Interesting read, that other thread. Here's some thoughts based on some intricate scouting of Derby County. 1. Derby will be wearing white tops with black shorts. 2. Nigel Clough will give a comprehensive and valid post match interview about the rights and wrongs of his team (whaddaguy) 3. The game will be played at Pride Park, not at the Baseball Ground, which is now a housing estate. Don't go there. There won't be football. 4. Brucey will play Amos in goal, with Jakupovic sat on the bench wondering what the hell he has to do to get a game that isn't a poxy reserve fixture against the B team of sides two leagues below us (I've watched the reserves and he's actually alright, he'd probably be ok as cover until we can get a permanent number 1 between the posts). Jakupovic will look a bit sad until he opens his monthly paycheck tomorrow evening. 5. Theo Robinson is really fast, but isn't a very good footballer. I watched him at Millwall and he made Trevor Benjamin look **** hot. He has however, been arriving at the right place at the right time (take note Mr. Simpson) to score some vital goals for them. He will be the threat. 6. Their playmaker, Will Hughes, is a doubt for tomorrow which is good news for us. He looks like a talented lad who will go far in the game, but his hair cut looks like it was inspired by Dirk Diggler and will miss tomorrows game sorting it out. 7. Alex Bruce has been named doubtful for the game. So he'll probably play. Most of our 'doubtful' players seem to play, although Bruce Jr seems to get a knock every game. I suggest playing Hobbs for the whole game with Chester and McShane and giving Alex a chance to replace the Lego Bricks he lost from his head in the last game. 8. Had a good pie at Derby last time, must buy pie. 9. If the world does end tomorrow with us being second, does that mean we are technically a PL side when the world ends? It works for Leeds and their "Well we won in Europe once, therefore we will always be European Champions." It's the same kind of dreaming. Yes, it is. 10. We are getting media recognition. Good, it shows we are doing well. Are managers watching? Probably. Will it make an iota of difference? Nope. Revel in it. Bathe in it. Love it. After years in the doldrums, it's good to hear us being mentioned on the TV. 11. I was reading Wuthering Heights tonight, but we weren't mentioned. I expect complaints to Penguin Publishing will swell over Christmas. West Ham got a mention on the Simpsons and Walsall were mentioned in Nick Hornby's Fever Pitch. Justice has to be done. Perhaps an edit to Shakespeare's Othello: "Now, even now, an Amber Tiger is tupping thy White ewe!" (actually not a bad reference if you get it) 12. If we have £56,000 a game spare (Bye Oli), could we walk out to Cochise by Audioslave, replete with all the fireworks from the video? All of them. 13. Admittedly, points 10, 11, and 12 have no real connection to Derby, but nevertheless, I'm sure you read them anyway. 14. Derby have a few injury problems, some already mentioned; defenders Mark O'Brien (cramp and illness) and Gareth Roberts (calf), midfielders Will Hughes (hair) and Craig Bryson (knee) and striker Conor Sammon (fins) are all doubts. Striker Kevin Hector has also been ruled out (retirement). 15. Given the current attendances DCFC get, I expect the atmosphere to be cracking. The ticket prices aren't bad either, so I expect a fair few away fans to show up too. You stay classy Kingston Upon Hull, I'm Ron Burgandy?
Point of order.....Jakupovic is expected to start and Bruce Jnr isn't doubtful, he's banned for three games.
In addition, Paul Mcshane is expected to replace Steve Bruce tonight. An exclusive from Gwylum Lloyd which broke at 9am. Something obviously gone on there! Oh well never mind.
Expected by who ? Steve Bruce has said he has not made up his mind last night on sportstalk. Logic says it has to be Ben Amos who was doing ok imo. Playing Jakupovic would be an act of gross folly imo. We can go joint top tonight with a win and Amos and Faye (for Stockdale and Bruce jnr) should be the Only changes to last weeks team. McShane or McKenna to fill the vacant spot on the bench. I would actually have McKenna on there regardless.
HULL City boss Steve Bruce looks set to hand goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic his long-awaited debut as the Tigers attempt to fill the void left by David Stockdale at Derby County tonight. http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/story-17646757-detail/story.html?
Cheers all, I can do more but it does depend on how hilarious the opposition is. Thank goodness we are playing Leeds and Leicester next.
I quite liked this scouting report. I sincerely hope you are reading Wuthering Heights, as it's one of my favourite novels and I feel it could provide a bonding opportunity for us
Actually I'm re-reading it. That and Wide Sargasso Sea, although the latter I have to go back to periodically as it makes my eyes water.
I've never been to Pride park but was a regular at the Baseball Ground 1990-93, was a cracking atmosphere. Derby are steadily improving due to Clough Jnr being at the helm long enough. They do have some players out but with our keeper change it might be close. I ilways look out for the Rams but as long as they're in our division I hope we win 10-0 of course.
