Derby missed a sitter (header) to make it 2-1

Sucker punch, 1-2

Was all Derby this half.

Sheff Utd lucky with the rebounded ball falling at their feet for both goals

1-3

Their third a yard "offside" by my reckoning?

1-3 FT

No it was onside.

The two late goals make it look a disappointing performance, but I thought we looked strong in the second half, very fit for sure. Obviously they have got a lot more quality and it showed - Berge is a fabulously silky and effortless player. I thought Washington and Waghorn looked lively enough when they came on. Smith was excellent until his silly crossfield pass cost s goal. I was encouraged overall.

comment by 🏁 AnglianRam 🏁 (U17428)
posted 26 minutes ago
Youve still got it, UT
---------------------------------------------------------------------- the problem is I can't remember what it is

Well that was a really good test against a sharp and skillful side. However I think the scoreline flattered them a bit. We could and maybe should have scored two more but they also missed some chances. I say they were flattered because all of their goals had elements of fortune about them, the second from a lucky deflection and the first and third from mistakes.

This time Thommo looked out of place at left WB with Fozzie looking much more the part. Ward is good but was a bit quiet today. Wilson looked a really good acquisition, quick and tricky. I thought Nelson outshone Bradley today in spite of his mistake leading to the first goal. Bird was my MOM - he looks so much fitter and quicker now and put in some crunching challenges. Smith and Hourihane also did well but were outshone by Berge, a real class act. Collo battled away and Cashin was assured.

Both Waggy and Washington added a spark when they came on and I suspect Waggy will get a contract if we can't get anyone else. M-L showed some good moments and could do a job up front if needed.

Lots to be positive about because for most of the second half we were the better side.

comment by Chicagoram (U22653)
posted 15 hours, 47 minutes ago
Well that was a really good test against a sharp and skillful side. However I think the scoreline flattered them a bit. We could and maybe should have scored two more but they also missed some chances. I say they were flattered because all of their goals had elements of fortune about them, the second from a lucky deflection and the first and third from mistakes.

This time Thommo looked out of place at left WB with Fozzie looking much more the part. Ward is good but was a bit quiet today. Wilson looked a really good acquisition, quick and tricky. I thought Nelson outshone Bradley today in spite of his mistake leading to the first goal. Bird was my MOM - he looks so much fitter and quicker now and put in some crunching challenges. Smith and Hourihane also did well but were outshone by Berge, a real class act. Collo battled away and Cashin was assured.

Both Waggy and Washington added a spark when they came on and I suspect Waggy will get a contract if we can't get anyone else. M-L showed some good moments and could do a job up front if needed.

Lots to be positive about because for most of the second half we were the better side.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It's a matter of opinion, but I would have preferred Martin to Waghorn.

Looking at our midfield issue of requiring squad players of better quality than what we currently have I see Matty Longstaff is still available. Deployed mainly as a DM but can play as a CM too would he be worth considering or not good enough?

As much as I'd love to see a Chris Martin return and continue where he left off I think it's best we consider him as part of our past. We require pace upfront considering Collins and Waghorn are in their 30s, not the fastest and I'm not sure how rapid 'Denzel' (Washington) is. We do need pace to give defences problems.

PW has already said that while Martin is a good player he does not fit how PW wants to play.

Washington, in his brief appearance, looked to have considerable pace.

He definitely seems to be a Warne-style player, one who will scurry around closing down and run all day long.

I think we need to realise that Didzy was very much an anomaly at League 1 level. He has talent way above what can reasonably be expected for the third tier and there is no hope of finding a like-for-like replacement or anything remotely close to it. Nor is it fair to judge any new strikers by his standards. Realistically, we are likely to be looking at workmanlike forwards who lack the skill to play higher up, or youngsters on their way up in the game. If Waghorn signs we will have three in the former category.

Even at Championship level, loanee strikers are often pretty raw. At League 1, players like Osula and Dobbin are the very best we are likely to get, and some of us were fairly scathing about their defiiciencies. Both have progressed beyond League 1 level now though. If we can get a similar sort of player this season I would be very happy. Their inexperience was frequently frustrating, particulalrly in the case of Dobbin, but having that point of difference might well be crucial over the course of a season.

Derby County youngster Dajaune Brown has signed his first professional contract. Brown, who is 17, has progressed through the ranks in the Academy in recent years and began his scholarship last summer.
The striker has signed a three-year professional deal which will run until the summer of 2026.

Great to see our Academy correspondent supplying the updates on our promising U21s.

What's your thoughts on this lad Ang?

Havent really seen anything of him, Desi, apart from his goals on the highlights. 9 in 9 games last season ?
Comments on FB include, power & passion and beast !
Hope he stays on the fringes and gets his chance in the upcoming cup games.

Also hope he doesnt get 'picked off' by one of the 'big' clubs, now we've given him a 3 yr contract

Mark Wright is 60 today 🥃

Another one who I'd considered was older than me !

Birdy to Hull is latest rumour.
That would be 2 of the Holy Trinity gone

Have to be one heck of an offer to lose him too, upon checking, his contract runs out next season.....so we'll be settling for around 2 million. If he's not renewing it then our hands might be tied.

Not good news if this happens when we need to be adding to the quality we have.

I sense a baptism of fire in PW's direction ( completely out of his control) where fans will complain even more we're losing players but not getting anyone in.

It's not just rumour about Bird. Hull have put in a "derisory" offer.

We cannot afford to let him go. Even if we were to get a couple of mill would we be allowed to spend it?

We need more in the midfield positions not less.

PS I think it's essential we keep Bird even if it means him leaving on a free at the end of the season. He's irreplaceable in my view.

I hope I’m wrong but I think Hull will come back with further offers and PW will trot out the old “they met the club’s valuation and we can’t stand in the lads way ” speech.