We welcome additional fans' viewpoints about Derby County matchday experiences! Here are I.Saw's thoughts from the opening-day win over Brum.

Opening day of a new season, a time for focusing the ambitions of the next ten months, desires and dreads unevenly balanced.

Perfectly balanced, a rack of ale sits. It watches by the side of the cheese, inviting  trial. Two rows, one of three and another of two.

Contemplation over, I start with the weakest beer and work my way up.

Up to Pride Park Stadium and into the shop. My season ticket discount on merchandise now removed. I find out at the till.

Resisting the urge to argue at another little benefit shaved off my pot, I pay.

And having paid I’m told my “purchase today earns points”.

”Points?” I query?

“Yes,” they say “to be used in the future but we’ve not got details yet.”

“How many?” I ask, (well, you would wouldn’t you?)

“Oh sorry we don’t know, but it’s all on your card, not to worry”.

But I do. I’m a born worrier. It’s in my blood. It helps being a supporter of the Rams.

If the club have franchised its retail to Tesco’s at least they could let me use my club points.

Alternatively can my points be used to buy Holland’s pies inside the ground? Can I upgrade to a seat with a padded base? How much do I have to spend for the Directors Box option?  And are points available to spend at DCFC’s preferred partners?

Could I, for example, earn enough to get a phone from Buymobiles.net and in effect get a free of charge season ticket, an iPad and a laptop all for a twelve-month contract, funded by DCFC points?

Do points equal free match tickets, and if not why not? Every b*88*r else I know seems to wangle it.  Indeed are the club becoming like Sky and only offering you the best deal when you say you’re leaving.

If I ring up tomorrow and tell them I want my money back on my season ticket, will they offer me two years for the price of one, a free move to category AA? At the very least, I’d want my cup vouchers back!

Still I’m sure the club will eventually tell us what it’s all about and how we are getting even more value for money by getting rid of the straightforward discount.

Inside the ground, I’m silenced as I burn the roof of my mouth on one of Holland’s Meat and Potato best; even a swallow of lager doesn’t help much.

Pitchside and its “Save Our Rail Industry” as Bombardier children form a guard of honour. Black and white colours to what should be a black and white decision.

Aren’t politicians supposed to be good at “U turns?” Get on with it then - and we’ll forget about your duck ponds and second houses. Actually we won’t. If you lot lie, then why shouldn’t we? It’s no wonder we have so many benefit cheats - just look at the example you set.

Ah I must go on a diet because sooner or later, me soapbox will no longer support me. Sorry!

Enough of the drivel, the Rams start strongly, an early corner and Kilbane is grabbed as he tries to meet the cross, it’s a clear penalty in under a minute. Neil Swarbrick the referee who had some afters with Kilbane last season ignores the claim and this time Kevin stops short of pushing the ref away. Honours uneven.

Against the run of play, Birmingham score. Curtis Davies powers home the corner with a bullet-like header and we trail.

Trailing, we fight. Fighting, we succeed. John Brayford is fouled on the edge of the box, the Brummagem wall retreats ten, Ben Davies floats the ball over - and Jason Shackell stands tall and nods the equaliser just before the half-hour mark.

Mark O’Brien soon replaces Russell Anderson and our youngster plays out of his skin, listening and learning from the impressive Shackell as the game progresses.

If life was good, it gets even better. Steve Davies picks the ball up on the edge of the box and rifles a shot past the bemused Boaz Myhill in the Blue Noses’ goal. Two-one, a lead we comfortably hold till half-time.

Into the second half, and the Blues attack more, the game opens up and we find space. Brayford feeds Lee Croft who had an excellent and effective game on the right-hand side of midfield. Croft returned the favour and Brayford was through to the touchline, a flat straight cross three yards out eluded everybody including Jamie Ward, who was mortified at his own miss, kicking the post in anger.

Ward missed another later on, heading onto the crossbar with the goal beckoning.

Cue Theo Robinson his replacement, holding the ball in the corner as the time ticked down.

An impressive win for the Rams, deserved and welcome. It was left to Clough post-match to put the downers on proceedings, criticising Lee Croft for giving the ball away in the build up to Brummagems’ goal.

Croft had tried to find Ward and the ex-Sheffield Utd striker had run away from the defender towards the side of the pitch, in effect narrowing the possibility of a pass with every stride - had Ward chose to run across the defender, then the angle would have opened like a flower at sunrise. 

It’s too many years watching Bobby Davison perhaps - but then again, to have a go at Croft was patently wrong.

Ratings:

Fielding 8 - a series of fine saves low on the floor kept Derby in the game.

Brayford 7 - forged a partnership with Croft working as a pair.

Shackell 9 - played like a £5m centre half, just don’t tell Glick.

Anderson 5 - not his best game retired injured.

Kilbane 7 - solid performance, never flustered, an experienced pro.

Bailey 8 - kept the midfield together always available for a pass and never panicked.

Bryson 6 - struggled to reach and maintain the pace of the game.

Croft 8.5 - a revelation, well to those who didn’t see the Villa game, battled fought and produced a plethora of passes that astounded.  

B Davies - 7.5 given time on the ball by Birmingham, you really don’t want to do that.

Ward - 7 effort and application let down slightly by his finishing, a team performer.

S Davies - 7 played just behind Ward won his fair share in the air and scored a cracking goal.

Subs:

O’ Brien - 7 brave and solid, if there is any justice he’d retain his place until Barker came back.

Robinson 7 - worked hard chasing the ball down in the closing stages.

Hendrick 6 - replaced Bailey and was effective in closing down.

Photo: Action Images

zhabba added 10:56 - Aug 8 Agree with your ratings, and Clough's comments were a bit strange after the game. Colin Gibson asked him if he had any qualms about having to bring O'Brien on. NC's answer was "we didn't have any choice, everyone else was injured". A better answer would have been "No".
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ramdanj added 12:56 - Aug 8 I think that was a bit tongue in teek Zhabba as he went on to list the injuries right down to leacock. He went on to be quite complimentary of the guy. He was also complimentary of Croft but re-iterated he needed to do that week in - week out to keep his spot. I think his dry humour can be taken as a clip sometimes .... but there are definitely times he says before he thinks... but dont we all! :)

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