Another season of Championship football was finally assured for the Rams after this determined victory against already relegated Charlton. 

The first half of this affair highlighted all the reasons why these two teams have both languished in the lower half of the table for much of the season.  The problem lay not in the amount of chances created by either team, but instead in their inability to capitalise upon their efforts. 

Kris Common’s claimed the best of Derby’s chances during the first half coming closest around the 20 minute mark, when a darting run from midfield opened up the opportunity for a shot. Whilst on previous occasions the Scotland international has managed to burst the back of the net from this distance, his attempt this time fell agonisingly wide. 

The second half started much brighter than the first.  Newly crowned player of the season Rob Hulse came tantalisingly close twice, and similar chances were had through Albrechtsen and Commons. It was clear that the Rams could sense that victory was in their grasp and with it mathematical safety. 

All the pressure on display at Pride Park today, was released by a Rob Hulse goal on 70 minutes. Gary Teale’s corner was cleared but only as far as Bannan who returned it back in to the box to be headed in by Hulse. 

With the season now all but over, the Ram’s can finally begin to look towards August and the start of the new Clough era in earnest.

Derby’s defence frailties were ripped open at Bramall Lane as the Blades scored four. 

Despite early attacking flourishes the Rams found themselves behind on seven minutes. David Cotterill found himself with the ball on the wing and under no pressure his pass across to Kyle Naughton  also in acres of space set the youngster up to shoot across the goal and past Bywater to give United the advantage. 

Just 14 minutes later the Blades doubled their lead with a Darius Henderson header from 6 yards. Once again Cotterill had been able to find space on the wing to put in the necessary cross. 

It took Derby until the second half to conjure up any sort of reply. On 52 minutes Gary Teale’s shot had Kenny beaten only for Chris Morgan to clear off the Sheffield United line; his clearance fell straight to Hulse who will face few easier chances as he fired home from close range. 

The ray of light offered by Hulse’s goal was soon cancelled out by another act of absent defending.  Cotterill again found space down to play in Henderson who easily turned Albrechtsen to shoot low into the goal. 

As if highlight the differences between this Derby team that of earlier in the season the Rams did not give up and kept their heads high continuing to attack.  This perseverance paid off just six minutes later with a goal from new boy Barry Bannan.  A darting run from Davies into the box gave him the opportunity to pull the ball back to Bannan who buried the ball high into the roof of Kenny’s net.  

With Derby continuing to attack it would not have been unexpected had they succeeded in grabbing an equaliser; but any late celebration went the way of the Blades as late into injury time as Craig Beattie took United’s tally to four driving low past Bywater. 

Ultimately the result may have been harsh on a Derby side who attacked well throughout the game; however this only serves to highlight the frailties in the Rams’ defensive line something which must be seriously addressed before next weeks visit of Barnsley. 

With Derby County making excellent progress in the less popular Carling Cup – facing Manchester United in the semi-final later in the week – any success in the FA Cup was just the icing on the cake. Nonetheless, facing non-league Forest Green shouldn’t have been a huge problem.

Unfortunately, things didn’t start out as well as expected.

Forest Green’s Jonathan Smith and Alex Lawless managed to give the home side a two goal lead within 20 minutes, indicating early signs of a shock win for the underdogs.

It took until the 40th minute for Derby to retaliate when Rob Hulse headed in Kris Commons‘ cross as well as a leveller from Martin Albrechtsen before the half time whistle.

The second half was just as exciting, if a little tense.

Forest Green took another lead when Paul Stonehurst took them ahead again in the 72nd minute but, thankfully, it only four minutes for Derby’s Paul Green to equalise again.

It wasn’t until the dying 87th minute when Steve Davies was rewarded a penalty which he quickly converted past Darren Jones, taking Derby into the 4th round of the FA Cup.

Let’s hope Derby don’t play such a stressful game against Man Utd in the week – this could kill some Derby fans!

After being denied their first away win against Swansea last week and losing the lead against Cardiff in the week, Derby were fired up and ready to take on Queens Park Rangers on their visit South.

QPR nearly took the lead in the early stages from a Dexter Blackstock shot but Roy Carroll was there to stop it.

It wasn’t until the last 11 minutes when Martin Albrechtsen‘s left foot thumped in the first for Derby, before Emanuel Villa wrapped up the game for the travelling side, heading in Steven Davies‘ cross, ending QPR’s 100% home record.

Next up is fellow Premiership relegatees Birmingham at home on Tuesday where he can surely improve on our current run.

After the 1-1 draw at Swansea earlier in the week, Derby were hoping to progress against travelling Cardiff at Pride Park this weekend.

It was looking good in the first half. Cardiff put up a good fight as they always do but it was Derby defender Martin Albrechtsen who broke the deadlock, firing home a belter in the 30th minute.

On resuming the match after half time, Cardiff pushed even harder and managed to get level in the 67th minute when Joe Ledley was fouled in the penalty area by Miles Addison, giving Ross McCormack the easy task of slotting in a penalty.

It was another strong performance from Derby and a huge improvement on the side we got used to last season but it’s a shame we’ve still only got one win out of seven games. At least the points are trickling in this season though.