The Rams aimed to build upon a hard-fought 0-0 draw at Leicester City, with two more Championship games in the week ahead.

Leicester Constabulary issued an apology for contriving to prevent 500 Rams fans from reaching the Theatre of Crisps on time last week, this invoking complaints from travelling fans.

Memo to Derbyshire Constabulary for next time you are chaperoning Foxes fans to our venue: don’t forget that the return fixture at Pride Park Stadium on May 27th 2010 kicks off at 3:10 pm.

A busy Championship programme on Tuesday night saw the Rams away to Middlesbrough, who had lost their previous three home games without managing to score a goal.

Clough made two changes from the Leicester game; the manager had criticised winger Lee Croft, noting that he delivered only one cross in the hour he played at Leicester and the manager elected to start with Jay McEveley in a wide role in Croft’s place. Paul Connolly replaced the injured loanee Fredrik Stoor.

No sooner had the match commenced - with very little of merit from either side in the first 11 minutes - when Derby incurred another injury. I say ‘another’ but it was just more of the same, the half-fit Kris Commons retiring with another hamstring pull. Lee Croft came on to replace him.

Then on 20 minutes, Jay McEveley threw himself in to block the ball and was caught in the face; he went off with a suspected fractured cheekbone, which was confirmed at hospital. He had an operation promptly but even so, that’s him out again for a couple of months. Gary Teale came on to replace him. With the team plan immediately disrupted, it already looked like make do and mend yet again for Derby County.

After 21 minutes, Barker came together with Adam Johnson in the penalty area and a penalty was awarded; the same player struck the spot kick home. It was a soft penalty and allowed Boro to score a welcome rare home goal and take the initiative. It was a softer referee too, than the one that refused two better Derby penalty appeals at Leicester on Saturday - but that’s how the rub of the green is affecting the Rams at the moment.

Derby produced very little in response; the most entertaining incident being the sight of Robbie Savage ranting at Gary Teale for yet another inept delivery, as Derby tried to get an attack going when the move broke down. The Rams’ poor passing characterised their inability to claw their way into away games. Inept, inaccurate play was all the travelling fans had to watch.

Derby were pedestrian and looked totally inadequate; Boro keeper Brad Jones was entirely untroubled by Derby’s intermittent attacking efforts. Boro were hardly world class themselves and if Derby had raised their game, hope was still there. Mercifully, the half-time whistle went and Clough could again attempt to pick up the pieces.

Derby improved after the break, Dickov putting in Derby’s first shot on target after 58 minutes, but Boro went away to release Johnson, who beat two non-existent challenges to score comfortably only a minute later; 2-0. Once again, Derby’s opponents had not had to work hard for their goals; the Rams had been ideal opponents for a Boro side totally out of sorts at the Riverside Stadium. It was soft-touch Derby, once again.

Paul Dickov clubbed a free kick just wide after 77 minutes for Derby and Dickov’s third effort on goal of the whole night so far. Rob Hulse had no service and might have wished that he had been playing for the Teeside club, who covet his signature. The centre forward was penalised for a foul and was booked for dissent, flinging the ball away in his frustration.

Debutant teenager Greg Mills joined the action on 78 minutes at the expense of Gary Teale and the youngster headed a corner narrowly wide with five minutes remaining. The game ended in a morbidly miserable, anonymous defeat for Derby. Fewer than 17,500 witnessed the spectacle - the Riverside’s lowest-ever League gate - and some 350 Rams followers made the trip.

Derby have lost 5 out of 7 games on the road, only 2 points won from 21 on offer; they have collected a minus-10 goal difference in the away column, the worst record in the Championship.

The news broke immediately afterwards that Middlesbrough had sacked manager Gareth Southgate. How the Rams’ board, manager and fans would wish their team could amble to an orthodox 2-0 victory to be fourth in the Championship table, only a point behind Leaders WBA!

Boro supremo Steve Gibson deigned that beating a powder puff Derby side was neither here nor there in his decision, with Gordon Strachan now poised to replace Southgate. There used to be a time when occasionally, a resounding Rams’ victory would cost an opposing manager his job. Now, it’s almost a ‘given’ that Derby will surrender away from home and it doesn’t even influence the roll of the dice for a threatened manager!

Swedish loanee right back, Fredrik Stoor is wanted on an extended loan by Nigel Clough (his loan spell expired after the QPR game) whilst Sam Vokes, a Rams’ loan transfer target, has now gone on loan to Leeds United.

The Rams acknowledged media stories that Ipswich forward John Stead could return to Derby; Clough also expects to welcome back Everton forward James Vaughan, whose loan has been cancelled. Another story linked Plymouth Argyle striker Jamie Mackie to a £1m January move to Derby.

Savage had ‘An Evening With…’ event in the city centre this week and launched an attack on some Derby supporters: "Nigel Clough has done incredible things at this club, particularly off the pitch, and people need to understand that he is here for the long haul," said Savage. "In my opinion, the only thing that will stop him from eventually taking Derby back into the Premier League are the fans who are intent on going out there and slaughtering him every week."

Robbie - you might be peeved by an irrational, anonymous, gobby and impatient minority but such statements are dangerous and quite unwelcome. A few detractors and habituated MB residents can get up your nose - so you make sure the team answers them, every week.

Some characters will always find a target or a reason to rant. To me, the captain was way off-message; Robbie, did you forget your manager praising Rams fans as ‘magnificent supporters’ after the backing you got for the Sheffield Wednesday game? Lose the fans and you lose it all.

Whatever Savage thinks, fans do not promote or relegate football teams; they might make it easier or harder for clubs, managers and players to shoulder their burden, but only players win or lose games - and we are losing too many at present, Mr Captain.

Fans do want a team to be proud of, that isn’t shored up with ageing, unfit loanees and a half-absent squad who demonstrate mainly a worrying proneness to injury and lack of resilience. Fans want to see commitment and an ability to compete at Championship level and for YOU as captain to lead them to consistently acceptable performances.

The FA finally heard Derby’s appeal over the fracas at the end of the August away game in Nothingham. As expected, Forest was adjudged more culpable with a bigger fine (£25,000 as opposed to Derby’s £20,000, with £10k suspended). Nutty Forest forward Nathan Tyson - guilty of improper conduct - received a two-match suspended ban and a £5,000 fine. No Rams’ player was charged with an offence, and an exemplary disciplinary record counted in our favour.

Derby’s World Cup 2018 bid had a boost this week, with the FA board voting to continue with plans to build Burton’s National Football Centre near Rangemore. Unpaid amounts from the failed subscription media company Setanta had put the project in jeopardy.

The sad news emerged that former Rams’ Academy director John Jarman has died, aged 78. RIP wishes go to John along with RamZone’s condolences to his family and friends.

Derby’s good times were reflected from 70s glory days when the club’s Clough & Taylor project was formally launched this week with the gratitude of the families and affection from the fans. A statue will be erected in 2010 at the northwest corner of Pride Park stadium.

It no longer appears to be ostensibly a fans’ project - subsequent to their petition campaigning - as (unlike the Middlesbrough and Nothingham statue projects) the DET reported that the £125,000 funding is already in place from club, corporate and other donations.

Any money that the Rams might have clawed back from seized assets of the jailed ex-directors will be delayed for many months because of their appeals process. Confiscation proceedings against Mackenzie, Keith, Mackay and Lowe will be on hold until the appeals are dealt with.

Meanwhile, Nigel Clough plugged the perpetual gaps in his squad with another loan recruit, taking Hull midfielder Bryan Hughes (33). He’s an experienced player with some 500 games under his belt.

He is so out of favour at Hull City that he has not started a League game this season and doesn’t even have a squad number allocated to him at the KC Stadium! Apparently, he almost signed for the Rams a few years back when George Burley was manager.

Hughes said he was delighted to be at Derby - but then aren’t they all, these loanees? They often come from negative situations, aren’t playing currently and arrive (unfit) at a club that boasts a massive following, a superb stadium and world-class resources. I only wish some of them could make as much of an impression on our team as the set-up makes on the loanees!

The Rams, 19th in the Championship table, faced in-form QPR in a late kick-off live TV game on Saturday. Rangers beat Reading 4-1 on Tuesday, having won 4-0 against Preston North End the previous Saturday.

Clough made changes, Stoor was restored, Livermore laid off; the daftest absence was Dean Leacock, who has mumps. Jeeezus! It’s now apparent that Nigel will have to audit his Moor Farm nursery to find out which of his lads have already suffered the contagious schoolboy illness, or it could soon overtake hamstrings and metatarsals in the roll call of ailments.

We later learned that Jake Buxton - unfit but named on the bench - had a groin muscle tear that was detached from the bone (Clough’s words; no pun intended) and that is why full back Paul Connolly had to deputise in central defence to partner Barker. Hull loanee Bryan Hughes started for the Rams, his first competitive football of the season.

Derby County gave a white tee shirt to every fan attending; Rams fans just hoped their team (or what was left of it) was good enough not to hold up only the white flag of surrender. Believe it or not, I wrote that line well before Saturday - or OOE’s match report - honest; I had a feeling that QPR would prove formidable opponents. So they should - with massive finances behind them. Though Rangers can’t compete with Derby regarding stadium, support or scale on many other measures, Jim Magilton is building an attractive and productive football team.

Derby County’s current board know how to put on a show for the cameras, to convey a ‘good time’; they crave a spectacle and respectability, as a paradigm of a well-run (if unsuccessful) football franchise. So, the somewhat soggy stadium perimeter attractions, the spectacle of a dutiful sea of bright and happy white tee shirt-clad manikins for the benefit of the TV cameras were a prescription as a tonic (or a mask?) for the Rams’ poor form and injury-depleted squad.

For me, it was all rather overblown and haphazard as a prelude, with the poorly announced Poppy Appeal dedication, the ceremonial national anthem - perhaps they think we all still stay til the very end at the cinema, waiting to stand for the anthem - the tedious, gentrified version of Steve Bloomer’s Watching (please - play Kev Moore’s version, for heaven’s sake!) Guys - most of us only want a good football team to watch. We’re not really into tailgate parties, fellas!

Good times, bad times indeed. Clough & Taylor, the week’s heritage headliners, truly gave us some real good times, with no frills necessary - save for flowing black and white ribbons on the shiny silver trophies!

Pride Park Stadium duly attained that magical 30,000 mark again with ease (though with some suspicion voiced of a fair bit of ticket generosity to local causes and organisations) and the match setting itself looked the part for a live BBC2 TV audience.

The first half crackled, too, as Derby County coped as best they could with Rangers’ confident, sharp teamwork and even had the audacity to snatch a 2-0 advantage within 35 minutes. It was a brisk start from QPR but Robbie Savage slotted a briskly taken free kick into the path of the alert Paul Dickov, who finished clinically to put the Rams ahead with only 9 minutes gone.

Even better was to follow: despite Rangers’ tidy, attractive thrusts, another Rams’ free kick saw Derby 2-0 ahead. As Savage shaped to take the 20-yard dead ball, I kid you not; I declared confidently to my East Stand Upper neighbours that Savage would clobber it into the top left hand corner. He did just that - and though never comfortable, we then thought we might win.

From chasing shadows to protecting a two-goal lead was however an unmanageable prospect for the makeshift Derby team as Rangers carried on as if nothing had happened and snapped back a goal just before half time. Adel Tarrabt’s free kick didn’t seem to bend much but it evaded the weak wall and Bywater saw very little of it, judging by his slow reaction.

After the break, Rangers again carried on as if nothing had happened to equalise almost immediately. Dean Moxey, who had a ‘mare for once, watched a Routledge cross reach Gavin Mahon instead of taking any action or tackling, and so the ball was obligingly rammed home.

QPR had truly turned the tables and it was 2-3 before the hour; Connolly and Barker let a through ball past them and Jay Simpson beat Moxey to the inviting chance. Rams fans were frustrated and vocal though all we can do is hope to put on displays like Rangers did within a year or so ourselves, when (if) we get our crocks fit and our act generally together.

Fredrik Stoor took a nasty whack in the face and had to be replaced by Livermore; two returning crocks Pearson and Davies tried to no avail to turn the tide as the other Derby substitutes. Debutant Hughes was largely a passenger, off the pace. Hurry back, Paul Green.

With the defence creaking characteristically, Savage battling unaided in the middle, Croft as wayward as ever, Teale comedic yet again and Hulse subdued by QPR’s robust, tall stoppers, the writing was on the wall. With Rangers in total command, the white freebie tee shirts were being discarded onto the pitch.

We are nevertheless so polite and restrained at Derby - soggy tee shirts do demonstrate displeasure but they are not injurious like bottles, coins and flares!

Moxey fouled Routledge in stoppage time and Buzsaky slotted the penalty in. 2-4; the TV audience might have also noted that the pre-match Pride Park Stadium sheen is not for the moment followed by substance on the football field. Results are vital, or pressure will grow.

It’s a recurrent thought, that we have to anticipate good times and bad times at the moment and there is no magic wand to wave over the team. Clough said there would be ups and downs, that it would be a long road, even before we were so seriously depleted with so many injuries.

He also diplomatically downplayed the disaffection and disappointment shown by frustrated home fans that tossed their free t-shirts onto the pitch after QPR took control to win with ease. “It wasn’t that bad”, he commented; how he must be hurting, though, from his team’s frequent capitulations! The (online) fanbase is becoming rather schizophrenic, some demanding yet another management change, others indicating the suicide of further instability.

For some very succint RamZoner observations, Tom & Co, I advise you to read this thread: http://www.clubfanzine.com/derby_county/v2.forum.posts.php?id_t=129347#8

Froth and frenzy won’t solve a thing. Suicide it would be in my opinion should Adam Pearson recommend and undertake his third (!) total overhaul of Derby’s management regime! It’s just a non-starter; the club has to achieve stability and build some lasting football foundations.

However - even before November arrives, the two primary objectives for 2009-10 are now to attain 55 or more Championship points and hence attain respectable survival - plus the instigation of an effective backroom fitness facility.

Whichever way this second aim is achieved (via better medicos, training, coaching, acupuncture, play-dough therapy, hypnosis - whatever), we MUST acquire a demonstrably efficient, preferably invisible medical and physiotherapy regime that ensures that the maximum numbers of fit, resilient players are available to Clough for selection. For the present, let’s not delude ourselves - we have another survival battle on our hands.

Next up is the chance for Clough’s charges to improve their away showing. With Ipswich Town failing to win yet again, Derby fans will want the team to arrest the slide and prevent the (minor) humiliation of giving the Tractor Boys’ beleaguered manager Roy “Vote of Confidence” Keane, the relief of attaining Ipswich’s very first win of the season at their place next Saturday.

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RamsWeek 43 last year found the team learning that ‘it ain’t over til it’s over’ when they were pegged back right at the death by Coventry at the Ricoh Arena.

Rob Hulse had given Derby a first-half lead but the Rams unwisely froze when expecting a thrown-in or free kick whilst winding down the clock in the Coventry City half of the pitch, very late in the game. Instead of defending, they whined at the referee - who played on to allow Clinton Morrison to rap in City’s last-ditch equaliser.

Prior to that in midweek, Derby suffered a 3-2 reversal at Blackpool. A mediocre Rams’ display was pushed aside; the Tangerines took a 2-0 first half lead before Kris Commons pulled a goal back. Mile Sterjovski, in a rare outing as a substitute, had one of his few moments in a Derby shirt in grabbing their 2nd goal but the Rams couldn’t avoid ending a 7-game unbeaten run.

Chairman Andy Appleby declared that the ‘credit crunch’ would not affect the owner’s investment plans for the club because the global nature of the consortium meant that the burden of the downturn was spread far and wide and there had been no ‘debt purchasing’. The aim was the premier League and to make Derby County ‘a special club’ in the coming years.

Photo: Action Images

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