Derby County Barometer – New Season 20/21

As incredible as it may seem, we are now well into pre-season after only 3 weeks or so since the last season finished. The lads are back in, friendlies have started and, I kid you not, we have actually signed someone in the shape of Scotland’s number 1, David Marshall.

Whilst our EFL charge verdict remains outstanding, the whole outlook for the imminent season 20/21 could change immediately at any time. However right here, right now, here’s our traditional new season barometer.

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!)

23rd – Bristol City Post Match

As we approach the final furlong of this run of articles, today is a post match review of yesterdays disappointing draw with Bristol City.

The game was actually pretty entertaining but has to go down as two points lost and certainly threw up more questions than answers about where the Rams are at.

13th – Richard Keogh

Has there ever been a player who has divided opinion amongst Derby fans more than Richard Keogh?

Whilst there is no debate at all about his wholehearted playing style and commitment to the cause, some fans love him whilst others can’t stand him and feel he is synonymous with everything that’s gone wrong on the pitch since 2014.

9th – Wigan Away

Todays another ‘cheat day’ in Advent terms as I get a rest from my daily more creative posts and give you the lowdown on yesterdays ‘gritty’ 1-0 win at Wigan.

As you will see there were plenty of things in this game, good and bad, that we have seen before but a wins a wins a win!

Heres what went down.

Man Utd Away – In Your Dreams Mate

A policy I have always adopted over the years for gigs and football is “if in doubt, get a ticket”.

I would say this policy serves me well 85% of the time, however I doubt it will ever deliver more spectacularly than with last night’s epic victory at Old Trafford.

Hull Away Part 2 – This time it’s serious

Yesterday at Hull was what away days were made for. Glorious sunny day, great laugh with friends and family, good beer, nice food and a late Rams winner to round off proceedings.

Here’s my thoughts on Hull away part deux.

Step Up The Morphine

The EFL scheduled season proper has come to a close and Derby have achieved their minimum stated objective of the play offs whilst significantly reducing their net transfer spend.

With a previously all conquering, but now somewhat out of sorts Fulham side due to visit Pride Park on Friday, it’s definitely all to play for in the final sprint.

Rinse, No Repeat – Part 1

Following the back to back disasters of the Bristol City and Cardiff games, Steve McClaren appealed to Rams fans not to over react and pointed to the great turnaround in form since his arrival.

Whilst Steve has undoubtedly pulled up trees to even get the Rams in the mix at all, this same group of players are again having the same collapse in form at the same time of year.

At the time of writing, Derby sit 11 points outside the play offs (which looks a lot of ground to make up when you consider the teams above them) so thoughts are inevitably turning to next season.

I think most Derby fans would agree that something now must give with this group of players who on their day are great, but simply do not have the X factor required to get us out this league. Thus in the first of a series of articles this week, we consider who stays and who goes, starting with the goalkeepers and defenders.

Post Match Bullets – West Brom

I went to West Brom yesterday with little or no expectation, knowing that I was going to have a few beers, a top laugh with family and friends and hopeful that my team could put up a fight, maybe score a goal and anything else was a bonus. A bit like going to watch Derbyshire Cricket if you get involved in that.

What happened was a new entry into the top 5 away days that I have been to ever. Here’s my thoughts on an absolutely tremendous day for DCFC and all involved.