21st – Derby County January Sale

If you haven’t done your Christmas shopping yet, then I would suggest you better get a shift on. However, as you scrape around for your last few stocking fillers, stores on the high street and online alike are preparing their January Sales.

Derby County are no different and here’s a leaked sales brochure that is due to be emailed out on Boxing day.

Gary Rowett Summer To Do List

Following Monday nights defeat to Fulham the focus has swiftly moved to what’s next for The Rams and specifically this summers transfer activity.

Whilst no-one can doubt that Fulham deserved to win the tie over the two legs, it’s also a fair observation that Gary Rowett actually won the tactical battle, but simply didn’t have the quality of player or legs in the final third to execute his plan.

Thus, once again, The Rams enter a summer trying to work out how we turn a decent season into an ultimately successful one. Against a backdrop of stated austerity from Mel, Rowett’s “to do” list is lengthy. Here’s what on it.

The Downer Hour

For the first time this season, I really wasn’t looking forward to yesterdays game. Even with no other commitments and a clear run for some pre-match beers, I was fearing the worst but hoping the Rams would prove me wrong.

Unfortunately, the game went absolutely as you would have expected it to, with Fulham racing into an early lead and Derby huffing and puffing but not even blowing down the picket fence, never mind getting anywhere near the house.

Here’s ten points on yesterday and the current state of the Rams nation.

How Much is that Winger in the Window?

Following last week’s piece on Darren Bent, I’ve all but finished follow up Departure Lounge pieces on JR and Shacks.

I was intending on posting one tonight and another next week. However, over the last few days, post transfer window and post Brentford, I’ve done a few tweets that have had an unusually large (for me) take up in terms of likes and responses.  Thus, in the interests of staying on topic, I’ve pulled some of the thoughts together here in slightly expanded form.

Derby County – New Season Barometer

Over the last few years, each new Derby season has been heralded as a new dawn only for Rams fans to be served with the same old, from exactly the same group of players, against the backdrop of a procession of managers, relieved of their duties.

With the sale of our two star players in Tom Ince and Will Hughes, some canny signings and early signs that we may have a keeper in Rowett, this season genuinely does feel like a fresh start for The Rams.

Thus, what better way to see in the new season and new era with a well overdue return for the classic Ramspace Barometer. Enjoy.

Rinse, No Repeat – Part 2

It wasn’t too long ago that a Derby midfield three made up of Hendrick Hughes and Bryson, in his pomp, was widely regarded as one of the best in the division. When Steve McClaren added George Thorne to the mix it seemed like the final piece of the jigsaw.

A few years, a few managers, some awful injuries and some even more awful recruitment later, our midfield is simply a mess and the number one area for refresh over the close season.

In part 2 of this short series, we pick the bones out of the Rams Midfield and what needs done this summer.

23rd – George Thorne

Today, the 23rd of December is my son’s birthday, so it seems fitting that today’s piece is focused on his favourite player, mercurial Rams CDM, holding midfielder, quarter back, deep lying midfielder, “number 4” (choose your favourite) – George Thorne.

Happy Days at Huddersfield

Yesterday at Huddersfield was one of those classic away days that everyone who was there will always recall as a top day to be a Rams fan. As I said on twitter, life doesn’t get much better than someone banging a winning 25 yard screamer in the top bin, in front of 4k Derby away fans.

Here’s my thoughts on the game, with some general Rams commentary thrown in for good measure.

What Went Down – Grimsby Away

Today I had a thoroughly enjoyable family day out at the Seaside wrapped around The Rams first public game of season 2015/2016 (and the first of the Paul Clement era) at Grimsby.

You can read a match report on the official site, DET and a few other blogs, but here’s my key observations on the days proceedings.

The CDM Debate

Since the crushing blow of George Thorne’s injury, there’s been lots of debate about who should take his place in the crucial defensive midfield pivot role, or CDM as it’s referred to on FIFA and Football Manager.

Earlier today I put a tweet out with my view that sparked a, relative, flurry of responses and retweets to the extent I thought it was worth expanding my point a little on Ramspace.