retired_gunvor

Monthly Awards for February

Player of the month
Hayden Mullins - West Ham

Young Player of the month
Ben Muirhead - Bradford City

Manager of the month
Alan Pardew - West Ham

Dean Lewington came into the squad for the injured Luciano Zavagno, Candido Costa came back into the fold for the inexperienced Nathan Doyle who returned to the Reserve team.

Derby County v Cardiff City
Pride Park Attendance 22,602

Cardiff didn't really turn up for the match, which justified there awful league position, sitting in a rather uncomfortable 24th place. Serge Makofo shown his pace and ran at the Cardiff back line, Makofo ran rings around Darren Williams and Danny Gabbidon to nestle the ball under the Cardiff keeper Neil Alexander 1-0 County. To be truthful Cardiff were truely awful and were heaing back to the Second Division. The referee Fraser Stretton blew up for half time and I went in the happier of the two mangers. Ian Butterworth must of gave his Cardiff team a good rollocking at half time because they came out a different side. Lee Cook linked up well with Paulo Vernazza as he was set through to dink the ball over the ball watching Lee Grant, 1-1. The game fizzled out into a poor conclusion as both teams never looked like conceeding again or for that matter scoring again.

Full Time Derby County 1 v 1 Cardiff City

dcfc.co.uk caught up with me after the Cardiff draw and asked for my thoughts.

dcfc.co.uk: What are your thoughts on today's performace?

Well, the first half our lads battled hard, with Serge grabbing a great goal early doors. But to be fair to Cardiff they came at us in the second half and punished us for not finishing them off.

dcfc.co.uk: Makofo is turning into quite a quality player, did you think he would do this well in his first professional season?

Ever since I saw Serge play in an Under 19's match I knew that he was a talent. I mean 6 goals in 5 matches for a 17 year old is absolutely tremendous.

dcfc.co.uk: And finally have you any messages to all the Derby fans out there?

I'd like to thank every single Derny County fan that has turned up to every game at Pride Park, chanting, singing and cheering our lads onto victory because without the fans we wouldn't be here. Wear your shirts with pride and I'm sure we'll all see you in the Premier League next season. Keep your heads up. Thank you.

FA Cup 6th Round
Derby County v Gillingham
Pride Park Attendance 29,650

I don't think that I'd ever been bored at a football match before. I found myself resting my head back against the dugout, this was supposed to be a FA Cup sixth round match, it was looking like an amateur game of football. I made a desperate sub after 65 minutes, the game hadn't changed one bit, Serge was having a poor game so was replaced by Tom Kemp. The game was awful. Gillingham kept us at bay and manged to secure the replay at Priestfield. We should've manged to beat a lack lustre Gillingham side. But I guess that's football.

Derby County 0 v 0 Gillingham

retired_MikeMcC

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Super_Gord:
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<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think you'll find that the premiership is up Theres a song going round at forest at the moment:

He's fat, he's round
He's sending Derby down
Joe Kinnear, Joe Kinnear

Thought you might appreciate it

retired_gunvor

Forest are panicking, don't worry mate, we'll still be in the First next season no doubts. It'd be a crying shame for a definate 6 pointer to get relegated

After our dissapointing display against the strugglers Gillingham I could see my players were physically and mentally exhausted. If my lads were to gain automatic promotion I figured loan signing's would be essential.

It was that time once again, the draw for the FA Cup Semi Final. Since it was such a momentus occasion for Derby County I decided to show my face at Soho Sqaure for the draw. The teams left in the pot were. Blackburn, Chelsea/Portsmouth, Derby County,Gillingham and Sunderland. Any one of these teams at home would be ideal. "Blackburn" the Ewood Park side got drawn against ... "Sunderland" So we had the task of Chelsea or Portsmouth, it was simply a matter of home or away. Chelsea Portsmouth came out first, much to the sigh of a deflated Frank who was feeling the pressure like most at Derby.

Morris pulled me up during a routine warm up before the game and complained of a leg strain, Tom Kemp replaced him in the squad.

Derby County v Crystal Palace
Pride Park Attendance 30,653

I didn't expect to win this game with my front two only amassing a combined age of 32. I had a sense of deja vu, it was like playing the Gillingham game all over again. The first half went and nobody had had a shot on goal. "Disgusting" I balled at half time to my squad. I let them out early for the second half, usually when I have a go they come out and perform in the second half. I was hoping for this thoery to happen again. My theory had struck! Good work from Kristoffer Weckstrom who had ran well with the ball down the left flank crossed the ball to Makofo, who cushioned a header into the path of sixteen year old Tom Kemp who was onlt to happy to score his first professional goal 1-0 County. Witht the game drawing to a close I brought on the experienced Luciano Zavagno for Dean Lewington. "Brilliant Kempy, Fantastic Goal!" was my cry from the dugout. Good work from Serge Makofo who chipped the oncoming defender Darren Powell, the ball hung in the air for a while until it landed at the boots of Tom Kemp who as Makofo did chipped the rushing keeper Matt Clarke to make it 2-0. Kemp ran straight over to me when he scored and jumped onto me, I thought that must be his way of saying thanks for picking him.

Full Time Derby County 2 v 0 Crystal Palace

retired_gunvor

We'd got back on form with a comfortable win over Crystal Palace, we had the difficult task of travelling down to East Anglia top play an under performing Ipswich Town side.

Tom Kemp stayed in the squad after his inspirational debut whilst Lee Morris ****mbed to the subs bench.

Ipswich Town v Derby County
Portman Road Attendance 28,090

We got off to a flying start. Oskarsson capitalised on some rather schoolboy defending and managed to pull off a shot with bounced off the shoulder off Kelvin Davis and into the back of the net 1-0 County. The two young strikers linked up well together to grab our second. Serge Makofo raced to the byline and crossed the ball to an unmarked Tom Kemp who grabbed his 3rd goal in 2 games. 2-0 County. On the half hour we grabbed a thrid. Good work by Weckstrom who broke free of Fabian Wilnis and chipped a ball to the back post were Serge Makofo was waiting to notch 3-0 County. Ipswich were awful and seemed to warrent a place in the bottom three. 66 minutes gone and I made a change, Candido Costa made way for Tom Huddlestone. The full time whistle went and we'd breezed away with the three points, Ipswich didn't trouble Lee Grant all game having zero shots at all.

Full Time Ipswich Town 0 v 3 Derby County

I decided to release a statement revealing my delight of Tom Kemp's recent performances, the next day the Derby Evening Telegraph was literally swmaped with letters praising young Kemp and his dazzling display's.

I was rushing to secure two loan signing's in time before the Gillingham replay. Keith Andrews of Wolves and Stuart Downing of Middlesborough.

Keith Andrews signed on the dotted line to finalise his three month loan deal from Wolves. He would go straight into the team as my midfield were exhausted. The Stuart Downing transfer didn't quite get through as I had expected.

Keith Andrews started instead of Orri Freyr Oskarsson who was dropped to the bench.

FA Cup 6th Round Replay
Gillingham v Derby County
Priestfield Attendance 11,539

The conditions were awful, the pitch was a muddy bog and it was shotting it down with rain. Our passing football was going to be disrupted for this game. How I was wrong. Kristoffer Weckstrom plucked the ball from Ian Cox's feet and dribbled into the Gillingham box and was cool under pressure to make it 1-0 County. We went in at the break the poorest of the two sides, but saying that we were the team with the goal. With Gillingham piling on the pressure we were given a lifeline, young Serge Makofo was racing through only to be pulled back by a malicious shirt tug by Chris Hope who was instantly dismissed by referee Andy D'Urso. Merely a minute later we were also down to 10 men. Candido Costa stupidly kicked the ball away and as he was already on a yellow card was gave his marching orders, I gave him a bit of verbal as he went past me "If we lose, it's on your shoulders!" Tom Kemp left the field for the young work horse midfielder Tom Huddlestone. With only 7 minutes to go I brought Simo Valakari on for Pablo Mills, I was trying to get the clock to run down. "Your F**king joking me!" The 4th official held up the board to reveal a total of 5 minutes of injury time to be played. I was practically pulling my hair out. The 95th minute came and the referee still hadn't blew for time! Serge picked up the ball after the halfway line and ran, as Gillingham had pushed so many men forward they had left only one man back, Makofo pushed him aside and led the onslaught onto Jason Brown's goal, Makofo kept his cool infront of the advancing brute Brown and dinked the ball over the Gillingham shot stopper 2-0 County!. Finally I could breathe.

Full Time Gillingham 0 v 2 Derby County

retired_gunvor

Chelsea just scraped through against Portsmouth with a 90th minute winner from Adrian Mutu. We were awarded for our performance in the FA Cup with a £400,000 bonus for progressing to the Semi's.

Bosnian reserve midfielder Fahrudin Kuduzovic was loaned out to Stockport for the rest of the season, Kuduzovic was surplus to requirements come the end of the season and I was only too happy to let him get some first team football.

The loan signing of Stuart Downing finally came through after he agreed to our terms.

Lee Morris was finally back to first team fitness and replaced the young Tom Kemp. Stuart Downing joined the other new loanee signging Keith Andrews in the centre of midfield.

Derby County v Sunderland
Pride Park Attendance 32,744

Nothing much of note for the opening half, Tommy Smith looking bright for Sunderland not afraid to run at our defence. Whilst Lee Morris was trying to find his feet after missing the past 4 games. Tom Kemp came on for Serge Makofo who was suffering with a thigh strain. He came on to no avail, a boring match to say the least which neither team deserved a win nor a defeat. We were 5 points clear of second placed West Ham and a massive 22 points clear of the last remaining playoff place.

Full Time Derby County 0 v 0 Sunderland

Hereford made an enquiry on whether or not they could take 16 year old Tom Kemp on loan, as Junior was suffering from a long injury Tom Kemp was my third choice striker and currently going nowhere.

Today we faced our local rivals Nottingham Forest, before I came to Derby I wasn't aware of the rivalry. That was of course until Forest came up to Pride Park and the anti Forest chants came up around the terraces. As a las I watched my home town club Hartlepool United and the local derby's with Darlington were full of passion and drive from both sets of supporters, I knew this would be exactly the same.

My squad was;

Lee Grant (GK)
Pablo Mills (DR)
Luciano Zavagno (DL)
Gary Caldwell (DC)
Michael Johnson (DC)
Candido Costa (MR)
Stuart Downing (ML)
Keith Andrews (MC)
Tom Huddlestone (MC)
Tom Kemp (FC)
Lee Morris (FC)

Subs
Andy Oakes,Dean Lewington,Simo Valakari,Orri Freyr Oskarsson,Serge Makofo

Nottingham Forest v Derby County
The City Ground Attendance 29,579

That damned Tom Hark tune went out around the ground, with only 7 minutes on the clock our rivals struck first. David Johnson linked up well with fellow striker Marlon Harewood who combined his strength and pace to slot the ball to the left hand side of Lee Grant. "Come on you beauty!" Lee Morris found his feet and made it 1-1, good work from Luciano Zavagno who played a long ball down the left hand side to Lee Morris who took the ball in his stride and scored from an acute angle. I was clapping my hands frantically, and punching the air in delight much to the disgust of our rivals, I could hear the sneers coming from behind me but I wasn't bothered. "My God! What for? Tell me what that was for?!" The referee caved in to the Home fans calls for a penalty after Keith Andrews supposivly handballed in the area, the referee must of seen something I didn't because my players were fuming at him. Eoin Jess stepped up .... and nestled the ball into Lee Grant's right hand side. 2-1 Forest. The final whistle went and I raced over to the referee to give him a piece of my mind, I rollocked and raved with him, I knew I wasn't going to get away with some of the things I had said. I awaited my punishment.

Full Time Nottingham Forest 2 v 1 Derby County

I watched back the decision when I got back to my home in Derby, "Never a penalty!" I hollered at my television set, I was hoping that the referee had seen the decision and may even understand my verbal assault on him after the game. Some how I didn't think he would.

retired_MikeMcC

Hooray for Forest!!!! Keep up the good work mate! Looked like a certain penalty from here

retired_gunvor

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cms186:
Hooray for Forest!!!! Keep up the good work mate! Looked like a certain penalty from here<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

We let you have that one seen as though we gave your lads a good thumping, now remind me, what was the score again?

retired_gunvor

After our daylight robbery defeat at the hands of our nearest and not so dearest rivals Nottingham Forest I made it clear to the players that things needed to change, we were turning out to be the draw specialists. Nearly a third of our results had been draws.

Our bad week turned even worse when it was announced after a training session that young Tom Huddlestone had picked up a pulled hamstring and was to miss 3 weeks of action.

I rewarded Kristoffer Weckstrom for his recent outstanding displays with a new contract, Weckstrom stepped into the side when it was thread bare and not only held is own on the left hand side. I offered him £1,400 p/w and a signing on fee of £2,000.

With West Ham breathing down our necks picking up 3 points today would be essential. We faced a dissapointing Walsall side who were languishing at the foot of the table.

Stuart Downing came in for the injured Tom Huddlestone in the centre and Serge Makofo came back into the side in place of Tom Kemp.

Walsall v Derby County
The Bescot Stadium Attendance 8,321

Walsall came at us from the first whistle, you could see they were a team desperate for points. But it was us who struck first. 35 minutes in and Stuart Downing capitalised on some sleepy midfielding by Paul Merson who passed the ball forward to Lee Morris who in turn rolled the ball to his right hand side were Serge Makofo was on hand to make it 1-0 County. Serge Makofo was electric, he picked up the ball midway into Walsall's half and took three defenders with him, he chipped the ball over to Lee Morris who took the ball in his stride and smashed a volley into the top corner! 2-0 County. Neil Emblen was dismissed after 75 minutes for a punch on Lee Morris, the referee stalled with his decision then revealed the red card and Emblen marched away down the tunnel. Orri Freyr Oskarsson came on for Candio Costa with 10 minutes to go. The final whistle went, my talk with the lads must've worked as they sure looke like a promotion winning side.

Full Time Walsall 0 v 2 Derby County

Monthly Awards for March

Player of the month
Malky Mackay - Norwich City

Young Player of the month
Tom Kemp - Derby County

Manager of the month
Ronnie Moore - Rotherham United

Today was a crucial game in our drive for the Premiership, West Ham travelled up from London to face a rejuvinated Derby County side. We were ready for them, I figured if we beat West ham today we'd have the championship sewn up.

Derby County v West Ham
Pride Park Attendance 32,039

We started bright, Serge Makofo and Lee Morris always seemed a threat infront of the West ham goal, our midfield quartet were classy going forward and solid when on the defensive. Our defence kept tight and West Ham didn't even manage to scrape a shot on goal. The referee blew up for half time. "Come on lads! I know you don't want to be second best, we want to go up as champions! Now come on lads! get you heads up and play with every single ounce of passion you've got left!" My talk instantly worked, Lee Holmes took and inswinging corner, my lads packed the goal line infront of David James and Lee Morris sneaked a header infront of Tomas Repka to make it 1-0 County. "Deserved Champions!" I called as we grabbed our second. Lee Holmes swung in another corner which met the head of the pacy little striker Makofo who couldn't miss from 2 yards out 2-0 County. West Ham had collapsed at the back and looked extremely vulnerable. The roar went out at the final whistle! "Championeys! Championeys!" was the song echoing around the stadium, although we hadn't secured the championship we were now 10 points clear of second placed West Ham.

Full Time Derby County 2 v 0 West Ham

retired_MikeMcC

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Super_Gord:
We let you have that one seen as though we gave your lads a good thumping, now remind me, what was the score again? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Remind me, where are you in the league again

retired_gunvor

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cms186:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Super_Gord:
We let you have that one seen as though we gave your lads a good thumping, now remind me, what was the score again? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Remind me, where are you in the league again <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's were we finish that matters

Have a nice time in Division Two, send me a postcard