Who Stole The Soul?

It’s been a while since I posted on Ramspace. Our horror show season isn’t the reason, as dark days generally equal great content and, let’s be honest, we’ve had bad seasons before.

I can’t say I’ve fell out of love with the club as I am pretty sure I have watched every single game home and away on TV. But something has felt different about Derby County this season and I am sure I am not the only one who has felt it.  

This is Voetbal, Young Man

Saturdays draw at Bournemouth was, on paper, a cracking result for Derby. Indeed coming out of this last weeks games against Forest Cardiff and Bournemouth unbeaten deserves immense credit to the players and coaching staff.

Only bagging 3 points from these games when we really should have had 9, maybe not so much.

99 Problems but Keogh ain’t one

With all the drama of last season over, our EFL case won and Derby having a reasonably positive transfer window to date, hopes were high amongst Rams fans for Philip Cocu to really push forward with the next phase of his DCFC project in season 2020/21. I think it’s fair to say that our worst start to a season for 28 years wasn’t exactly in the brochure.

Truth is Stranger Than Fiction – End of Season 19/20

Friends it’s been a while. I hope you and yours are safe and doing well in these strange times.

With the natural break in proceedings during lockdown and the associated, unnatural, disengagement with The Rams during that period, I’ve not had the urge to write for a while. However with Derby’s season now officially done, I thought it was time to get my finger round the keyboard again!

Derby County Barometer – February 2020

As the Rams enter a new decade, the ever present drama off the pitch shows no signs of subsiding anytime soon. Thankfully, matters on the pitch have taken a definite turn for the better with Rams currently in fine fettle and scoring goals all over the place.

Check out whats hot and whats not at the Derby County fun factory with our first Barometer of 2020.

Tainted Love

In a season where even the biggest wrist slasher would have been struggling to think of any new ways for Derby County to out Derby County themselves, this last week really will take some beating.

It started with Krystian Bielek suffering a season ending ACL injury in a low key U23 run out, went up a notch mid week with the Rams being charged by the EFL for, allegedly, inflating the value of our stadium and players, then finished with our potential new owner Henry Gabay admitting he will now have to re-evaluate his investment. Good Times!

Bitter Weak Symphony – Wigan Away

Yesterday I was part of a large Derby support which made its way to bottom of the table Wigan for the traditional Boxing Day football fix.

As you will know, a solid display by Ben Hamer and a last gasp goal from Waggy saved Derby from yet more away day misery, but here’s my thoughts on the game and some of the bigger issues currently facing the Rams.

Chasing The Tail Of A Dream

Friends, it’s been a while.

When you choose to write a blog about something you care about, its generally because that thing regularly causes very strong positive or negative emotions, which inspire you to share your thoughts with fellow  enthusiasts of your chosen topic.

In a season where Derby County have, unbelievably, been finding even more new ways to be Derby County off the pitch, matters on the pitch have, frankly, been a bit dull. But after Saturdays cracking win over PNE, are we now seeing that there may actually be some substance to the constant ‘jam tomorrow’ rhetoric?

Derby County Barometer – September 2019

As we sit in the middle of the first international break of the season, it’s the perfect opportunity to take a breath and consider the story of Derby’s season so far and the first few months on the Phillip Cocu Era.

What better way to do that than via the medium of the classic Ramspace Barometer? (stolen from The Face magazine over 20 years ago and still going strong!)

Misguided Youth

Last night you will be well aware that a less than full strength Rams team were hammered 3-0 by Forest in the Carabao Cup second round.

Whilst losing to Forest under any circumstances is a bad thing and the Rams performance was certainly less than satisfactory, the main post match debate has been less about individual players, but more about Cocu’s team selection and his general attitude to this game.