Derby County had been lifted by their home win over Bristol City and travelled to play Ipswich Town, as the busy Christmas and New Year fixture period approached.

There was player movement afoot, all good news with the exception of media reports linking Rams’ forward Jamie Ward with a possible big-money move to the furry Foxes of Leicester.

Hopefully, the club will rubbish those reports; it would help, mind you, if Derby also had a team that was likely to challenge at the top of the division at the business end of the season so that the club’s best players will see the possibility of bettering themselves by remaining loyal to Derby County.

The Rams will hope that Jamie’s known loyalty ensures that he stays on. In the absence of a midfield ‘schemer’, Ward has emerged as Derby’s most dangerous ‘provider’ this season with his tenacity and running power.

To an extent, he has compensated for the loss of Kris Commons almost a year ago. Derby can expect a fresh outcry from fans if they see Ward depart, unless the club gets serious and signs other experienced forwards.

There should be some outgoing loan deals or even permanent player moves from Pride Park Stadium in January. Sheffield Wednesday seem keen to take Derby goalkeeper Stephen Bywater for a further period; Bristol City want to keep midfielder Stephen Pearson.

Injury-prone defender Russell Anderson has had his Derby County contract cancelled by mutual consent. An honest defender when fit, but he could not cope with the physical demands of the Championship. Anderson was adequate at centre-back but proved mediocre when the lack of adequate cover forced him to take the right-back berth.

As reported previously, utility loanee Kevin Kilbane has returned to Hull City with injury. Messrs Glick and Clough will also be hoping to move on players like Dean Leacock, David Martin and Lee Croft, and perhaps the largely anonymous American rookie Conor Doyle.

The Rams are ‘clearing the boards’ of their unwanted or surplus players and fans will anticipate a response from the club’s board during the transfer window. It’s hoped that GSE will look to the loan or transfer market for the awaited quality and experience, which is promised for the squad before or during every transfer window - or at season-ticket renewal time - so as to turn Derby into a side to challenge for promotion.

Derby still hasn’t appointed their mooted ‘technical director’ to assist the club in scouting, recruiting and moving on players as anticipated. The New Year is an important time of the season for Derby to appraise and re-shape their playing resources. The team is well behind their attainment in comparison to this stage last season in terms of results, even if declarations of progress by the squad are regularly delivered.

It looks like up to eight players could be exiting the Pride Park scene in January and even though Clough should be able to welcome back Steve Davies, Theo Robinson and Nathan Tyson from injury by then, there are still squad gaps in terms of quality, depth and cover that have yet to be addressed.

Manager Clough disappointingly said that ‘outgoings’ would take priority for any transfer business to be done, however.

He certainly knows how to shift those ‘half-season’ season tickets…and the 2012-13 renewals won’t be enthusiastically undertaken by the Rams’ faithful if there’s a continuing slump then another late-season scrabble for temporary loan reinforcements, after another bright early-season period.

A Derby County XI played Belper Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup on Tuesday night. The Rams are the defending cup-holders and eased their way into the 4th round with a 9-3 victory.

Theo Robinson made an appearance but was withdrawn after only 22 minutes with a knock; Riggott and Leacock also played. David Martin replaced Robinson and bagged two goals. Tomasz Cywka and Chris Maguire notched a brace each and Alex Witham and Lee Croft also scored; the remaining Derby scorer was an own goal by the Nailers.

The Rams’ Academy boys did very well too this week - they eliminated Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup, winning 1-0 thought an extra-time Russell Kane goal in an exceptional performance at Barnet’s Underhill Stadium. Now the Derby lads must face Manchester United away in the next round!

There was an interesting prelude to Saturday’s football in the BBC’s Football Focus programme, which came live from Manchester’s famous Salford Lads Club with a live audience. Ex-Rams’ captain and prancing pundit Robbie Savage gave an intriguing answer to a question posed to the panel: “Which football club would you buy if you had £100m?” Robbie answered without hesitation: “Derby County”. It certainly wouldn’t be dull if the Sav took over Derby, though it is just that now, in terms of club leadership at the top.

Both Ipswich Town and Derby County managed to end winless runs last weekend so the clash between them at Portman Road on Saturday would show if either team could sustain their turnaround. The Tractor Boys came from behind to win 5-3 at Barnsley, whilst the Rams recovered from a goal down to defeat Bristol City. The respective managers, Nigel Clough and Paul Jewell, were both mightily relieved men.

Derby fans won’t want reminding of the grotesque year in 2007-08 under which Jewell ‘managed’ their team, of a fashion. Jewell contrived a winless run of just under twelve months, signed enough new players to operate a team and a half including irrelevant captures like Alan Stubbs, Roy Carroll and others whilst plotting Derby’s ‘immediate bounce-back’ from the worst top-flight season on record.

Things haven’t gone well for him at Ipswich either so his may be under threat if Town’s recovery is not maintained - though another ex-Rams’ boss Phil Brown has just beaten Jewell to the exit door this week, as his club Preston North End have sacked him after a poor run!

Jewell has signed more than a complete XI of newcomers at Portman Road since arriving there 11 months ago; Town avoided relegation last season - perhaps largely due to the purse-strings being loosened enough to sign influential midfielder Jimmy Bullard on loan - but they stood 6 places below Derby in the Championship table on Saturday morning, five points behind the Rams. Derby hadn’t won away since the victory at Nothingham Forest back in September.

Only Paul Green has kept his place in the Derby team since Jewell’s merciful departure. Nigel Clough made two changes from the side that beat Bristol City; John Brayford returned at right-back so Paul Green moved back to midfield, match winner Callum Ball replaced the ineligible Tamas Priskin and Ben Davies dropped to the bench.

Derby’s substitute bench looked the strongest for some time - Ben Davies, Mark O’ Brien, Theo Robinson, Nathan Tyson and goalkeeper Adam Legzdins.

Ipswich lost loanee goalkeeper David Stockdale in midweek, he was recalled by Fulham. Rookie keeper Arran Lee-Barratt took over; he’d only first appeared in a couple of early-season defeats so far in his fledgling Ipswich senior career.

The game progressed as an open and entertaining affair with both teams trying to create chances but they were not making much headway. Callum Ball was figuring well in his hold-up play for Derby’s attack, though neither side had troubled the opposing goalkeeper very much.

Bryson struck a fierce 12-yard shot which Lee-Barratt had to beat way and seconds later he denied Jamie Ward, who had picked up the ball on the by-line and rammed a near-post shot that was somehow kept out.

Derby had generally looked the better side in the first period - which ended 0-0 - but the killer touch, as ever was missing as Derby couldn’t capitalise on some enterprising approach work.

The Tractor Boys started like a whirlwind in the second half and claimed the crucial goal within seconds of the restart. A deep cross had eluded a flapping Frank Fielding and from the ensuing action, the ball was apparently scrambled home by Keith Andrews without the officials signalling a goal.

After some very ambiguous work from the match officials, Ipswich found they had been awarded the goal. No-one among commentators at the time could confirm whether the ball had crossed the line. 1-0 to Town - and a ‘clean sheet’ in defence had eluded Derby for a 14th game on the trot.

The decisive goal was gift-wrapped for Town by Frank Fielding and the dithering matchday officials. Last week, two smart saves by the Rams’ England ‘keeper provided the platform for victory over Bristol City but he was at fault for the Ipswich goal, no question. The Rams’ goalkeeper was complicit in not dealing effectively with the cross that came at him straight after the interval - obstructed by his own defender.

The officials finished off the ‘Christmas wrapping’ for Ipswich’s early Xmas present as they allowed play to continue after the goal-line incident, then belatedly adjudging among themselves that the ball had actually crossed the goal-line. Crowd, players and management of both teams were confused but Ipswich ended up the happier.

It was tight, but replays suggested that the ball was scooped away from over the line. Perhaps in future, matchday officials will simply carry out their proper duties and signal appropriately and promptly, instead of needlessly creating controversy? Seen ’em given, seen ‘em disallowed - just the same old hard luck story for Derby to cling on to as part-explanation for another defeat.

Manager Clough later said that the 4th official just winked and smiled at him by way of explanation when the goal was awarded; the officials had discussed the goal by microphone without adhering to the minor duty of telling the world via flag, whistle or signal that a goal had actually been scored.

Clough was livid - and will seek to report the 4th official. Well, if managers get fined and disciplined for gestures or cross words, then such a smug and unhelpful attitude from an official should also be subject to scrutiny and discipline.

The Rams plodded away; they had their share of possession but did not unduly threaten the Ipswich goal. A Jamie Ward free kick was a whisker away from Shaun Barker’s head but Derby’s lack of bite gave confidence to Ipswich - the Rams needed to ‘up their game’ to get back on terms. Theo Robinson replaced James Bailey and then Nathan Tyson came back into the fray (for John Brayford) with 9 minutes to play.

Ben Davies then replaced Jeff Hendrick, injured with a minute to go as Derby defended deeply. Five minutes of added time elapsed without Derby mustering any response and they slumped to another predictable and frustrating - if narrow - defeat. The Rams aren’t scoring enough goals and only 6 sides have a poorer goal difference. Many fans want to see a 4-4-2 with a recognised goalscorer in the side.

You don’t get points for attractive play; without a killer punch to put the ball into the net, the match had followed the same pattern of many other encounters this season. Derby couldn’t capitalise on good possession in the first half and then didn’t possess the attacking ability to retrieve the game in later stages.

The three-man midfield of Bryson, Bailey and Green didn’t function effectively enough and a tepid, disjointed central display failed to properly support lone striker Callum Ball. Oddly, Green and Brayford were detailed to swap places for a spell, with the full-back playing the advanced role to little effect as Green dropped back; a needless interlude of square pegs in round holes, it seemed to me!

Manager Clough declared that his side had performed consistently over the last 4 or 5 games - but the fact remains that they haven’t picked up points regularly enough to propel Derby in the right direction up the Championship table. The Rams fell to 16th place; the need for points remains as pressing as ever, whilst Paul Jewell lived to fight another day!

Positives for Derby to take from the game were Callum Ball’s effective performance at centre-forward and the return to action of Nathan Tyson, to get some game-minutes under his belt as fans await a real contribution from him in 2012.

Derby go into Christmas in a lower mid-table position, eight points from the top six and seven points from the bottom three, which happily includes Nothingham Forest.

Could be better, could be worse….that’s all that can be said for Derby County as Christmas arrives; some promise, some disappointment from this season - and we’ll reach the half-way stage against Leeds United.

The Rams now have back-to-back home games versus ambitious promotion contenders. First DirtyLeeds come to Derby on Boxing Day and then West Ham United visit Pride Park Stadium on the last day of 2011. Do remember, fans that the kick-offs for these home games are both at 1.00 pm!

From all at RamZone, have yourselves a very merry Christmas and here’s to good fortune for the Rams in 2012!

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RamsWeek last year had RamZone muttering ‘what a waste’ as Derby lost 2-1 at home to Reading, after frittering away their chances as well as putting in a bagful of off-target attempts from good positions.

The Royals had claimed the lead from a penalty; Kris Commons equalised but Derby’s defence opened up for Shane Long to fasten onto a deep cross to beat Stephen Bywater, who seemed to watch it all bemused.

Derby had lost 5 out of 6 games and suffered four defeats in a row, though manager Clough commented that his team had played well and made enough chances to win the game handsomely. ‘This tape-loop is sponsored by…’ (Fill in the space with the DCFC network partner of your choice!)

Half-fit defender Shaun Barker penned a contract extension until 2014 but the Rams lost two significant contributors from the squad, as loanees Shefki Kuqi and Frank Fielding returned to their parent clubs. RamsWeek dared to declare that the club desperately needed a centre-forward…

There was interest in leading scorer Kris Commons from the Scottish Premier’s ‘Old Firm’, Rangers and Celtic and the player had still not penned the deal that he’d asked for to stay at Derby County.

Photo: Action Images

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