Enjoy the Games and Pride Park

Yesterday’s game v Ipswich was a good example of how being comfortable in the Championship can be preferable to being in the premiership. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day. I took an MU supporter friend and it was he who pointed out things we just take for granted at PP.

We left home at 2.00 pm, drove 14 miles – straight in to the car park without hassle and no risk to car from vandals. Nice short stroll to the ground with a few minutes to get in the atmosphere etc. We had a good view of the game on a beautiful playing surface. Plenty of refreshments available (I didn’t notice if the pasties had gone up 20% or not). All for a very reasonable per match price.

The referee was excellent yesterday though this is not often the case. Derby started badly but thanks to Frank stayed level. Ipswich looked a very good side. The game was hotly contested in spite of both being safe in mid-table but was fair and clean throughout with lots of effort and endeavour. In the second half Derby had cottoned on to the need to mark Martin out of the game and Derby had much the better of things. They went close several times but just could not squeeze the ball into the net. Paul Jewell, much as I was glad to swap him for Nigel, is to be congratulated for having created an honest team of performers who played fair throughout

All Derby players played well. I could single out Fielding, Roberts, Shackell, Buxton, Nailor and Green but it’s unjust to leave anybody out. Leo was MoM deservedly so. Tyson came on and tried too hard I think. I want him to score a couple as he is carrying a severe mental problem. He hasn’t yet scored but it’s not for lack of trying.

After the game we got straight out and were home for 5-30. It was a thoroughly enjoyable hassle free day. Far better than Old Trafford according to my MU fan mate.

I appreciate not everybody wants what I enjoyed. Some quite reasonably want a few bevies with their mates and lots of banter and winding up the opposition. It happens and just adds to the fan's enjoyment.

OK if you want to concentrate on the negatives you can slate GSE for not throwing millions at the club but as others have seen that’s no guarantee of success. I much prefer the honest, straight forward team-building approach which Nigel has proved he can do. And while things are coming to fruition, just enjoy each game as they come and stop moaning as it can have no effect.