So here we are, new challenges all around!

RamZone has moved to a new network which we have every confidence will be bigger and better given time. The Rams began an even bigger challenge on Saturday and actually did rather well. 

Yes, nobody really knows what to expect this season, whether they be Peter Gadsby, Billy Davies or Joe Punter in his seat in the East Stand. It was just the same when Jim Smith took us up. I well remember that feeling not of anticipation, it was well, er.... not knowing quite what to expect really, as we took our seats before that first game against L**ds.

In the event, we did pretty well getting a 3-3 draw and coming back from behind as we did against Pompey on Saturday. We didn't quite take the Premiership by storm but “sneaky Derby” was the buzz phrase on Sky's Soccer AM at the time, because of the way we were steadily accumulating points and moving up the table.

Well, I don't know whether we'll be able to emulate that achievement this season. The Premier League is even more awash with money than it was then and the Rams have come back from the brink of extinction in the meantime.

What, I think, the Pompey game did show however, is that the Rams under Billy Davies are going to be no pushovers. We're going to have to work for every point this season but if we make our opponents do the same, regardless of whether they're Manchester Utd or West Ham Utd, we can't really have any complaints.

You can see what Billy is trying to do in the transfer market. He has to try to create a blend of experience and youth and I'm pretty happy with the players he's brought in so far.

Of course, as one of the newly promoted teams (and via the playoffs too) we're always going to be the bookies' favourites for relegation. People were writing us off miles before a ball was ever kicked in anger, maybe some of the “established” Premier League teams will make the mistake of underestimating us too?

I didn't think we looked out of place at all on Saturday. Granted Pompey aren't one of the big boys but they've gained a lot of well-deserved respect for establishing themselves in the top level and we matched them every step of the way. After all, we DO have quite a bit of Premiership experience scattered through the squad ourselves... our two goalscorers on Saturday for a start.

And wasn't that a cracking way to round off a debut, a return to your home town and the club where your dad made his name? Andy Todd's equalizer was a cracker in every way. Not just for the perfect execution of a diving header but Gary Teale did very well and kept his nerve, delaying his cross until the optimum moment before playing right into where it can do most damage.

It was only one game so let's not get too carried away just yet, Sven-Göran Eriksson's Manchester City will be another big test tonight but I reckon we're up for it.

Whatever happens this season, I don't think we'll be able to accuse Billy Davies of not having a plan.

© Steve Tickle 2007

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