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I was very impressed with Wimbledon's right winger Jobi McAnuff and myself and Frank decided to make an approach for the young lad, as his contract was coming to an end and Wimbledon simply not having the resources to offer a contract we swooped in. We offered Jobi an improved contract to what he was receiving at Wimbledon and he signed on the same day. Me and Frank were very pleased with the aquisition of McAnuff, a young talented right winger with bags of ability who for sure will go on from strength to strength.
I had a full squad to select for todays game against Reading, Gary Caldwell only made the bench after just recovering from a lenghty injury.
Reading v Derby County Madjeski Stadium Attendance 16,721
Reading never really got into the game, Nathan Tyson came close on two occasions but shot just over. As usual it was us that struck first. Ian Taylor toe poked the ball forward towards Lee Morris who picked up the ball on the left hand side of Marcus Hahnemann's box shot struck the post and scored on the rebound 1-0 County! 52 minutes into the game and Dean Lewington was dismissed for 'elbowing' Shaun Goater, I thought that Goater had made a meal of it but what's done is done. Gary Caldwell came on for Junior. Despite being down to 10 men we managed to notch for the second time in the match. Lee Holmes disposessed Andy Hughes on the edge of the Reading area and played a ball into the box for Lee Morris to slot home to notch his 23rd of the season. Lee Morris picked the ball up on the right hand side of the Reading area and played the ball back out to Candido Costa who struck a beauty of a shot that curled right into the top corner of Hahnemann's goal Fantastic! I screamed.
Since I wasn't ready to offer Junior an extended contract I sent the scout Simon Hunt out into the Lower Leagues to unearth a gem. He came back with Sam Parkin. Hunt told me that Parkin was revising his decision on whether to sign a new contract with Swindon and thought that I should declare my intrest. I rang up the Derby Evening Telegraph and told them about my interest. I was hoping it would stall Parkin's decision on a contract. I waited.
It worked to a tee. Sam Parkin came out to the press and declared that he had rejected Swindon's contract offer and had pulled out of negotiations. With Sam having only 6 months left on his current deal I was waiting for a scout report before I made my move.
Dean Lewington was starting his 3 match ban and was replaced by Gary Caldwell. Kristoffer Weckstrom made his debut in place of Lee Holmes who had picked up a knock in training.
Derby County v Wigan Athletic Pride Park Attendance 23,604
We started awful, Wigan came with a gameplan and they executed it effortlessly. 36 minutes into the match and Magno Silva Vieria got control of the ball on the left hand side of our penalty area, being a Brazilian he used trickery and cunning to skin Pablo Mills, he then knockked the ball out to Jimmy Bullard who struck a sweet shot into the bottom left hand side of Lee Grant's goal 1-0 Wigan. A minute into injury time and we were on level pegging. The debutant Weckstrom picked up the ball on the halfway line and ran with it, he dinked a sweet ball over the head of Gary Teale which landed at the feet of Morris who turned provided for Junior to notch only his 5th goal of the season. Morris was amazing, I was hugely relieved we'd manage to tie him down to a lenghty contract. 58 minutes gone and Morris practically strolled into the Wigan area and crossed a peach of a ball to Junior once again who found himself unmarked on the back post 2-1 County. "Beep Beep, Beep Beep" came from my pocket, it was my mobile. It was from Hunt, it read. "Your lad Parkin has scored, he's a talent for sure." The final whistle went and we'd strolled away with the 3 points, the title was getting close, I could almost smell it.
Full Time Derby County 2 v 1 Wigan Athletic
Hunt came back to me with his findings.
Hunt: "Parkin will be a great buy boss, with his contract running out we could snap him up for a nominal fee."
Hunt: "He's young aswell boss, only 23, I think he'd be a great partner for Morris"
Me: "I'll go speak to his agent"
Parkin came out for the second time about his desire to move to Pride Park. He stated that he would be foolish to turn down any sort of approach from us and would like to start negotiations. I was only too happy to comply. I offered Parkin £1,900 a week which I thought was more than acceptable. I was sure he'd sign.
Gary Caldwell decided that he would rather fight it out for a place in the Newcastle side than be a first team player for Derby County.
I kept the squad the same for the Norwich game, with Lee Holmes gaining a place on the bench.
Derby County v Norwich Pride Park Attendance 29,600
The first half was awful, missed placed passes, touch's like trampolines and shooting which can only be seen to be believed. The inconsistent Junior departed for David Bellion after 54 minutes, with Norwich currently sitting in 23rd I figured we needed to win these sort of games. With only 6 minutes to go we received a corner. Candido Costa picked out Michael Johnson at the front post who flicked the ball to Gary Caldwell who powered his header home 1-0 County!! 87 minutes gone and Michael Johnson provider turned to goalscorer, a corner was played in, this time by Weckstrom and met Johnson's head beautifully which sent shockwaves through the net 2-0! Candido Costa knocked a ball over the Norwich back four which found Lee Morris, Norwich keeper Robert Green was caught in no mans land and was rounded by Morris to make it 3.
Sam Parkin was to become by third Bosman signing with Dichio and McAnuff also coming in.
We faced West Ham today in the FA Cup 4th round, after our recent rampant display against Fulham I could see it my lads faces that they were well up for the game.
FA Cup 4th Round West Ham v Derby County Upton Park Attendance 34,170
West Ham were a good side, they pummeled us from the off, with Lee Grant pulling out all the stops. To everyone's and even my own suprise we opened the scoring. It was a combination of Morris and Junior passes that led to the goal, Junior's cool finish past West Ham's David James seperated the teams at half time. 1-0 County. Trevor Benjamin was giving his marching orders after 78 minutes for kicking out at Junior, as he headed towards the tunnel I began clapping the referee's decision which was met with an onslaught of pie's and bottles from the West Ham "fans". "You smarmy ****** Sewell!" It was an awful thing for Benjamin to do, I felt like turning around to the West Ham "fans" and giving them a piece of my mind but I didn't. The full time whistle blew, I turned around to the "fans" behind me and gave them a clap and a punch in the air! "Sewell you F**king t**t!" I was lapping it up, I knew I'd never be welcome at West Ham again, but I wasn't at all bothered. Fifth round here we come!
Full Time West Ham 0 v 1 Derby County
Myself and Frank once again travelled down to Soho Square for the FA Cup 5th round. I was hoping for a home tie against any club. We got possibly one of the worst ties imaginable. "Newcastle" will play "Derby County" Although I wasn't at all confident we'd already played one Premiership club off the park, if my lads wanted it enough I'm sure we could progress.
Dean Lewington came back into the squad at the expense of Michael Johnson who was suffering from exhaustion.
Derby County v Coventry City Pride Park Attendance 31,465
We were under the kosh from the start, the two Coventry strikers Graham Barrett and Rod Wallace were linking up well together and took the lead after 28 minutes. Rod Wallace skinned Gary Caldwell on the edge of the area and played the ball into the path of Graham Barret who really couldn't miss. David Bellion came on late in the second half to try and scupper Coventry's defence for Lee Morris. We'd finally lost our first competitive game. We'd gone 28 league games won 17 and drew 10. It was some achievement, but I knew my weekend was going to be a bad one.
I took time out to go and watch the Derby U19's, I had heard promising things about a young striker called Tom Kemp who had scored in 12 of his 18 matches. The game finished 1-1 with Kemp grabbing the equaliser.
I had a full squad to choose from for my upcoming game against W.B.A, the last time we met it was a thrilling 3-2 to us, only this time I was hpoing for more comfortable win. Dean Lewington was dropped in favour of the experience Michael Johnson and Lee Holmes came back into the starting 11 in place of Kristoffer Weckstrom.
West Bromwich Albion v Derby County The Hawthorns Attendance 27,985
We got the start which we were dreaming of, Lee Holmes back in the squad did his routine left James O'Conner for dead and swung a deep ball into the back post were Junior was waiting to notch his 9th goal of the season. It went from bad to worse for WBA as Lars Sigurdsson was gave his marching orders for a push on Lee Morris. 42 minutes in and WBA went two down. Candido Costa played a great ball into a packed penalty area were Orri Freyr Oskarsson was waiting to punce to make it 2-0 County. Half time came and WBA hadn't had a shot at all, we were cruising. "Brilliant!" it was now 3-0. Candido Costa and Junior linked up well down the right hand side Junior gathering up the ball played an awful ball into the box which somehow manged to find Oskarsson's feet to get his second and our thid of the match. 81 minutes gone and WBA grabbed a consolation, an Artim Sakiri corner was swung into the path of James O'Conner who sent a bullet of a header into the net 3-1.
Full Time West Bromwich Albion 1 v 3 Derby County
Monthly Awards For January
Player of the month
Neil Harris - Millwall
Young Player on the month
Lee Holmes - Derby County
Manager of the month
Gary McAllister - Coventry City
I was relieved that I didn't get the manager of the month award again, I was starting to get embarresed as I wasn't a man who could take praise well.
A lot of first teamers were complaining to me about exhaustion, especially the younger lads, so I made a few changes. Pablo Mills,Lee Holmes and Candido Costa were dropped from the squad and Lee Morris and Luciano Zavagno made the subs bench.
Derby County v Gillingham Pride Park Attendance 22,191
My changes seems to be working okay as the new lads linked up well together. 37 minutes in and Simo Valakari picked up a nasty injury and limped off, he was replaced by Adam Murray. It went from bad to worse as Ian Taylor also was forced off due to injury and Adam Bolder came on. 92 minutes gone and every Derby fan had viewed a miracle. Dean Lewington picked up the ball in the centre circle and swung it out to David Bellion who deceived Leon Johnson and played a bal into the feet of Junior who dinked the keeper from 6 yards out! 1-0 County! I was ecstatic, these are the moments that make football football.
Full Time Derby County 1 v 0 Gillingham
I caught up with my physio Robert Pearce and asked him about Taylor and Valakari. He told me that Taylor had suffered from a bruised shin whilst Simo's injury was a broken shoulder and would be out for a minimun of 3 weeks.
David Bellion returned to Manchester United, he hadn't really done a lot and I wouldn't be following up with any approaches.
Ian Taylor would be back in the squad to face title challengers Newcastle in the FA cup and many first team regular who were rested would return.
FA Cup 5th Round Newcastle v Derby County St. James's Park Attendance 49,611
It was a nightmare start, after 5 minutes Junior picked up an injury and was forced off, he was replaced by Kristoffer Weckstrom who switched roles with Oskarsson who would now partner Morris upfront. A minute later Gary Caldwell was adjudged to of handled the ball in the area penalty, Michael Chopra stepped up .... SAVED! "Gettin' there son! Come on lads!" I yelped at the top of my lungs. "My God!" through some stroke of luck, genius whatever we managed to take the lead. Lee Morris and his new found strike partner Oskarsson linked up well in the Newcastle half, Morris played the ball long over Andy O'Brien's head into the stride of Oskarsson who slotted the ball into the right hand side of Shay Given's net 1-0 County! Newcastle were piling on the pressure, if it wasn't for Lee Grant in goal we'd of been down by many a goal. We kept it tight at the back and got in at half time one nil up. On the hour mark I decided to switch things around Dean Lewington came on for Oskarsson to join in on a 5 man defence and Ian Taylor would just sit infront of them in a defensive midfielder role. The inevitable came, but to my lads credit it took a great effort from the Newcastle boys, Jermain Jenas switched the play to the left hand side were he found Darren Ambrose lurking on the edge of Grant's area who was chipped from 18 yards out. We'd done it, we battled on and managed the draw. Newcastle had amassed an astounding 27 shots to our 8. Good result on our part, Newcastle narrowly hiding their blushes with a late goal.
Full Time Newcastle 1 v 1 Derby County
Junior was to miss 2 months of the season after picking up shin splints and Candido Costa had fractured his left wrist and would miss out on two weeks of action.
My strikeforce was looking thin, Junior would be missing for 2 months and Lee Morris complaining of exhaustion I needed to act, fast.
Myself and Frank had got tired of travelling to Soho Sqaure for the draw and decided to sit in the player's lounge with all the players and watch from there. We came out first to a wall of cheers from our lads. "Southampton or Gillingham" we were definately wanting that, at the moment we were afraid of nobody, already showing that we were capable of beating the Premiership's "elite", we still had the minor problem of having to beat Newcastle.
My squad was wafer thin, I currently had 4 long term injuries and many players feeling overloaded with matches. Serge Makofo replaced the injured Junior and Kristoffer Weckdtrom continued in the role of left winger.
Preston North End v Derby County Deepdale Attendance 16,810
I gave Makofo the number 9 shirt, the shirt I was saving for the Greek which never came, I was hoping it may give him some luck. With literally 52 seconds on the clock Preston gave away a penalty, Marlon Broomes sweeped away the legs of Oskarsson in the box, the referee with no hesitation pointed to the spot, Lee Holmes stepped up ... SAVED, I couldn't believe it, I threw my dut to the ground in disgust, it was an awful penalty. To be truthfull the conditions were awful, it was literally blowing a gale and was -5C. The first half came and went with nothing apart from the penalty disaster of any notice. "Yes! Finally!!" we managed to break down the stubborn Preston defence, it was Oskarsson who dribbled his way round the left back Eddie Lewis continued his run into the box to pick out Morris unattended to slot it home with ease. 1-0 County. 69 minutes gone and Morris turned provider to the young pace filled striker Makofo who was making his Rams debut. Morris ran with the ball from the halfway line and set Makofo through one on one with the keeper, Makofo the coolest of the pair made it 2-0. The litte man was on fire! Makofo notched his second and our third of the game, Luciano Zavagno raced through the non existent Preston back four to roll the ball into the area for Makofo to slot into the empty side of the ne 3-0 County! The final whistle went and myself and the players went over to the Derby contingent to applaud their turnout in such treacherous weather conditions. We were on our way!
Pablo Mills joined the unavailable list as he was suspended, whilst Gary Caldwell had returned from his. Makofo and Morris both started upfront. Today we had the task of beating Rotherham who like ourselves were milling about the playoff area.
Derby County v Rotherham Pride Park Attendance 30,313
Both teams battled hard, neither pulling out of challenges nor aerial battles. You could say it was a typical Northener's match. We managed to restrict Rotherham to only one shot whilst we had a multitude. Up until the 70th minute the game had remained goalless. That was until Oskarsson notched for us. Kristoffer Weckstrom threw a long ball into the Rotherham area which Lee Morris flicked on for Oskarsson who was only happy to oblige with a goal 1-0 County. The final whistle blew and we'd picked up another three points, we were currently sitting in top spot with West Ham breathing down our necks.
Full Time Derby County 1 v 0 Rotherham
Wednesday 25th January, we had to travel to Bramall Lane to face a tricky Sheffield United who also had a "mini crisis" on their hands with several first teamers including Michael Tonge, Peter Ndlovu and Mike Whitlow all out with lenghty injuries.
Sheffield United v Derby County Bramall Lane Attendance 23,793
With literally 2 minutes on the clock young Serge Makofo was hacked down from a malicious challenge by Chris Morgan and was stretched off Adam Murray came on and Oskarsson went upfront to partner Morris. Static defending cost us dear, Andy Parkinson found himself in acres of space on the edge of our area who found Ashley Ward with a telling pass who blasted the ball into the roof of the net 1-0 United. "F**k's sake Johnson!" Rob Kozluk played a simple ball into my box, Johnson fluffed his header which left Andy Parkinson the simplest of chances 2-0. I looked at my subs at half time, garbage utter garbage I thought to myself. I let the current lot try and pull theirselves out of the rut. We were given a lifeline. A long Gary Caldwell throw in skidded off the top of Colin Cryan's head and into the back of Paddy Kenny's goal 2-1 we were in with a shout. "Fabulous!" I clapped my hands like a crazed seal. Kristoffer Weckstrom ran down the left flank with the ball, Weckstrom got to the edge of the area and pulled the ball back to Lee Morris who rifled the ball into Kenny's left hand side. Our hand work was undone by a marvellous United goal, Steve Kabba played a defence splitting through ball which played Ashley Ward in to grab his second of the game. An immediate response from our lads, Oskarsson the new centre forward chipped the oncmoing Kenny from close range 3-3.
not quite so good a result this week super_gord Forest won if you didn't know! we are in 16th but still only 3 points above the sheep. I feel sure it's going to be extremely tight at the bottom this season.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cms186:
not quite so good a result this week super_gord Forest won if you didn't know! we are in 16th but still only 3 points above the sheep. I feel sure it's going to be extremely tight at the bottom this season.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
We're too good to go down Good team Sunderland mind, Big fat Joe will send you's down back to were you belong :p
Our date with Newcastle was set, with the game coming up in three days time and my squad looking fresh out of a hardened battle. I was looking for players and fast. I tried copius amounts of clubs practically begging them to loan me a few players.
I wasn't the wheeler dealer I thought I was. The game was upon us, my squad went as followed.
Lee Grant (GK)
Gary Caldwell (DR)
Luciano Zavagno (DL)
Tom Huddlestone (DC)
Michael Johnson (DC)
Orri Freyr Oskarsson (MR)
Kristoffer Weckstrom (ML)
Nathan Doyle (MC)
Adam Murray (MC)
Lee Morris (FC)
Serge Makofo (FC)
Young Nathan Doyle came up from the reserves as my midfield was thread bare and young free goalscorer Tom Kemp made the bench.
FA Cup 5th Round Replay Derby County v Newcastle Pride Park Attendance 33,244
My guardian angel must of been watching, Jonathon Woodgate was gave his marching orders for a dubious challenge on young starlet Makofo. The roar went up around the stadium. Gary Caldwell threw a long ball into the front post which was met by the head of Lee Morris who flicked the ball up over Robbie Elliot into the path of the on rushing Weckstrom who couldn't miss 1-0 County. Our lead lasted all of all of 5 minutes, Laurent Robert raced from his own half and dribbled past the ever so static Micahel Johnson and chipped Lee Grant from 18 yards, it was a good goal but a rather undeserved one. Barry Knight the referee blew up for half time, Newcastle were the dominant team. With our only shot going in, but this was the FA Cup anything could happen, and it did! A combination of Weckstrom Johnson and Zavagno passes ended up as a deep cross to the back post were Oskarsson rose above both Titus Bramble and Laurent Robert to assist Serge Makofo who placed the ball to Shay Given's right hand side 2-1. The enigmatic Serge Makofo grabbed his second of the game on 62 minutes, Makofo used his blistering pace to race through the heart of the Newcastle defence, Aaron Hughes was shrugged to the ground by the nippy striker and shot a low shot across Shay Given's body who was have a nightmare and into the back of the net! 3-1 County. I was looking at my bench, pondering on who to give a run out on such a momentus occasion when my new number 9 grabbed his hattrick! Dreadful defending by Newcastle let Lee Morris slip through who found Serge unmarked and was only happy to assist the young man in getting his hattrick. I was in wonderland, floating up high, my head mixed with emotion. This is what dreams are made of. Nathan Doyle was looking out of his depth and was replaced by Ian Taylor and Tom Kemp made his Derby County debut for Lee Morris. Sir Bobby Robson slammed his notes down onto the floor, disgusted at his teams performace, " Five One to the Super Rams" was the chant from the Faithful as we had bagged yet another goal. The ever present Orri Freyr Oskarsson picked up the ball on his right flank, ran and dribbled around Olivier Bernard and swung a curling shot at Shay Given which he missed, leaving the ball to roll into the back of an empty net, 5-1 County. The referee put the whistle to his lips, full time. I raced out onto the pitch to celebrate with my players, singing and dancing, squirting water bottles at each other we were awestruck with our achievement. Many players especially the young lads were swapping shirts with the Newcastle players. That's two Premiership teams played, two Premiership teams stuffed!
Full Time Derby County 5 v 1 Newcastle
After our monumentus display I decided to check out our pending opposition. Southampton v Gillingham at Priestfield was my destination. Secretly I was hoping for Gillingham, but any team would do us, we were scared of nobody. I skimmed over my teamsheet indicating players who I thought would cause us trouble. Marlon King for Gillingham was always going to cause trouble whilst Southampton's squad had an array of talent and experienced Internationals. The game ended 3-1 to Gillingham with Marlon King bagging twice.
Thanks for the feedback people, much appreciated.
Forest won if you didn't know! we are in 16th but still only 3 points above the sheep. I feel sure it's going to be extremely tight at the bottom this season.
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