Derby came in to Friday’s game in a run of dismal form: as if 3 straight defeats were not bad enough, the Rams became the first unfortunate victims to fall to Roy Keane’s much-maligned Ipswich Town.  Despite the recent lack of success, Derby fans had some optimism in the return to fitness of frontman Rob Hulse and midfielders Stephen Pearson and Paul Green.

Derby got off to the worst possible start as Chris Coleman’s men quickly punished some sloppy Rams defending.  Leon Best was first to react to a poor Bywater punch to volley a left footed shot drive into the net just before the 5 minute mark.  Derby fashioned the better of the other first half chances, Dean Leacock and Rob Hulse both firing just wide of the target.  Derby also had a strong penalty claim turned down as Shaun Barker was chopped down in the box.  Derby’s bad luck was compounded just before the break as on loan striker Paul Dickov astonishingly fired over from 6 yards out.

Dickov promptly atoned for his mistake however turning provider just after the restart.  Dickov curled over a sumptuous ball from the left finding Rob Hulse with space between the Coventry centre backs; Hulse made no mistake and placed the ball smartly past Konstantopoulos.  Derby completed the turnaround with some impressive play again by the forward partnership.  Paul Dickov chased what seemed like a lost cause before producing a remarkable ball from wide right that was driven in by Hulse.  The second half was not without controversy however as Coventry right back Jordan Clarke picked up a sending off following a challenge on Robbie Savage.  Replays showed little contact and some Oscar worthy theatrics from the Derby captain.  In the final stages Hulse was denied his hatrick following a penalty miss after Lee Croft was brought down In the box.

Whilst Derby fans may have felt disappointed with the lack of endeavour shown in the first half, the Rams showed a resilience in the second half notably lacking in recent defeats.  Whilst the team still looks uncomfortable at the back and often fail to retain possession with an array misplaced passes, fans can take heart in a much needed 3 points that see the Rams edge closer away from the drop zone.  Much optimism can also be found in the budding partnership of veteran Dickov and current fans player of the year Rob Hulse and the two look set to retain their places as the Rams travel to Swansea on the 20^th November.

Derby entered the international break on a high following an impressive 3-0 victory against Sheffield Wednesday at home.  The Rams bounced back from the 6-1 mauling against Cardiff City and looked in good form for a trip to the Walkers Stadium to face East Midlands rivals Leicester.  Injuries had looked set to disturb the Derby back four, with Leacock and Buxton still in recovery and news Barker was rumoured to be on the sidelines for a considerable length of time.  Jay McEveley was temporarily the only fit centre back in the first team squad.  Luckily, both Leacock and Barker miraculously made the starting 11 and proved to be the stars of what turned out to be a lacklustre derby.

Leicester started the first half the brightest, dominating possession and plying constant pressure on the Derby back 4.  Prolific scorer Matt Fryatt caused problems in the 10^th minute following a darting run into the Derby area but produced a tame effort easily held by Stephen Bywater.  The Foxes continued to dominate without making the crucial breakthrough, Andy King came close with a long range effort just the wrong side of the top corner.

Derby woke up in the second half and played a more offensive game.  The best chance of the match came from Derby midfielder Kris Commons who curled a stunning shot onto the cross-bar.  Controversy struck both teams late on, Derby being denied two penalty shouts for fouls on Rob Hulse.  Meanwhile Leicester fans were jubilant just before the whistle as ex-Ram Matt Oakley placed the ball into the back of the net seemingly scoring a last-gasp winner.  The linesman saved the day however, signaling offside at ensuring Derby earnt a hard earned point.

The Rams will be pleased to make the short journey back to Derby with a point.  Whilst some fans may be unhappy at the negativity of Clough’s 4-5-1 formation, given the clubs injury crisis up front (Davies, Porter et al.) and the attacking prowess of Leicester City’s front 2; Clough must be praised for his shrewd tactics.  In fact fans might feel hard done by just to leave with a single point following the penalty appeals.  The defence stability from today’s game will need to replicated on Tuesday night as Derby face Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

The outlook for Derby’s first visit to the Cardiff City stadium seemed bright.  The victory against Bristol City on Saturday brought a welcoming halt to Derby’s concerning run of defeats.  Whilst the Rams looked wasteful in the final third, the centre half pairing of Shaun Barker and Dean Leacock seemed solid, bringing a defensive confidence so evidently absent in the previous two seasons.  Add to that Cardiff City’s recent poor form and lack of goals from striker Michael Chopra and Derby fans would have been forgiven for perhaps expecting a rare haul of 3 points on the road.

It wasn’t long before the newfound optimism was cruelly brought back to reality, as Derby began poorly.  The Derby back four played a poorly timed offside trap and Peter Whittingham took advantage, stroking the ball home from just a few yards out.  Things soon went from bad to worse, as Derby’s promising central defensive partnership was broken as Dean Leacock was replaced on the 30^th minute with a tight hamstring.  Jay McEveley, Leacock’s replacement, suffered a baptism of fire as Michael Chopra put the Bluebirds up by 2 soon after, slotting in after a sumptuous ball from wide left.

As the second half began Derby looked set to mount a come back; Rob Hulse pulling one back against the run of play.  The Rams striker beat Mark Hudson to a cross and toe-poked the ball past Cardiff keeper Marshall.  The comeback was quickly quashed as Derby capitulated under the constant pressure of Cardiff striker Michael Chopra.  Chopra made it 3-1 soon after, dashing through a gaping hole in Derby’s defence to squeeze the ball home.  Cardiff fans were still celebrating when Chopra completed his hatrick, benefitting off some woeful marking from Shaun Barker and exquisitely chipping the ball over Bywater.  Dean Moxey was to blame for the fifth; the promising youngster looked completely out of sorts throughout the entire match and his poor marking lead to Chris Burke inflicting further embarrassment.  Chopra still hadn’t finished though, he added his fourth late on.  Jay McEveley was at fault this time, Chopra turning the Derby defender unchallenged and finishing with utmost poise.

Nigel Clough recently appeared on Radio Derby on the back of Derby’s run of 4 defeats.  Press and fans alike were quick to lavish Clough with praise, highlighting his defiant approach and bravery in answering the calls of his critics, an attribute many managers notably lack.  The Bristol City result seemed to finally signal that Derby had turned the proverbial corner and all seemed rosy in the Derby camp.  This proved to be short lived and both the embarrassing score line and appalling performance left Derby fans humiliated.  Whilst perhaps the Middlesbrough defeat at home to West Brom stands to be spare Derby’s blushes for the worst defeat in this championship season so far, fans may feel increasingly apprehensive as Derby hang precariously above the gaping jaws of the relegation zone.  Many level headed fans will be keen to stress composure and perspective, but that is a difficult skill sect to possess given the similarity of manner of this defeat and the painful memories of our last ill fated Premier League season.  Whilst fans calling for Nigel’s head will remain firmly in the minority for the time being, Nigel’s injury ravaged Derby side need to put on a resolute display at home on Saturday, against high fliers Sheffield Wednesday, to silence the ever-growing doubters.

Derby came into this game off the back of four consecutive defeats; a positive result was imperative. In true Derby style, the Rams refused to do things the simple way, and instead took the 27,000 strong Pride Park crowd on an 85 minute rollercoaster ride of missed opportunities.

The Pride Park heart attacks began in just the second minute; City forced Derby back into their own box, allowing Costa Rican striker Álvaro Saborío a header at close range. Luckily for the Rams, the new defensive partnership of Leacock and Barker were able to block the ball sufficiently for Bywater to come out on top of the goal mouth scramble that ensued.

The first half continued with neither side looking particularly keen to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Orr and Sno both shot worryingly wide from just outside of the penalty box for City, but the visitors were unable to make much headway beyond that.

The second half marked what was probably the most exciting 45 minutes of football at Pride Park this season. The Rams shot out of blocks with debutant James Vaughan pushing hard for his first Derby goal but was ultimately matched by City keeper Basso.

The excitement really began just after the 50 minute mark as Rob Hulse was wrestled to the ground by Bristol captain McCombe.  Hulse appeared to throw the ball at McCombe’s feet; as the two stood up they came face to face and in a theatrical performance worthy of a part in a West End play McCombe threw himself backwards in an attempt to get the Derby man sent off for a head butt.  The two never made contact. The resultant yellow card for McCombe became particularly costly when less than two minutes later the Bristol man blocked Hulse as he stormed towards the box.  The referee had no choice but to reach for the second yellow and relegate the Bristol captain to the dressing room.

The sending off proved to be a turning point in the game as Derby surged onwards with their man advantage.  The dominant Derby however appeared unable to get a ball on target, shot after shot went horribly off target or were saved all to easily by Basso.

Croft should have put the Rams ahead when he was gifted the ball by horrendous clearance by Basso; with the City keeper left perilously on the edge of his own box all Croft had to do was pass the ball into the net. Instead he blasted it wide and over; the miss was almost criminal.

Gary Teale on the opposite wing had been having an absolute horror of a game; cries for his substitution echoed around Pride Park. It was the Scotsman however who was to grab the points for the Rams. Teale received the ball from Barker well within his own half, moving swiftly down the left wing the Scot cut inwards beating the City defence to shoot low from 25 yards beating Basso at his near post.  Out of all the players in a Derby shirt Teale had perhaps looked to be the least likely to score; but then again who can predict football!?

Three points should never be bemoaned, but in a game when Derby had no less than twenty attempts on goal questions should really be asked about the quality of the final ball from many players.  The biggest plus to come from the game was undoubtedly the return of Leacock and his partnership with Shaun Barker, this pairing looked solid and hopefully they will be able to build upon this strong start against the impressive Cardiff strike force on Tuesday night.

Derby went into the clash at Selhurst Park in difficult circumstances, following 3 defeats on the bounce, none more harrowing than the 3-2 defeat to Championship strugglers Barnsley on Tuesday night.  Whilst a few disgruntled Derby fans began to mount some pressure on Nigel Clough, this seemed to be relieved midweek as the club pulled off a loan move coup bringing in Everton and England Under 21 striker James Vaughan until the New Year.  In addition to the athletic striker, Derby’s line up was bolstered by a return to fitness for centre half Dean Leacock, with Shaun Barker returning to the bench.

Derby started the first half brightly, Vaughan shooting over from just inside the penalty area and then forcing the first real opening from a free kick.  Gary Teale stepped up from close to the left hand byline and curled in a ferocious effort that was tipped round the post by Palace keeper Julian Speroni.  The free-kick was given for an intriguing hand ball outside the box by Speroni which only resulted, rather peculiarly, in a yellow card.

Crystal Palace broke the deadlock following the break after the Rams conceded a sloppy goal.  The Rams struggled to deal with a long throw into the box, Sean Derry heading the ball past a Derby defence fast asleep and Darren Ambrose applied the finish.  Things went from bad to worse as Palace almost made it two when Johannes Ertl hit the crossbar with a fine header and central pairing Addison and Leacock were forced off with injury.  Late on Teale forced a smart save from Speroni, Hulse shot wide and there was a penalty shout but Derby ended pointless. Despite the defeat Nigel Clough was pleased with the overall performance and effort applied and notably aggrieved by the penalty shouts.

The defeat to Crystal Palace brings the loss streak to a total of 4, with 3 to opposition expected to be Championship strugglers.  With this and the increasingly worrying injury list, the pressure mounts on Nigel Clough as the number of impatient Derby County fans begins to grow.  However, it is essential to maintain a sense of perspective and keep the faith in Clough.  He achieved the objective of safety last season and is in the infancy of his proper reign as manager.  There are many more points still to play for and 3 against Bristol City must be every Derby fans pressing concern, not the position of Clough.

Derby fans entered the international break downbeat following the 3-2  defeat to local rivals Nottingham Forest and the disconcerting aftermath to which both sides have been duly fined.  Following a relatively comfortable start to the season, including a number of relegation candidates, Derby faced their sternest test of the season in the form of defeated playoff contenders Sheffield United.  Summer signing Shaun Barker replaced the quietly impressive Jake Buxton at centre-back whilst midfield pair Paul Green and Lee Croft came in for Tottenham loanee Jake Livermore and under-fire Kris Commons.

Sheffield United dominated the opening stages.  Keith Tracey, on loan from Premier League side Blackburn Rovers, looked very threatening as he fashioned a number of chances, one inches away from Bywater’s left post.  The Blades pressure culminated mid way through the first half as ex-Chesterfield striker Jamie Ward benefitted from some poor defending from Addison, forcing a smart save from Bywater.  The ball rebounded to the feet of Darius Henderson who made no mistake from just outside the 6 yard box.  The Blades celebrations were cut short as a seemingly dubious offside was called and the goal was chalked off.

Whilst the Blades had dominated play in the first half it was Derby who started the better in the second.  Gary Teale continued his notable form, playing a key role in a number of Derby chances.  Hulse failed to convert two headed opportunities whilst Teale himself hit the woodwork with a fortunate cross-come-shot.  The introduction of Kris Commons in the 72nd minute maintained the Derby momentum as the Scottish international put some threatening balls into the box.  Despite all the Derby promise it was the Blades who ended the match victorious as Kilgallon looped a header in from a Keith Treacy free kick, Barker guilty of a needless tackle close the Rams corner flag.  Jamie Ward would have doubled their lead in injury time had Bywater not superbly saved the fierce strike.

Nigel Clough was quick to highlight Shaun Barker (on his first league start) for criticism for lashing out at Stephen Quinn close to the corner flag.  Whilst Clough may feel aggrieved by the manner of the defeat and especially the goal, Derby fans maybe feeling obliged to question the team’s intentions given the 4-5-1 formation being employed by Clough at Pride Park.  The return of Chris Porter in the Winter will hopefully see a turn to more attacking styles of play, especially as the Rams seemed fixated with the long ball to Hulse.  Not only was this out of sorts for the Clough side but notably fruitless against the central partnership of Morgan and Kilgallon.

Despite a run of two losses and the first defeat at home this season, Derby fans still have reason for optimism as Dean Leacock and Steve Davies edge closer to full fitness.  The Derby faithful will expect a full 3 points come Tuesday evening as Derby face bottom club Barnsley at Pride Park.

Derby’s Carling Cup campaign has gone from strength to strength after a delayed schedule the other month so the long awaited journey to Brighton certainly had high expectations.

After 28 minutes, Emmanuel Villa commenced his show-stopping performance with the opening goal after John Sullivan struggled to hold Przemyslaw Kazmierczak‘s cross.

Nathan Ellington followed up with another after 6 minutes, connecting with Dean Leacock‘s cross.

Brighton restored some confidence before the break though when Tommy Elphick headed in a consolation goal taking the half-time score to 1-2.

Brighton showed a lot of confidence throughout the second half but struggled to find an equaliser.

Instead, man of the match Emmanuel Villa took Derby 3-1 up in the 73rd minute before sealing the deal 3 minutes from time with a tidy little 6-yarder.

Derby will now host the 4th round tie against Leeds on Tuesday 11th November at Pride Park, intending on progressing to the 5th round for the first time in decades.