Derby’s loss to Swansea made it 4 losses in 5 for the Rams and left the club precariously close to the drop zone.  Add to that the unbelievable rise of arch-rivals Nottingham Forest and it has been a difficult few weeks for Derby fans.  Nigel Clough attempted to address Derby’s downfall by bolstering the front-line with the loan signing of DJ Campbell in mid-week as the Ram hoped to put an end to their unpleasant run.

Jobi McAnuff almost spelt disaster for the Rams in the opening minutes as the ex-Watford man fashioned a chance out of nothing from 25 yards that just missed the left post.  Derby’s first chance fell to to in-form striker Rob Hulse who fired a header straight into the arms of Federici.  Jay McEveley shot just wide just before the break to put an end to a half fairly bereft of chances; ultimately paying testament to the struggling forms of both clubs.

Brendan Rodgers half-time team talk had an immediate impact as Reading opened the second half with a goal.  A misplaced pass from Shaun Barker put Derby on the back foot and Jay Tabb found Sigurdsson on the edge of the area to squeeze home the opener.  Derby response marked the confidence of team much higher than their league position suggests as the Rams tied the game within just 4 minutes.  Gary Teale capped off a fast-paced Derby break with a sumptuous cross across the box that was duly converted by Paul Green; his second of the campaign.  Derby’s winner took an almost identical form; defender Jay McEveley providing the cross this time for Rob Hulse to slide home.  Reading did try and mount a comeback, Shaun Barker atoned for his earlier misdeeds with a last ditch block late on and McAnuff shot just wide.  However, their fate was compounded with the sending off of Shane Long late on following an ugly lunge on Derby loanee Fredrik Stoor.

Derby enter the important Christmas fixture list on the back of a promising victory; not only has the Rams impressive home form continued but the team looks rejuvenated with the return from injury of midfield duo Paul Green and Stephen Pearson.  Add to that the on loan signing of DJ Campbell and hopefully Derby fans may have a reason for some Christmas cheer this holiday season.  Still, Pride Park hosts free scoring West Brom on Saturday which will undoubtedly be the Rams biggest test at home this season.

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 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.

Following on from the much-needed clean sheet at Blackpool, Derby hosted Plymouth at Pride Park, a side who had failed to beat the Rams in their previous 6 attempts.  With the return of key players Commons and Hulse, the outlook for Derby was bright.  However, concerns about the fitness of both Commons and Hulse meant Steve Davies lead the line, the starting 11 the same as the previous home match to Peterborough with the exception of Tottenham loanee Jake Livermore who replaced the unfit Paul Green.

Plymouth started the brightest, dominating possession but crucially lacking in the final third.  It took a lunge from new signing Jake Buxton for Plymouth to make the breakthrough, chopping down Alain Judge on the edge of the area.  Whilst the penalty itself was debatable, Clough highlighting the proximity to the edge of the box in his post-game interview, the finish was resolute.

The first goal seemed to spark Derby into life.  The Rams began to create numerous openings, Miles Addison making the most of a Teale Corner only to be denied by some shrewd goal line defending.  It wasn’t until just before the break they finally drew level, Jake Buxton making amends for conceding the penalty with an astute finish from just outside the 6-yard box following a scrappy goalmouth scramble.

The second half began with a concerning leg injury to Steve Davies.  Following a promising pre-season it’s a bitter blow to lose Davies, especially given injury plagued his debutant season with the Rams.  His replacement Hulse performed well as lone striker and set up numerous chances that Derby failed to capitalise on.  The game seemed destined for a draw until the final stages.  Alain Judge missed a gilt-edged chance for Plymouth, firing over following a fast counter attack. In the final seconds Derby responded with an incredible Miles Addison header from a Gary Teale corner, yet another well worked set piece

Derby finish the opening 4 games with an impressive 7 points from a possible 12.  However, the promising start must be taken with a pinch of salt as all the opposition so far are heavily touted as relegation candidates and undoubtedly Derby face much more difficult ties ahead; none other than a trip to the City Ground next weekend.

Derby’s season opener witnessed what the media labelled the battle of the ‘greats’, Clough Jnr vs. Ferguson Jnr.  Both promising young managers, burdened with the baggage of their fathers managerial success; the opening game of the season was the ideal opportunity to improve their standing.  Clough was notably the more apprehensive of the two given the fitness concerns of attacking duo Kris Commons and Rob Hulse and the disappointing news Chris Porter would be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.  Thus, Steve Davies earned himself the lone striker role following his impressive pre-season form.

However it was centre-back Miles Addison, back in the side following an injury plagued finale to the previous season, who opened the scoring, nodding in a headed pass from Jake Buxton.  Paul Green deserved credit for his vision following a delightful ball in from the left.  The width offered by Croft and Teale lead to a first half dominated by Derby, flaunting a passing game one would expect to see at the Emirates rather than Pride Park.  Crucially however, a second goal failed to materialise.

Peterborough battled back valiantly in the second half with Mclean and Mackail-Smith fashioning chances but Derby looked firmly in control.  It took a moment of madness from goalkeeper Stephen Bywater to gift Peterborough a lifeline, needlessly fouling Shaun Batt in the penalty area, duly converted by George Boyd.

Pride Park was momentarily silenced before Gary Teale scored a fortuitous winner, poking the ball under keeper Joe Lewis following a goalmouth scramble.  Kris Commons should have made it three but was exceptionally thwarted one on one by England Under-21 Joe Lewis.

Derby fans can rejoice the club has finally broken the run of failing to win on the opening day of the season, a run stretching back to the victory over Reading in 2002.  Further optimism can be found in the performance of controversial lower league signings Jake Buxton and Dean Moxey.  Both had solid debuts in front of the imposing 33,000 at Pride Park, as did ex-Norwich winger Lee Croft who made a number of threatening crosses in the first half.

With the League Cup cast firmly out of the picture the Rams today refocused their attention on the league; hoping to build upon their excellent start against new boys Peterborough. Next up was a trip to (not so) sunny Scunthorpe.

Derby were forced to field a seriously weakened side after the injury crisis currently plaguing the club added Steve Davis to it’s list against Rotherham midweek. This weakness was duly noted in the final score as Derby were stretched to far across the pitch, and found themselves wide open to Scunthorpe’s counter attacks.

The game started brightly with both sides threatening to take the initiative, however it was the home side who struck first. Gary Hooper the starlet of Scunthorpe’s promotion campaign displayed his poacher instincts as he pounced on the rebounded shot of Woolford to give Scunthorpe their first lead of the season,

Derby, keen not to be left behind, were back on level terms with in three minutes. Paul Green began his seasons tally with a well struck shot past keeper Murphey. If the Ram’s thought that they could keep status quo until half time they were duly mistaken.

Just a minute before the break, the excellent Hooper struck again, driving a low hard shot past Bywater who despite getting his fingers to the ball was unable to stop its inevitable track.

The second half saw the emergence of Kris Commons from the bench for his first appearance of the season. Within a matter a minutes he had lived up to his reputation and drawn the Rams level. A spot kick had been awarded to Derby after Scunthorpe keeper Murphy felled Green in the box. Resuming his duties, Commons confidently sent Murphy the wrong way.

With half an hour still to play many of the 2,000 travelling Rams fans would have happily settled for a draw, given the surprising prowess of the league newcomers. Derby were to suffer one last time as Scunthorpe claimed all three points eight minutes from time. Hooper, heavily involved once again released Woolford on a charging run into the Derby box; with Derby’s defence seemingly absent Woolford buried the ball into the net with a low shot beneath the reach of Bywater.

The Rams fielded an unchanged side for the visit of Swansea City, but once again found themselves stifled in their quest for three points. 

Both sides made bright starts to the game, however it was Derby who were to take the lead. Robbie Savage was denied a repeat of his stunning free kick at Doncaster midweek by an excellent block from keeper Dorus de Vries, the rebound was met by Chris Porter who slid the ball in for his first Derby goal. 

The Rams continued to push forward and on 19 minutes counted themselves unlucky to have a penalty claim turned down by referee Phil Crossley; Rob Hulse had been charging down on goal only to be brought down by de Vries.  Within the minute Hulse was once again cursing his luck after a close range effort knocked in from the cross of Steve Davies was ruled out for offside. 

Derby were to double their lead shortly after the restart; Chris Porter grabbing his second of the game after latching onto Paul Connolly’s long clearance to coolly place the ball past de Vries following a one on one with the Swansea keeper.  

The Rams however despite all their efforts were unable to hold onto their lead. Angel Rangel pulled one back for the visitors; volleying Gomez’s free kick off the post and into the net. With Pintado scoring off the bar with two minutes left on the clock to make it all square. 

Derby still did not give up the cause, having already hit the woodwork twice courtesy of Teale and Davies the Rams went close again to sealing the tie up only to see Paul Green’s rasping volley turned over the crossbar. 

A rain soaked Pride Park crowd saw a strong performance from a Derby side who were on the night unable to overcome Swansea’s stylish play, however this certainly was not a performance to get downhearted over, and if the Rams play like this in the coming weeks then Championship survival is all but secured.  

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?

Derby’s FA Cup first leg against F*rest at Pride Park resulted in a 1-1 draw, giving Nigel Clough the opportunity of returning to his old City Ground to show the Reds exactly what Derby are capable of.

However, George Burley Billy Davies had other plans and within the minute, Chris Cohen thrashed in a left foot shot to give F*rest the early lead.

It didn’t take long for F*rest to get a second opportunity when Derby keeper Stephen Bywater brought down Nathan Tyson in the goal after beating our offside trap. Tyson’s needed little effort to give F*rest an early 2-0 lead and a foot hold over Derby.

Thankfully, Derby were quick to retaliate, pushing forward against F*rest’s defence and creating plenty of opportunities. Robbie Savage was on form in the centre of the field, giving Derby plenty of confidence as well as opening up F*rest’s defence for Rob Hulse, Paul Green and Kris Commons to break though.

After just ten minutes, Gary Teale managed to deliver a fine cross for Rob Hulse to meet and nod in to give Derby that much-needed goal, lifting Derby’s spirits for the remaining minutes of the first half

The second half was where the excitement was at. Both teams fought hard with plenty of chances at both ends of the pitch, but it was Derby who seemed to be dominating.

Deadlock was broken though In the 60th minute when Teale knocked another fine ball in for Paul Green to convert for Derby – it was 2-2 and there was everything to play for.

Remarkably, F*rest struggled to overpower Derby on their home turf through the rest of the second half. Kris Commons was determined to get the winning shot, rattling the up-right with one shot and narrowly mising with another.

His dreams came true though in the 74th minute when his shot took a slight deflection, beating F*rest’s keeper Paul Smith and meeting the back of the net. After all the booing from his old team’s supporters, it must have felt fantastic to get the winning goal in such a prestigous Cup tie.

It was an emotional game for many, with George Burley Billy Davies being beaten by his old side, Nigel Clough beating his old side and Kris Commons, once again, scoring the vital goal.

Derby will now face Man Utd (yet again) in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday 15th February back at Pride Park. If we can repeat what happened in the Carling Cup, there’s no reason why Derby can’t progress to the quarter finals.

Now, back to the league…

Derby had a difficult week ahead of them this week with two very important Cup fixtures lined up. After Man Utd knocked Derby out of the Carling Cup on Tuesday night, Derby had to concentrate on beating arch rivals Nottingham Forest to progress to the 5th round of the FA Cup.

Both sides fought hard though it was Derby who took the lead in the first half. Paul Green smartly dummied a shot on goal, instead passing to Paul Connolly who crossed for Rob Hulse to fire home.

The tense match continued in the second half, both Derby and Forest working hard to beat the others. After 63 minutes though, Forest pretty much mimicked Derby’s maneouvres from the first half when Nathan Tyson‘s dummied Derby’s defence, allowing Robert Earnshaw the chance to finish from eight yards.

The game finished 1-1 forcing the return replay the other end of Brian Clough Way at the City Ground, scheduled for Wednesday 4th February 2009. Nigel Clough will be looking forward to his travels, visiting his old team and, hopefully, putting one over them.