[FM19] Derby County - Director of Football Challenge

[Stuniverse]

On 08/09/2019 at 06:43, JaytheGreat said:

Honestly it was probably all of that mixed in with bad luck.

Yeah, that’s kind of my take on it, @JaytheGreat.

In case any of you missed my post at the end of the previous page...

Hiatus nearly over

Hi, I’m back after twelve lovely, WiFi free days in rural France and will look to resume the Derby County - Director of Football Challenge soon ... hopefully, by Monday or Tuesday next week, at the latest.

Edited September 19, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 3 July 2023

DoF Challenge Save Update

Apologies, it took me a little longer than I expected to get back to this save, but my Derby County DoF adventure with Igor Stimac is back...

My contract with the Rams runs until the summer of 2025, two more seasons, and I plan on honouring that contract and, hopefully, winning a trophy or two along the way with Derby County.

I'm conscious that I'm going to have to speed things up in order to get two seasons in between now and the launch of FM20.

I'm still going to keep the game-by-game approach but with less detail, saving the big press interaction for the IMPORTANT games only. In between games, I'll only be updating you on key news and developments... 

I hope that's ok... as it's the only way I can see me getting two more seasons in before FM20 releases.

Note: This save will end when my contract expires on [game date] 30 June 2025 or if I get sacked.

I already know what my first FM20 save will be and it's not a DoF save. I'm excited about it. I want to get into that FM20 save as soon as I can after release so that you can see me as the manager without any undue DoF influence...but that's for another day... 

Edited September 25, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 4 July 2023

Pre-season (1): Ilkeston Town (0) 0-7 (6) Derby County

For pre-season I like to arrange a minimum of seven games for a first-team squad of 22 players, two for each position, plus another 11 made up of fringe squad players and the best youth prospects at the club. 33 is a good number for a training camp. This season, for some bizarre reason, we're going to Hong Kong where there's no nearby local teams I've been able to set-up friendlies with.

I like the first two games to be close together - each of the 22 first-team squad gets the first half in one or other game and the fringe / youth players play the second half. In the third and fourth games the first-team squad step up to 60 minutes each. In the fifth and sixth games the first-team squad get 90 minutes each. After that, it's all about preparing for the opening game of the season.

In the first pre-season fixture at Ilkeston Town, I decided to look at Igor's new signings Philipp Max (LB - free transfer from FC Augsburg) and Luka Milivojevic (DM / CM - £10M from Arsenal), plus the players who didn't get as much playing time last season as they would have liked. I decided to play a young goalkeeper in both halves and I managed to find a hot prospect for eight of the 10 outfield positions (we're missing a decent hot prospect at LB and left-footed CB).

In the first-half it was men against boys, Ilkeston simply couldn't cope with us. After the break, the youngsters continued to dominate possession and create chances, but lacked clinical finishing in front of goal.

All in all, a very satisfying first run-out.

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Edited September 25, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 6 July 2023

Pre-season (2): Belper Town (0) 0-4 (3) Derby County

Igor Stimac tells me Manchester United have accepted our bid for (31 year-old) CB Phil Jones but the player's agent is busy trying to drum up more interest in him.

If Philipp Max (29) continues to impress at LB, I'm not sure what to do with Kenedy (27), who's not really a natural left-back. I could push him further forward, but I already have Tom Lawrence (29) and our captain Harry Wilson (26) who can play there.

Against Belper Town the result was never in doubt even though we had to be patient for half an hour or so before breaking the deadlock. 

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Edited September 25, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 8 July 2023

Pre-season (3): Notts County (0) 0-6 (4) Derby County

We stepped up the quality of opposition for this game against League One Notts County. Not that you could really tell that given the way we bossed the game in a similar way to how we controlled the Ilkeston and Belper games.

The plan was to give the starting 11 an hour and the subs half an hour but, unfortunately, we weren't able to give Cristian Espinoza his half an hour after Luka Milivojevic was sent-off for a reckless tackle from behind just before halftime.

We don't play again for two weeks now as we're flying out to Hong Kong for a training camp where there's no Nearby Teams or other clubs on a training camp out there for us to play against.

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[Stuniverse]

Game date: 9 July 2023

JONES SNUBS RAMS

RamsFanzine: Manchester United accepted bids from both Derby County and Lazio for 31 year-old CB Phil Jones but Jones has chosen to sign for Lazio, snubbing the Rams.

Edited September 25, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 13 July 2023

SEPE RETURNS TO ITALY

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 14 July 2023

BEIJMO SNUBS RAMS

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 16 July 2023

RAMS SIGN MATHENIA

RamsFanzine: Derby County have signed 31 year-old goalkeeper Christian Mathenia from MSV Duisburg on a free transfer.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 22 July 2023

Pre-season (4): Derby County (0) 1-1 (0) LOSC Lille

We have a couple of injuries with Ilkay Gundogan (ankle) out for 2-4 weeks and Max Lowe (knee) expected back in about five days.

When we agreed to play Lille in the first of two home friendlies, we knew it was going to be a big step up in opposition quality, and so it proved. They took the lead, but we fought back to draw through an opportune goal from Martin Naylor.

We had enough chances to win it and, overall, I thought we were the better team over the 90 minutes.

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[Stuniverse]

Game date: 25 July 2023

DERBY SIGN VIETTO

RamsFanzine: Derby County have signed 29 year-old forward Luciano Vietto from Atalanta for £12.75M.

[kidthekid]

Nor sure I agree with the signing but hope it works out well for you.

[JaytheGreat]

Vietto, Marriott, and Ings, that's a great striker rotation but there's now way they all get the playing time they want. Good to see you back @Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

7 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Nor sure I agree with the signing but hope it works out well for you.

Thanks @kidthekid. Vietto is another one where, at the time I was notified that Igor had made a bid, we had no scout report on him. From what my coaches tell me, his best position is wide right but can also play as a striker. I’m very happy with Wilson and Espinoza wide right so the question will be is he an improvement on Ings and Marriott up front?

[Stuniverse]

5 hours ago, JaytheGreat said:

Vietto, Marriott, and Ings, that's a great striker rotation but there's now way they all get the playing time they want. Good to see you back @Stuniverse

Not unless I change my formation, @JaytheGreat, but that isn’t high on my priority list whilst the 4-2-3-1 is serving us well.

I like Ings and Marriott, but neither are prolific and they do have dry spells. One of the differences between us and the big six sides is the quality of strikers and how clinical they are. But quality strikers at this level cost big bucks!

If Vietto is an improvement on Ings or Marriott then well done, Igor, fair play to you. Time will tell...

I’ll be looking at Vietto very closely in the remaining pre-season games but, right now, I have no idea if he’ll even make the match day 18 on opening day.

Edited September 26, 2019 by Stuniverse

[kidthekid]

5 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Thanks @kidthekid. Vietto is another one where, at the time I was notified that Igor had made a bid, we had no scout report on him. From what my coaches tell me, his best position is wide right but can also play as a striker. I’m very happy with Wilson and Espinoza wide right so the question will be is he an improvement on Ings and Marriott up front?

Sometimes players outperform their attributes and others do the opposite. Looking at Vietto at a glance, he doesn't wow me in anything. As a winger, he isn't a great crosser, as an inside forward he isn't a great passer or scorer, and as a striker his finishing is average. He does have decent speed, but it isn't elite either.

I guess when you look at it in totality, most of the key attributes for an attacking player are in the 12-14 range, which leads to an average of 13. So I think he isn't too bad and could be a decent option.

Edited September 26, 2019 by kidthekid

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 25 July 2023

Pre-season (5): Chesterfield (0) 0-4 (2) Derby County

This is the first of two games against League One opposition where, if possible, we plan to give the starting 11 a full 90 minutes.

The players got a good run-out against Chesterfield today and all of them looked impressive. Christian Mathenia made a couple of fine saves and the youngsters in midfield really pushed their claims with Louie Sibley getting on the score-sheet and Martin Naylor getting a superb hat-trick.

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[Stuniverse]

4 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Sometimes players outperform their attributes and others do the opposite. Looking at Vietto at a glance, he doesn't wow me in anything. As a winger, he isn't a great crosser, as an inside forward he isn't a great passer or scorer, and as a striker his finishing is average. He does have decent speed, but it isn't elite either.

I guess when you look at it in totality, most of the key attributes for an attacking player are in the 12-14 range, which leads to an average of 13. So I think he isn't too bad and could be a decent option.

Yes, you're right about that, @kidthekid. I tend to go more on what I see myself (I always play on Extended Highlights) rather than actual attributes. I allow myself to be guided by coach reports and average ratings, but trust what I see on the pitch.

I will do my best to give Vietto opportunities in pre-season and it's up to him to impress. There's three more games for the senior squad, with the Real Union game (Steve Bloomer Trophy) reserved for the younger players and any squad players who've missed most of pre-season (Max Lowe, for example).

I'm thinking of giving Vietto a start against Northampton Town in the next one but, whether at RW or SC I've not decided yet.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Thursday 27 July 2023

Pre-season (6): Northampton Town (0) 0-2 (2) Derby County

We wanted to give the starting 11 a full 90 minutes, but that plan lasted barely half an hour when we lost Luciano Vietto to a knee injury that'll keep him out for about 5- 6 weeks.

I thought we bossed the game from start to finish but had to be patient. Andy Armstrong, in their goal, produced a series of great saves. Mason Bennett gave us the lead with about 20 minutes to go, Harry Wilson hit the post from the penalty spot, and Danny Ings gave us a two goal cushion late on. 

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[Stuniverse]

DERBY COUNTY SQUAD 2023/24

Edited September 26, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 29 July 2023

Pre-season (7): Derby County v A.C. Milan

Match Preview

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: I know you still have Burton Albion and Real Union to play, but as this is your showcase home friendly against A.C. Milan, how close is the lineup you've selected today to the team you have in mind for opening day against Liverpool?

Stuniverse: I honestly have no idea. We saw with Luciano Vettio's knee injury how quickly plans can change. We're also missing Ilkay Gundogan with an ankle injury. Some of the players who gave 90 minutes against Northampton last time out are a bit fatigued.

More importantly though, I honestly think that for the first time since we've been in the Premier League we have strength in depth in all areas of the team. In the past, if everybody's fit, most of the starting 11 picked itself, but that's not the case any more. It's an interesting problem to have, but a nice one to have for me as manager.

Post-match: Derby County (1) 2-0 (0) A.C. Milan

RamsFanzine: That was an impressive win against a strong Milan side.

Stuniverse: Thank you. I thought we were good value for it and Milan hardly caused us any problems at all. I thought defensively we were very solid and kept our shape well. Going forward, we did create them problems. Kenedy scored in the first half and Louie Sibley added a second after the break.

RamsFanzine: Kenedy and Martin Naylor limped off. How are they?

Stuniverse: Just bruises really. Kenedy to his ankle, Martin his shin.

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[Stuniverse]

Game date: Monday 31 July 2023

Pre-season (8): Burton Albion (0) 0-2 (1) Derby County

Another good performance where we had to be patient. It took until early in the second half for Will Hughes to give us the lead and Peter Cork added a second.

That effectively ends our pre-season and I'm very happy with how things have gone. We're unbeaten in eight games, winning seven, drawing one, and conceding only one goal. Liverpool come to Pride Park Stadium on opening day. It'll be a very difficult game, but we've prepared well and are raring to go.

Before that, though, we take the youngsters to Spain to play Real Union and we're looking to retain the Steve Bloomer Trophy.

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[Stuniverse]

Game date: 1 August 2023

STUNIVERSE - BOARD CONFIDENCE

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Friday 4 August 2023

Pre-season (9): Real Union (0) 0-3 (2) Derby County

We retained the Steve Bloomer Trophy with a comfortable win over Real Union.

The team was mainly U23s plus three from the first team squad in Mason Bennett (SC), Max Lowe (LB), and Jayden Bogle (RB), who we took a look at playing as centre-back. Unforunately, Mason got a gash to his upper leg and had to come off, but he should only be out a few days.

Goals from Jayden Bogle, Adam Harris, and Nicky Brogan secured a comfortable win.

That's it for pre-season now. Most of the players who played tonight will return to the U23 squad for training and we'll work with the senior squad as we fine-tune our preparations for the big kick-off at home to Liverpool in eight days time. We might even give them a couple of days off if they're lucky... but only after they've had a Drinkaware refresher course.

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Edited September 26, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 5 August 2023

DERBY COUNTY'S AUGUST FIXTURES

RamsFanzine: Here are Derby County's pre-season results and their Premier League fixtures for August:

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 6 August 2023

BETTERIDGE JOIN RAMS

RamsFanzine: Derby County DoF Igor Stimac has announced the loan signing of 20 year-old striker Alexander Betteridge from Chelsea until the end of the season.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 7 August 2023

RAMS CAPTAINCY UNCHANGED

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 10 August 2023

JEDVAJ SNUBS RAMS

[JaytheGreat]

Well that's unfortunate, Jedvaj would have been a great signing.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 10 August 2023

RAMS SIGNS WEISER

RamsFanzine: Derby County DoF Igor Stimac announced the signing of 29 year-old right-back Mitchell Weiser from Bayer Leverkusen for £8M.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 10 August 2023

TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES

RamsFanzine: Derby County DoF Igor Stimac signed six players (one on loan) and let six leave (three on loan) during the summer transfer window.

With the Premier League due to kick-off in two days time, Rams manager Stuniverse now knows the squad he has to work with until January.

[Stuniverse]

22 minutes ago, JaytheGreat said:

Well that's unfortunate, Jedvaj would have been a great signing.

Igor wasted no time signing Mitchell Weiser instead. I now have three right-backs available to me in Max Aarons, Jayden Bogle and Mitchell Weiser, @JaytheGreat ?

Who would you play at right-back?

Edited September 26, 2019 by Stuniverse

[kidthekid]

Some great signings especially the loan striker. As for the right backs, do you plan to let one go before the foreign transfer window shuts?

[Stuniverse]

21 minutes ago, kidthekid said:

Some great signings especially the loan striker. As for the right backs, do you plan to let one go before the foreign transfer window shuts?

Thanks, @kidthekid, I’ll pass your positive comments onto Igor.

I certainly feel the squad is a lot stronger and has more depth now. Team selection is more difficult because the first 11 no longer picks itself.

I don’t know about the right-backs. I was happy with Aarons and Bogle, but following the arrival of Weiser, I’m not going to be able to keep all three of them happy. I don’t know how good, or not, Weiser is and there’s no more pre-season friendlies for me to give him, and Igor’s other late signing Alexander Betteridge a run out.

One of the RBs may have to go on the transfer list leading into the January window, we’ll have to wait and see for now. I won’t be making any of them available for the longer foreign window, as I need time to assess Weiser, but I can’t rule out Igor selling one of them if an offer comes in.

Edited September 27, 2019 by Stuniverse

[JaytheGreat]

@Stuniverse I think Aarons is the unquestioned starter then Weiser as the main back up, and then try to offer Boyle on loan for a season or 2 until Weiser's attributes start to regress. 

[Stuniverse]

6 hours ago, JaytheGreat said:

@Stuniverse I think Aarons is the unquestioned starter then Weiser as the main back up, and then try to offer Boyle on loan for a season or 2 until Weiser's attributes start to regress. 

Max Aarons has done very well for me since Igor signed him (2019/20 - our first season in EPL) and has been my main RB for a number of seasons with Jayden Bogle happy to be back-up. Aarons has earnt the right to start this season but then it’s up to him to keep his shirt. Weiser will be given a chance to stake a claim and can also play LB, but I already have Philipp Max, Kenedy and Max Lowe who can play there. We are very well covered at full-back. Keeping them all happy will be the issue, although that’s going to be the case in many other areas of the team as well.

Aarons was unhappy for much of last season because he wanted to move to a team with a better squad. After our training camp in Hong Kong, Aarons came to me and said he no longer had any concerns and was happy to stay 😀

I also had to have a chat with goalkeeper Alexander Nubel. Igor turned down a couple of bids for him and Nubel came to see me asking to be allowed to go so he could play in European Competition. I told him he could play European football with us in the future and he said he wasn’t prepared to wait. I followed up with we have a lot of talented youngsters here who will really develop this season and if he gave it this season I’d let him go at the end of the season if we hadn’t qualified Europe. Nubel seemed content with that. 😀

I was also alerted by captain Harry Wilson that Mason Bennett was unhappy. I spoke to Bennett and he said he couldn’t see himself breaking through here, but it meant a lot to him that I’d come and spoken to him so he’d give it a bit more time. To be honest, I agree with Bennett but we’ll see how things go between now and the end of the year.

Edited September 27, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 11 August 2023

Pre-match v Liverpool (H) - Premier League (1)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You've a good record as manager of winning your opening game of the season but, tomorrow, you kick-off against reigning champions Liverpool, who've beat you the last four times. How do you approach this one?

Stuniverse: Liverpool thoroughly deserved to win the Premier League last season and Unai Emery's team will be right up there again this season. But we've had a very good pre-season and are raring to go. We'll have a sell-out Pride Park crowd cheering us on and, hopefully, we can get a result for them.

RamsFanzine: On the eve of the new season, how do you assess your squad going in?

Stuniverse: I'm very happy. I think Igor's [Stimac] done a great job this summer and we have competition for places all over the park.

In goal I'm delighted that Alexander Nubel's still here. At one point it looked like we might lose him as he wanted European football, but we convinced him that with the calibre of our squad and young players coming through that he can achieve that here. Christian Mathenia has come in as back-up, and we think Academy graduate Ben Hibbert is ready to push-on this season.

At right-back, Max Aarons has been fantastic for us over four seasons now, but Mitchell Weiser has come in to challenge him. Academy graduate Jayden Bogle has never let us down so we're looking very strong at right-back.

Phillip Max has joined us and looked defensively very solid at left-back, which allows me the option to push Kenedy further forward in his preferred position. Academy graduate Max Lowe will provide cover.

Marcos Senesi is our only left-footed centre-back and will continue last season's partnership with Joachim Andersen. Rafael Toloi will push them both for a start and Chris Smalling will provide cover. New signing Luka Milivojevic can also play there should we need.

I see Luka, our designated penalty taker, more as a defensive midfielder though, which will allow me to play Will Hughes in a more attacking role. Mason Mount adds to our attacking midfield options and Academy graduates Martin Naylor and Louie Sibley have shown enough in pre-season to suggest this could be a break-through season for them. Ilkay Gundogan also has a lot to offer if we can keep him fit. I think midfield is probably our strongest area of the pitch.

Out wide, our captain Harry Wilson can play on both the right (IF) and the left (W), as can Tom Lawrence (IF). Cristian Espinoza (W) has impressed for two seasons on the right, and new signing Luciano Vietto (W) and Academy graduate Mason Bennett (W) add to our strength in the wide areas.

Up front Danny Ings and Jack Mariott did well for us last season, and Guido Burgstaller chipped in admirably when we needed him. This season, youngster Alexander Betteridge has joined us on loan to provide more competition.

RamsFanzine: What's your injury situation like?

Stuniverse: Unfortunately, Ilkay Gundogan (ankle) and Luciano Vietto (knee) are definitely ruled out. We'll have to take a look at Kenedy (bruised ankle) and Mason Bennett (gashed knee) in the morning to see whether we want to risk them or not. The last thing we want to do is rush them for the opening game and then lose them for longer.

RamsFanzine: Good luck.

Stuniverse: Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow.

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Edited September 27, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 12th August 2023

Pre-match v Liverpool (H) - Premier League (1)

Match Preview

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Luciano Vietto (knee)
Ilkay Gundogan (ankle)

Doubtful:
Kenedy (bruised ankle)
Mason Bennett (gashed knee)

RamsFanzine: Talk us through your team selection?

Stuniverse: Sure. Alexander Nubel in goal. A back four of Max Aarons, Joachim Andersen, Marcos Senesi and Philipp Max. Luka Milivojevic just in front of them with Will Hughes a bit further forward. Harry Wilson, Mason Mount and Tom Lawrence, with Danny Ings leading the line. 

Post-match: Derby County (0) 2-3 (2) Liverpool

RamsFanzine: That was some second-half and you nearly got a result.

Stuniverse: Yes. Liverpool are a very good side and, I think, we gave them too much respect in the first half. 2-0 down at the break, we changed some things around because we had nothing to lose at that point. We looked much better once we'd switched to 4-4-2. Alexander Betteridge pulled a goal back on his debut and then Harry Wilson equalised with around a quarter of an hour to go.

RamsFanzine: How disappointing was it to lose to an 85th minute goal?

Stuniverse: Very. But even then we could, perhaps should, have drawn level but Jack Marriott, unfortunately, scuffed his shot when he only had the goalkeeper to beat.

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[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 15 August 2023

Pre-match v Fulham (a) - Premier League (2)

Match Preview

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Luciano Vietto (knee)
Ilkay Gundogan (ankle)

Doubtful:
Kenedy (bruised ankle)
Mason Bennett (gashed knee)

Stuniverse: I thought the team played well against Liverpool last time out and I was encouraged by the way we took the game to last season's champions in the second half. I've made one change though with Alexander Betteridge starting up front instead of Danny Ings.

Post-match: Fulham (0) 0-2 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Congratulations. How important is it to get that first win?

Stuniverse: Very. Vitally important. It's a massive confidence boost for the squad. You always want to start the season with a win as early as possible. It was always going to be difficult against Liverpool so to get our first win in our second game is very pleasing.

RamsFanzine: A quite remarkable substitution?

Stuniverse: [laughs]. Yes. We sent Kenedy on for Tom Lawrence and he broke the deadlock with his first touch of the ball. In hindsight, I probably should've freshened the team up a bit more as this was our second game in four days and, whilst overall we did ok, I thought we looked a bit leggy going forward. All three of the subs gave us energy and helped in that respect. Sometimes a substitution or two reaps rewards and sometimes they don't. Danny Ings, also on as a sub, wrapped the points up with our second goal. As I keep saying, it's not about the starting 11, we need the whole squad to contribute.

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Edited September 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 17 August 2023

RAMS HOME TO QPR IN CARABAO CUP

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 18 August 2023

ABERDEEN LOAN BENNETT

RamsFanzine: Derby County DoF Igor Stimac has loaned 27 year-old forward Mason Bennett to Aberdeen until the end of the SPL season.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 19th August 2023

Pre-match v Norwich City (H) - Premier League (3)

Match Preview

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Luciano Vietto (knee)

Doubtful:
Ilkay Gundogan (ankle)

Stuniverse: Two changes today. Kenedy comes in for Tom Lawrence and Danny Ings starts ahead of Alexander Betteridge. Both Kenedy and Danny came on against Fulham last time and had a huge impact.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 0-0 (0) Norwich City

RamsFanzine: We don't often see your team in a nil-nil draw. How frustrating was that?

Stuniverse: Very. I thought we did enough to get something more, we created enough chances, but it was one of those days where we didn't get enough attempts on target. You have to give Danny Cowley credit though. He sets his Norwich team up to play a particular way, they keep their shape well, and they make it very difficult to break them down. We weren't good enough to do that today.

RamsFanzine: Should Senesi's goal have stood?

Stuniverse: It would've been good for us if it had. Marco Senesi says he wasn't offside. Look, I don't know. The assistant's flag went up straight away. The offside decision got referred to VAR and they ruled the goal out. With all that technology at their disposal you have to trust they make the right decisions.

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[Stuniverse]

Game date: 23 August 2023

INGS OUT FOR 4-5 weeks

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 27 August 2023

RAMS TRANSFER REVENUE RETAINED REDUCED TO 55%

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 27 August 2023

Pre-match v Tottenham Hotspur (a) - Premier League (4)

Match Preview

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Luciano Vietto (knee)
Danny Ings (ankle)

Doubtful:
Ilkay Gundogan (ankle)

Stuniverse: Two changes today. Jack Marriott is in for the injured Danny Ings, and I've recalled Tom Lawrence for Philipp Max, so Kenedy moves back to left-back.

Post-match: Tottenham Hotspur (0) 1-0 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Tottenham will know they've been in a contest, but you leave the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with no points. How would you sum it up?

Stuniverse: Pretty much like that. I thought we matched them in all areas of the pitch but we just couldn't get the ball past Andre Onana in their goal.

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[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 29 August 2023

Pre-match v Q.P.R. (H) - Carabao Cup 2nd Round

Match Preview

Team Selection

Unavailable:
Luciano Vietto (knee)
Danny Ings (ankle)

RamsFanzine: You've made 11 changes tonight. Why's that?

Stuniverse: Well, to be honest, we didn't have much choice. We were scheduled for the late kick-off on Sunday in a tough game against Tottenham and then we have to play this cup-tie two days later. The players who played Sunday simply haven't had enough time to recover.

Christian Mathenia is in goal. A back-four of Jayden Bogle, Rafael Toloi, Chris Smalling and Max Lowe. Martin Naylor and Louie Sibley ahead of them. A forward line of Cristian Espinoza, Guido Burgstaller and Tom Lawrence. Alexander Betteridge leads the line.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 2-1 (1) Q.P.R.

RamsFanzine: You're through to the next round, but Q.P.R. pushed you all the way, didn't they?

Stuniverse: Yes, they did. They were a credit to their manager John Coleman and the Championship. Unfortunately our goalkeeper, Christian Mathenia, got caught out by a cross about half an hour in and they scored with a close range header. After that they defended the lead with their lives.

We kept going, we kept pushing forward, and eventually we got our rewards. Cristian Espinoza equalised with a rare header after about an hour. Jack Marriott thought he'd given us the lead, but VAR ruled out his header. It was left to Jayden Bogle to win it for us late on.

RamsFanzine: Who would you like in the next round?

Stuniverse: I would like a home tie.

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[Stuniverse]

Game date: 31 August 2023

PRIDE PARK EXPANSION COMPLETED - 37,847 all-seater capacity

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 31 August 2023

EAST MIDLANDS CARABAO CUP DERBY

RamsFanzine: Derby County will travel the short distance down the A52 (Brian Clough Way) to play Nottingham Forest in the 3rd round of the Carabao Cup.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 31 August 2023

DERBY COUNTY FIXTURES - SEPTEMBER

RamsFanzine: Derby County will play four EPL games plus the Carabao Cup tie against arch-rivals Nottingham Forest in September.

[JaytheGreat]

Derby is looking a little shaky early on, but that's why you play 38 games.