Very magnanimous of Derby yesterday, staying out to see us collect the trophy instead of seeking the sanctuary of the dressing room.Hope they go up automatically next season, they deserve it.
Their fans were also a pleasure to be with on the trains and around the ground. I hope they tonk Fulham and Brentford next season
Maclaren made them stay out to applaud us. I like the way they play, but I really thought they let themselves down with a lot of diving and moaning.
In fairness Derby fans I met were fantastic and I think fate caught up with them Rangers style. I certainly wouldn't have begrudged them the win, it is a pity we couldn't have won against Leeds or someone like that. There are a few of their players who could do a job in the PL although more than likely they'll wait for one more year.
McLaren definitely made them stay out. Looking at the players faces, they didn't want to be there and would definitely have ran for the tunnel had they not been under orders. I saw McLaren go to them at the end and clearly indicate they were to stay there. Any saluting needs to go to Steve, not the Derby players. They were throwing themselves around like mad - and playing on the referee's known record against us. I'm only glad that the one decision that would have changed the result - the so-called 'penalty' when Dunne didn't even touch their striker - was one he got right.
Too many on their bench were celebrating when O'Neil was sent off, probably thought they'd won it then. McLaren was and is a class act so I hope he takes them up next season...
It was an excellent piece of management by McLaren. He said afterwards it was to make sure the players wouldn't find themselves in that situation next season. He will revisit that moment and emotions whenever needed next season I'm sure.
McLaren said afterwards that he told them to stay out so that they would feel even worse, some kind of cod psychology I suppose. They will be stronger next year if they keep/buy their handy loans. I don't think the championship will be as tough next year as this, but it might be interesting - Derby, Forest will be tough to beat under Pearce, Wolves back up on a roll, Fulham - Magath is a good manager, just look at his record, if they have any players, Wigan, and Brighton, Bournemouth, Ipswich hanging around too though I don't think any of them will be serious contenders. Cardiff (sorry Ossie and Norway, but come on, OGS seriously overrated) and Norwich (freefall time!) out of it I think.
**** em, they dived all game. Both the sub's and fans celebrated like they won the game after the red. Whole blocks were dancing around thinking they had it in the bag. They were also trying to start something after by goading us, we were just too smug to react to it. I like McLaren but not their players or fans.
Apparently a little bit did kick off in the top tier when a Derby muppet crossed the segregation area to take on an Rs fan, suffice it to say he got a slap and was then carted of by the rozzers.
Managing a PL Club was a big step up for OGS, but if their owner gives him some time I expect him to do well. If Cardiff don't give him it, I expect him to succeed at whatever Club will, a Championship Club might be a better Division for him to start in.
We had a load of Derby fans trying to wind us up in 501 throughout the game - every time a decision went for Derby (justified or not) they were waving handfuls of tenners at us, shouting "We bought the ref"... All we did was to wave them down, until that wonderful moment when Bobby scored. Boy did we start making some noise then. Strangely enough, the Derby oiks just got up and went home.....
I was in 501, you might have been sat next to me and not known it! I'm surprised derby fans had that many tenners. Its a bit of a crap thing to do though. I noticed on their forum that they think they were much louder than us and pour support was ****, they are too stupid to realise it will seem that way when you are behind the goal, I was right on the halfway line and the support was even, well at least until the goal.
As ever, there will be some bad sports and bad losers but the majority seem good sorts. I like playing Derby. The draw when we put two away in extra time at their place and now this! I do wish them and McLaren good fortune next year.
