my 3rd signing of the season, a lad who can only get better with age would provide cover for Luciano Zavagno who was having a belter of a season.

My scout Simon Hunt came back to me with his findings after a recent WBA reserve match.

Hunt: " Alright boss, I've just got back from the WBA reserves match against Spurs."
Me: "And....?
Hunt: "Well, Danny Dichio is currently transfer Listed and to me I believe he would be perfect upfront with Morris!"
Me: "I'm not sure, we have an abundance of strikers at our club, do we really need another?"
Hunt: " Well give him a trial period, come watch him in the reserves he's dynamite."
Me: "Okay, I'll get onto Gary Megson about a trial period."
Hunt: "Nice one boss! he won't let you down."

It was done and dusted in a day. Danny Dichio travelled over to Pride Park to begin his 4 week trial.

I made a few changes before out trip to Millwall with Candido Costa feeling exhausted I left his name off the teamsheet. My team went as followed.

Lee Grant (GK)

Gary Caldwell (DR)
Luciano Zavagno (DL)
Pablo Mills (DC)
Michael Johnson (DC)

Orri Freyr Oskarsson (MR)
Lee Holmes (ML)
Simo Valakari (MC)
Ian Taylor (MC)

Junior (FC)
Lee Morris (FC)

Subs
Andy Oakes,Dean Lewington,Tom Huddlestone,David Bellion, Adam Bolder

Millwall v Derby County
The New Den Attendance 13,611

It was a fast tempo match, with Millwall looking the stronger. 14 minutes and their pressure paid off when Dennis Wise split my defence in half with a great pass found Neil Harris one on one with Lee Grant to make it 1-0 Millwall. We barely had a sniff off Millwall's goal, to be honest we were awful. I let my lads know how I was feeling at half time and I was hoping for a positive response from them in the second half. The awful Junior was replaced by David Bellion, I was starting to lose my patience with Junior at this point in the season as really he'd done nothing. I leapt out and ran down the touchline to celebrate with the lads, Lee Holmes took an inswinging corner which landed sqaure on top of Lee Morris' head 1-1. The referee came over to me before Millwall kicked off to warn me over my "over exuberant" celebrations. Millwall were under the kosh, constand pressure from us and some wonder saves by Tony Warner managed to keep the scores level. A mix up in the Millwall defence gave us the lead! Lee Morris knocked a deep ball into the box, Tony Warner leapt up to catch it fumbled the ball and left David Bellion with the easiest of finishes. Our lead lasted all of 2 minutes when Ifill ran at our midfield played a ball over our defence leaving Neil Harris unmarked for the second time in the match to make it 2-2.

Full Time Millwall 2 v 2 Derby County