Thank you 3R. Far be it for me to leap to Russell's defence but I do think he comes in for some unfair criticism.

As you say he was hugely energetic and was instrumental in the goal.

On one occasion he had a snap shot, taken slightly behind him and at hip height. Maybe Messi would have scored but this had Scouse slapping his head and howling with anguish.

Yes, he should have looked up and crossed on two occasions but otherwise a strong contender for MoTM

Heb. I agree he was hugely influential. But maybe he is currently too aware he needs a goal as he feels on the margins of selection. He's also is missing the thrill of scoring as well. So he wants so badly to put it in the net. I would always play Russell if fit.

I did try not to be too critical of him but he did make a couple of poor decisions.

Fair assessment 3R apart from the gushing praise for Keogh, he may be great at a 10 yard sprint but is totally ineffectual at organising a defence as demonstrated once again in the last 5 minutes.

Other than that criticism, I was pleased to see all players trying hard, I feel for JR his work rate was excellent he just lacks a bit of confidence. Keep him in and it will return.

All across the park we looked pretty good. Baird was solid, Johnson and Bryson looked a good partnership as does Vydra and Ted.

Not been sold on bringing Martin back next year, however I would like to see him work with Vydra. I think Martin is better in the air than Nugent and would win far more free kicks,

Did anybody else notice the similarity to our Wembley day out. We kept pumping balls into the box, but to no effect?

On the whole very positive.

👏👏👏3R

Glad you mentioned Baird, really matured (I know he's old) into the DCFC set-up and a great asset to the team. He is almost that intelligent, game controller that we crave.

Sheepy, I do think he is not skipper material but otherwise he had a good game. He wins his share of headers. He did make that great intervention to their right winger in lots of space. There is perhaps a slight tendency to think I might be winding up 666, though I would not praise Keogh if he was letting us down.

'Did anybody else notice the similarity to our Wembley day out. We kept pumping balls into the box, but to no effect?'

Thanks 'thrills,I mentioned it in the MT and was roundly
criticised
Well said 3R and Heb, of course

Typical Johnny performance, summed up his Derby career. Incredibly industrious but very frustrating in terms of end product. The same could be said of Anya in his cameo who could have set up Bent for a simple second goal.

I thought Nugent was top class in the second half. If he and Martin are pushing each other to start next season that will be healthy for us. Meanwhile Vydra is making Spart look even more of a chump with every passing match, not that the latter is in any great need of assistance in this regard. He's a sharp and clever player. It's all about getting players in the right position and system to get the best from them.

Johnson excellent also. Bryson was OK but I am doubtful about them as a long-term pairing unless we alter the shape. Hard to see how Hughes and Butterfield are going to get much football if that is how we are going to play. Very encouraging though.

Hendrick having a mare for Burnley.

Cheeky 1.75 million bid?

I knew Huddersfield were krap, even little ole Burton can beat them at their own shed.

So Rams win and Brewers win, what a nice weekend.

VC10, Brewers now above Forest in the table. A nice weekend indeed.

Do you know Ramdini, I reckon when we beat Fulham we stand a good chance of getting in the top six.

I thought the whole team played well last night and I was particularly pleased with Nugent, Russell, Baird and Pearce. I was not too pleased with young Tom, I hope he isn't going into his old ways again.

One thing that worries me is how the heck can Will not start a game? He should be the first name on the team sheet.

My sentiments entirely, VC10. With Will's creative passing, the increased movement off the ball of Vidra Nugent and Russell should surely create more chances. Another run of victories could just do it.

I will reserve my judgement on the Rowett team until Tuesday. So far we have played a crap team away and a team with nothing to play for at home. Tuesday we play a decent team who want to win. If we win, our faint chance of play offs becomes a little brighter, especially as many of the teams above us are starting to wobble. Talked to a Wednesday fan today and he is of the same opinion as me about Rhodes. Wishes they hadn't bothered with him.

VC10, Ramdini and Spart..........The Three Musketeers

I haven't seen any of the games in a while but from what people have been saying on here, we're moving away from a half-a55ed-possession based game to a counter attacking style with those ahead of Bryson and BJ running into the open spaces that we're afforded on the counter.

Will Hughes not being a runner and not having the pace or game readability to put pressure on the opposition seems to be the collateral in this change of thinking. Personally I don't think Bryson recently has been able to do the harrying, reading the game and winning the ball back either, however, he does have more pace/acceleration than Butters and Hughes and can probably apply more pressure than these two (albeit if he is easy to sidestep when he lunges in 2 seconds behind the play for the tackle).

Maybe alongside a Wanyama or something like that there'd be room for Will Hughes but not alongside a BJ. Our central midfield wouldn't be able to apply pressure the same way and try to win the ball back enough to start the quick counter.

If Hughes could shoot he could maybe push for a place behind the striker, if he had pace maybe on the wing, if we play a posession based team like Reading he might get a look in, if he could read the game a la Busquets then he might be more likely to knock on Rowett's door.

Butters, Hughes, Bryson and BJ have all had time to adapt their games, BJ I think has tried, not sure we've seen much evidence from the others, they've not been helped by our transfer madness, building such a badly drawn team, but if they want to play for our latest manager they might have to a) learn to adapt, b) leave or c) wait until the next one comes in.

I don't think Bryson is the long term solution unless he can transition from nowhere man to everywhere man and I think we'll see someone else come in to play that role in the summer, maybe finally the destructive midfielder with pace that might have got us up two seasons ago.

Different times now though, that moment and playoff final team has sunk into the drifting sands of the past, apart from a few fading, melancholic footprints echoing pensivley into the bittersweet sunset of what might have been.

VC10, Ramdini and Spart..........The Three Musketeers

More like Last of the Summer Wine

Wellies

Agree completely. To a large extent the midfield pair were bypassed last night, some quick long balls from the back and some into Vydra's feet, otherwise trying to work down the flanks. If this is Rowett's style I can't see much future for Bryson, Butterfield or Hughes.

I'm hoping with a relatively better financial situation GR will be a bit more pragmatic than his goto system for getting an average team organised, even though that is currently what we have.

I think had we got GR in instead of Clement there'd have been more pressure on him to play the attractive game but take a look at our soft underbelly. Now though I get the sense most fans are done with the pretty stuff and the players haven't done enough since Zamora-gate to justify it.

It seems like in Europe anyway, the pendulum is swinging back to athleticism (counter-pressing) over passing (tika-taka).

Some of the more industrial ex-championship sides have done quite well in the Premier this year, so maybe I was wrong, there's more than one way of skinning a cat. Personally, I'd rather be a Swansea or a Southampton than a Watford or Burnley though but it is what it is.

I think GR does know how to play to the strengths of your team as opposed to sticking to a style, however, it's only really Hughes and JDS that are well versed in the passing game, maybe Nugent too. Not sure Martin has the pace to fit into the GR way either, maybe as a sub.

I do think GR brings some common sense back to the club though, I just hope we can build behind the scenes so if it doesn't work out we don't keep on playing managerial roulette. My outside hope too is that GR has a total footballing epiphany whilst lying in bed one night, reading JA606 to his good lady, to get them both in the mood, for the sechZee stuff.

All change.

Class that Wellies.

Johnny Russell - one goal and one assist all season. Derby fans eh. They do love a trier, even if the end product is sheite.
I wonder if everyone would be so patient if those were Ince's statistics ?
Thought not.

Wine, did someone mention wine? I don't mind if I do.

A lot of erudite stuff up there from many 606ers. Thanks.

Spot on AJ, some of the moaners behind me going on about Ince is unbelievable

AJ, What you say about Johnny Russell being loved because he is "a trier" would be valid if that was all that he was. But he is much more than just a trier and so will continue to be appreciated. He still shows many skills, by his speed and control he can quickly start an attack and has good striking abilities as well as his high work-rate and so is worth his place. It is just at the moment he is lacking that necessary bit of fortune to score a couple of goals or assists. If he can do that his confidence will flood back and this will be to DCFC's advantage.
I know he has struggled lately to achieve full fruition but he has the ability, allied to effort and fitness that will get there anytime soon.