Super_Gord

It was the draw of the FA Cup third round, many managers hoping for a money spinning tie at one of the big clubs. Seen as though my 'superstition' of not actually turning up to the draw didn't work, I decided to turn up. Decked out in my finest tracksuit I took my place at the back of the room. We were number 14. Several teams had came out before us, I was getting anxious, "Number 14" came the call from Trevor Francis. "Derby County" then came the call from ex Arsenal defender Lee Dixon "27" "Fulham". After the Everton defeat I was going to be cautious, I didn't want to build up my expectations again only for it to be shattered.

Derby County v Crewe Alexandra
Pride Park Attendance 21,730

Half an hour into the match and we struck, Oskarsson turned Anthony Tonkin and crossed the ball onto the head of Junior! 5 minutes later and Oskarsson turned provider again, he played a beauty of a ball over the back of the Crewe defence to Junior who slotted the ball under the oncoming keeper 2-0. 65 minutes in and Steve Foster was caught napping at the back with the ball and got the ball nipped away from his feet by Lee Morris who made it 3-0. 10 minutes left an Michael Johnson tripped Dean Ashton and as he was the last man received his marching orders. I couldn't argue it was a cynical challenge. Dean Lewington made his debut so to speak, as he replaced Lee Morris to fill in the empty gap at the back left by Johnson.

Full Time Derby County 3 v 0 Crewe Alexandra

I decided to praise Junior publically for his recent excellent performance's on the pitch. I was met with delight from the Derby fans upon reading the Derby Evening Telegraph, fans wrote into the paper praising Junior for his displays in recent matches. I was happy for the lad, he hadn't featured as much as I had hoped with the arrival of strikers and what not, but he had proved to me that he is an asset to the club.

Super_Gord

At current we were flying, 20 games into my first professional season and we were sitting pretty in 2nd with just goal difference seperating us and Sheff United in first.

Bradford City travelled over to Pride Park today for our league game. Gary Caldwell and Michael Johnson would both miss the game as, Johnson was starting a one match ban and Caldwell was suffering with a groin strian and would be out for 3 weeks. Pablo Mills filled in at right back in place of Caldwell and Steve Eilliot slotted in Mills' place. Dean Lewington ,ade his debut in place of Johnson.

Derby County v Bradford City
Pride Park Attendance 31,632

20 minutes into the game and we hadn't had a single chance, so I was suprised when Bradford hit first. Danny Cadermerteri raced past Luicano Zavagno and played the ball into the box to Michael Branch who slotted the ball under Lee Grant 0-1 Bradford. To be truthful our midfield was non-existent in the first half,
Me: "Simo I don't know what your doing out there but it's not what we talked about!
Valakari: "What do you mean Boss!"
Me: "Tom, take your tracksuit off your coming on for Simo"
Valakari: "What! You can't be serious!"
Me: "You've been god awful since you came back into the squad now keep your mouth shut!"

For the first time in my career I felt what it was like to criticise a player infront of the team, but the thing was my criticism was justified ... or was it?

Second half we came out fighting, Huddlestone and Taylor starting to strike up a partnership, each playing off one and other's qualities. With 8 minutes to go I was starting to get panicky, Bradford all due respect to them never looked like scoring again and were a poor side, Steve Elliot played a long ball from his own half into the Bradford box, this amazing long ball found Lee Morris, who had two men marking him, beat them both and headed into the far corner of the goal 1-1!. I waited for the 4th official's board to go up. 2 minutes was indicated, I marched out onto the edge of my technical area and shouted to my midfield "Come on boys! 2 minutes lets make something!" Deep down I was ready to accept a draw until Lee Morris weaved his magic once again. Morris toyed with veteran Peter Atherton and played a ball back to our war horse Ian Taylor who to my, Frank's and all the Derby faitful's astonishment smashed a 30 yard belter into the top corner. The roar was unbelievable. I was leaping up and down hugging Frank and my bench. This was it, this was football at it's greatest.

Full Time Derby County 2 v 1 Bradford City

I was astounded that no Premier League clubs had been sniffing around for Lee Morris, a prolific goal scorer who I believed would be a great Premiership striker. On the other hand I was happy he hadn't been noticed, Morris had shaped our whole season and would be a huge miss. Today we made the short journey over to Stoke. Stoke were currently vying it out with various other clubs for the all elusive play-off spot. We seemed to do well in the 'big games'.

Stoke City v Derby County
Britannia Stadium Attendance 28,069

"Fantastic!" Lee Morris banged a sweet volley from the edge of the Stoke area which rippled into the bottom corner of Ed de Goey's goal 1-0 County! Maybe my theory was correct? Young Dean Lewington was strecthered off on the half time whistle after John Eustace slid in late. He was replaced at the back by Dave Walton. Second half and Stoke were piling on the pressure, if not for Lee Grant saving twice from Gifton Noel-Williams. Stoke's pressure paid off, substitute Ade Akinibiyi played Gifton Noel-Williams through who side footed the ball home 1-1. The game ended 1 a piece, a game which really we should of lost but manged to scrape a point. I'd of took that at the beginning of the game, we were now 3 points ahead of Sheff United who had slipped to second.

Full Time Stoke City 1 v 1 Derby County

Super_Gord

After having such a momentus season myself and Frank decided on opening contract negotiations with Lee Morris. We needed to tie him down to a lengthy contract before the 'big boys' came a sniffing. Morris entered my office after a hard days training session.

Me: "Hello Lee, shall we begin?"
Morris: "Yes Boss"
Me: "I'll let you throw some figures about and see if we can iron out a deal to suit both parties"
Morris: "Well, I've talked it over with my agent and he reckons a weekly wage of £6,500 would be more than resonable."
Me: "£6,500 is just out of our price range."
Morris: "I really want to stay here, it's a fantastic club and I'm positive you can take us places."
Me: "Okay, here's what I'm willing to do, a weekly wage of £5,750 and a signing on fee of £120,000"
Morris: "I'll talk it over with my agent."

I was desperate for Morris to sign, I could see that he had a love for the club and to let him go on a Bosman would be a crime in itself.

Morris came back to me a day later and rejected my contract offer, I pleaded with the board to make some more wages available, they sent me packing with my tail between my legs. I couldn't afford it but it was my last chance I offered £5,750 a week and a whopping £200,000 signing on fee, if Morris turned it down I was ready to pull the plug on negotiations.

Burnley v Derby County
Turf Moor Attendance 12,371

We started well with Huddlestone and Oskarsson working well with one and other through the centre. "You f**king idiot!" Michael Johnson kicked out at Ian Moore on the edge of our area and was sent packing by referee Fraser Stretton. Johnson walked past me looking dispondant and angry. Lee Morris was subbed for Dave Walton who would slot in at centre back. A dull first half flew by with both teams only managing 1 shot on goal. I kept my team the same for the second half. Oskarsson went off for Bellion on 76 minutes to try and push for goals. The final whistle went and rather than collecting a point we'd thrown away two.

Full Time Burnley 0 v 0 Derby County

A pip squeak reporter from the Derby Evening Telegraph followed me out to the team bus were he felt my wrath

Reporter: What an awful performance from County tonight what are your thoughts?

What are my thoughts? My thoughts start with why do some people ask such ridiculous questions? It was clear to see tonight that our lads didn't perform, if you don't perform you don't pick up points it's simple.

Reporter: Is it true that your currently having problems in negotiating a contract with Morris is this true?

I haven't a clue where you get your information from but I'd sack them cos there damn awful. It's true that Lee's contract is running out in the summer and me and Frank will be looking into it.

Reporter: Finally have you anything to say to the travelling Derby Fans which you have let down today

Listen lad, I've never liked the press, your full of deceit and love to twist peoples words. I'm simply doing this to tell the fans, every single one of them, that there support at home and away is grately much appreciated and without the fans we'd be know were. I can only apologise on my players behalf's, I didn't have to pay to watch that match so the paying fans must be distraught and I'm sorry.

I pulled up the reporter after the interview and gave him a stern warning and told him to stay away from me, I wasn't in the best of moods.

I decided to issue Michael Johnson with an official warning, which he accepted.

Super_Gord

Finally! Some good news arose. Lee Morris came back into my office with a radient smile plastered across his face. Maybe he was smiling because of the £200,000 signing on fee he was receiving, but I wasn't bothered as I was chuffed to bits.

Mansfield made a loan approach for Izale McLeod which I accepted, Izale was also happy to go out and learn his trade in the lower league with Mansfield.

Many contracts were coming to an end and I had to decide on who would have a future with the club and who I would show the door to. I decided against giving Junior, Kristoffer Weckstrom and Adam Murray new contracts and told them that they could go looking for another club. I offered a contract to Danny Dichio who impressed me during his trial period.

Monthly Awards for December

Player of the month
Lee Morris - Derby County

Young Player of the month
Jason Brown - Gillingham

Manager of the month
Stuart Murdoch - Wimbledon

Wolves made an enquiry for my much used left back Luciano Zavagno, I said that they could take him off my hands for £1.5 million. I waited.

Danny Dichio managed to agree terms and signed on the dotted line, the transfer was due to go through on the 1st July.

cms186

24 hours and seven minutes! to go to the big match, the tension mounts

Super_Gord

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cms186:
24 hours and seven minutes! to go to the big match, the tension mounts <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ohhhhhh Yes!

Come on The Super Rams!!!

Super_Gord

Fans came decked out in blue and white clothes, ribbon's ties in hair and faces painted. Yes. It was FA Cup day.

Fulham travelled up to Pride Park much the favourites to progress, I had a feeling down in my stomach, maybe just maybe we can suprise a few people.

Michael Johnson missed the game through suspension and was replaced by Tom Huddlestone and Ian Taylor was brought back into the centre of midfield.

FA Cup 3rd Round
Derby County v Fulham
Pride Park Attendance 28,795

The match started dirty after 10 minutes the referee had booked 3 players, Dean Leacock Martin Djetou and Dean Lewington for us. We hit first. Lee Grant played a long goalkick up to Oskarsson who controlled it on his chest and volleyed a beauty into the back of Van Der Sar's net. I was in dreamland. Fulham throw the ball back into ball, Boa Morte was dispossesed by Junior who played a long ball into the path of the fabulous Lee Morris who took the ball around Martin Djetou like he wasn't there to make it 2-0. Half Time came and we were cruising, 2-0 up against a Fulham side who were battling it out for a UEFA cup spot in the Premier. I told my boys at half time not to go to sleep, all we needed to do was keep tight at the back. Candido Costa worked the ball well down the left hand side and passed a long play into the feet of Junior, Fulham's defence was caught napping once again when Junior dribbled around Knight and shot along Van Der Sar's goal to make it 3-0. I was up on my feet and dancing. I couldn't believe it, Frank couldn't believe it, the fans couldn't believe it and most of all Chris Coleman couldn't believe it. With 20 minutes to go I decided to sit back on our 3 goal lead. Unbelieveable! Frank screamed, Lee Morris picked up the ball on the edge of Fulham's area and chipped the oncoming Van Der Sar with a tremendous shot with bounced off the underside on the cross bar and went in 4-0 County! The final whistle went and the roar around the stadium was awesome, fans stood and applauded their heroes dancing and singing, myself and the players went over to join them.

Full Time Derby County 4 v 0 Fulham

Izale McLeod went out to Mansfield on loan for three months and Wolves declined to make a bid for Luciano Zavagno after I told them I was after more money.

The draw for the FA Cup 4th round was being held in Soho Square, I turned up to see who we'd get, I was hoping for a Lower League club so we could have a better chance of progressing. "West Ham" will play ... "Derby County" That wasn't what we were after, West Ham were a very good side especially at home.

Luciano Zavagno signed a new contract which will keep him at Pride Park until 2007. Michael Johnson came back into the squad for Tom Huddlestone who had picked up a minor injury during our FA Cup triumph.

Wimbledon v Derby County
National Hockey Stadium Attendance 9,985

33 minute in and the first action happened, Oskarsson passed the ball to Junior who simply ran through Nigel Reo-Coker and Ben Chorley and stuck the ball into Steve Banks' left hand side 1-0 County. 38 minutes in and the Crazy Gang struck back, Jobi McAnuff played a through ball into Patrick Agyemang's pass who placed the ball into Lee Grants bottom corner 1-1. Lee Morris was purely outstanding! Oskarsson got a hold of the ball on the half way line and chipped a beauty of a ball over Ben Chorley's head to the chest of Lee Morris who controlled it and shot from the edge of the Wimbledon area which flew into the top corner! 2-1 County! 72 minutes in Junior was chopped down in the box by Malvin Kamara Penalty! Junior stepped up .... and blazed it against the crossbar. To be truthful Junior was playing awful and was replaced for David Bellion. Lionel Morgan took a deep corner which went into the back post were McAnuff was unmarked with an easy header 2-2

Wimbledon 2 v 2 Derby County

Peacemaker7

This week story of the week, well done

cms186

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Super_Gord:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cms186:
24 hours and seven minutes! to go to the big match, the tension mounts <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ohhhhhh Yes!

Come on The Super Rams!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, can't be helped, damn wind!! congrats on the story of the week

Wag

KUTGW