Irish Rams and Opposition Irish

[DeLorean]

He seems to have laid of Richard Keogh though, small mercies and all that.

[liamoo11]

Hendrick had a bit of stage fright in front of the watching MON; he completed 68% of his passes.

Hopefully Judge impressed more and ended a few misconceptions.

http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/28/stats-star-leads-championship-stats-in-this-area-in-the-to (http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/10/28/stats-star-leads-championship-stats-in-this-area-in-the-top/)

He has made more tackles than anyone in the division and has been a mainstay in a holding midfield role.


Does douglas not anchor their midfield? I thought judge played as the more forward of a midfield 3

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

He seems to have laid of Richard Keogh though, small mercies and all that.

You have a go even when I don't mention the guy! Damned if I do, damned if I don't!

And Tets, I wouldn't have Judge ahead of Whelan but I think he could easily be called up in an extended squad of 36 instead of Green. I'm a big fan of Hendrick. I'd put his form yesterday down to his recent return from injury.

And Liamoo, this season, Judge has been playing alongside Douglas in a more defensive role.

[DeLorean]

Wasn't having a go, you have laid off aul Richie. I'm proud of you Towkster.

[DeLorean]

Three nil to Derby at half time against Wolves, without needing to get out of second gear. Keogh did very well in helping the ball back into the danger area for Derby's third. Christie, Keogh and Hendrick all started. Their defence has been untroubled bar one chance that Wolves wasted when they should have equalised.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Three nil to Derby at half time against Wolves, without needing to get out of second gear. Keogh did very well in helping the ball back into the danger area for Derby's third. Christie, Keogh and Hendrick all started. Their defence has been untroubled bar one chance that Wolves wasted when they should have equalised.

The irony of your second last post and this one is brilliant.

[tetsujin1979]

I don't think you know what irony is

[DeLorean]

I don't get you Towk, which post?

Five for Derby now, made in Scotland this time, brilliant ball by Forsyth and finished by Russell.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Derby's attacking prowess will definitely see them to the top 6 I reckon. Forsyth, Russell and Martin all great players at this level but one was an unused sub, one wasn't in the squad and one was a sub in Scotland's game against Poland. Bryson seems to have begun the season slowly.

Great to see Hendrick in this form going into the upcoming Intl. game. It's a nice novelty to have a central midfield player who is capable of making runs like that, finishing as calmly as that and also capable of moments of ingenuity like his contorted assist against Germany.

I don't think Whelan should be anywhere near the first team, whatever about when he is fit - certainly not when he'll get 1/2 training sessions max.

Christie is winning his personal battle with Doherty sadly.

[DeLorean]

Derby's attacking prowess will definitely see them to the top 6 I reckon

Wow... now that's a bold prediction. Favourites to win the division, currently top and six points clear of 7th place and you predict that they should finish in the top six. I'm sure you'll call me paranoid again but I presume you're focusing on their attacking prowess as a little dig at their defence, which hasn't been too shabby at all this season. Scotland could just as easily say that Keogh isn't getting on the Irish team and Hendrick is only making substitute appearances.

Has my request for the irony explanation been denied? :)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Our own McAlinden just missed a free header for Wolves..

Hendrick playing some really nice passes and continuing to get forward. Nice to have an Irish midfielder with natural attacking instincts. Gibson's have been curbed, Whelan has precisely none. McCarthy's strengths lie elsewhere. Meyler is capable enough. Quinn is a terrier.

[Charlie Darwin]

Two once in a lifetime finishes from Hendrick.

[tetsujin1979]

Our own McAlinden just missed a free header for Wolves..

Hendrick playing some really nice passes and continuing to get forward. Nice to have an Irish midfielder with natural attacking instincts. Gibson's have been curbed, Whelan has precisely none. McCarthy's strengths lie elsewhere. Meyler is capable enough. Quinn is a terrier.
Answer the question

[DannyInvincible]

'Mon, TOWK; you've been demanding respect of late. Maybe show a bit to DeLorean in return...

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Not even respect, just basic courtesy and politeness, but go ahead and put your spin on it.

Sorry DeLorean. Maybe I was a little irritated by the fact that it's fashionable to criticise certain players (Ward, McShane, Sammon, Whelan) and I am self-aware enough to know that I do it, particularly with the latter, but it seems that whenever I criticise a certain player (warranted or not) I have to put up with banter and remarks about it on all kinds of threads, and be accused of harboring a grudge. Still - everything on its merits - it was a poor comment.

It was a poor comment but I just wish certain people would remain consistent. I mean I have been called a moron by DeLorean on a thread a couple of months ago so I'm sure he has thick enough skin to accept my apology when I accepted his then. :D

[DeLorean]

No need for an apology but thanks, I was just curious what post you were talking about. I'm none the wiser after that to be honest but we won't drag it out any further. Just so you know, I got warned for that 'moron' comment, and rightly so. It was out of order.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

My comment was silly in fairness DeLorean and I'm not really annoyed about the "moron" part in particular. I think you're a Derby fan and you were probably in bits. Heat of the moment and no malice intended I'm sure - and anyways, don't we all say things in the heat of the moment?

My comment was silly and we'll leave it at that. Great result for Derby today. Hendrick with (2) goals, Keogh with a clean sheet. Good stuff and we continue.

[DeLorean]

I'm just a well wisher really. I go over fairly regular to a buddy so like to see them do well. The amount of Irish players they've had recently has added to it I suppose.

[DeLorean]

Middlesbrough and Bournemouth draw to keep them top.

[DannyInvincible]

Not even respect, just basic courtesy and politeness, but go ahead and put your spin on it.

Sorry DeLorean. Maybe I was a little irritated by the fact that it's fashionable to criticise certain players (Ward, McShane, Sammon, Whelan) and I am self-aware enough to know that I do it, particularly with the latter, but it seems that whenever I criticise a certain player (warranted or not) I have to put up with banter and remarks about it on all kinds of threads, and be accused of harboring a grudge. Still - everything on its merits - it was a poor comment.

It was a poor comment but I just wish certain people would remain consistent. I mean I have been called a moron by DeLorean on a thread a couple of months ago so I'm sure he has thick enough skin to accept my apology when I accepted his then. :D

Not sure what you're referring to there. I don't think anyone was looking for an apology. We just wanted you to explain what was ironic about DeLorean's posts.

[DeLorean]

Blog from our own Keith Andrews about Derby's performance at the weekend. He reckons Hendrick can play in a 4-4-2 and praises Keogh also.

Keith Andrews: Sky Sports Blog (http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11696/9559657/keith-andrews-blog-watford-midfielder-examines-reasons-for-derbys-success)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOTXiZxoM7g&list=PLHLKVCiRYJ4_I-9TyAIBVTXdDMZnWsPvP

[Charlie Darwin]

Dare I mention his positive impression of R Keogh? :)

[DeLorean]

Terrible afternoon for Derby, losing 2-0 away to Middlesbrough and down to ten men, Shotton sent off for professional foul on Bamford, who has scored both goals and been generally outstanding. All four Irish guys have been poor, Keogh and Shotton between them failed to deal with Bamford's movement for the first goal and have been generally sloppy. Hendrick very ineffective, had a reasonably good chance to equalise right on half time but his shot was tame. He picked up another one of those 'maximum value yellow cards', can't remember who used that wording during the Scotland game, Geysir or CD I think. He was taken off shortly after for Will Hughes and Derby conceded the penalty immediately. Christie has had a poor day also, losing possession countless times, granted under severe pressure. Leon Best came on at half time and hasn't really got a kick, or any service to be fair. Middlesbrough have been excellent, haven't given Derby an inch.

[Charlie Darwin]

Hendrick drops to the bench for the televised League Cup semi against Chelsea. Disappointing, but Keogh captains the side with Best also on the bench.

[Stuttgart88]

Don't forget Christie.

that's probably Hendrick's career over now I reckon.

[Charlie Darwin]

Of course, Christie, I always forget the new signings until they've had a while to bed in. Yep, Hendrick's finished.

[Charlie Darwin]

Euphoria in the TOWK household as Richard Keogh's mistake lets in Hazard for the opening goal.

[DeLorean]

It was terrible. I hope he drops down the pecking order a bit for us.

[KK77]

As Jackie C would say…..I won’t give out to you for putting it in row Z. Poor mistake no getting away from it.

[Charlie Darwin]

Cyrus Christie and Richard Keogh start in the derby with Nottingham Forest, with Hendrick on the bench. Stephen McLaughlin on the bench for Forest.

[Charlie Darwin]

1-1 with 10 minutes to go. Hendrick and McLaughlin both on the field now.

[nigel-harps1954]

1-1 with 10 minutes to go. Hendrick and McLaughlin both on the field now.

Finished 2-1 to Forest. 90th minute winner.

[Charlie Darwin]

Awful goalkeeping.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://dcfcfans.uk/topic/17463-keogh/

Keogh getting a slating for having a go at teammates (Christie in particular) and blaming them for his own mistakes.

[tricky_colour]

I was thinking Forest might win this but then I changed my mind, local Derbys can be tricky.
Probably just a blip for Forest though, the need Reid back.

[paul_oshea]

"For me he remains far too error prone, had chance to clear the free kick and didn't, falling to the ground in his own box far too easily and then failed to close down the shot for the winner at the end. Can play well for large parts of the game but always likely to have vulnerable lapses."

I hate that but you find the arrogance of footballers like keogh always blaming others to try and cover their own mistakes.

[Charlie Darwin]

Key-oh did back off way too much on Osborn for the winner, allowing him into the box before he slammed that shot.

[geysir]

It's fun quoting from a fan's forum.

"Buxton was crap as well. He turns into a pub footballer against Forest."
"Buxton was our best defender in that game."


"The incident you mention was poor from Keogh in that he shouldn't ultimately have passed but he (Keogh) was having a go at Christie for not showing for the ball Christie was staying behind/too close to the defender."

"Keogh had a bad game ok.
Still captained us to top of the league before 12.15 today. Does that count for nothing."

I do appreciate that there was a ? missing, but I'll make allowances .

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Out of four pages of comments, you virtually highlighted the only ones that defended him.

Lest it look like I (and the majority of Derby fans) are being hard on him, it would be remiss not to mention that Hendrick's form over the last few weeks, maybe even months, has been bang average - after starting the season well.

[KK77]

Yes Keogh without backed off for the winner. Something he should never have done in that situation. The player in possession of the football is the most dangerous player so go to him not stand off and invite him to have a pop. Keeper didn't cover himself in glory either. I was shocked how poor Derby played. Never in it in the second half.

[DeLorean]

Keogh and Buxton will have to be on their toes now that Derby have signed Raúl Albentosa from La Liga outfit, Eibar. He is a 26 year old centre back. I don't know anything about him otherwise. Any La Liga experts around? Is Eamon Dunphy on Twitter? :)

[OwlsFan]

The disappointing thing I found about that game was not Keogh but Jeff Hendrick who made little or no impression in the second half when he came on. Nice to see Andy Reid in the stand in his Forest shirt celebrating the last minute winner by his team.

[DeLorean]

The reason he didn't start the game was because he had a head injury. His form hasn't been great since the Scotland match though.

[DeLorean]

Derby went back into the automatics last night with a 2-0 win over Blackburn. They are now trailing Bournemouth only on goal difference at the top.

As TOWK mentioned, Christie was dropped to the bench last night, replaced at right back by Ryan Shotton. Christie had been an ever present this season and maybe the games are just catching up with him a little, as he wasn't quite as impressive in the recent televised matches. Shotton is probably a better defender, as you would expect for a player of his experience, but Christie is more dynamic going forward, or at least he was a month or two ago. I wonder if McClaren might go with the safety first option for a few games as a player of Shotton's experience could be invaluable in the run in. He had been playing at centre back earlier in the season but he's probably fourth choice for those positions now.

Keogh was supposed to have been excellent last night, dealing with everything that came at him and leading by example. It was Derby's sixth clean sheet in seven matches.

Hendrick's form seems to be after taking a turn for the better in the last couple of games. He did a job on the right last night, presumably when Darren Bent came on and they went with two up front. McClaren must be happy enough with him as he's, in effect, keeping Craig Bryson out of the team now. George Thorne is nearing a return from injury also so competition for places is going to be fairly intense.

Both Hendrick and Keogh came in for some specific praise from their manager.


Jeff (Hendrick) did a great job on the right


Omar also made some great blocks throughout the game. He was excellent tonight, as were Richard Keogh and Jake Buxton

dcfc.co.uk (http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/mcclaren-hails-derbys-patience-in-blackburn-win-2230899.aspx)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I get Vietnam like flashbacks every time I see my name mentioned in a post.

Good to see Keogh & Hendrick doing well. Good night for the Irish in the Championship yesterday. Forde, Westwood, Randolph, Dunne, Kelly, Pearce & Keogh all kept clean sheets. Sammon & Green scored.

Randolph, in particular, has one of the best saves to shots ratios in the division.

[DeLorean]

Keogh not playing so well of late, a lot of Derby fans saying he should be dropped for Albentosa, who they have barely seen play I'd assume. The biggest problem I'd imagine is that Thorne and Eustace are both out injured, their only holding midfield players with presence and strength. Their midfield is lightweight without those two, but they tend to get away with it at home where Mascarell seems to excel. The also have Chris Martin and Darren Bent injured so they've no recognised striker available, no coincidence they've drawn two blanks in a row.

Christie was taken off at half time at the weekend and played no part last night. He came in for slight criticism from McClaren who complained of a lack of overlapping from his full backs. It was probably a good thing for Christie that they fared no better without him. They have a must win game at home to Birmingham at the weekend before two massive games against their automatic promotion rivals, Norwich and Middlesbrough. I think Martin is expected back for those.

[Charlie Darwin]

Missed out on a chance to go top after Birmingham scored two injury time goals at Pride Park.

[DeLorean]

My buddy was freaking! Think the ref played seven minutes injury time after the board said a minimum of three. Derby dominated for eighty minutes if you're to believe a very biased source. At least they got lucky with results elsewhere, none more so than their old foes doing them a second good turn in a fortnight.

[Stuttgart88]

That league is unreal for teams getting into a good position and then being unable to buy a result for ages.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Derby 1-0 down to Norwich. 17 goals conceded in their last ten games. It's not promotion form.

Middlesbrough won, Bournemouth winning heavily again, Watford comfortably winning again, Norwich looking good under Alex Neil..

I would really worry for Derby & Ipswich's promotion aspirations.

On the brightside, Brentford are still in the mix despite the Warburton furore and Wes Hoolahan is at the forefront for Norwich again.