retired_gunvor

Pre Season
Wigan Athletic v Derby County
JJB Stadium Attendance 3954

Parkin and Morris seemed to be linking up well together up front. Wigan's defence was proving too stubborn to break down. We'd had 9 shots and hadn't manged a goal yet. 70 minutes gone and I made a few changes. Makofo came on for Parkin, Zavagno came off for Di Cesare and Holmes came off for Tierney. We left it late, 86 minutes gone and Morris broke free down the left hand side, he crossed for the youngster Makofo who hit the ball on the volley which ripped past Ryan Yeomans 1-0 County.

Full Time Wigan Athletic 0 v 1 Derby County

Pablo Mills was the only player whose contract was coming to an end, he was going to be the backbone of my team so I offered him an improved contract. I was quite confident he was going to sign.

Pre Season
Colchester v Derby County
Layer Road Attendance 6085

We were finally starting to look like a Premiership club, Tom Huddlestone was going to be a regular starter for us in the Premiership, he looks and plays like Ian Taylor, although he wasn't the finished article. It was us that notched first. Sam Parkin ran well with the ball into the Colchester box, he pulled the ball back were Makofo was waiting and he slotted the ball into the bottom corner 1-0 County. 43 minutes gone and Serge Makofo picked up an injury and had to leave the field Dany Dichio took his place. With 71 minutes gone on the clock Colchester received a free kick on the edge of our area. Joe Keith struck a wonderful shot which curled over the wall and into Lee Grant's top corner. Brilliant goal 1-1.

Full Time Colchester 1 v 1 Derby County

I cancelled our remaining fixture with Brighton as it was too close to our opening game against Manchester United. With Pablo Mills only being a youngster I needed a more experienced right back to help him out.

Danny Mills was rotting away in the Leeds United reserves so I placed a bid of £1.5 million for him. It was accepted the next day and Mills and I were in contract negotiations. I offered him £17,500 p/w with a signing on fee of £350,000. I awaited his decision. He seemed happy with the terms.

I turned on Sky Sports News and they were discussing the Premiership Title odds.

"Arsenal and Man Utd are obvious favourites at 7-4" said Georgie Thompson
"With Chelsea at 3-1, Liverpool at 8-1 and Newcastle at 14-1" said Roger Clarke
GT: "At the bottom end of the scale Derby County at 200-1!"
RC: *Chuckles* "Surely worth a pound!"
GT: *Chuckles* "Surely not!"
RC & GT: *Continuous Laughs*

I was sitting laughing with them. There was absolutely no chance we were going to win the title. I thought 200-1 were quite handsome odds.

Danny Mills became my first big money signing.

Danny Mills
After a successful season long loan spell at Middlesborough, Danny became surplus to requirements at Elland Road. The current England International is a solid, tough tackling defender who will go on from strength to strength.

retired_gunvor

Authors Note: My computer crashed on me last night after I had wrote out all of the match report for the Manchester United game, anyway I drew 0-0 and I'm continuing from here.

After our momentus draw with United, everybody was on a high. People were expecting Cricket score's, but we'd done our part and kept them quiet.

A tough task awited us, Thierry Henry travelled up with his talented compadres. With Arsenal having 2 games in the space of 4 games I was hoping for their players to fell the strain. At this point in time I was clutchiung at straws.

I was hoping for a bumper crowd at pride Park for our first Home game. Even if they only came to see Arsenal play I wasn't really bothered. Sam Parkin was dropped in place of Serge Makofo and Danny Dichio took up a place on the bench.

Derby County v Arsenal
Pride Park Attendance 32,636

Although we had a good start it was the current holders that took the lead. Thierry Henry's lightening quick pace ran between Valerio Di Cesare and Stephen Caldwell and struck a low shot into Lee Grant's right hand side. 1-0 Arsenal. We went in at half time 1-0 down, we'd played well but Arsenal were just showing their class. 56 minutes gone and we levelled! Danny Mills threw the ball back into play over the head of Phillip Evans, Jobi McAnuff raced onto it crossed the ball deep into the back post were Paul Tierney met it with a crisp header 1-1! "Dammmit!" I yelled out, Jermaine Pennant swung a ball into the path of unmarked target man Nwankwo Kanu who curled the ball around oncoming keeper Grant 2-1 Arsenal. 66 minutes gone Lee Morris made way for Danny Dichio. Dichio set Makofo through only for Makofo to shoot wide. The full time whistle went and the title holders waltzed off in style. I took comfort in the fact that we'd pushed both Manchester United and Arsenal all the way.

Derby County 1 v 2 Arsenal

Luciano Zavagno was the only player to pick up an injury after the Arsenal game, Paul Tierney would take his place at left back whilst Lee Holmes would slot in on the left wing.

Tottenham v Derby County
White Hart Lane Attendance 31,503

Premiership football was such a massive step up from First Division footbaal. Jamie Redknapp chipped a long ball forward to Robbie Keane who used his pace to dribble around Di Cesare and shoot low into Grnat's bottom corner 1-0 Tottenham. 5 minutes into the game and Tottenham were 2-0 up. We were caught out again with the long ball by Stephen Carr, Postiga ran onto it and crossed for the unmarked Robbie Keane who finished with ease. Not the start we planned. We hadn't had a sniff of Nicky Eyre's goal and it was Robbie Kenae once again who notched for Tottenham to secure his hattrick. "Unbelievable!" I heard Ruud Gullit shout next to me. It was 4-0, an uncleared corner landed at the feet of Christian Ziege who blasted the ball with his favoured left foot. At last, the half time whistle went and my players trudged off. I wasn't going to ball at them, there was no point. 55 minutes gone and we had our first shot of the match, Makofo made room for the shot with bounced off the post and went out. Makofo was the only player who seemed to be playing still. The referee finally put us out of our misery, I shook a gloatin Gullit's hand and strutted off down the tunnel. My players knew I wasn't happy and I knew that they knew I wasn't happy.

Tottenham 4 v 0 Derby County

Gabby Logan caught up with me in the tunnel for an interview for The Premiership, despite my sore mood I was only happy to oblige for such a beautiful women.

Gabby: "What went wrong out there today Paul?"

Me: "To be truthful Gabby I haven't a clue, We performed excellently against Man United and Arsenal, we come up to White Hart Lane full of confidence and we got a stuffing.

Gabby: "Was it specific players not performing? Or was it just a general bad team performance?

Me: "Today as team we were just awful, too many players ball watching and we were caught out at the back by two quality strikers in Keane and Postiga. The only player I could pin point for us having a good game was young Makofo, he carried on running when others had gave in.

Gabby: "Finally Paul, Is this who you though life in the Premiership would be like?"

Me: "Were obviously going to get a stuffing of many a team this season. But if we can dig our heels in and grind out results I think we can stay up. Thanks"

Young Bosnian midfielder Fahrudin Kuduzovic was released from the club after his contract had expired.

Lee Morris was set to miss 2 weeks of action after he picked up a back strain in training.

I was hoping for an improved performace for our game against Everton at pride Park. Valerio Di Cesare made way for Pablo Mills at the heart of the defence. Dichio started for the injured Morris.

Derby County v Everton
Pride Park Attendance 30,927

We got off to a dream start! Young Serge Makofo swung a ball into the heart of the Everton box which was met by the head of Paul Tierney once again. 1-0 County. To Everton's credit they were the better team. We'd only managed 2 shots on goal to Everton's 6. Dichio and Makofo were working well up front. Everton came out attacking in the second half switching to a 3-4-3 formation. Everton's change in formation was a great sacrifice as Paul Tierney picked up the ball on the left hand side and crossed for Dichio, Dichio held the ball up well and pulled it back for Makofo who slotted the ball in the bottom corner 2-0 County. Orri Freyr Oskarsson hit the floor and had to go off with an injury, he was replaced by Sam Parkin who switched places with Serge Makofo. With only 4 minutes left on the clock my players carried on pushing. New right winger Makofo ran at Pistone, dribbled round him and crossed the ball into a heavily packed Everton cross, after a golamouth scramble the ball rolled out to the edge of the area were Sam Parkin was waiting to hammer home. 3-0 County. An amazing team performance.

Full Time Derby County 3 v 0 Everton

retired_sroch3032

Excellent work for a team just promoted...but i wish u had of drawn with Arsenal and lost against United...coz everyone knows Manchester United is the best team in England...

Anyway where u coming now??

retired_gunvor

After 3 league games the table read as followed.

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Leeds | | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 | +7 | 12 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Middlesbrough | | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | +4 | 8 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | West Ham | | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 8 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Arsenal | | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Chelsea | | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | +3 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Newcastle | | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Blackburn | | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Aston Villa | | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Fulham | | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 5 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Man Utd | | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 5 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Southampton | | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 5 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Tottenham | | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 4 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Liverpool | | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Man City | | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 4 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Derby | | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 4 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Everton | | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | -4 | 4 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Charlton | | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 3 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Birmingham | | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Stoke | | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Wolves | | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 0 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| </pre>

retired_gunvor

We had the tough task of facing Everton's neighbour's Liverpool at Anfield. Liverpool currently sitting two places ahead of us and will want to catch up with the pack at the top.

The task of stepping out onto such a hallowed turf as Anfield would pay divedends for my squad. Just to be playing on the same turf as many a legend over the years is nothing shirt of inspirational. I was hoping for some inspiration to rub off on them and for us to pick up 3 points. That's me thought, ever the optimist.

Lee Morris made the bench after recovering from a back strain. Jobi McAnuff also came back on the right wing and Oskarsson moved into the centre in place of Huddlestone who was dropped to the bench.

Liverpool v Derby County
Anfield Attendance 40,002

Both teams started bright, each sampling the faires of the opposing keepers. But it was us that scored first. A delightful ball played forward from Stephen Caldwell caught out Liverpool defender Lucio, McAnuff raced onto it and crossed early for the big man Dichio to touch the ball around Jerzy Dudek into the bottom corner, 1-0 County! Unbelievable! After the goal Liverpool piled on the pressure, their pressure paid divedends as the exuberant Steven Gerrard played one of his trademark balls forward to Anthony Le Tallec, who to be fair made space for the shot and finished it well 1-1. At the break we went in the stronger of the teams, the booing by the Liverpool fans surely can't be giving them any confidence. All our hard work was undo on the hour mark, Diouf and Le Tallec linked up well with Le Tallec finishing off with a well placed shot. 2-1 Liverpool. Paul Tierney came off for Lee Holmes and Serge Makofo came off for Lee Morris. The subs didn't do much use as Liverpool played out the rest of the game happy to just keep possession.

Full Time Liverpool 2 v 1 Derby County

On the coach travelling back to Derby I had some time to contemplate the season so far. With both Arsenal and Liverpool narrowly scraping away with wins and a well earned draw against Manchester United the season hadn't started out bad at all. I figured that we were going to have to rely on our Home form to keep us up.

We played host to high flying Fulham who were sitting 5th in the league. Fulham were missing no key players and neither were we.

Derby County v Fulham
Pride Park Attendance 29,028

We were handed a major blow, referee Alan Wiley figured that little Serge Makofo had used his head and headbutted the big brute Sylvain Legwinski! I couldn't believe it! Makofo couldn't do such a thing as I doubt he could even reach Legwinski's head! Justice was finally paid as McAnuff slammed a tremendous freekick past flailing keeper Edwin vand der Sar. 1-0 County. Second half and Fulham came out fighting. 49 minutes and our defence crumbled. Richie Partridge worked well with prolific striker Louis Saha who slotted the ball under Lee Grant 1-1. Lee Morris came on for battling Danny Dichio who'd ran his socks off. 71 minutes gone and Fulham took the lead. Richie Partridge once again the supplier from a corner, which was met by Legwinski to power the ball home. 2-1 Fulham. We'd fell to pieces and led our lead slip. Dissapointing result.

Full Time Derby County 1 v 2 Fulham

retired_gunvor

Serge Makofo was banned for 3 matches after his instant dismissal in the Fulham match. It was a travesty of justice, but as people say these things balance out over the course of the season.

The fixtures man must be laughing his socks off at the moment, as we travelled to the free spending home of Chelsea. Lee Morris came into the starting XI for Makofo who starts his 3 match ban.

Chelsea v Derby County
Stamford Bridge Attendance 40,103

From the start we were played off the park. Chelsea looked like the finished article, each position oozing with talent. Chelsea took the lead after 5 minutes. A sweeping ball by Geremi was met by the right foot of Kezman who slotted home from 18 yards. 1-0 Chelsea. 8 minutes into the game and we were handed a double blow, Crespo found himself free in the box put was hauled over by Danny Mills, Penalty, the referee reached for his pocket and pulled out the red card. Disaster. Tom Huddlestone came on for Danny Dichio. Kezman executed the penalty sweetly. 2-0. Bad came to worse when Chelsea were awarded anotger penalty. Huddlestone tugged on the shirt of Kezman who dramatically went to ground. Kezman stepped up ... Goal 3-0. The second half was much the same as the first, we stemmed Chelsea to few shots in the second but Sebastien Kneissl grabbed Chelsea's 4th. A short corner by Duff went to Veron who crossed on the edge of the 18 yard box to the head of Kneissl who nodded home.

Full Time Chelsea 4 v 0 Derby County

Chelsea were my tip for the title. Simply genious performance. We stayed over in London as we faced a poor Leyton Orient side. Anthing short of a win would be a disgrace.

Danny Mills started his suspension and missed out, Pablo Mills took his place and Michael Johnson came back into the heart of the defence. Lee Holmes made a rare start on the left hand side of the midfield.

League Cup 2nd Round
Leyton Orient v Derby County
Brisbane Road Attendance 9,446

Nothing much of note for the first half, Orient as expected didn't manage a shot at all, compared to our 4. Lee Holmes and Oskarsson looked bright in the midfield. Stephen Caldwell was dismissed on the hour mark for a second bookable offence. The game was absolute dross, whether it was the awful drizzly conditions or just ourselves playing to Orient's awful footballing style. 67 minutes gone and we finally got the goal, we received a free kick on the edge of the Orient box. McAnuff layed the ball off for Foley-Sheridan who lbasted the ball into Phil Barnes' goal 1-0 County. We piled on the pressure after our goal and were awarded on 80 minutes. Lee Holmes played an early ball down the left flank to Dichio, who inturn assisted Lee Morris who wouldn't and couldn't miss from all of 6 yards. 2-0.

Full Time Leyton Orient 0 v 2 Derby County

Monthly awards for September

Player of the month
Sol Campbell - Arsenal

Young Player of the month
John Welsh - Manchester City

Manager of the month
Claudio Ranieri - Chelsea

The draw for the League Cup 3rd was to be drawn, the heavy weight clubs Arsenal,Liverpool,Chelsea would all be added. A lower league team at home would be good. "Number 34" " Derby County" we got the home tie. "Will play?" "Will play Number 54" "Number 54 is ... Liverpool" Ohh! Not what we wanted at all.

We were currently sitting in the relegation zone 19th to be precise. Our visitors today were Birmingham who like ourselves were having a difficult season.

Danny Mills returned from his suspension and occupied the role of centre back. Di Cesare also came back into the squad in place of Johnson.

Derby County v Birmingham
Pride Park Attendance 26,685

A rather uneventful first half did no team any favours. Oskarsson was the only player coming close with a curling effort that was just wide of the mark. Danny Dichio made way for Sam Parkin after 70 minutes. Substitue Carl Cort made a nuisance of himself since he came on and was rewarded with a goal. Cort latched onto a long ball from Damien Johnson, wriggled away from two County defenders and hammered home from 10 yards out. 1-0 Birmingham. The boo's rang out at Full Time. I was amazed. The fans were restless already. We needed to win these games. If we didn't we'd be back in the Nationwide.

Derby County 0 v 1 Birmingham

retired_gunvor

8 games into the season and I wasn't shocked one bit by our position. 19th in the league and managing to pick up 4 points. Finishing 17th this season would be amazing, I couldn't see myself with Derby back in the First Division next season.

With no injury worries ahead of our trip to Aston Villa I felt the team was strong and well up for the match. Although I knew coming away with 3 points from Villa Park was not going to be the walk in the park our confidence suggested.

Team to face Aston Villa
Lee Grant (GK)
Danny Mills (DR)
Valerio Di Cesare (DL)
Stephen Caldwell (DC)
Michael Johnson (DC)
Jobi McAnuff (MR)
Paul Tierney (ML)
Orri Freyr Oskarsson (MC)
Michael Foley-Sheridan (MC)
Sam Parkin (FC)
Lee Morris (FC)

Subs
Pidgeley,Zavagno,P Mills,Weckstrom,Makofo

Aston Villa v Derby County
Villa Park Attendance 42,713

After the first 10 minutes we had all the ball, often pressuring the Villa back line. That was until the 18th minute when what can only be described as a freak goal went against us. Long ball by Gareth Barry must of been caught up in the wind as the ball bent it's way around flapping keeper Lee Grant and into the back of an empty net. 1-0 Villa. After the goal had went in it seemed as though my lads had gave up, Lee Morris was chopped down on the edge of the area. Freekick was dispatched by Foley-Sheridan into the heart of the Villa box, Villa player Ian Murray was caught napping and the ball richoted off his shoulder into the back of the net! 1-1. 64 minutes gone and Pablo Mills came on for Stephen Caldwell who has having a stinker of a game, Sam Parkin also made way for Serge Makofo. Both subs coming on to no effect as both teams seemed happy to settle for the point.

Full Time Aston Villa 1 v 1 Derby County

Upon reflection of the game a point was a fantastic result and I was sure that I was the happiest of the two managers.

I wasn't really bothered about our position only 9 matches in, but being 5 points adrift from the nearest safe spot was a slight worry.

Dean Lewington returned from his three month loan spell from Doncaster. After 10 starts in a Doncaster shirt Lewington managed to bag 2 goals and assist in 4 others.

Our next fixture was the typical 'six pointer' Stoke City who were currently sitting just below us in 20th. This was a must win game, as a defeat would send us spiralling into 20th.

Derby County v Stoke City
Pride Park Attendance 22,467

6 minutes into the game and we couldn't of hoped for a better start. Michael Johnson pumped a a freekick into the Stoke box, Oskarsson controlled it on his chest but was hacked down by Stoke City defender Paul Williams. Sam Parkin stepped up ... Goal! 1-0 County! We went in at half time one nil up, we were much the better the side, Stoke City often looking like an average First Division side. 82 minutes gone and I made some changes, Morris went off for Makofo and Weckstrom came on for Tierney. The final whistle went! We picked up our second win of the season and a much deserved 3 points aswell.

Full Time Derby County 1 v 0 Stoke City

retired_gunvor

Looking at my squad it had a distinct lack of recognised centre halfs. With only limited funds left in my back pocket I went into the First Division to hunt out a bargain. I found Michael Dawson, currently unhappy at our nearest and dearest neighbours Nottingham Forest, I declared my intrested in him, hoping that he would become unsettled further.

Michael Johnson came out into the Press after it my interest was published in the paper. Johnson claimed he felt 'hurt' that I was lining up a replacement. I took him into my office to talk it over.

Me: "Sit down Mike"
MJ: "I love this club boss, It would hurt me greatly if I was to be replaced"
Me: "Mike, I know you have talent even at your age, you just need to be more consistant in your play, sometimes your genious, then some times your sloppy."
MJ: "Please, give me an extended run in the team, I'll prove my worth to you still"
Me: "Okay Mike, show me what your made of."
MJ: "Thanks boss"

It wasn't actually Johnson I was looking to replace, Stephen Caldwell had put in some rather awful displays in the last few weeks costing us goals and ultimately points.

An almost impossible tas awaited us at St James Park for our next fixture. Newcastle United currently flying high in the Premiership would be looking for revenge after we beat them in the FA Cup 5-1.

Stephen Caldwell was dropped from the squad, Valerio Di Cesare came back into the heart of the defence and Luciano Zavagno went out on the left hand side.

Newcastle United v Derby County
St James's Park Attendance 48,145

Newcastle were battering us. It took them only 4 minutes to find the back of Lee Grant's net. Kieron Dyer capped off a great individual move with a curling shot that when past Grant in the County goal. 1-0 Newcastle. 23 minutes into the game and Newcastle doubled their lead, a cross from Mehdi Mahdavikia was cleared by Michael Johnson only to land at the feet of England starlet Jermaine Jenas to hammer home 2-0. 32 minutes in and Sanli Tuncay made it three. Tuncay was played through from a long ball by Bellamy and chipped the on rushing Lee Grant into the net 3-0. I couldn't take much more of this. Halt Time finally came and I made some subs, Kristoffer Weckstrom came on for Paul Tierney and Sam Parkin made way for Serge Makofo. The introduction of Makofo seemed to be an inspired one, as we pulled a goal back after 63 minutes, Makofo was played through on the left hand side by his trike partner Morris. Makofo ran to the touch line pulled the ball back and crossed for Morris who dinked the ball to the right hand side of Shay Given and into the bottom corner 3-1. It stayed that way until the final whistle.

Full Time Newcastle United 3 v 1 Derby County

I felt inspired from our second half performance. The defence stayed stout and let very few Newcastle attacks penetrate them, the forward line of Morris and Makofo seemed electric, both knowing what each other was going to do next.

Monthly Awards for October

Player of the month
Patrick Vieira - Arsenal

Young Player of the month
Alexander Farnerud - Middlesborough

Manager of the month
Claudio Ranieri - Chelsea

retired_gunvor

It was FA Cup day once again, with survival purely on our minds I was hoping for a Liverpool win. All we needed was our season to be clogged up with fixtures.

Dean Lewington was called up to the first team in place of Di Cesare who had picked up an injury during training. Serge Makofo also started in place of Sam Parkin.

FA Cup 3rd Round
Derby County v Liverpool
Pride Park Attendance 21,889

2 minutes into the game and Liverpool were given the goalden ticket. Pablo Mills tripped Baros inside the area and conceeded a penalty. Danny Murphy stepped up ... Saved! straight down the middle into the hands of Lee Grant. Liverpool pressed us and in urn to be fair we pressed Liverpool. 44 minutes and we got a goal. Good work from Jobi McAnuff down the right hand side who pulled the ball back to his ex Wimbledon team mate Makofo who slid the ball into the back of an empty Liverpool net 1-0 County. We went in at the break suprise leaders. We were playing excellently, Oskarsson was running the midfield just like Ian Taylor did last season. 78 minutes and Liverpool pulled level. A tremendous freekick was thumped in from 25 yards from the enigmatic Danny Murphy. 1-1. Unsuprisingly on 84 minutes Liverpool took the lead. Young Steven Gillespie out muscled two County defenders to head home from an acute angle. The home fans were restless. Referee Mike Dean blew up for time, our players were met with a hail of boo's. I could understand their dissapointment, 1-0 against Liverpool only to through it away in the last 15 minutes.

Derby County 1 v 2 Liverpool

Stoke City were already looking like the perenial strugglers. Languishing at the depth of the Premiership without a win to their name.