[FM19] Derby County - Director of Football Challenge

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 8 August 2019

Transfer Deadline Day - INS

RamsFanzine: On a dramatic, and busy transfer deadline day, Igor Stimac signed four players for Derby County, bringing in Amato Ciciretti, Facundo Colidio, Gustavo Gomez and Albie Morgan.

Amato Ciciretti, a 25-year old Italian right winger, signs until the end of the season, on loan from Napoli.

Facundo Colidio, a 19-year old Argentinian striker, also joins until the end of the season, on loan from Inter Milan. Colidio holds an Italian passport and didn't require a work permit.

Gustavo Gomez, a 26-year old Paraguayan central defender, received his work permit and joined until the end of the season, on loan from AC Milan.

Albie Morgan, a 19-year old central midfielder, signed permanently from Charlton Athletic for £300K (possibly risng to £625K) until the summer of 2022. Morgan is expected to begin his Derby County career in the Rams U23 squad.

Edited April 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 8 August 2019

DERBY COUNTY'S SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOW

RAMS BOARD EXPECTATIONS - 2019/20 SEASON

PREMIER LEAGUE - MEDIA PREDICTIONS 2019/20 SEASON

Edited April 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 9 August 2019

RAMS U23 PLAYER JAYDEN MITCHELL-LAWSON JOINS EASTLEIGH (Vanarama National League) ON LOAN FOR THE SEASON

Edited April 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 10 August 2019

Pre-match v Manchester United (a) - Premier League (1)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: As baptisms of fire go, this is about as tough as it gets isn't it?

Stuniverse: Well Manchester United finished 4th last season so I suppose there's three tougher away matches we could've had [laughs]. Seriously though, this is what all the hard work, blood, sweat and tears last season was all about to win promotion to the Premier League. It's days like these that spurred us on last season. A trip to Old Trafford, the Theatre of Dreams, these are the matches you want to be a part of.

RamsFanzine: Is your squad fully fit?

Stuniverse: No, not quite. Harry Wilson's still out with a calf strain, Martyn Waghorn has a pulled groin, Andre Wisdom has an abdominal strain, and Facundo Colidio had a long flight from Argentina, hasn't trained yet, and isn't in contention. Everyone else is available for selection.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You start five debutants today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Why not? Igor's signed some very good players so let's throw them in at the deep end and see what they're made of. Orestis Karnezis, Gustavo Gomez, Max Aaarons, Alfred N'Diaye and Domingos Quina all start. Amato Ciciretti is on the bench and Facundo Calido will need to wait for his chance as he's still jet-lagged.

Post-match: Manchester United (2) 2-1 (1) Derby County

Stuniverse: I'm so proud of the players today. We brought 3,000 Rams fans to Old Trafford and I hope they're as proud of the team as I am. Yes there was an obvious gap in quality and, at times, we couldn't get close to them, but we stuck to our game plan, kept going at them, and were competitive for the full 90 minutes. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and his players know we gave them a game.

RamsFanzine: Did you fear the worst when Martial scored for them after four minutes?

Stuniverse: I have a lot of confidence in this squad but yes, when you concede a goal like that, so early, you do worry. The goal was a real lesson for us. We were attacking down the left, lost the ball in their penalty area, two passes later Anthony Martial has it on the halfway line and he runs through us and smashes the ball into the net.

But we responded magnificently. I thought we created plenty of chances. Even when we were 2-0 down we kept going. David De Gea had to produce some great saves to deny Jack Marriott and Domingos Quina, before Mason Mount got us back into it at 2-1. In the second-half we didn't tire and I thought we grew in confidence. Orestis Karnezis made some fine saves to keep us in it and, on another day, we may have grabbed an equaliser.

Edited April 15, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 10 August 2019

DRIVER MOVES TO SPAIN ON LOAN

RamsFanzine: Igor Stimac confirmed that 18-year old striker Tommy Driver has joined Real Union in the Spanish Second Division B2 until the end of the season.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 11 August 2019

SEASON TICKET SALES 26,755.

RamsFanzine: Ahead of the Rams first home match of the season, Derby County announced season ticket sales of 26,755.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 14 August 2019

Wycombe Wanderers (league Two) loan Morgan Whittaker until January

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 15 August 2019

An all Premier League Carabao Cup 2nd Round tie sees Derby County host Brighton and Hove Albion

Edited April 15, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 16 August 2019

Yeovil Town (league Two) sign 21-year old left-back Calum Macdonald on loan until January.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 18 August 2019

Shrewsbury Town (Championship) have taken 19-year old central midfielder Albie Morgan on loan until the end of the season.

Morgan is a summer signing for Derby County and this loan move confirms that Rams manager Stuniverse sees him as one for the future.

 

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 18 August 2019

Pre-match v Leeds United (H) - Premier League (2)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Last season over 46 Championship matches, Derby and Leeds could only be separated on goal difference by one goal. Does that make this a must win match at home?

Stuniverse: I think it's far too simplistic to assume that the three promoted sides are going to be in a relegation dogfight at the end of the season. Leeds beat Spurs 2-1 on opening day and we played very well against Man United, albeit we didn't pick up any points. And even if that was a correct assumption, we've only played one match so it's far too early to be talking about must wins.

RamsFanzine: In this fixture last season, both matches were won by the away side and were high scoring affairs. Do you think we'll see another high scoring match?

Stuniverse: I don't think you can read too much into last season's matches. We've done a lot of business in the summer as have Leeds United. There'll be two completely different 11s to the ones picked last season. We've been working hard on our shape in training to get a better balance between defence and attack so I'm hoping we'll be more solid and resilient in that respect.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: How's your injury list?

Stuniverse: Good news and bad news on that. Facundo Colidio (jet-lag) is on the bench but Amato Ciciretti went down in training with a pulled groin. Martyn Waghorn (groin), Harry Wilson (calf) and Andre Wisdom (abdominal) are still out.

RamsFanzine: You've named an unchanged team.

Stuniverse: Yes. We've had eight days to recover and I thought we played very well at Old Trafford. Those players have earnt the right to go again.

Post-match: Derby County (1) 2-3 (0) Leeds United

Stuniverse: I'm fuming after that. Not with the players, I thought my players were magnificent. There wasn't a bad tackle in the game so how the referee could give us seven yellow cards... I just don't know. Gustavo Gomez's second yellow wasn't even a foul, he clearly won the ball.

RamsFanzine: The sending off changed the game, didn't it?

Stuniverse: Yeah, Yeah, it did. We were 2-0 up and looking comfortable. The sending off, which was never a sending off, gave them the impetus they needed to mount their comeback. If Gustavo stays on we win that match. Simple.

Edited April 15, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 24 August 2019

Pre-match v Manchester City (a) - Premier League (3)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You were warned by the FA for your reaction to the sending off against Leeds. Have you calmed down now?

Stuniverse: Yeah. I'd got it out my system by the next day. There's no point looking back, we have to look forward and focus on what we're doing.

RamsFanzine: Two defeats and you're away to last season's Premier League Champions. Can you get a result against Manchester City?

Stuniverse: You never know in football. We ran the other Manchester club very close so you just never know.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Two changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Curtis Davies for Gustavo Gomez was forced due to the sending off. I've also brought Jayden Bogle in for Max Aarons.

RamsFanzine: Any of your walking wounded fit and available?

Stuniverse: No. We're still missing Martyn Waghorn (groin), Harry Wilson (calf), Andre Wilson (abdominal) and Amato Ciciretti (groin).

Post-match: Manchester City (2) 3-0 (0) Derby County

Stuniverse: I thought we started quite brightly and Domingos Quina had one cleared off the line but once they took the lead well... well, we saw first hand just how amazingly good Manchester City actually are.

RamsFanzine: Your side is getting some criticism for over-aggressive tackling. What do you make of that?

Stuniverse: We're not that sort of side at all. Yes, we send the players out to be competitive and get in the opposition faces, but we're not a dirty side, and we're definitely not trying to hurt anyone.

Edited April 15, 2019 by Stuniverse

[JaytheGreat]

@Stuniverse That's a tough 3 game stretch, and that Leeds game has to be tough to take. Sometimes it feels like FM goes out of it's way to screw over human managers. The Man Utd game should install some hope atleast. I feel like Man City and Liverpool are the 2 best teams at beating the gegenpress or atleast their managers are, so I'm not too surprised at the result. The season is still new and I'm sure you'll get the team turned around very soon.  

Edited April 16, 2019 by JaytheGreat

[Stuniverse]

13 hours ago, JaytheGreat said:

@Stuniverse That's a tough 3 game stretch, and that Leeds game has to be tough to take. Sometimes it feels like FM goes out of it's way to screw over human managers. The Man Utd game should install some hope atleast. I feel like Man City and Liverpool are the 2 best teams at beating the gegenpress or atleast their managers are, so I'm not too surprised at the result. The season is still new and I'm sure you'll get the team turned around very soon.  

Thanks @JaytheGreat, I hope you're right.

Both Manchester clubs away plus Leeds at home. Very tough start. Even though Leeds were promoted with us they are flying with three wins out of three against Tottenham, us, and Everton. Lazar Markovic scored a hat-trick against us and was sensational.

Edited April 16, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Busy week at work. Updates will continue next week. Happy Easter everybody.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 25 August 2019

18-year old winger Tyree Wilson joins League 2 Blackpool on loan until January.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 25 August 2019

18-year old striker Jack Stretton joins Vanarama National League North Chester on loan for the season.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Wednesday 28 August 2019

Pre-match v Brighton and Hove Albion (H) - Carabao Cup 2nd Round

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Normally the Carabao Cup gives you a break from the league but, having lost all three league matches so far, is that the case tonight?

Stuniverse: At the moment we can't really separate the competitions. We need to stop losing football matches and preferably with some wins.

RamsFanzine: In that respect, is it a blessing or a curse to be playing Brighton in the Carabao Cup who, like you, have lost all three of their Premier League matches so far.

Stuniverse: It won't be easy, because Brighton are an established Premier League club, but we see this as a winnable game and we'll be working hard to make it through to the next round.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Only three changes, all in defence. Don't you normally make more changes than that for a cup match?

Stuniverse: When things are going well, the cup's an opportunity to give other squad players playing time but, as you've said, we've played three, lost three so we need consistency and look to build momentum and get some confidence into the team. Gustavo Gomez returns after his suspension with Curtis Davies missing out. Max Lowe (LB) and Jayden Bogle (RB) are both very young, and still learning, so I decided to freshen the back-four up with Scott Malone (LB) and Max Aarons (RB).

RamsFanzine: Any of the injured players close to a return?

Stuniverse: Martyn Waghorn (groin) is on the bench tonight. Amato Ciciretti (groin) is still out. Andre Wisdom (abdominal) could maybe give us an hour off the bench and Harry Wilson (calf) possibly 45 minutes, but I don't want to rush them back.

Post-match: Derby County (2) 3-2 (0) Brighton and Hove Albion

Stuniverse: I'm relieved that we've finally won a football match because the players have worked hard during a very difficult start to the season and deserve this win. I won't lie though, I'd swap it for three league points. Martyn Waghorn came on for the very unfortunate Mason Bennett and scored two great goals for us.

RamsFanzine: What's the news on Bennett?

Stuniverse: It's bad I'm afraid. Mason's broken his ankle.

RamsFanzine: Brighton came back at you in the closing minutes. How concerned were you?

Stuniverse: I thought we were good value tonight and, when Jack Marriott added to Waggy's brace to give us a 3-0 lead, you'd like to think we could manage the game out  from there. But Brighton came back at us as you say. They put us under some sustained pressure and pulled it back to 3-2. It was a long five added on minutes at the end, but we did it. We won the match. Clearly there's a lesson here for the players that we can't afford to ease off even one per cent in the closing stages of matches.

Edited April 21, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 29 August 2019

Derby County will visit League One Rotherham United in the 3rd Round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday 24 September 2019.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 31 August 2019

Pre-match v Cardiff City (H) - Premier League (4)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: After beating Brighton in the Carabao Cup, do you think you can finally get off the mark in the Premier League today?

Stuniverse: I hope so. The players have a smile on their face again, have worked hard and looked good in training, and we're confident of taking that onto the pitch against Cardiff.

RamsFanzine: Cardiff's manager Nuno Espirito Santo said in his press conference that he didn't think your players had enough to avoid relegation this season. How do you respond to that? 

Stuniverse: I was very surprised to hear him say that. How does he know that after just three matches? You wouldn't hear me talking down another club, its manager, and its players like that. My players are determined to make him eat his words today. 

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Two changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Martyn Waghorn comes in for the injured Mason Bennett. Mason Mount looked a bit tired in training after the Brighton match. Bradley Johnson comes in for him.

RamsFanzine: How long is Bennett likely to be out for?

Stuniverse: It's looking like three to four months. Amato Ciciretti (groin) is still out so Harry Wilson makes the bench even though he's not fully fit yet.

Post-match: Derby County (2) 3-0 (0) Cardiff City

RamsFanzine: Congratulations. You got your first Premier League win today, your first points on the board, your first clean sheet, and you're up to 14th in the league table. How does it feel?

Stuniverse: Thank you. It feels great, but we're not going to get carried away. There's a long way still to go this season.

RamsFanzine: Two goals in the first 16 minutes. Could you have asked for a better start?

Stuniverse: Three goals, maybe [laughs]. No. Seriously, I thought we were outstanding today. We controlled the game from first whistle to last, created chances, kept our composure, and defended well. Jack Marriott gave us the lead early. Tom Lawrence added to it and then sealed the win with his second goal near the end.

RamsFanzine: That's two wins on the spin now against Premier League opposition. Has the international break come at a bad time for you?

Stuniverse: It would've been nice to have another match in a few days now we have some positive momentum but we know the fixture list and we can't do anything about that. I'd rather go into the international break on the back of two wins than two defeats. We can look forward to hosting Brighton in our next Premier League match in a fortnight's time. 

Edited April 21, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 5 September 2019

18-year old centre-back Lee Buchanan joins Vanarama National League Hartlepool United for the season.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 10 September 2019

INJURY BLOW FOR THORNE

RamsFanzine: George Thorne looks likely to miss the entire season after damaging cruciate ligaments in training.

Thorne is out-of-contact at the end of the season and spent last season on loan at League One Luton Town where he made 36 appearances and two assists. Thorne didn't get on the score sheet for the Hatters and achieved an average rating of 6.76. Thorne, who hasn't featured for the Rams this season, is on the transfer list and will now see out the remainder of his £25K per week contract working with the medical and fitness staff.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 14 September 2019.

Pre-match v Brighton and Hove Albion (H) - Premier League (5)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Two matches ago you beat Brighton in the Carabao Cup for your first win of the season. Now you host them in the Premier League. Can you get another victory?

Stuniverse: That's what we aim to do, but I'm sure Chris Hughton and his players will be desperate to get points on the board themselves. I can assure our fans though that we've worked hard in training and are focussed on getting a positive result today.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: It's not been a good international break for injuries, has it?

Stuniverse: No. We're missing quite a few. George Thorne has damaged cruciate ligaments and that's almost certainly his season over. Mason Bennett is going to be out a good while with his broken ankle. We're also missing Max Lowe (ankle ligaments), Martyn Waghorn (hamstring), Tom Huddlestone (ankle), Facundo Colidio (head) and Harry Wilson (calf) isn't quite ready to start.

RamsFanzine: Three changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Amato Ciciretti returns instead of Martyn Waghorn; we'd hoped to ease Amato in gently after his groin injury, but we're light of numbers who can play wide so he's back in. Tom Lawrence could do with a rest but he starts as we're thin on the ground out wide at the moment. Max Aarons was also looking jaded and Andre Wisdom comes in for him after his abdominal strain. Andre's been asking for more starting time since before the season started so today's a chance for him. Mason Mount returns to midfield to give Domingos Quina a breather.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 0-1 (1) Brigton and Hove Albion

Stuniverse: I think we saw today just how punishing the Premier League can be. We created more than enough chances to win the match but we couldn't finish any of them off. Brighton were far more clinical and they got the only goal of the match. We learnt today that in the Premier League you can't switch off for a second.

RamsFanzine: Understandably you pushed on towards the end, but your shape looked a bit disjointed at times. Would you agree?

Stuniverse: I wouldn't put it quite like that. We were a bit battered and bruised going into this match and it showed. We're thin on the ground right now and a couple of players who started would've been on the bench in an ideal world as 90 minutes was always going to be a stretch for them and, likewise, a couple of players on the bench are really a week or so off being ready. The current niggling injuries we have meant I couldn't name as balanced a substitutes bench as I would've liked.

RamsFanzine: That result sees you drop back into the relegation zone.

Stuniverse: It's far too early to be worrying about the league table. We have to work hard on the training ground, get some players fit, and work out how to transfer our positivity from training out there onto the pitch.

Edited April 22, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 21 September 2019

Pre-match v Newcastle United (a) - Premier League (6)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Away at St. James's Park, Newcastle, today. How are you feeling?

Stuniverse: Look, we knew this first season back in the Premier League was going to be tough. St. James's Park is a difficult place to go to as the Newcastle fans always get behind their team. But we're excited; it's games like this that remind you what a privilege it is to be in the Premier League. We're still finding our feet and this is another opportunity for us to establish a foothold.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Any good news on the injury front?

Stuniverse: Harry Wilson (calf) is available and starts. Facundo Colidio (gashed head) is recovered and back on the bench. We're still missing Martyn Waghorn (hamstring), Tom Huddlestone (ankle) and Max Lowe (ankle). Plus long-term injuries Mason Bennett (broken ankle) and George Thorne (cruciate ligaments).

RamsFanzine: Two changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. That's right. Harry comes in for Amato Ciciretti and Domingos Quina replaces Bradley Johnson.

Post-match: Newcastle United (3) 3-1 (1) Derby County

Stuniverse: Another difficult match for us where we learnt some more lessons about the Premier League. Don't get me wrong, I thought Newcastle were always on the front foot and we were holding on, but if we'd concentrated properly for the full 90 minutes we could've got something out of it. I still don't know what the early penalty was for but Orestis Karnezis made a brilliant save and then Mason Mount gave us the lead, admittedly against the run of play.

But then we conceded two goals in two minutes and looked shell-shocked and they scored another before half-time which killed the match.

RamsFanzine: You did better after the break.

Stuniverse: Yeah. Yes, we did. We settled them down at half-time, changed things around a bit, and I thought we grew in confidence the longer the match went on. Domingos Quina rattled the crossbar, their goalkeeper made a brilliant save to keep out a Harry Wilson free-kick, and we put a couple of shots just wide late on. I'm proud of the work rate and effort but these players need to get more Premier League streetwise and sooner rather than later.

RamsFanzine: The result sees you drop back to 19th. You must be disappointed?

Stuniverse: Yeah. Yes, of  course. We knew the Premier League would be a big step-up from the Championship and we're trying to find out feet. Injuries aren't helping us either. But I feel we're competing and one win and the league table would look better from our perspective. The squad is working hard and we're confident of achieving our season's aspirations.

Edited April 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 24 September 2019

Pre-match v Rotherham United (a) - Carabao Cup Round 3

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You travel to League One Rotherham United who were relegated from the Championship last season. How do you approach this match with a tough Premier League match at home to Everton this weekend?

Stuniverse: We're not thinking about the Everton match and are fully focussed on progressing to the next round of the Cup. It won't be easy as Rotherham have only lost one match all season and at the New York Stadium they'll be looking to become giant killers.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You've made eight changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes, I have. First and foremost though I've selected a team I'm confident can get the result tonight, but the Premier League is incredibly demanding and we felt a lot of the players would benefit from the rest. We'll also need to use the full squad this season and there's quite a few of them who haven't had as much playing time as ideally we'd want. The Carabao Cup gives us an opportunity to do something about that.

RamsFanzine: Andre Wisdom, Scott Malone and Harry Wilson are the only players starting tonight who played gaainst Newcastle. Were you tempted to rest any of them as well?

Stuniverse: Scotty certainly, but Max Lowe is still recovering from his ankle injury and we felt a start for him was too much but, hopefully, the game will pan out in a way that allows us to get Max on the pitch a some point. Andre was always going to play tonight, but he moves to centre-back for this one. Ideally I would've liked to have rested Harry as well but Florian Jozefzoon gashed his leg quite badly in training the other day and with injuries to Martyn Waghorn (hamstring) and Mason Bennett (broken ankle) that wasn't possible.

Post-match: Rotherham United (1) 1-3 (1) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Congratulations. After making so many changes you must be delighted to be through to the next round?

Stuniverse: Look, I always had confidence in the team selected but it was pleasing to see how cohesive they looked.

RamsFanzine: Colidio got his first goals for the club.

Stuniverse: Yes, he did and I was delighted for Facundo. He's struggled for fitness since arriving here so for him to get a brace tonight will do his confidence a world of good, and then Harry Wilson wrapped it up for us late on. But I thought all 14 players we used performed well tonight.

Edited April 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

United Kingdom leaving the European Union

Just had the Brexit notification that the UK will leave the European Union at the end of the season.

More details will be announced in the coming weeks...

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 28 September 2019

RAMS TRAVEL TO SPURS IN CARABAO CUP 4th Round

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 28 September 2019

Pre-match v Everton (H) - Premier League (7)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You host an Everton side today who are 14th and yet to win away this season. Does that give you confidence?

Stuniverse: It gives us a chance but Everton are  a good, well-established Premier League side so we have to all be on it and do our jobs. We've had a good few days in training and are confident.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Nine changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Scott Malone and Harry Wilson are the only players starting today who played Rotherham in midweek. Max Aarons almost kept his shirt as well but he's a young lad and we thought he looked a bit jaded yesterday.  

RamsFanzine: Any truth in the rumours that a change of system might be on the cards today?

Stuniverse: The 11 selected today can play a number of different systems but we have been working on something in training over the last couple of weeks.

RamsFanzine: Would that be the 4-2-3-1 you moved to after the break against Rotherham?

Stuniverse: You'll have to wait and see.

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

RamsFanzine: That was an amazing comeback today. At 2-0 down were you fearing the worst?

Stuniverse: 2-0 down and if Orestis Karnezis doesn't save the penalty that's 3-0 down and game over. But we showed tremendous fight and spirit to keep going, keep battling, and Facundo Colidio's brace was no more than we deserved. Once again though, we conceded one, and then conceded a second one less than two minutes later. And we’re not conceding soft goals either. Take Cenk Tosun’s 25-yarder. The shot’s going one or two yards wide and then it bends towards goal, clips the inside of the post, and runs the length of the goal less than six inches over the line. Our goalkeeper got nowhere near it. I don’t think any goalkeeper in the world gets anywhere near that shot.

RamsFanzine: Your change of formation lasted barely 20 minutes. What happened there?

Stuniverse: Well we'd been working on something like a 4-2-3-1 for  couple of weeks in training to make us a bit more solid at the back. It worked pretty well second half at Rotherham so we thought we'd give it a try. Although we did look solid at the back, we were really struggling to get out of our own half. We decided to go back to the 4-1-2-3 we're more used to around 20 minutes, as we could switch that without making any subs, and it got us back onto the front foot.

RamsFanzine: Should you have won it?

Stuniverse: I thought Amato Ciciretti’s volley should've stood at the time but VAR reviewed it so you have to trust Amato was offside and the officials got it right.

RamsFanzine: 19th in the table still.

Stuniverse: Yes. Early days though, but this performance and result gives us confidence and something to build on.

Edited April 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[JaytheGreat]

Not the greatest results but the come from 2 goals down draw is a sign that the team can compete, the signs are there, the squad just has to keep grinding and the results will come. 

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 5 October 2019

Pre-match v Southampton (a) - Premier League (8)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Southampton are unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches, winning three and drawing one, and currently sit 12th. Can you go to St Mary's and get a result?

Stuniverse: We have to believe so and that's what we'll be trying very hard to do. Southampton finished 16th last season but are doing very well at the moment. That's credit to them and their manager Ralph Hassenhutl. No game in the Premier League is easy but the players have trained well and we're looking forward to this one.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Three changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. After four goals in our lat two matches, Facundo Colidio deserves a start. I thought Amato Ciciretti was pivotol in us turning it around against Everton so he gets the nod over Tom Lawrence. At the back, Max Aarons returns for Jayden Bogle.

RamsFanzine: 4-1-2-3 or 4-2-3-1 today?

Stuniverse: We've been working hard on our sort-of 4-2-3-1 and we feel it might be better suited to away matches which are incredibly difficult at this level. So we're going to try it. As we saw against Everton, these players allow me the luxury of being able to switch between the two without making substitutions.

Post-match: Southampton (0) 0-0 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Congratulations on your first away point of the season.

Stuniverse: Thank you. I thought we were good value for it. We had more possession, created more chances, and with a bit more luck first Facundo Colidio and then Jack Marriott could have won it for us.

RamsFanzine: Southampton had a goal disallowed late on. Did you think you'd blown it?

Stuniverse: It would've been a real kick-in-the-teeth to lose that late, particularly as the least we deserved was a draw. To be fair, though, it always looked offside and VAR confirmed that. We're now unbeaten in two going into the international break. We're starting to build a foothold and look forward to hosting Blackburn in a couple of week's time.

[Stuniverse]

16 hours ago, JaytheGreat said:

Not the greatest results but the come from 2 goals down draw is a sign that the team can compete, the signs are there, the squad just has to keep grinding and the results will come. 

Thanks @JaytheGreat. The EPL is proving to be a difficult challenge so far!

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Friday 11 October 2019

Friendly: Belper Town (0) 1-3 (1) Derby County

RamaFanzine: Why did you squeeze a friendly match into the international break?

Stuniverse: With a lot of our main players away on international duty, most of the players we had with us have been fringe players so far. I thought they could improve their match fitness with a friendly match.

RamsFanzine: You picked up a couple of injuries. Do you reject the decision now?

Stuniverse: No. It's unfortunate that Martyn Waghorn (ankle) and Amato Ciciretti (knee) picked up injuries but they're not too serious. If we have a lot of players short of match fitness in other international breaks I may well look to arrange another one.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Monday 21 October 2019

Pre-match v Blackburn Rovers (H) - Premier League (9)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: This is the first time you've played the Monday night fixture. With everybody else having already played this weekend, does knowing that a win takes you out of the bottom three change your approach?

Stuniverse: No. Not really. It's a nice carrot knowing that a victory moves us up to 16th but that knowledge means nothing if we don't get the win. Of course, that's what we'll be trying to do.

RamsFanzine: Blackburn were promoted last season after winning the playoffs. Are you surprised to see them as high as 9th?

Stuniverse: No. Not at all. Guus Hiddink is a very good, experienced manager and, let's be honest, after three straight wins against Leeds, Leicester and Brighton, Blackburn are in the top half of the table on merit right now. It won't be an easy game for us.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: One change today. Is Ciciretti left out because of the knock he picked up in the Belper friendly?

Stuniverse: Tom Lawrence did well for Wales and has looked sharp since his return so I would've had a decision to make any way, but Amato Ciciretti's knee injury meant the safest course of action was to start Tom with Amato on the bench.

RamsFanzine: How are the injuries looking?

Stuniverse: Amato (knee), Jayden Bogle (thigh) and Florian Jozefzoon (gashed leg) are all back in contention. We're hoping Martyn Waghotrn (ankle) will be back in training soon. Mason Bennett (broken ankle) and George Thorne (cruciate ligaments) are longer term.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 0-0 (0) Blackburn Rovers

Stuniverse: I'll take that. I'm proud of how hard my players worked tonight. I really can't fault their effort but, if I'm honest, I thought Blackburn had the better of it and we were hanging on at the end.

RamsFanzine: You're unbeaten in three Premier League matches now.

Stuniverse: Yeah. Yes, we are. All three were draws but every point is another point towards survival.

RamsFanzine: Still in the bottom three, but you must be pleased to have moved up a place.

Stuniverse: Yes. 18th is better than 19th, but there's still a long way to go and we need to start converting draws into wins.

Edited April 29, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Friday 25 October 2019

Pre-match v Leicester City (a) - Premier League (10)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Last time out you played after everyone else on Monday. Tonight you play ahead of everyone else on Friday. How do you feel about that?

Stuniverse: The Premier League scheduling is certainly different to the Championship but that's TV for you, I suppose. The annoying thing is that Leicester played last Friday as well so they've had three more days to rest and prepare than us.

RamsFanzine: Leicester have lost their last four matches, while you're unbeaten in your last three. Does that give you confidence?

Stuniverse: It definitely gives us something to work with, but Leicester are a good team with some very good players and Brendan Rodgers will be desperate to break that losing run.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You've named an unchanged team today.

Stuniverse: That's right. I've been pleased with recent performances and I felt the 11 deserved to go again.

Post-match: Leicester City (0) 1-1 (1) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Congratulations on a good away draw. That's four matches unbeaten now. How pleased are you?

Stuniverse: Thank you. The Premier League is so much tougher than the Championship so I have to be pleased with four matches unbeaten, but four draws... we'd have picked up more points from two wins and two draws.  

RamsFanzine: What were your thoughts on the game?

Stuniverse: I was really pleased with our performance and the way we played. Domingos Quina gave us the lead on the half hour mark and I thought we were very good value for that lead. We really needed a second goal to give us some breathing room and, unfortunately, we couldn't grab a second. Leicester equalised with about 15 minutes to play and, I'll be honest, it feels like two points dropped rather than one gained.

RamsFanzine: That point takes you out of the relegation zone.

Stuniverse: It does, but a result for Huddersfield Town tomorrow will see them go above us.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 28 October 2019

TERRIERS ESCAPE RELEGATION ZONE

Huddersfield Town's 1-0 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday saw the Terriers leap-frog Derby County and climb out of Premier League relegation zone.

Edited April 29, 2019 by Stuniverse

[coady]

You're certainly becoming the draw specialists of the division! I guess it only takes finding a way to turn 1 or 2 of them in to wins and you'll be comfortably safe. 

[Stuniverse]

6 minutes ago, coady said:

You're certainly becoming the draw specialists of the division! I guess it only takes finding a way to turn 1 or 2 of them in to wins and you'll be comfortably safe. 

Thanks, @coady. Finding a way to win is proving very difficult. Next EPL match is against Watford (one place and one point above us) so that would be a good time to find a way to win.

Edited April 29, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Wednesday 30 October 2019

Pre-match v Tottenham Hotspur (a) - Carabao Cup, 4th Round

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Tottenham are unbeaten in their last eight matches in all competitions and are third in the Premier League. How difficult is this trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium going to be?

Stuniverse: Very tough.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Ten changes tonight. Is that with Saturday's home game against Watford in mind?

Stuniverse: Look, we don't want to go out of the Carabao Cup, but Watford are one place and one point above us in the Premier League table so I have to do what I need to do this week to make sure the team I send out on Saturday has the best possible chance of beating Watford. 

Post-match: Tottenham Hotspur (0) 1-1 (1) Derby County
Tottenham win 7-6 on penalties

RamsFanzine: Commiserations. How disappointing was it to concede so near the end and then lose on penalties?

Stuniverse: Very. When you consider that most of the players tonight haven't played much this season, I thought it was a magnificent effort by the players. Tom Lawrence's long-range thunderbolt was sensational and deserved to win the match. I thought our defence was immense tonight.

Son Heung-Min caused us problems all night, but it was a real kick-in-the-teeth when he scored with nine minutes to go. And then, what a penalty shootout! Thirteen successful penalties before Craig Forsyth was the unlucky player to miss.

Edited April 29, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 2 November 2019

Pre-match v Watford (H) - Premier League (11)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Does Brighton's 4-2 win over Southampton last night put extra pressure on you today?

Stuniverse: No. Not at all. The equation remains the same. We have to beat Watford to go above them and move out of the bottom three. Anything less, and Watford stay above us and we stay in the relegation zone. We know what we have to do and are confident of doing it.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You've made nine changes again. Did you rest most of the players against Spurs with this match in mind?

Stuniverse: Yeah. Yes. As I said at the time, we wanted to do well in the Carabao Cup but, in all honesty, the match today against Watford was much more important.

RamsFanzine: Lawrence and Wisdom are the only players to retain their places. Why does Wisdom stay in at the expense of your captain?

Stuniverse: Richard Keogh is a very important player for us, both on and off the pitch, but Andre Wisdom has been doing very well of late and I thought he deserved to keep his place. 

Post-match: Derby County (1) 3-2 (2) Watford

RamsFanzine: Congratulations. You've won and you're out of the relegation zone. How are your nerves? 

Stuniverse: What a game that was! I'm so proud of my players. We went a goal down and came back through Tom Lawrence. Then we went 2-1 down just before the break. But the players never gave up, they kept going, they kept working hard, and they got their reward with two stunning goals from Domingos Quina and Facundo Colidio.

RamsFanzine: You used three different systems throughout the match so, as manager, you have to take a lot of satisfaction in that. Did you get the better of Javi Gracia tactically?

Stuniverse: Thank you. As managers we make lots of decisions and changes before and during a match, sometimes they come off, and sometimes they don't. But you're right. We started 4-2-3-1, changed to 4-1-2-3 when Watford scored their first goal, and then swapped to 4-4-2 early in the second half. We've worked very hard on all three systems on the training ground and I'm delighted with how the players adapted to those changes throughout the match. They were brilliant, to a man they were fantastic.

Edited April 29, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

WELCOME TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE

Next three fixtures

It doesn't get any easier...

[JaytheGreat]

Just your luck to hit a buzz saw after putting together some decent form, but if you can manage to sneak 1 win out of 3 you'll be in great shape.

[Stuniverse]

Thanks, @JaytheGreat. That’s exactly my thoughts as well.

A preferred, or best 11, is starting to take shape in my mind, although some of the performances against Spurs by the fringe players have given me pause for thought...

Karnezis has done well in goal, not just his two penalty saves, but his overall game. Not bad for saying my coaches rated him Championship standard when he first arrived. Mitchell showed against Spurs he’s ok as a back-up.

Aarons (RB) and Gomez (CB) are pretty much nailed on to start but Keogh (CB) has been hit and miss (one horrendous mistake cost us a goal and he’s also conceded a needless penalty) and Wisdom after some fine performances currently has the other CB shirt. Not totally convinced by Malone at LB, but it’s difficult to give Lowe playing time whilst we’re in and around the bottom three; I wanted to play him against Spurs but he was considerably less than 90% so Forsyth started and did well. At RB, I’m trying to give Bogle playing time when I can.

Midfield is picking itself with N’Diaye, Quina and Mount all impressing and being capable of filling the midfield in either 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2. My coaching staff are giving me glowing reports on Bird so I need to find a way to increase his playing time.

Wilson and Lawrence are my preferred options out wide, although Cicaretti is a good rotation option and hasn’t let me down yet. Waghorn has been plagued by niggling injuries this season and Bennett broke his ankle.

Up front, Colidio has the shirt ahead of Marriott although neither of them are reaching the highs of some of the strikers I see playing for the opposition, even those for the less fancied sides. That said, Colidio’s unbelievable strike against Watford was very impressive.

I know where I’d be looking to strengthen in January but Igor Stimac may have other ideas. There’s still quite a lot of players in the squad who aren’t up to EPL standard that I’d like to ship out, but Igor couldn’t (or wouldn’t) offload them in the summer and doesn’t agree with me over all of them.

The next three matches are going to be tough. Chelsea are 10th (and were 16th a few matches ago, with speculation building about Lampard’s job security), Liverpool are 5th and Arsenal 4th.  I’ll take whatever points I can eek out and then try and push on in December before seeing what magic Igor brings in January. So far, he’s done a great job as Director of Football!

Edited April 30, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 10 November 2019

Pre-match v Chelsea (a) - Premier League (12)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Your first Sunday fixture this season. Is it a boost knowing that yesterday's results went your way and you start the match outside of the relegation zone?

Stuniverse: Yes, it's a boost, but it means nothing if we don't add to our points tally today. There's still 27 matches to go so there's no point looking at what other teams do; it's about what we do.

RamsFanzine: Chelsea have been disappointing this season and lie 12th in the Premier League. Does this give you a better chance of getting a result?

Stuniverse: I don't think so. Frank Lampard has a squad of world class players at his disposal and they know if they beat us today they go 9th. I'm sure they'll want to do that and it's our job to try and stop them. It's going to be a great afternoon at Stamford Bridge and we'll be doing everything we can to get a positive result.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: One change tonight and that was out of your control.

Stuniverse: Yes. Mason Mount can't play against his parent club so Amato Cicaretti comes in for him. Martyn Waghorn has recovered from his ankle injury and is on the bench for us. Tom Huddlestone (foot) and George Evans (ankle) aren't available. Mason Bennett (broken ankle) could be back in training in the not too distant future, but George Thorne (cruciate ligaments) will be out long-term.

Post-match: Chelsea (0) 1-0 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Football can be a cruel game at times, can't it?

Stuniverse: You can say that again. I didn't want to come to Stamford Bridge and defend in numbers because that just invites pressure and it's only going to be a matter of time before a team of Chelsea's quality score against you. We tried to play a balanced game, look to contain, and push forward when we had the opportunity. I thought we did that well and their goalkeeper made some fine saves. If one of our chances goes in then it's a different game, but... 

RamsFanzine: You brought young Bird on at the 88 minute mark and conceded the only goal of the game a minute later. Did the substitution unsettle things?

Stuniverse: No. I don't think so. Chelsea and Kante just got a lucky break in our penalty area. That happens sometimes.

RamsFanzine: How do you sum up your campaign so far?

Stuniverse: I think we took some time to find our feet but were on a decent run of form ahead of today. We need to turn draws into wins, and we do that by finding a way to score more goals, but if you'd said before the season started that we'd be outside the bottom three after a dozen games I'd have taken that. We now have another international break before a home match against Liverpool. 

 

Edited May 1, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 10 November 2019

CHELSEA DEFEAT ENDS DERBY COUNTY'S UNBEATEN RUN

Derby County's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea brought to an end their five match unbeaten run (one win, four draws)

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 24 November 2019

Pre-match v Liverpool (H) - Premier League (13)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Yesterday's results went for you and Derby were out the bottom three this morning, but Brighton's draw at Leeds has seen them move above you, pushing the Rams into the bottom three. Does that increase the pressure on this match?

Stuniverse: Nobody wants to be in the bottom three, but there's a long way to go yet and a lot of football to be played. The only thing that matters is where we are after 38  matches, not 12 or 13 or 14. We will be trying to win, or at the very least not lose, today but Liverpool represent a very difficult challenge. There's a reason why they're 3rd as they have a squad full of quality players.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Did all your internationals return unscathed?

Stuniverse: Yes. They did. Fortunately. You always cross your fingers but they've all come back fit, healthy and raring to go.

RamsFanzine: Two changes. Both forced on you.

Stuniverse: Yes, Alfred N'Diaye is suspended so Bradley Johnson comes in. Harry Wilson can't play against his parent club but Mason Mount returns after he missed the Chelsea match for the same reason.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 1-1 (0) Liverpool

RamsFanzine: I honestly don't know whether to congratulate you or commiserate with you. What did you make of it?

Stuniverse: It was a fabulous match. We put on a spectacle for a sellout crowd. We all know how good Liverpool are, but we gave them a game and then some. We had more shots than them, more shots on target than them, and Alisson in their goal was man-of-the-match. That says it all. Alisson produced stunning save, after stunning save, after stunning save. I thought we'd never beat him and, without the penalty, we probably wouldn't have done.

Jack Marriott was the calmest man in Pride Park when he dispatched our 81st minute penalty. At that stage, I thought we were going to win, and let's be honest we deserved to win it, but Salah produced a moment of sheer magic, shaping to shoot Richard Keogh and Andre Wisdom threw themselves in front of him, but Salah turned, played in Lallana, and he gave Orestis Karnezis no chance with the equaliser.

RamsFanzine: The point lifts you out of the relegation zone. Congratulations.

Stuniverse: Thank you.

Edited May 1, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 26 November 2019

NEW WORK PERMIT RULES FOR ENGLAND

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 30 November 2019

Pre-match v Arsenal (a) - Premier League (14)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Results yesterday and this afternoon mean you're out of the relegation zone. Does that give you confidence ahead of a match away at Arsenal?

Stuniverse: Of course. We don't want to be in the bottom three and, after the Watford match, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal coming up we'd have taken that.

RamsFanzine: Arsenal's form has been mixed of late, can you get a result at the Emirates Stadium?

Stuniverse: I thought we were unlucky against both Chelsea and Liverpool and came very close to winning both matches. So, of course there's a chance. But it won't be easy. Unai Emery has a very talented squad of players at his disposable but we'll be doing everything we can to get something out of the game.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Two changes today.

Stuniverse: That's right. Harry Wilson is back in for Amato Ciciretti, after being ineligible last time against his parent club. We also welcome Alfred N'Diaye back, after serving a suspension for picking up five yellow cards; Alfred replaces Bradley Johnson. Max Aarons had a groin issue in the week but our medical staff have passed him fit to play.

Post-match: Arsenal (2) 3-1 (0) Derby County

Stuniverse: I have to applaud Unai Emery and his side. At times today they looked like they were on another planet compared to us. Some of their attacking play was out-of-this-world. But we always felt they were vulnerable at the back and we tried to take the game to them as best we could.

RamsFanzine: The stats suggest you held your own against Arsenal. That must please you, surely?

Stuniverse: I think sometimes the stats can be misleading but, yes, we tested Martinez in their goal quite a bit and hit the woodwork twice. Facundo Colidio was very unlucky I thought and Harry Wilson's free-kick that rattled the crossbar would've been some goal. Jack Marriott can take confidence from his late goal and Jack's given me something to think about.

RamsFanzine: The Arsenal game concludes a month when you had some very difficult fixtures and you end November out of the relegation zone. You must be pleased with that?

Stuniverse: I am. Yes. Of course, I am. We only picked up one point in three games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, but I thought we put in three good performances. We need to build on those performances and look to kick-on again in December.

Edited May 2, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 30 November 2019

DERBY COUNTY'S DECEMBER FIXTURES

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 2 December 2019

FA CUP DRAW SEES DERBY COUNTY VISIT TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR IN THE 3RD ROUND

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 3 December 2019

Pre-match v Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) - Premier League (15)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Wolves are two places and three points above you. This is a good opportunity to close the gap between you, isn't it?

Stuniverse: Yes. It is. But I'm sure Wolves see it as an opportunity to stretch the gap.

RamsFanzine: Wolves are without a manager. Is that an advantage or a disadvantage for you?

Stuniverse: It's difficult to tell and, I guess, we won't know until the match kicks-off. Teams and players can react in a number of different ways to this kind of situation. For our part, we'll be giving Wolves the same respect we would any other team with a manager and we've prepared thoroughly. Of course, though, with a caretaker manager it's not s easy to know what they might do.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Four changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Gustavo Gomez is suspended but, even if he wasn't, he wouldn't play as he's feeling under the weather. Richard Keogh comes in for him. Jayden Bogle replaces Max Aarons who's struggling with a groin injury. Domingos Quina looked a bit tired in training, so Bradley Johnson starts. Also I've decided to switch things up front so Jack Marriott starts ahead of Facundo Colidio.

Post-match: Derby County (1) 2-1 (0) Wolverhampton Wanderers

Stuniverse: I'm delighted with the win, of course, and I can't fault the effort and workrate of the players, but I'll admit we rode our luck at times. Orestis Karnezis was outstanding in goal for us and he certainly kept us in it. I thought the first half was pretty even. Perhaps we edged it. We certainly scored the only goal through Tom Lawrence. After the break they made it very difficult for us but we defended incredibly well. We needed a second goal and we got it on on the counter attack, Harry Wilson ran half the length of the pitch, before playing in Jack Marriott to extend our lead.

RamsFanzine: How were your nerves by the end?

Stuniverse: Yes. It got a bit hairy towards the end after Jota pulled one back for them. There were two or three real goal mouth scrambles, but the whole team did their job defensively and we held out for the three points. We've lost a few games this season where I felt we deserved something and, maybe, we had one go our way today.

RamsFanzine: You've moved up a place to 16th.

Stuniverse: It's still very tight in the bottom half of the table but it's nice to be heading in the right direction.

Edited May 2, 2019 by Stuniverse