[FM19] Derby County - Director of Football Challenge

[Stuniverse]

** TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY **

Game date: 31 January 2022

RAMS CHASE SENESI

RamsFanzine: According to club sources, Derby County have made a bid to sign RB Leipzig's 24 year-old Argentinian centre-back Marcos Senesi. With time running out, DoF Igor Stimac faces a race against time to complete the deal before tonight's 11.00 pm deadline.

[samboing]

Wow you’ve gone from having a season with only two recognised centre backs to this season having what 20? Lol just kidding but Igor seems to be buying a fair few which are they all necessarily needed?

I understand letting Lopez go but that’s a huge cut down price isn’t it, was that all Igor or did you have a hand in that sale?

[Stuniverse]

14 hours ago, samboing said:

Wow you’ve gone from having a season with only two recognised centre backs to this season having what 20? Lol just kidding but Igor seems to be buying a fair few which are they all necessarily needed?

I understand letting Lopez go but that’s a huge cut down price isn’t it, was that all Igor or did you have a hand in that sale?

Thanks, @samboing. Lopez went for £13.5M in the end which is his value in game. I issued some instructions to Igor during the transfer window via Lopez’s transfer status regarding acceptable amounts, starting at £30M and reducing down to £21M as the window progressed. On transfer deadline day, with no bids received as far as I could tell, I changed the instructions to sell for value. Lopez was on £70K per week and Nubel £72K per week; we couldn’t afford both of them with Sepe a very capable #2 on £14.5K per week.

It remains to be seen if Igor’s bid for Senesi will be accepted and if he can get the deal done in time.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

***** TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSED *****

Game date: 31 January 2022

RamsFanzine understand that the proposed transfer of 24 year-old centre-back Marcos Senesi from RB Leipzig to Derby County did NOT go through. 

A club source informed us that the sale of Pau Lopez happened too late and DoF Igor Stimac didn't have enough time left in the day to get the deal done.

In what proved, in the end, to be quiet transfer window for Derby County, Stimac signed two players in 27 year-old goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell from Southampton and 19 year-old striker Matthew Walsh from Cardiff Met Uni, plus two more players from Schalke 04 who will join the Rams at the end of the season: 32 year-old striker / winger Guido Burgstaller and 21 year-old central defender Bradley Cross. Young Rams Matthew Walsh and Thierno Ballo both joined Real Union [Real Irun] on loan and Pau Lopez was sold to AS Roma.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 1 February 2022

RAMS NOW RICH

RamsFanzine understand that Derby County, in their third season in the Premier League, are now considered to be RICH when it comes to finances within the footballing world.

The Rams are on course to meet all expectations set by the Board this season and club sources inform us that owner Mel Morris and the Board view manager Stuniverse as untouchable.

Stuniverse also has excellent relationships with the majority of the Rams players and the atmosphere within the dressing room is also excellent.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 1 February 2022

RAMS FEBRUARY FIXTURES

RamsFanzine: With Euro Cup football returning in February with the knockout rounds, Derby County's fixtures this month are:

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Wednesday 2 February 2022

Pre-match v Bristol City (H) - F.A. Cup 4th Round replay

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: At Ashton Gate, your inability to score a second goal cost you when Bristol City grabbed a late equaliser. Can you progress tonight in the familiar surroundings of Pride Park?

Stuniverse: Clearly, Bristol City are a very capable side but we're at home, we've trained well, we've prepared well, and we're confident of progressing to the next round and a home tie against Arsenal.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Eight changes today, even though you don't have another game for eight days. Why's that?

Stuniverse: Look. We saw in the first-half of the season how the Euro Cup meant we needed our full squad. Well, the Euro Cup resumes a week tomorrow, so this is a good chance to give some more of the squad valuable playing time. Martin Naylor's unavailable, unfortunately, as he's ill with a virus.

The changes are Luigi Sepe for Alexander Nubel, Jayden Bogle for Max Aarons, Fikayo Tomori for Chris Smaling, Max Lowe for Matteo Darmian, Mason Mount for Martin Naylor, Louie Sibley for Domingos Quina, Mason Bennett for Harry Wilson, and Jack Marriott for Danny Ings.

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

RamsFanzine: Would the result have been different tonight if there was VAR here?

Stuniverse: Look. I'm not sure. They had a goal disallowed first when a free-kick came into our penalty area, Webster, I think it was, got the final touch in the middle of a melee of players, and the referee disallowed it. Clearly the ref saw something untoward in that melee. Then we had one ruled out ourselves for offside when Louie Sibley slid in to poke a cross into the back of the net. So, for me, that evens itself out.

We were the better team. We controlled the game. Mason Mount scored a stunning goal to give us the lead. Nine tmes out of ten, Harry Wilson scores from the spot, that's why he's our penalty taker.

Most telling for me, and particularly pleasing I might add, in the final ten plus four minutes when you'd expect them to be pushing hard for an equaliser, it was all us. Our pressing was still first rate and Bristol City struggled to get the ball out of their own half.

RamsFanzine: The victory means Arsenal come to Pride Park in the next round. You've struggled against Arsenal this season and they've scored a lot of goals against you.

Stuniverse: Yes, they have. It is, what it is, we have to do our best. Arsenal have some very good players, and they've given us the run-around this season, but they're also below us in the league table. We have to take confidence from that and believe we have a chance of winning. The cup-tie is some way off yet but, when it gets here, we'll have a game plan in place.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 4 February 2022

RAMS EXTEND WAGHORN'S CONTRACT

RamsFanzine: Derby County's 32 year-old striker / winger Martyn Waghorn's contract was due to expire at the end of the season but DoF Igor Stimac has activated the club's one-year extension option, meaning Waghorn is now contracted to the Rams until the summer of 2023.

Waghorn has been something of a fringe squad player this season making only five appearances for the Rams.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Thursday 10 February 2022

Pre-match v BSC Young Boys (a) - Euro Cup 1st Knockout Round, 1st Leg

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: With Leeds (7th) and Arsenal (9th) both drawing at the weekend, you can move into 7th place if you win your game-in-hand. Does that knowledge mean you can give tonight's Euro Cup 1st Leg against Young Boys a higher priority?

Stuniverse: There's still too much football to be played in the Premier League to even start second guessing things like that. Yes Leeds and Arsenal dropped points, but our next two league matches are Man United and Chelsea, both at Pride Park, so nothing is easy in the Premier League.

We gave the players a couple of days off after the F.A. Cup replay and our focus has been solely on the trip to Switzerland. We've worked so hard to get through the qualifying rounds, and the Group phase, to put us in this fantastic position. The last thing we want to do is throw it away against Young Boys by doing anything stupid with team selection.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Five changes today. Is Naylor still ill?

Stuniverse: Yes, Martin Naylor is improving, but he remains unavailable. Our captain Chris Smalling returns for Fikayo Tomori. Max Aarons for Jayden Bogle. Tom Lawrence for Louie Sibley. Harry Wilson for Masson Bennett, and Danny Ings for Jack Marriott.

Post-match: BSC Young Boys (0) 0-2 (1) Derby County

RamsFanzine: That win firmly puts you in the box seat. You have to be pleased with that, surely?

Stuniverse: Absolutely. I thought we were superb throughout. We were 1-0 up, and firmly in control, before their sending but that gave us the impetus to push on even more. Harry Wilson scored two stunning goals and, only two fine saves by their goalkeeper, denied Harry what would've been a well-deserved hat-trick.

RamsFanzine: You're at home to Manchester United on Sunday. How do you prepare for that one?

Stuniverse: Well there won't be a whole lot of time by the time we get back home but we'll look at the condition of the players and then work around that.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 11 February 2022

STIMAC GETS HIS MAN

RamsFanzine: Better late than never, DoF Igor Stimac has finally got the deal to sign RB Leipzig's 24 year-old Argentinian centre-back Marcos Senesi over the line. Senesi will join the Rams on June 9th this year for a fee of £8.5M. Senesi has signed until the summer of 2026 and his contract contains, we understand, a £26.5M release clause.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 13 Febuary 2022

Pre-match v Manchester United (H) - Premier League (26)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Diego Simeone brings his Man United side to Pride Park, 2nd in the Premier League, having won their last five league games, and last seven in all competitions. How do you approach this?

Stuniverse: Well, for once, our Euro Cup game isn't an issue as Manchester United also played away in the Euro Cup on Thursday, getting a well-deserved 1-0 win at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Of course, they have a bigger squad than us which gives Diego more options than us. We've worked hard, we have a game plan, and we'll do our best to execute it on the pitch.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You've gone with four changes today?

Stuniverse: Yes. Will Hughes looked jaded so Albie Morgan gets a start. Martin Naylor is still unwell and Matteo Darmian has a slight groin issue. The other changes are Alexander Nubel in goal for Luigi Sepe, Jayden Bogle for Harry Wilson, and Domingos Quina for Tom Lawrence.

RamsFanzine: Does Bogle for Wilson suggest a more defensive approach and a change of system today?

Stuniverse: You'll just have to wait and see.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 0-0 (0) Manchester United

RamsFanzine: You changed things up a bit with what looked like a defensive 4-4-2 with Espinoza in a more withdrawn role, Bogle at right-back, Lowe wide-left midfield, and Aarons left-back. Given the changed approach, are you happy with a goalless draw?

Stuniverse: It would've been nicer to win, and we had chances to do that, but De Gea was incredible once again.

We were very aware that Man United put five past us at their place, and we've struggled to keep the goals out against the big six teams, so we wanted to make ourselves more solid defensively and harder to score against. I think we did that today, and then some. But I don't think we parked the bus either; our game plan was to get forward when we could, and look to score ourselves.

Our plans were disrupted by the knocks to Espinoza and Quina so, taking everything into consideration, I'm pleased with the point.

RamsFanzine: How are Espinoza and Quina?

Stuniverse: They've both got bruised knees. Hopefully they'll both be OK in a few days but Thursday night against Young Boys may be too soon for them.

RamsFanzine: With Leeds and Arsenal not playing this weekend, that was effectively your game-in-hand, so the draw keeps you in serious contention for 7th place and possible Euro Cup qualification again.

Stuniverse: There's still a dozen Premier League matches to go, but we're very well placed and looking forward to the run-in.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Thursday 17 February 2022

Pre-match v BSC Young Boys (H) - Euro Cup 1st Knockout Round, 2nd Leg

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You must be considered strong favourites following your 2-0 victory in Switzerland. Would you agree?

Stuniverse: Probably. Yes. But Young Boys are a very good side so we need to be on it, and at it, for the full 90 minutes if we want to progress. Which, of course, we do.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You've really mixed it up with seven changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. I have. Luigi Sepe in goal for Alexander Nubel. Fikayo Tomori for Rafael Toloi. Will Hughes for Albie Morgan. Mason Bennett for Cristian Espinoza. Louie Sibley for Domingos Quina. Harry Wilson for Jayden Bogle, and Jack Marriott fo Danny Ings. Cristian and Domingos are just about recovered from the knocks they picked up against Man United and are both on the bench; we don't want to risk them unless we have to.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 1-0 (0) BSC Young Boys - Derby win 3-0 on aggregate

RamsFanzine: Your incredible Euro Cup run continues. Congratulations. Did you think it was going to be another nil-nil?

Stuniverse: Thank you. To be honest, we'd done the hard work in Switzerland and, although we were never complacent, we knew if we played professionally and sensibly at Pride Park tonight we should qualify. As it turned out, I think we bossed the game and, on another night, we could've scored a hatful. Their goalkeeper was inspired, and they defended manfully throwing themselves in front of our shots; at times, their penalty area resembled a pinball machine. Young Louie Sibley could easily have had a hat-trick. Jack Marriott won it for us late on, after great work by Danny Ings, but I think we deserved the win on the balance of play.

RamsFanzine: Was Ings annoyed with Marriott?

Stuniverse: No [laughs]. Of course not. The goalkeeper got a strong hand to Danny's shot and slowed it down a lot; none of us know for sure whether it would've crossed the line or not. Jack making sure it did from a foot out is exactly what we want our strikers to do.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 17 February 2022

WINNERS FACE CHELSEA

RamsFanzine: The winner of the F.A. Cup 5th round tie between Derby County and Arsenal will play Chelsea in he 6th round.

 

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 18 February 2022

ALL ENGLISH EURO CUP CLASH

RamsFanzine: Derby County have drawn Liverpool in the Euro Cup 2nd Knockout Round.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 20 February 2022

ARSENAL WIN CARABAO CUP ON PENALTIES

RamsFanzine: Arsenal won the Carabao Cup by defeating Liverpool 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 draw at Wembley.

With Arsenal currently in 9th place in the Premier League, this represents a significant blow to the Rams chances of qualifying for the Euro Cup this season. It now looks like the Rams will need to finish 6th or higher to qualify for European football next season.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 22 February 2022

Pre-match v Chelsea (H) - Premier League (27)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Chelsea are 6th, eight points ahead of you. That makes this a must win if you want to qualify for the Euro Cup for next season, doesn't it?

Stuniverse: Yes. Fair play to Max Freund and his Arsenal team for winning the Carabao Cup but that, almost certainly, means a 7th place finish won't be enough this season.

RamsFanzine: How are you going to do that when they put seven past you at Stamford Bridge?

Stuniverse: By playing better than we did at Stamford Bridge.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: How are the injuries?

Stuniverse: Matteo Darmian has a groin issue, but everybody else is available. We've made five changes. Alexander Nubel for Luigi Sepe in goal. Rafael Toloi for Fikayo Tomori. Martin Naylor for Mason Mount, who can't play against his parent club. Tom Lawrence for Louie Sibley, and Danny Ings for Jack Marriott.

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

RamsFanzine: You managed to stop Chelsea scoring but you weren't able to win the match either. Where does this leave your Euro Cup qualification hopes?

Stuniverse: It leaves us with a lot of points to make up if we want to finish 6th. I was happy with the way we played. We defended well, created a couple of chances, but Rulli is a very good goalkeeper.

RamsFanzine: Other results have seen you drop to 9th, and Arsenal to 10th. Europa Cup qualification is going to be very difficult now, isn't it?

Stuniverse: Yes. It is. We'll continue to do the things we've done all season, look to earn as many points as we can from the last 11 games, and see where we end up.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[samboing]

The change of system against the dreaded top six seems to be paying off in the respect you aren’t losing or conceding goals, gotta be happy with that! Tough tie in the next stage of Europe though, could have done without that I guess?

Things going well at the moment fingers crossed this continues

[Stuniverse]

2 hours ago, samboing said:

The change of system against the dreaded top six seems to be paying off in the respect you aren’t losing or conceding goals, gotta be happy with that! Tough tie in the next stage of Europe though, could have done without that I guess?

Things going well at the moment fingers crossed this continues

Hi @samboing. Yes, I'm happy we've found a way to play in a more solid way against the top six - based on 0-0's against Man Utd and Chelsea at home! Will the system work away from home, I wonder...

It would be ironic if our European adventure ended in England against Liverpool.

Things are going well currently... like you say, fingers crossed the good form continues...

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 26 February 2022

Pre-match v Arsenal (H) - F.A. Cup 5th Round

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Arsenal have already beaten you 6-0 in the league and 3-0 in the Carabao Cup this season. How are you going to get a result today?

Stuniverse: We played far too open in those games and they punished us. We won't be doing that today.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Any injury news?

Stuniverse: Not really. Matteo Darmian is still out with a groin issue and Will Hughes is a bit tired. Four changes in all. Luigi Sepe for Alexander Nubel in goal, Jayden Bogle for Mason Bennett, Mason Mount for Will, and Domingos Quina for Tom Lawrence.

Post-match: Derby County (1) 2-2 (0) Arsenal - Derby win 5-4 on penalties 

RamsFanzine: Congratulations. You're through to the F.A. Cup quarter-finals, despite going 2-1 down on 75 minutes. How do you sum that one up?

Stuniverse: I thought the lads were incredible today. We deservedly led at the break through Martin Naylor's strike and I was delighted for the young lad to score such an important goal in such an important match. I didn't think we deserved to be behind but you can't take anything away from Patrick Aubameyang as his goal, to give them the lead, was world class.

But what character we showed. After conceding a worldie, did our heads drop? No. Straight from the restart, we attack them, and Tom Lawrence equalises with a stunner of his own.

I'll admit we rode our luck a bit in extra-time and Luigi Sepe kept us in it with a couple of great saves. But Luigi saved the best for last when he saved their second penalty in the shootout from Thorgan Hazard. Jack Marriott, Harry Wilson, Mason Mount, Cristian Espinoza and Tom Lawrence all converted their penalty-kicks and we did it!

RamsFanzine: Quina limped off, how is he?

Stuniverse: It's an injury to his groin, but not too bad; hopefully, he'll only be out for about a week.

RamsFanzine: The Watford manager was here tonight, with speculation he's interested in Aarons and Smalling. Are you lookng to sell them?

Stuniverse: No. Chris is our captain and Max is a key component of our defence, alongside Chris. I don't want to lose either of them.

RamsFanzine: You play Chelsea here at Pride Park in the quarter-finals. Can you make it to the semi-final?

Stuniverse: Well it won't be easy against Chelsea, but we drew 0-0 with them here in the Premier League recently and, after tonight, who knows? We're confident and we believe we can do it again.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 1 March 2022

DERBY'S MARCH FIXTURES

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[samboing]

March is going to be a real test, a mixed bag of fixtures three real toughies and three winnable ones(although you want to win all six ideally)

And you’ve also managed to get a couple of goals with the new tactic fair play to you.

Yes how ironic would it be that Liverpool’s European adventure ends against a fellow English team!

I really hope you manage to win a trophy it is very much deserved

[Stuniverse]

18 minutes ago, samboing said:

March is going to be a real test, a mixed bag of fixtures three real toughies and three winnable ones(although you want to win all six ideally)

And you’ve also managed to get a couple of goals with the new tactic fair play to you.

Yes how ironic would it be that Liverpool’s European adventure ends against a fellow English team!

I really hope you manage to win a trophy it is very much deserved

Thank you, @samboing. That's very kind of you to say. I'd love to win a trophy as well... but I'm not sure we're good enough this season.

You made me laugh with: "Yes how ironic would it be that Liverpool’s European adventure ends against a fellow English team!"

We did get two goals with the new tactic, but Arsenal scored two as well. But we had the last laugh in the penalty shootout.

Whilst we are still in two cups (F.A. and Euro), plus chasing the almost impossible dream of a top six finish, then every fixture is massively important, and we haven't got the biggest squad in the world. It's going to be a tough run-in.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Thursday 3 March 2022

Pre-match v Liverpool (a) - Euro Cup 2nd Knockout Round, 1st Leg

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Is it a bit strange playing a Euro Cup away leg in Liverpool?

Stuniverse: Yes. We've been all over Europe on our Euro Cup adventure this season and this is very different.

RamsFanzine: You drew with Liverpool 2-2 at Pride Park earlier this season in the Premier League. Does that give you confidence?

Stuniverse: Yes, it does. That, and our improved performances against Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal recently, although they were all at Pride Park, whereas tonight we're away at Anfield.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Has Quina made it?

Stuniverse: No. Domingos's groin issue means he doesn't even make the bench, Tom Lawrence comes in for him. Two other changes. Matteo Darmian for Harry Wilson who can't play against his parent club, and Will Hughes for Martin Naylor.

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

RamsFanzine: You got an away goal, and you didn't lose, you've got to be happy with that?

Stuniverse: Yes. Absolutely. I would've taken 1-1 before the game. Danny Ings gave us the lead with a fine header and only a naive, mistimed tackle by Mason Bennett, gave them the penalty from which they equalised.

RamsFanzine: It was much more of a rear-guard effort than we've seen from you before. Was that deliberate?

Stuniverse: To be fair, I expected us to be able to counter-attack more than we did, but Liverpool are very good, and here at Anfield, with the Kop behind them, they are unstoppable at times. We defended for our lives, defended magnificently in fact.

I know we'll come in for criticism for parking the bus and stopping Liverpool playing but, frankly, what else are we meant to do? We've tried playing our normal game, an open toe-to-toe game against these big teams, and they've pulverised us at times with their quality. Clearly we're not good enough... yet... to go toe-to-toe with the big clubs so, instead, we're doing what's best for us. I'm not going to apologise for that.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 6 March 2022

RAMS YOUTH CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Monday 7 March 2022

Pre-match v Watford (a) - Premier League (28)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Watford are two places behind you in the table, but a whopping 11 points adrift. You need to win this to put pressure on the teams above you. Can you do it?

Stuniverse: We beat them 4-0 at Pride Park earlier this season, so we know we can beat them, but we're expecting a much harder game from Mauricio Pellegrino's team today.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Hughes isn't even in the 18 for what would've been his return to his former club. Why's that?

Stuniverse: Will's quite fatigued so we're resting him and Martin Naylor plays in his place. Luigi Sepe has a groin issue so Alexander Nubel returns, as he would've done any way, and Jonathan Mitchell comes onto the bench. The other changes are Cristian Espinoza for Jayden Bogle and Harry Wilson for Matteo Darmian.

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

RamsFanzine: Just how disappointing was that?

Stuniverse: It was very disappointing to lose, particularly when I felt we deserved at least a draw from the game. It was one of those games you get in a season when nothing seems to go right. We made a bad mistake for their goal after just three minutes when Rafael Toloi underhit his backpass to Alexander Nubel, gifting them a goal.

After that I thought we applied ourselves well. We created enough chances to equalise, perhaps even win the game, but we were unfortunate to find Jack Butland in inspired form. I don't think anybody in the world would've scored past the Watford goalkeeper today.

RamsFanzine: You've dropped to 11th place in the Premier League but, with one or two games-in-hand on all the teams around you, the table's a bit false at the moment.

Stuniverse: It's only false if we pick up points in those game-in-hands. We have to do better than we did today; I know I bemoaned our luck today, but in football you make your own luck. We didn't do enough today to get the result.

Edited July 28, 2019 by Stuniverse

[dap1987]

Just had a massive catch up  

 

Transfer window - to sell Lopez for only £13.5m must be a little disappointing?  I know you've got rid of someone who could damage the dressing room atmosphere but to "lose" 7.5m in 6 months on a player is a bit of a let down....although I suppose very realistic as you were more willing to get him out of the Club. 

 

A couple of decent CBs coming in the summer is a big boost too, Senesi looks like a great player. 

 

Premier League - a bit of a mixed bag, but I am loving the more defensive formation against the bigger teams and it is clearly paying off, some big points picked up there although the disappointing lose to Watford shows the league is not easy at all. 

 

FA Cup - At first, I didn't read the part about penalties in the score, I was expecting a replay!  Massive chance to go to Wembley for a semi-final too, just get passed Chelsea 

 

Euro Cup - Really well done getting past Young Boys, nothing too fancy but it was never in doubt either, but then to draw Liverpool must have hurt a bit.  However, a great result at Anfield, how are you going to approach the second leg?  Stick defensively or go to your normal formation? 

 

Another top half finish looks likely and you must be proud! 

[Stuniverse]

23 hours ago, dap1987 said:

Just had a massive catch up  

Transfer window - to sell Lopez for only £13.5m must be a little disappointing?  I know you've got rid of someone who could damage the dressing room atmosphere but to "lose" 7.5m in 6 months on a player is a bit of a let down....although I suppose very realistic as you were more willing to get him out of the Club. 

A couple of decent CBs coming in the summer is a big boost too, Senesi looks like a great player. 

Premier League - a bit of a mixed bag, but I am loving the more defensive formation against the bigger teams and it is clearly paying off, some big points picked up there although the disappointing lose to Watford shows the league is not easy at all. 

FA Cup - At first, I didn't read the part about penalties in the score, I was expecting a replay!  Massive chance to go to Wembley for a semi-final too, just get passed Chelsea 

Euro Cup - Really well done getting past Young Boys, nothing too fancy but it was never in doubt either, but then to draw Liverpool must have hurt a bit.  However, a great result at Anfield, how are you going to approach the second leg?  Stick defensively or go to your normal formation? 

Another top half finish looks likely and you must be proud! 

Thank you for catching up, @dap1987, and posting.

The goalkeeping situation was simple really Lopez on £70K p.w. and Nubel on £72K p.w. one of them had to go. Speculation had surrounded Lopez all season, Nubel was doing very well and had made himself #1 through his performances, so Lopez it was. The drop from what we could’ve sold him for in the summer was an issue but we’ve made a lot of money on our Europa Cup run, around £500K every match, so not as bad as it could’ve been in the overall scheme of things.

Yes, it will be interesting to see how the new players do in the pre-season. Burgstaller is over 6 foot so, despite his age, he may give us an aerial presence up front we don’t currently have with Marriott and Ings. Senesi is the one I’m most excited about, although we still don’t have a full scouting report on him - the last screenshot I shared had attribute ranges not exact values still.

Thanks for your comments about the EPL change of formation against the bigger teams. I don’t like doing it, I like to play attractive, attacking football but, clearly, that open approach isn’t cutting it against teams with more quality than us. The Watford game was very disappointing, but we are in a good position in the league.

Strangely enough I was expecting a replay too, as we’d gone to a replay in the previous round against Bristol City. It was very satisfying to win the penalty shootout. Chelsea is another big ask in the next round.

I was gutted to draw Liverpool in the Euro Cup as it doesn’t feel very European playing another English team. The 1-1 at Anfield was a good result but we were a stupid tackle cue a penalty away from a 1-0 win. I think we have to start cautiously, maybe even defensively in the second leg, because if it’s an open game they have more quality up front than us. I’ve had a very busy week so haven’t had chance to play the second leg yet.

I’d say it’s been my most enjoyable season of the save so far!

Edited August 1, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Thursday 10 March 2022

Pre-match v Liverpool (H) - Euro Cup 2nd Knockout Round, 2nd Leg

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: After your brilliant 1-1 draw at Anfield, a goalless draw tonight will see you through. Can you do it?

Stuniverse: Although we'll be doing our best to prevent Liverpool scoring, I don't believe it's a good tactic to play for a goalless draw as Liverpool have more than the one quality attacking player. We've trained well, prepared well, and have a game plan we'll be looking to execute on the pitch.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You've named Sepe on the bench. Isn't he your Euro Cup goalkeeper?

Stuniverse: Luigi is, yes, but he's just coming back from a groin issue so we decided to keep Alexnder Nubel in goal and not rush Luigi. Hopefully, Luigi will be ok to play against Chelsea in the F.A. Cup. The two changes are Matteo Darmian for Harry Wilson who, again, can't play against his parent club. Will Hughes, after a rest, returns in place of Martin Naylor.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 0-1 (0) Liverpool
Liverpool win 2-1 on aggregate

RamsFanzine: How disappointing is it to have been knocked out of the Euro Cup?

Stuniverse: I have to be honest, it's very disappointing. Forget that it's Liverpool, for a minute, I find it very ironic that we went out of the Euro Cup to an English team. We had our moments tonight, against an excellent Liverpool side, but we didn't do enough, we hardly got any attempts on target and we certainly didn't work their goalkeeper anywhere enough. Sadly, Alisson won't have many easier games than tonight in European competition.

RamsFanzine: Quina seemed to be struggling, how is he?

Stuniverse: Domingos has pulled a muscle in his back. Unfortunately he had to soldier on as we'd already made all our substitutions. He'll probably be out for a couple of weeks.

RamsFanzine: How do you reflect on your Euro Cup campaign?

Stuniverse: With immense pride. It's been a wonderful journey and we've thoroughly enjoyed it. We can now focus on the Premier League and trying to finish as high as we possibly can, although qualifying for the Euro Cup looks a very big ask with Arsenal, who are surprisingly 10th in the table, having already won the Carabao Cup. 

Edited August 3, 2019 by Stuniverse

[kidthekid]

So unfortunate to have faced Liverpool so early

[Stuniverse]

28 minutes ago, kidthekid said:

So unfortunate to have faced Liverpool so early

I thought we maybe had a chance after the draw at Anfield, @kidthekid... but it wasn't to be.

[samboing]

Damn, gutted for you @Stuniverse but I guess you can now focus on league and fa Cup glory although the money from Europe is always a massive bonus.

[Stuniverse]

Thanks, @samboing. You're right, we made around £500K+ for every Euro Cup game we played.

Chelsea next in the FA Cup. It doesn't get any easier!

[JaytheGreat]

Unlucky draw but Continental football is never easy. It was impressive how far the got, hopefully another Euro League chance next season with an improved Derby side.  

[Stuniverse]

1 hour ago, JaytheGreat said:

Unlucky draw but Continental football is never easy. It was impressive how far the got, hopefully another Euro League chance next season with an improved Derby side.  

Thanks, @JaytheGreat. Unfortunately Euro Cup Qualification for next season looks unlikely. Carabao Cup winners Arsenal are struggling in 10th, one place above us, so that’s almost certainly taken 7th out of the equation. So to qualify for the Euro Cup we either have to break into the top six or win the FA Cup.

Hopefully we will have a stronger team and squad next season. We already have three new signings in the bag and we’ve made a lot of money from the Euro Cup run plus another season’s worth of EPL money.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 13 March 2022

Pre-match v Chelsea (H) - F.A. Cup Round 6

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You've beaten Salford City, Bristol City, and Arsenal to reach this stage. Chelsea, 5th in the Premier League, stand between you and the semi-finals. How confident are you of progressing?

Stuniverse: We know it's going to be a big ask against Zinedine Zidane's team, but we believe we can do it. We've not had much time to prepare since going out of the Euro Cup but we'll give it everything we've got. We don't want to go out of two cup competitions in the same week.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You've gone with four changes today. Do the changes signal a change of formation?

Stuniverse: You'll have to wait and see on that. Luigi Sepe is over his groin issue and comes in for Alexander Nubel as our cup goalkeeper. Mason Mount can't play against his parent club so Martin Naylor takes his place. We've also changed both wide men with Cristian Espinoza in for Jayden Bogle, and Harry Wilson for Matteo Darmian. Domingos Quina is out with a pulled muscle in his back.

Post-match: Derby County (1) 1-1 (1) Chelsea
Chelsea win 3-1 after extra-time

RamsFanzine: You changed to 4-1-2-3 today and it nearly worked for you. Was that about directly matching up man-for-man against Chelsea?

Stuniverse: No. Not really. It's a formation we think suits our players but it does leave us short in midfield. It was more about trying something different and, with Mason Mount and Domingos Quina unavailable to us, we thought it was the best way to go.

I thought we played very well. The hand-ball call against Rafael Toloi was harsh in my opinion. What was he meant to do at close range? But I was delighted with the way we responded after they converted the penalty. Our heads didn't drop, we kept going, and I thought we thoroughly deserved Martin Naylor's equaliser.

We had chances to win it in normal time, and again in extra-time, but our finishing wasn't up to or usual standard. Once they got their noses in front in the second period of extra-time we had to chase the game... and they picked us off for the third.

RamsFanzine: I know it's no consolation but congratulations on a thrilling F.A. Cup run. What now for the rest of the season?

Stuniverse: Thank you. It's been good but there's no trophy for losing in the quarter-finals. Now we focus on the Premier League. We have two or three games-in-hand on most, if not all of the teams around us, so now it's a case of working hard to pick-up as many points as we can and finishing as high in the Premier League as we can.

Edited August 4, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 26 March 2022

Pre-match v Arsenal (H) - Premier League (29)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Arsenal are three places and four points above you, but you have three games-in-hand on them. A win here, would really set you up nicely for the run-in, wouldn't it?

Stuniverse: Yeah. Yes, it would. We played Arsenal at Pride Park recently in the F.A. Cup and went through on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Our performance in that game gives us confidence for today.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: How are the injuries?

Stuniverse: We almost have a fully fit and healthy squad. Fikayo Tomori is away with Canada. Everybody else is available, although Tom Lawrence (calf) and Will Hughes (fatigue) are on the bench.

Three changes. Alexander Nubel in goal for Luigi Sepe. Mason Mount for Tom (calf) and Domingos Quina (back) returns for Will (fatigue).

Post-match: Derby County (4) 4-0 (0) Arsenal

RamsFanzine: I don't think anybody saw that one coming. Congratulations. It's one to savour, isn't it?

Stuniverse: Most definitely. We were absolutely magnificent today. Arsenal couldn't cope with our wingers and it was so fitting that they both got on the score sheet today, Harry Wilson with a brace and Cristian Espinoza with one. For Danny Ings to make it 4-0 before half-time was what dreams are made of.

Second-half we could've had more but I was most pleased that we continued to defend brilliantly and kept the clean sheet. We needed our goalkeeper at times and Alexander Nubel showed why he fought off the challenge of Pau Lopez to be our #1 goalkeeper.

Another full-house at Pride Park and I'm so delighted for our supporters. They saw Arsenal put six past us earlier in the season. This one's for all Rams fans. I hope they enjoyed it and will celebrate it this weekend.

RamsFanzine: The win moves you up to 10th with games-in-hand ahead of two away games at Blackburn (20th) and Bournemouth (16th). How do you see those two games going?

Stuniverse: Well, we'll take them one at a time so we're not thinking beyond Blackburn on Wednesday. We have no cup distractions to get in the way any more and we're looking to win as many games, and pick up as many points as we can, between now and the end of the season.

Edited August 4, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Wednesday 30th March 2022

Pre-match v Blackburn Rovers (a) - Premier League (30)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You visit Ewood park with Blackburn rock-bottom, 10 points adrift of safety, having just been drubbed 6-0 by Man United to extend Patrick Vieira's side's losing streak to four. Can you pile on more misery by winning tonight?

Stuniverse: We'll be giving Blackburn the same respect we give every opponent, and we know they are scrapping for their lives, but, yes, we're confident of getting a good result.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: An unchanged side tonight. Are Lawrence and Hughes still not ready to start?

Stuniverse: No. Not at all. Both Tom Lawrence and Will Hughes are fit to start but the team played that well against Arsenal that they deserve to keep their shirts and go again.

Post-match: Blackburn Rovers (1) 1-1 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Was that a case of after the Lord Mayor's show?

Stuniverse: No. I wouldn't say that. I thought we played well enough to win the match but the rub of the green didn't go our way. David Raya had a great game in their goal, Mason Mount rattled the post with a free-kck at 0-0, and Danny Ings, after equalising, then hit the post at 1-1. On another night we win that game.

RamsFanzine: Quina lasted only 18 minutes. How is he?

Stuniverse: It looks like ankle ligaments so Domingos could be out for a few weeks.

RamsFanzine: You missed out on the chance to go 8th, but you're now on the same points as Arsenal and Leeds with two games-in-hand on both of them. Are you confident of finishing the season above them?

Stuniverse: Arsenal and Leeds are both good teams. We've got ourselves in a good position to finish above them, but we'll need to win the majority of our remaining eight games to do that. As we saw tonight, there's no easy games in the Premier League so we have to continue working hard.

Edited August 4, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 1 April 2022

EIGHT GAMES REMAINING FOR RAMS

RamsFanzine: With eight games left in Derby County's season, the Rams find themselves 10th with two games-in-hand on most of the teams around them. With Arsenal winning the Carabao Cup, it looks like the Rams will have to finish in the top six to have any chance of playing European football again next season.

Here are Derby County's remaining fixtures:

Edited August 4, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 1 April 2022

DERBY COUNTY FINANCES

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 2 April 2022

Pre-match v AFC Bournemouth (a) - Premier League (31)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: After a disappointing draw at Blackburn earlier this week, can you go one better at Bournemouth today?

Stuniverse: As I said after the Blackburn game, there's no easy games in the Premier League. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's Bournemouth have won their last four league games so this won't be an easy game for us.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Two changes, one forced?

Stuniverse: Yes, that's right. Tom Lawrence replaces the injured Domingos Quina (ankle) and Will Hughes returns for Martin Naylor.

Post-match: AFC Bournemouth (0) 0-4 (4) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Another convincing win by your Derby side. Did you enjoy that one?

Stuniverse: Yes, I did. Harry Wilson gave us an early lead, Danny Ings scored two, and Cristian Espinoza scored the pick of the bunch. Overall, I thought we controlled the game and every player did their job today. I can't fault any of them.

RamsFanzine: The win sees you overtake Arsenal and move up to 9th, with Leeds next in your sights. Can you finish as high as 6th?

Stuniverse: That's what we think will be needed for Euro Cup qualification but it'll be a tough challenge. Leicester have eight more points than us, but we do have two games-in-hand. As I've said before, we're looking to pick up as many points as we can and we'll see where that leaves us at the end of the season.

Edited August 4, 2019 by Stuniverse

[kidthekid]

Impressive run of form. Hope you can keep this up

[Stuniverse]

6 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Impressive run of form. Hope you can keep this up

Thanks, @kidthekid. Me too.

I didn’t see the 4-0 victory over Arsenal coming so that one was very satisfying.

Edited August 5, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 6 April 2022

RAMS CAPTAIN SIGNS-UP FOR TWO MORE SEASONS

RamsFanzine: Derby County DoF Igor Stimac was delighted to announce that Rams captain Chris Smalling has put pen-to-paper to extend his contract for another two years. The 32 year-old centre-back, who signed from Manchester United, will now continue to ply his trade at Pride Park until the summer of 2024.

 

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Friday 8th April 2022

Pre-match v Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) - Premier League (32)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Wolves come to Pride Park on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, having thumped West Brom 5-1 last time out. They are two places, and four points below you, although they've played two games more. A win today would really consolidate your position in the top half of the table, wouldn't it?

Stuniverse: Yes it would but, as you've said, Giovanni van Bronckhorst's Wolves are on a good run of form so it won't be an easy game today at all.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: No changes at all in the 11 or on the bench today.

Stuniverse: No. We were outstanding at Bournemouth and the same team goes again today.

Post-match: Derby County (2) 3-0 (0) Wolverhampton Wanderers

RamsFanzine: You must've been delighted five minutes in when your captain celebrated his new contract with  a towering far post header?

Stuniverse: We were all off the bench when Chris Smalling scored and a capacity crowd at Pride Park went wild. Some were worried about Chris's age when Igor signed him, but Chris has been outstanding since he signed for us. He's a born leader, he's loving it here and we're delighted he wants to stay here another two years.

Harry Wilson added a second from the penalty spot. Jack Marriott wrapped it up in the second-half. Jack's had to be patient because of Danny Ings's form but he hasn't moaned or whinged, he's buckled down in training and I was so pleased for him when he scored. Harry Wilson and Cristian Espinoza both hit the post so it could easily have been more.

Defensively, once again, we stood up and were counted. Some of the blocks in our penalty area were out-of-this-world and, when Wolves did get through, Alexander Nubel was brilliant in our goal.

RamsFanzine: You remain 9th, eight points behind 6th placed Leicester with two games-in-hand. Can you finish top six?

Stuniverse: We have a chance but, ultimately, it's out of our hands. All we can do is gain as many points as we can and then see if it's enough at the end of the season. Leicester City visit Pride Park on the last day of the season so we're hoping there's still something resting on that game.

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Edited August 5, 2019 by Stuniverse

[dap1987]

After being so unlucky to be knocked out of both Cups, what a run you are on!!  The Arsenal result being probably one of your best of the whole save, especially given your early form against the top sides.  Does Europe beckon again? 

 

Are you worried about Quina's injury record?  Every game he seems to pick up a knock or an injury.  

[Stuniverse]

3 hours ago, dap1987 said:

After being so unlucky to be knocked out of both Cups, what a run you are on!!  The Arsenal result being probably one of your best of the whole save, especially given your early form against the top sides.  Does Europe beckon again? 

Are you worried about Quina's injury record?  Every game he seems to pick up a knock or an injury.  

Thanks, @dap1987. I'm hard pushed to think of a better one-off result than that 4-0 win over Arsenal, particularly as we need to finish above them as we push for Top Six. Arsenal winning the Carabao Cup has taken Euro Cup qualification away from 7th place, I think, and a top six finish looks a big ask!

You know I love Domingos Quina. I'd never heard of him when Igor signed him from Watford but he's been a great player for us and has scored some stunning goals. You're right though, his injury history (see screenshot below) doesn't make for happy reading. Domingos is the best we have in that No. 10 role behind the striker, but Tom Lawrence, Mason Mount, Will Hughes and young Louie Sibley can also play there.

I'm expecting Igor to have plenty of money in his budgets this summer and, with three players already signed for next season, the squad is already looking stronger if Igor can hold onto the players I really want to keep. With Martin Naylor [newgen] also establishing himself in midfield, Domingos may be one I have to transfer list as we do look strong in midfield overall.

 

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Edited August 5, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 11 April 2022

RAMS U23s RELEGATED

RamsFanzine: Derby County U23s have been relegated from the top-flight English U23 Premier Dvision 1.

The Rams U18s are well-placed in the top-flight English U18 Division 1 North.

 

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Edited August 5, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 12 April 2022

Pre-match v Southampton (H) - Premier League (33)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Tonight you play one of your games-in-hand in front of your own fans against a Southampton team who are second-bottom and haven't won in seven league games. A good opportunity for you turn a game-in-hand into three points, isn't it?

Stuniverse: It is, but I'm sure Stale Solbakken and his players will be desperate to get a win. We can't be complacent or slow out-of-the-blocks tonight. We have to work as hard as them on the pitch, if not harder, if we want to get the result we want.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: No changes to the match-day 18 today. Is Quina still injured?

Stuniverse: I saw no reason to change anything after the Bournemouth and Wolves victories. Domingos will still be out a while with ankle ligament damage.

Post-match: Derby County (1) 2-0 (0) Southampton

RamsFanzine: Congratulations. You made your game-in-hand count.

Stuniverse: Thank you. I thought we were good value for a comfortable win today, with a goal in each half. Danny Ings gave us the lead with a goal against his former club. Mason Bennett gave us some breathing room with a goal after the break. I thought we defended well again and the Saints didn't trouble Alexander Nubel in our goal that much.

RamsFanzine: You're now 8th, with a game-in-hand, three points clear of Leeds, who you visit on Friday.

Stuniverse: Yes. It's going to be a big game at Elland Road. It'll be tough because they'll have had more rest and time to prepare than us, but there's nothing we can do about that. We'll prepare as well as we can in the time we've got.

 

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Edited August 5, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 14 April 2022

PROFIT IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE

RamsFanzine: Derby County are 5th out of seven clubs currently making a profit in the Premier League, meaning 13 clubs are making a loss.

 

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Edited August 5, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Friday 15 April 2022

Pre-match v Leeds United (a) - Premier League (34)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: This is a big game with Leeds being one place, and three points behind you. How disappointing is it that your traditional rivals had a full week to prepare and you've had two days? 

Stuniverse: Look. I can't complain too much because we ended up with games-in-hand because we had such a fantastic Euro Cup campaign. It would be churlish of me to complain after all the money our Euro Cup run has brought into the club.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Anybody struggling after your midweek win against Southampton?

Stuniverse: Yes. Will Hughes has looked tired in training so I've brought Martin Naylor in for him. That's the only change. The other ten go again.

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

RamsFanzine: How pleased are you to beat your historical rivals, in their own back-yard, in such a big game?

Stuniverse: It's a brilliant feeling and I'm so pleased for our fans. 3,000 of them were in Elland Road tonight and boy did they make themselves heard. I thought we controlled the game again and Cristian Espinoza's goal was worth the admission price on it's own. Tonight was a complete performance and another clean sheet, that's five in our last six games I think.

RamsFanzine: You substituted both your players on a yellow cared immediately after they had a man sent-off for a second yellow. Was that to prevent the referee evening things up?

Stuniverse: I don' think referees think like that but we had Mason Mount and Cristian Espinoza both on yellow cards. Being a goal up, and a man up, I thought it was the sensible thing to do.

RamsFanzine: The win really consolidates your position in 8th place. With four games to go, you're two points behind Leicester (7th) with a game-in-hand, and three points behind Everton (6th). Can you reel them in and overtake them?

Stuniverse: They both have significantly better goal differences than us so that's, essentially, an extra point in their favour. I'd love to think we could overhaul them but it's out of our hands. Let's see where we are after playing Liverpool (2nd) away and Manchester City (4th) at home.

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Edited August 5, 2019 by Stuniverse