Rams are fighting every inch of way
ANOTHER day, another raft of offthe-field matters making the headlines.
Derby County Football Club has been in administration nine weeks and the latest new document to drop at Companies’ House reveals more about the Rams plight.
The administrators’ proposal document shows how much Derby had in the bank when the club was placed into administration and also the cost of the administrators has been disclosed.
Meanwhile, the search for new owners continues with four parties reportedly interested in saving the club.
The hope is, the administrators tell us, they will drop on a preferred bidder in the next two or three weeks.
That cannot happen quickly enough, although the timescale to wrap everything up is likely to run to late January, if all goes well.
There is so much bubbling off the pitch that is dominating thoughts, hopes and concerns, but the reaction to adversity on the pitch must not be overlooked.
The players, manager Wayne Rooney, his staff and the fans are injecting pride back into the club. That is the overriding emotion and they have been magnificent.
What we saw as Derby came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Sunday was uplifting, a much-welcome boost only days after the club’s points deduction increased from 12 to 21 and left them bottom on minus three points.
The win saw the team move onto zero points before the daunting task of facing Championship leaders Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Fulham had won their previous seven matches scoring 25 goals in the process. Yes, they might have been without the division’s best striker in Aleksandar Mitrovic on the night, but take nothing away from Derby.
They earned a point in a goalless draw, and a deserved point given the way they battled and created their own opportunities to maybe have nicked a win.
Seeing the defenders dig in, seeing centre-backs Phil Jagielka and Curtis Davies putting their bodies on the line time and again, seeing Nathan Byrne make vital interventions close to his own goal, seeing Craig Forsyth return to the team and keep the talented Harry Wilson quiet and seeing goalkeeper Kelle Roos put his error against Bournemouth behind with a commanding display filled everybody connected with the club with pride.
Those in front of the defence worked tirelessly, often without the ball.
Liam Thompson, in only the second League appearance of his career impressed again, Max Bird, Graeme Shinnie and Jason Knight worked their socks off, while Festy Ebosele’s power and pace from the right gave Fulham problems for 70 minutes.
Skipper Tom Lawrence led by example against Bournemouth and his two goals in the second half helped to turn the contest Derby’s way.
At Fulham, he was asked to play as a false number nine and produced another unselfish performance. He was twice denied by home keeper Paulo Gazzaniga.
Two games against the current best two sides in the division and two outstanding performances against the odds from the team. That deserves to be recognised and deserves immense credit.
The odds are stacked against Derby, they are in need of a football miracle if they are to retain Championship status, but they are standing up and being counted. They are fighting every inch of the way.