The big kick-off at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa dwarfed even Robbie Savage’s announcements that he is to co-host BBC 5 Live’s 606 Saturday phone-in programme, and that he hopes to play on beyond season 2010-11!

The Rainbow Nation has high hopes for their hard-won but joyous staging of the World Cup. the 2010 tournament can have great social and economic impact upon a proud, if troubled nation that still strives to emerge from its 20th Century stereotype as a continent beleaguered by famine, poverty, oppression and political division.

Thursday evening saw an exuberant concert in SA to celebrate the World Cup in Africa, with a host of stars moving the happy revellers into an excited frenzy. The World Cup theme “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” got a rousing rendition; all befitting Shakira’s declaration that the song represents the power of a single event to unite and integrate....it’s certainly a little more imaginative and compelling than “Back Home!”

It was certainly moving to see the dazzling opening ceremony with its hundreds of dancers in elaborate choreography, set to a great musical backdrop, and to reflect how far Africa has come in recent years. That spectacular prelude was followed by the opening game of the tournament between South Africa and Mexico, played in the calabash cauldron of the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg.

The Bafana Bafana pulled off a creditable 1-1 draw against the accomplished Mexicans, who had the sway of possession before falling behind to a spectacular Tshabalala second-half strike.  The Mexicans soon levelled but the energy and passion of the Africans pushed them onwards in an entertaining tournament curtain-raiser.

No doubt the vuvuzela - the massed plastic horns, fizzing like a swarm of hornets incessantly buzzing around  - will grate on TV viewers eventually, unable to savour the electric atmosphere of the tournament in person, or will be sadly muted if the South African team find the competition a little too tough.

Crass quote of the week on the RamsWeek media watch came straight away from the Leicester-loving crisp-fancier Gary Lineker, when starting the BBC’s live TV coverage: “The World Cup: football tournaments don’t come much bigger!” Ummm...right on the button, Gary!

France laboured to a colourless 0-0 draw against Uruguay in Friday’s other game. Saturday saw a sprightly South Korea dispatch mediocre Greece 2-0 and Argentina, now coached by Diego Maradona, played Nigeria.

Maradona, guilty of one of the most diabolical pieces of cheating in football history as a player - although he was of course an extravagantly-talented footballer - had the gall give a quote asking for fair play... which was more than a bit rich! His Argentina team defeated a disappointing Silver Eagles side on Saturday, so Diego looks like making it through the group stage with ease as Argentine coach.

Saturday’s clash between England and the USA was the one we were all waiting for, though! England’s performance was solid enough in the early stages and all seemed to be going according to plan after captain Gerrard put the Three Lions ahead after only 4 minutes. It seemed like a matter of how long before we scored a second goal.

Then just before half-time, one of those horror moments destined to haunt a player for the rest of his career - Robert Green’s howler, which let Clint Dempsey’s speculative shot slip from his grasp to dribble over the line. "The Hand of Clod" indeed, as the News of the World dubbed it...

England looked dangerous and threatened to recover from Green’s gaffe to seize the game but couldn’t make the breakthrough. Their final ball, wing play, composure in the penalty area, and ruthlessness were all found wanting. Must do better!

So now we have to wait all week to see if England can bounce back and beat Algeria to get back on course. It’s always torture being an England fan!

On Sunday, Algeria lost 1-0 to Slovenia in England’s group, neither side looking impressive; an entertaining Ghana side thrilled the host nation with a 1-0 win over Serbia and Germany socked the Socceroos of Australia 4-0. If only England could start World Cup campaigns (and finish them) like the Germans!

Rams news this week was minimal. Paul Connolly moved to Leeds United as expected and spoke of his frustration at being marginalised at Derby during the past season. There are perhaps poorer players still at Derby getting a regular look-in but truth is, until Barker and Anderson combined in the centre, Derby’s defensive consistency left a lot to be desired.

Nigel Clough had clearly decided that Connolly wasn’t part of his future plans and the full back reckons he’ll play a more attacking role at Elland Road. Good luck with that! Conners was an honest player, and hardly Paul Jewell’s worst signing (the list is a long one!) even if I can never wish good luck to his new team and hope he has a stinker whenever DirtyLeeds face the Rams!

Robbie Savage is to co-host BBC Radio 5 Live’s Saturday night 606 football phone-in with Mark Chapman. Sav has Derby’s blessing and doesn’t feel it will interfere with his club duties. Savage is already acting as part of the BBC Radio World Cup team.

He says he will be ‘edgy but fair’, so that’s a change from the manner in which he approaches the local media in Derby, where he just tells us all that we don’t know what we’re talking about and belittles the Radio Derby staff - and certain ex-Rams that are leagues above his achievements.

Savage also declared that he wants to play for Derby beyond the 2010-11 season when his contract ends. That would be fine if he just wanted to keep on playing, wherever he can get a contract....but who will want such an expensive veteran - and I have to say, what would be the point of Derby keeping him in the squad after 2010-11?

With the greatest respect to Robbie, what’s good for the team comes first and I don’t feel we’ll need a limited, pedestrian midfielder approaching his 40s, whichever division we might be aspiring to. It has to be about team performances and results, with the club making much more progress than it has in the past two years.

Our midfield has been inconsistent and goal-shy; brittle in aiding the defence and mediocre in supply to the forwards. We need pace, energy, and creativity and Savage simply can’t provide any of that, no matter how many matches he notches up personally. He can lend experience to newcomers but is limited as a player, even more so as he gets older.

Rams’ President and Chief Executive Tom Glick talked up the Rams’ recent progress in the transfer market on local radio and highlighted the quality he thought was in the squad. Manager Nigel Clough has made signings comprising of promising, improving youngsters and seasoned professionals so far this summer, though fans still await the ‘signature’ signing of a proven goalscorer.

Russell Anderson, John Brayford, Gareth Roberts, James Williams, Dave Martin, Tomasz Cywka and have joined the Derby squad on permanent deals so far this close season and everyone expects better results in 2010-11, with fewer goals given away and more scored than in the last disappointing campaign.

Mr Glick spoke of Rob Hulse, Kris Commons and Steve Davies as if they were destined to be very significant figures next season though personally, I’m not really convinced that will be the case.

The manager is targeting the latter two to play over 30 games apiece next season and they are starting an early fitness schedule to be well on course for pre-season. Sounds promising; hope it is all translated into game-time! I think at least Hulse will move on - fine as long as we recruit a younger goal-getter.

Ex-Rams loan striker Paul Dickov, busy and effective for Derby before Christmas, has won a 12 month contract at Oldham Athletic and is set to cut his managerial teeth with the struggling League One side.

He succeeds another ex-Ram, Dave Penney at Boundary Park, who won a 2nd Division Championship medal in Arthur Cox’s 1986-87 Derby side.

On Saturday, court proceedings regarding fraudsters Mackay, Keith and McKenzie were summarised in the DET.

The issue of confiscation of assets from the convicted to compensate Derby County FC is being adjudged, as the trio defrauded £375,000 from the club. Technicalities may even enable the convicted to avoid paying compensation to the Rams, though proceedings continue next week.

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RamsWeek 24 last year saw some easily-won ‘brass in pocket’ coming up for certain characters at Pride Park Stadium, with Derby readying themselves to pay up the contracts of several useless players signed by previous managers.

The Rams would (for instance) lose money on releasing the laughably expensive Claude ‘Clod’ Davies, severing his contract but losing out on a transfer fee - we were desperate to shovel him out to anyone that will take him!

Mile Sterjovski and Andy Todd left the club too, going ‘down under’ to join Perth Glory where they were more likely to become local heroes.

Derby agreed a fee of £300k for Exeter City full back Dean Moxey - and Real Madrid splashed out a little more, £80m for Manchester United’s pouting poser Cristiano Ronaldo.

England stuffed the Andorrans 6-0 in a World Cup qualifier and the Football League voted to allow seven substitutes in League games from the start of 2009-10.

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