Well done in the league and your new contract!

Thank you! Very pleased to be offered a new contract so early in the season!
The league is going well, hopefully I can keep it up!

Results for November

QPR 1-1 Derby (Sammon)
Derby 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday (Russell x2)
Bournemouth 3-1 Derby (Bryson)
Wigan 1-3 Derby (Riera(pen), Ward(pen), Sammon)

Manager’s Views

A mixed month really, started off with an unfortunate draw with 9 man QPR, although we were playing with a weakened team due to fitness of most of the starting 11 not being up to scratch due to the Liverpool game. We had to wait until the 84th minute to grab an equaliser. We did dominate the game though but just couldn’t break the QPR defence. Next up was a home game against Sheff Wed. A game I thought we should be winning easily, and we did again dominate the game with two fabulous strikes from Johnny Russell giving us that all important win. Then came the international break where a fairly limited number of Derby players actually played. This didn’t set us up well for a trip to Bournemouth, who had won all 5 of their last 5 fixtures. They played us off the park completely, not letting us into the match at all. We did manage to score through Craig Bryson but this ultimately meant nothing as we just weren’t good enough for a very strong Bournemouth side. The last game of the month was away at struggling Wigan. Latics’ boss Uwe Rosler was highly under pressure and the media were saying that if Wigan did fail to win, he might face the sack. I put out my strongest team in order to beat Wigan, not to get Uwe Rosler sacked, but to mount a serious challenge for the top spot.

Player of the Month

Johnny Russell

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A great month for Russell who grabbed a brace in the win over Sheffield Wednesday. The forward has played on both wings this month and has performed in each position. He also got the assist for the goal against Bournemouth which made him the stand out player for the month. A very average month for the Rams has meant that everyone played well, but not incredibly this month, meaning it was a difficult choice for the player of the month. A deserved award for Russell though as he has performed well throughout the entire season.

Results for December

Derby 1-0 Middlesborough (Russell)
Derby 2-0 Blackpool (Russell, Bamford)
Charlton 1-2 Derby (Russell, Lingard)
Derby 4-2 Doncaster (Sammon x2, Russell, Bryson)
Barnsley 0-4 Derby (Sammon, Hughes, Russell, Lingard)

Manager’s Views

An absolutely fabulous month for the Rams. A win in every one of our 5 games, they weren’t the hardest of fixtures but to win them all was very impressive if I do say so myself. My particular highlight from December was the 4-2 victory over Doncaster, it was 2-2 at half time but an amazing second half performance from the boys meant that our hard-work payed off and we came away with three points. We also scored a very impressive 4-0 victory away at Barnsley, a magnificent performance from winger Jesse Lingard helped us on our way, grabbing a goal and 2 assists. We now sit on top of the Sky Bet Championship table having played 22 games. In these 22 games, we have picked up 49 points, an average of 2.23 points per game. This would be an incredible achievement for the Derby side, predicted by most to finish around mid-table this season. The media prediction at the start of the season was for us to finish 15th, but the table really hasn’t gone the way most had expected. Wigan Athletic are the biggest disappointment so far, sitting way down in 20th place, a team predicted to finish 2nd in the league standings. Not one of the top 6 were predicted to finish in the top 6 at the start of the season, meaning a very different table to the planned one. Teams such as QPR and Leicester are struggling for form and cannot reach the play-off places. Down at the bottom, sorry Blackpool are really struggling, only managing a mere 14 points all season, can anyone really save them now?

Player of the Month

Johnny Russell

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The winner for the second month in a row, the forward scored in every game this month and actually picked up the Sky Bet Championship player of the month award. A really impressive month for Russell, who managed 5 goals and 4 assists in 5 appearances from the right wing. He has now scored 9 goals in the league and also has 6 assists, with December really playing a huge part in these figures. This award could easily have gone to Jesse Lingard, Sky Bet Championship Young Player of the Month or Andre Wisdom, Sky Bet Championship Young Player of the Month Runner-up. This really puts the Rams’ month into prospective, with myself winning the Manager of the Month award. We picked up all 3 of the awards for December, an achievement I am immensely proud of.

Results for January

Derby 3-2 Wigan (Boyce (O.G), Hughes x2)
Huddersfield 1-0 Derby
Leicester 1-3 Derby (Lingard (pen), Sammon x2)
Derby 0-1 Brighton
Blackburn 2-2 Derby (Bryson, Lingard)
Derby 4-0 Yeovil (Hughes, Lingard, Ward (pen), Christie)


Derby 2-1 West Brom (Whitbread, O’Brian) Round 3
Ipswich 0-1 Derby (Bamford) Round 4

Manager’s Views

A very busy month for us, a month in which we obtained 10 points from 18 possible. I was very pleased with the away derby win at Leicester but extremely disappointed with the home defeat to Brighton and the away defeat to Huddersfield. I think we have overall had a good month though, staying top of the league and progressing through the FA Cup to the 5th round, an away tie at Fulham. I was only expected by the board to reach the Fourth Round, but I have surpassed this and I am now just taking it as an opportunity to play some of the players who aren’t key in the league. This is because I am going to focus on promotion in the league rather than the FA Cup. We have now got 18 games to go in the league and it is all too close for comfort at the top as we keep switching places with Watford in second place. We are however starting to make a break from the playoff places and we are 7 points clear whilst Watford are 5. My only concern this month was the transfer window being open again and potentially losing big players. However, only fringe players were sold and the majority of the squad remained and a few new faces were introduced.

Player of the Month

Cyrus Christie

The young full back was one of my key players this month, scoring his first goal for the club against Yeovil. We did get 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for the young player of the month in the division and this came to my delight as I felt it really showed how well our young boys were playing. Christie has been one of our most solid players this season and has become a fans’ favourite with some incredible defensive performances. The other boys, Lingard and Hughes were also top this month, Lingard scoring 3 goals with 3 assists, Hughes also scored 3 goals and got himself 1 assist. This was a great month for the young Rams and long may it continue.

Results for February

Manager’s Views

A very good month for the boys who, as per usual, gave their all in every game. They were faced with some very tricky fixtures this month, notably an away trip to Birmingham and a home game against QPR. WE only lost one game and came out with a win in all of the other fixtures, including a 4-1 demolishing of Bournemouth. I had expected Bournemouth to be more of a challenge after they beat us earlier in the season when they went on a 6 game winning streak, however, we played the best game of football I have ever seen us play and that obviously helped u s to grab the well needing victory. We still sit on top of the Sky Bet Championship Table and we have progressed in the FA Cup by beating Premier League Fulham, at their own ground. We will now play host to West Ham United in the 6th round, a game that will be televised. I would love us to progress but I doubt I will be playing my best XI due to some tricky fixtures around that time in the league. Next month is a very busy one with 8 fixtures currently scheduled, with 7 league games.

Player of the Month

Cyrus Christie

Another amazing month from the ever improving full-back. He has put in some excellent performances this month and it has again been recognised with his second Sky Bet Championship Young Player of the Month award. Not only is this Christie’s second in a row but also Jesse Lingard has picked up the runner-up award for the second month in a row too. This is brilliant for the pair who are constantly striving to better one another. Two very promising young players who have very bright futures, for both club and country. The two Englishmen have become established first team players and I am very pleased that I managed to pick them up in the summer. Lingard’s contract with Manchester United is running out in the summer so I hope I am able to swoop in for him and pick him up for very cheap or a free transfer.

Results For March

Burnley 2-1 Derby (Russell)
Derby 2-0 Millwall (Bryson, Ward)
Derby 3-0 Bolton (Sammon x3)
Reading 1-0 Derby
Derby 3-0 Nottingham Forest (Hendrick, Hughes x2)
Ipswich 0-3 Derby (Sammon, Russell, Mattock)
Derby 1-0 Charlton (Hendrick)


Derby 4-1 West Ham (Ward x2, Bamford, Sammon)

Manager’s Views

This was a highly successful month for us as we picked up a huge amount of points. In March we played a staggering 7 league games and a cup game, meaning there was a lot up for grabs. 21 points were on the line in the league, this therefore was a pivotal month in the title race. I was absolutely delighted that we managed to obtain 15 points from a possible 21 as this gave us a brilliant starting point to then push on for the Sky Bet Championship title. I was also rather pleased by the fact we had gained an extra 3 points than title challengers Watford, further extending our lead at the top. The lads deserve a huge amount of credit for this month as we also had an FA Cup game against West Ham to deal with. For this game I let some of the boys who weren’t getting a lot of game time, have a chance to prove themselves. My forwards certainly did this, Jamie Ward grabbing two goals and Patrick Bamford getting one. I was shocked by the 4-1 stuffing of West Ham who in truth, were an extremely poor side, manager Sam Allardyce will think twice before criticising my team before a game against one of his sides. We obviously pleased the Derby faithful with our 3-0 defeat of fierce rivals Forest. This was my favourite game as manager of Derby as we just walked all over them to get the victory, in a game that should have theoretically been much closer than it truly was. The league table really was starting to take shape and the gap at the top was ever increasing, really promising times ahead I hope.

Ram of the Month

Jeff Hendrick

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The picture above shows just why he was named my player of the month for March. That goal against Forest was one of my proudest moments as Derby manager thus far. He shows grit and determination this month and proved why he should be in the starting line up consistently. He scored his first 2 goals of the season, the first was to set us on our way against Forest and the second was a goal that gave us an important win at home to Charlton. A fantastic month for the lad who showed me he can be both a creative and defensive midfielder. I am expecting big things from him as the season draws closer to it’s finale.

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The picture above doesn’t even tell a fraction of the story. This is Conor Sammon celebrating the goal that made Derby County champions of the Sky Bet Championship. A game between the top two was a fiercely fought contest between two fantastic sides, meaning just the one goal separated the sides come the final whistle. The Derby fans went crazy at the final whistle as the celebrations began. Paul Scholes gave us an interview after the match
Reporter = R
Scholes = S
R: “Congratulations Paul on your incredible achievements here at Derby County Football Club! Did you see this coming at the start of the season?”
S: “Cheers for that! Erm, to be honest with you, yes I did. From the moment I arrived here I have had the backing I needed, not only from the board, but from the fans and from the players as well. The fans in my eyes are who the players should want to perform for, not me, the fans and themselves as well. Being a player myself, I knew that I needed to make the fans love me in order to have a successful career and I would like to believe I did that!”
R: “You must be incredibly proud of your team for their performances throughout the season, not just today? People have been writing you off all year, saying that you will slip up eventually and crash down to reality. What message do you have for these people?”
S: “I would just like to say up yours! We have done the impossible, Derby are back! I am so proud of the boys’ efforts this season, all the credit really does go to them. Both the news faces I brought in and the boys who were already here, have done very well and I am sure they are all delighted in themselves!”
R: “Thank you for your time Mr. Scholes, go ahead and celebrate with your team.”
S: “No worries, I certainly will be doing!!”

A wonderful achievement for a very well structured Derby side, a side many have already written off for next season. They will be hoping to stick in the Premier League and Paul Scholes will surely be doing what he can to keep them there. Their main concern will be the number of loans they have had this season, they will all return to their parent clubs at the end of the season meaning there will be a lot of gaps to fill. This however, will not be worrying manager Scholes yet though as he and his Derby side celebrate being crowned champions of the Sky Bet Championship.

Results for April

Middlesborough 0-1 Derby (Russell)
Blackpool 3-1 Derby (Cathcart (O.G))
Derby 1-0 Huddersfield (Sammon)
Doncaster 1-3 Derby (Sammon, Russell, Ward)
Derby 1-0 Watford (Sammon)
Barnsley 2-1 Derby (Bamford)


Derby 1-0 Arsenal (Riera (pen 90+1!!!!!!!!))

Manager’s Views

What a month!!!!! We won the Sky Bet Championship, and we reached the FA Cup final thanks to a 91st minute penalty from Albert Riera. This was the best month for me as the Derby manager, the games weren’t pretty but they certainly did the trick! A few scrappy 1-0 victories meant that a win against Watford would send me up as Champions. A beautiful Conor Sammon goal gave us that famous win, a game both the Derby fans and I will remember for a very, very long time. I really don’t know what to say, my boys did exactly as I had asked of them in the team meeting at the start of the month. We battled out every minute, players were dropping at the end of games due to their huge levels of commitment. One thing I will always tell the boys before every game is this, “Play for the name on the front of the shirt and people will remember the one on the back.” I am so proud of the lads and I really cannot express this enough. I am just chuffed to pieces and will definitely be looking forward to the Premier League!

Ram of the Month

Albert Riera

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I have not just picked Albert because of his 91st minute penalty to take us into the FA Cup final, well maybe that played a part but that is besides the point. This was a fantastic month for the left back. One of our key performers in what was our trickiest month yet. He put in top performances against Huddersfield and Middlesborough, games we may have lost without him. I believe his experience was one of the major factors in our success this month and for this I owe him a great deal. We are lucky to have such a fabulous player at our club.

End Of A Fabulous Season For Derby County

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Results for May

Leeds 0-1 Derby (Bamford)


Man City 1-2 Derby (Sammon, Lingard)

League

I decided to play a weakened team for the last game of the season, knowing that the FA Cup final was just around the corner. We weren’t at our best but hey, we had already won the league. A late goal from loanee Patrick Bamford gave us the winning goal, the last in the Championship for many years, we hope! Not much to say other than Leeds were dreadful and we just sat back and played some simple football. A collected end to the season.

FA Cup Final

Obviously I went into this game with absolutely no expectation that we would come away from the game with the FA Cup. We played counter attacking football which had worked all season for us. I decided that there would be no point trying to change tactics just because it was Manchester City, this would surely just disrupt the squad. I played my strongest XI and we lined up as follows: Nicholls; Christie, Wisdom, Whitbread, Riera; Thorne, Bryson, Hughes; Russell, Lingard; Sammon. How could I possibly play any other lineup? This had been so trustworthy all season for me and this is what they deserved at the very least. We went into half time 1-0 ahead through a Conor Sammon goal in the 32nd minute. This was a great shock and I told the players to just go out there and play the way they had in the first half. It certainly payed off as we scored our second in the 47th minute through Manchester United loanee Jesse Linagrd. I was ecstatic and didn’t really know how to react, so I left things the way they were. City grabbed a goal back in the 49th minute but we held out. We were the winners of the FA Cup! Two years running City had been beaten by the underdogs in the final. This topped off what was an incredible season for the boys and the fans. I am immensely proud of the lads and cannot wait to be their manager for another season, this time in the big league.

Player Of The Season

Will Hughes

Will Hughes was a huge player for us. He played consistently well for us and was pivotal in the centre of midfield alongside club captain, Craig Bryson. He was the more attacking of the two and this showed in his stats. Hughes played 44(1) in both league and cup games, scoring 11 and getting 13 assists. This is a brilliant set of stats for an 18 year-old and ones that I am sure he will look to build on in the future. I will face a tough task keeping him in the summer, however, I believe it will be a lot easier due to our promotion to the Premier League. I was expecting a good season from Hughes and he thoroughly delivered, I will be looking to introduce him to new roles and more reliability in the club in the coming weeks, months and years.

Manager of the Year

Paul Scholes

I am very honoured to be receiving this award. I was never expecting to have the season I did. I wanted us to finish around 8th place with maybe a push for the playoffs, so to win the league was an incredible achievement. I must say that I would not have received this award had it not been for the players, they were incredible. Also my back room staff who helped with training and select coaching that I did not want to do myself. I am truly honoured.



[spoiler=Championship Team Of The Season][/spoiler]

Due to exam season at school starting now, I will be taking a break from this story but it shall be continuing full time after June 9th. I may make a few small updates until then but I want to focus on my school work.

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