Having finally found a winning formula in recent weeks, the Rams were brought back down to earth with a bump in this Friday evening kickoff.  

Derby were weakened with the both the influential Kris Commons and Nacer Barazite ruled out through injury and were forced to play a more traditional 442 formation; with Chris Porter making his first start for the Rams up front and a return from injury for Gary Teale on the left. 

In a first half lacking in quality from both sides it was Porter who came closest for the Rams heading onto the bar from a Connolly free kick. 

The half-time break rejuvenated both teams, but it was the Rams who came out the brightest and within 5 minutes had taken the lead. Robbie Savage was quick to take control of the free kick won after Hulse was brought down on the edge of the box.  Savage struck the ball sweetly, over the wall and into the top corner; his first in a Derby shirt. 

Derby’s lead however was short lived, as Paul Heffermen headed low past Bywater to bring Doncaster back into the game.

After failing to defend a Doncaster corner properly the Rams found themselves behind in a league game for the first time in a month. The ball fell to Mark Wilson, whose awkward shot from 25 yards dipped and swayed, bouncing in front of Bywater and up into the net. 

Whilst Bywater may have been at fault for Doncaster’s second, he was back on form to deny Hefferman ten minutes from time with an excellent reflex save. 

All in all it was a disappointing performance from the Rams after their recent run of form, but with the weekend to regroup before Tuesday night’s match against Swansea let’s hope it proves to be just a blip in an upwards trend.

Matches between these old rivals require little in the way of introduction at the best of times, but add Derby’s FA cup comeback just a fortnight ago into the mix and the intensity is taken up a notch.  This fixture is as much about pride as it is three points. 

The Rams, keen not to let the occasion spoil their recent winning streak were first out of the blocks, and in less than five minutes Lewin Nyatanga was able to put the Rams one up volleying Kris Commons’ free kick into the bottom corner. 

Derby were dealt yet another injury blow to accompany those picked up at Coventry midweek as Nacer Barazite was replaced by Sterjovski on 15 minutes after being forced off with a dislocated shoulder.    

Despite going behind early it was Forest who were to have the better chances for the remainder of the first half, with Earnshaw twice lifting the ball over Bywater’s bar. 

Having used half time to regroup the Rams came out fired up and with barely a minute of the second half on the clock had doubled their lead.  Once again the goal came from a set-piece; this time crossed in by Robbie Savage and glanced goalwards by Hulse with a deft header on the edge of the six yard box. 

If a state of euphoria had not already been reached amongst the hordes of travelling Derby supporters then it certainly was by the 62^nd minute when Rob Hulse was pushed in the box by Forest captain James Perch.  The resulting penalty was tucked away by Steve Davies to make it three to the Rams. 

Having already used all three substitutions Derby were forced to finish the game with ten men as Jay McEveley like Barazite suffered with his shoulder. 

With the extra man Forest again applied the pressure, eventually pulling one back through Earnshaw who headed down into the Derby net.  

This proved to be only a consolation as Derby walked away with their heads held high.  It had been over thirty years since a Derby victory at the City Ground and with two now in as many weeks things are certainly looking on to be on the up!

The Rams continued their recent winning streak with an emphatic victory against Blackpool.

Under the flood-lit Pride Park the Rams made a confident start to the game and were ahead by the eighth minute, as Hulse pounced on Stephen Crainey’s poor back pass to set up Kris Commons who passed into an empty net.

Any hopes of a quick double were dashed as the recent revelation of Gary Teale limped off to be replaced Steve Davies; the confident play which has epitomised the Rams’ performances of late seemingly drained away.

By the 31^st minute the game was back on even terms as former Ram Rob Edwards rose unchallenged to head in Stephen Crainey’s free kick.

As half time came and went the deadlock continued; whilst a Derby side of old (or even of six weeks ago) may have slipped up under such circumstances this was Nigel Clough’s rejuvenated Derby. A point made clear with a piece of magic from Kris Commons‘ on the 74^th minute. Collecting the ball on the right Commons weaved his way to the edge of the box where he unleashed a screamer into the far top corner for his second of the game.

The lead galvanised the Rams who launched wave after wave of attack. It wasn’t long before Blackpool’s defences were breached again as Green latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Commons to make it three to the Rams.

By the time Barazite scored his first goal in a Derby shirt the Rams were home and dry. Collecting the ball in his own half Barazite strolled forward launching a shot from 20 yards beating the keeper with the help of a deflection.

With another three points in the bag and another large step towards safety taken,  the Rams’ can finally put the first half of the season behind them and begin making strides upwards and onwards!

Up next is the small matter of a wooded outcrop down the A52… did somebody shout TIMBER?

After the drama at Charlton earlier in the week, Derby were keen to restore some confidence on home turf with a few wins. It wasn’t going to a stroll in the park with Watford but they certainly were ready to give it a try.

Unfortunately, both teams were deadlocked for the majority of the game. Derby and Watford were creating mediocre chances but neither team were capable of hitting the back of the net.

It was only after 83 minutes when Rob Hulse managed to connect with Nacer Barazite’s cross, heading in his seventh goal of the season.

After a week of sickness and wary season previous, it was a huge boost for Derby’s striker and Hulse will certainly be working hard to regain his regular position up front after today’s game.

Since the start of the season, this was one of the biggest fixtures on Derby’s schedule – facing up against arch rivals Nottingham Forest, both joining the Championship this season from either end of the Football League.

The nerves were obviously taking over at the start of the game as neither team were able to break the deadlock with uninspiring performances from both sides and a 0-0 scoreline to show for it.

It was in the second half when the drama unfolded.

Emanuel Villa clumsily knocked in an own goal for Forest after Stephen Bywater managed to save a shot from Luke Chambers.

Villa was quick to restore himself though as he connected with a free kick from Jordan Stewart to take the scores level.

The referee and linesmen had the last laugh though as Forest’s Lewis McGugan was sent off after a nasty tackle, eight players were booked, a penalty was rewarded and missed by Nacer Barazite and a last second goal by Miles Addison was disallowed.

Many will say Derby were robbed of three points this time round. The harsh reality is we were unable to beat Forest on home turf so have to step up the gear for the return leg on 21st Feburary.