Sept 2013 (try 7, season 4)

Sunderland v Derby County
3-0 loss. Just couldn't get off any shots.

Derby County v Wolverhampton
0-1 loss. This match I was able to pull the trigger but couldn't make anything go in, ugh.

Derby County v Fulham (Carling Cup 3rd Round)
;;ad;faksdjfpoiwef 0-1 LOSS??!?!! We can't score to save our lives.

Birmingham v Derby County
2-1 loss. What do I need to do to turn this around. Everyone is not doing well.

August 2013 (try 7, season 4)

New format for time lines. screw weeks, i'll be doing my updates monthly. also, i changed my monetary system to dollars from pounds. (deal with it)

Derby County v Blackburn
Totally out worked and beat at our home opener 0-2.

Wigan v Derby County
Hopefully we can continue our away form from last season. This match was no exception. 0-2 win with a goal from Berto and Sarpong gets the first goal/highlight of the season for us...


Berto and Barker receiver team of the week honors!


Derby County v Stevenage (Carling Cup 2nd Round)
This wasn't even close. Berto with a hat trick. Easy win over a League 2 opponent.

Derby County v Everton
0-2 loss. Not a great start here.

Try 7 Season 4 - preseason

Signings / Departures.

Departure - Jeff Clayton - 16yo ST - To Liverpool for $1.2mil

Signing - Benjamin Stambouli - 22yo M(C) - From Man City $3mil




Singing - Jordon Mutch - 21yo M(C)/DM - From Birmingham for $7.75mil
Touted as the next Lampard. I hope to get him moving quickly.



Loan IN - Jacopo Sala - 21yo AM(RC)/M(RC) - From Chelsea $4800p/w wage
looking to use as a backup. hopefully we stay fit but he's here if needed.



Preseason Matches
Started slow but found our way back to form...

Week 39-40 (try 7, season 3)

Week 39
Our loans pay off late in the season.


Two of our youngsters on loan got 2nd and 3rd in Young Play of the Month voting.


Derby County v QPR
3-1 win for our last home game is pretty great.
Berto with a nice strike letting his pace do the work...


Week 40


Watford vs Derby County
0-2 win to close out the season. We had a great run on the road this year.
N'Gadi just walking this in...



End of the Season Review...

well isn't this some shit...

This has been going on for far too long.  Its transfer season time and we need to start making moves as quick as possible.

some end of the season awards...





This take over needs to happen or not...


Well it didn't and this joined too...


more end of the year awards...




pt. 2 coming...

Week 34 - 38 (try 7, season 3)

Week 34
Derby County v Cardiff
This run of matches are making me nervous. 0-1 loss at home. meh

Week 35
Blackpool v Derby County
How do you turn it around? play the 20th ranked team in the league. 0-3 rout with this nice chip from Adam...


Week 36
Sheffield United v Derby County
Stubborn Sheffield U. They almost took this one. Up on us 2-0 we come back to win 2-3. Our away form this season is so good.
Winning goal by Adam...



Derby County v Coventry
Bummer 0-0. We missed too many chances. Moving along...

Week 37
Derby v. Leeds
Tough 1-0 win. Jamil Adam has been our savior on the back end of this season.

Week 38
Bristol City v Derby County
We only need a draw secure 2 place and automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
1-1 draw!

Week 30 - 33 (try 7, season 3)

Week 30
Burnley v Derby County
Trying to gain some points on the top spot but we ended up in a 2-2 draw.
Pearson put us up 1-2 with this floater...


Week 31
Derby County v Reading
2-0 shutout. Nothing remarkable other than 2 of our defenders avoiding injury.

Peterborough v Derby County
1-2 win. Keeping it moving. I was wanting to get at least 4 points out of the last two and I did. now lets get 4-6 more to top off this month.

Week 32
Derby County v Swindon
1-1 draw. Our defense again taking the wind out of our sails.

Week 33
Swansea v Derby
2-2 draw. At least we are still 11 points ahead of 3rd place. April here we come!

Week 26 - 29 (try 7, season 3)

Manager of the Month in January!


League Table going into February.


Week 26
Preston v Derby County
So many chances to win/tie this game, 20 shots to 3 of theirs. Berto is on a bad run right now.
1-0 loss.

Week 27
Derby County v Leicester
Not stoked on losing this one. Leicester are on the hunt to grab the #2 spot. 1-2 loss.

Jamil Adam coming off the bench two games in a row now...


In other news...
Alexandre N'Gadi progression has gained him International attention...






picked him up on a free transfer from Toulouse in Ligue 1 when he was 19.


Week 28
Sheffield Wednesday v Derby County
Narrow 1-2 win. Jamil Adam won it three games in a row now. Its late in the season and I don't want to mess with my formation but I want to put Adam and Berto in together.


Verdi scored his first goal of the season and earned Team of the Week status...


Week 29
Portsmouth v Derby County
An unlikely hero in Stephen Pearson today. 2 goals to win it 1-2. Berto is still out of form. I hate to bench him at this point of the season.

Derby County v Huddersfield
1-2 loss. Just couldn't hold on.

Week 22 - 25 (try 7, season 3)

Week 22
Everton v Derby County (FA Cup 3rd Round)
I'm calling BS on this game. They were given a PK in the 95th to win it 1-0.

Week 23
Derby County v Norwich
Thats how to come back and show that spirit. 4-1 win at home.

Brayford with a wicked shot 25+ out. That put us up 3-1 before the half.




Week 24
Southampton v Derby County
Dodged a bullet here. We were down 2-0 by the 52nd minute. Came back to tie it when I subbed in Adam for Berto. He ended up scoring the 2 goals to equalize it.

Week 25
Derby County v Nottingham Forest
3-2 win. Needed this one. Our line-up is injury ridden.

Week 18 - 21 (try 7, season 3)

Week 18
I was approached to sign with the Russia Premier Team, Spartak Nalchik...


Leeds v Derby County
Good match but we should have been able to do more. 0-1 win. Game winner here by Sarpong...


Week 19
Derby County v Bristol City
Slow start to this one. was down 0-1 at the half. a goal by N'Gadi tied it up then yet another goal by Berto.




Week 20
Q.P.R. v Derby County
1-1 draw. I hate it when we blow a lead with 15 minutes or less left to play.
N'Gadi!!!


Week 21
Derby v Watford
Keep the wins coming! This is the type of game we are capable of. I wish we did let that 2nd one go but a good win is key before the transfer window opens back up. 5-2 win at home!

Green with a nice one from 25 out...


Faubert with a great first touch here...


and this is why I spent the money I did for Berto...


Middlesborough v Derby County
A disappointing 2-2 draw. They just out hustled us. Kim Won-Sik with a stupid straight red in the 88th was a let down where we needed momentum.

Hull v Derby County

This might be my only move during the winter transfer window. With Barker entering his 30's and Cala being hot and cold, I wanted to grab another quality D(C). Sean St. Ledger from Doncaster.



Faubert and Green were named to then team of the week...


The game against Hull was great considering we played mostly a bench team and still won 2-1. Being at home was what we needed in this tough 3 game week. Another youngster that I'm glad to have found, Jamil Adam. Always comes through with a good game as support to Berto...

Week 14 - 17 (try 7 season 3)

Week 14
Derby County v Swansea
Looked a little out of it most of the first half, up 1-0. Kim Won-Sik has been a killer with our corner kicks. He now has 4 goals this year. 3-1 win. I really wish we hadn't lost to Burnley. They are 13 points ahead still with Leicester .
Berto got us in gear with this one...



Week 15


Cardiff v Derby County
0-2 win. It took us almost 86 minutes to find the net but made some when it counts.
Paul Green with a rocket. Kick that burger!



Derby County v Blackpool
1-0 win. Dominated the pitch when we did have the ball (49% possession). 15 shots to five. Our defense is really picking up. Didn't adjust much. I found that Cala is much better when he comes off the bench and if Barker/Brayford can stay healthy, we have a strong right/center defense. Brayford and Won-Sik are guys I just hope to keep all of their careers.


Week 16
Coventry v Derby County
0-2 win and another clean sheet for Colbiliy. Dude has racked up 8 clean sheets in 14 games.
Berto, by far is our best scorer/playmaker. Goal and an assist.



Week 17
Derby County v Sheffield United
A total break down of our defense. we were beat on corners all day. 1-4 loss at home. not so good.

Week 9 - 13 (try 7, season 3)

Week 9
Huddersfield v Derby County
0-1 win. Lots of members of the team out injured or on international leave. Satisfied with this.

Week 10
Rest & Training


also, two players voiced their opinion that we need to step it up. i told them to respect the don. they both apologized and...

Week 11
Derby County v Portsmouth

The team responds to the last few lackluster matches. Adam back in for the recovering Berto, scores 2 but N'Gadi started it all with this...


Week 12


Reading v Derby County

Feels good to take on the 2nd place team and win 0-3 in their house. It has been good to see some of our young players stepping up. Sarpong and N'Gadi are really breaking out.



Brayford to Sarpong


N'Gadi schooling the defense.


Derby County v Peterborough
Another clean sheet, 3-0. We move into 2nd place with this win.

Paul Green with a hell of a shot...


Week 13
Man City v Derby County (Carling Cup 4th Round)
They didn't play many of their first 11. We still lost 1-0 but it was a good showing.

Swindin Town v Derby County
Looking to ride this good wave of form...but i messed with out starting 11 and paid the price.
0-1 loss. Should have won it.

Week 5 - 8 (try 7 season 3)

Week 5
rest and training.

Week 6
Forest v Derby County

WTF happened in this match. Nice 1-1 draw going into the half and we just melt down.
5-2 loss. Nice chip shot from N'Gadi though...


Derby County v Preston
Another bullshit draw. We were up 3-0 then Boucher shit the bed. I'm benching him next match. He was on a roll but has fallen off these last two matches pretty badly.


Week 7
Leicester v Derby County

OK, I need to win and not draw. 2-2 draw. Sarpong with a nice one here...



Derby County v MK Dons (Carling Cup 3rd Round)

I really don't know how to get my defense to play to their potential. Our ST and Midfielders are all adapting well but our GKs and backs need to step it up. 3-2 squeaker. Suso with the heat right hurrr....



Week 8
Derby County v Sheffield Wednesday
2-0 win! We have our great moments and our bad ones. We just need to be able to see it through.
Nice goals by Faubert and Pazienza.



Derby County v Burnley
1-2 loss against the #1 team in the league. Again, we lost it in the last 5 minutes. Nice goal from our captain, Shawn Barker.

Week 1 - 4 (try 7, season 3)

Week 1
Hull v Derby County

This is not how I thought I would start the season. 4-1 loss. Statically we were really close.
I thought we were sitting well when this goal by N'Gadi tied it up at 1-1.




Week 2
Derby County v Middlesbrough

This is exactly the game we needed to have. Great passing, slick scores.
Berto to put us up 3-1. (Goal of the Match)


Green to Sarpong to make it 4-1.


Berto like a the reaper to kill it 5-1. WOW.





- awards from week 2


Week 3
Norwich v Derby County

I hope that first game against Hull was just a fluke. 0-3 shutout. Sarpong, Berto, and Adam with the goals. Two great games in a row.



Derby County v Hull (Carling Cup 2nd Round)

That is how you pay it back. 6-2 rout at home.


keep racking up awards...



Week 4
Derby County v Southampton

Giving up the win late is the worst. 1-1 draw. So many shots just couldn't get one more to get through.

Preseason - Try 7 Season 3

Npower Championship League.
Expectations are to be promoted again. I cannot slip up, cause if so, I'll be fired pretty quick.

First signings...
Julien Faubert from West Ham.


I needed a good AM(R) and he has great pace, decent crossing, great long shots and speed galore.


Michele Pazienza - DM from Napoli



Round Two of Transfter/Loans, plus our friendly matches
Alessandro Crescenzi - DB(R/L) loan from Roma. Going to use him as a back-up mostly. We are a little light on Defense and just in case we start running into injury problems and international play conflicts.




Simone Verdi - AM(L)/ M(RLC) on loan from AC Milan. More of a back-up player too. really fast, so could be helpful in late sub



I was trying to pick up another DR/C because we are spread so thin with injuries/international play. Also, Cala is picking up top dollar interest for our league (5+ mil pounds), I just want one more year of play from him.


Brought in Suso (Liverpool - M(C)) on loan. If the right one comes up I'll try to grab another D(R/C) if I can.



Our friendly matches went well. Played and beat two teams within our own league (Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth) and a loss to Celtic.


The loss to Celtic wasn't as bad as our team put together some really nice runs when they did score.


Here's to another season. GO RAMS!