Rams fans' panel: Luca Gallone gives his views on Derby County
DON'T get me wrong. Derby's support is sensational.
Despite a slight dip this campaign, an average home attendance of over 23,000 for a Championship side destined for mid-table obscurity is admirable.
-
Luca Gallone
However, I surely can't be alone in leaving Pride Park with a sour taste in my mouth, even when proceedings have only marginally drifted astray.
Many a time have I witnessed boos at half-time following a more than acceptable performance in which the score is tied.
20 % off on fittings
Terms: please quote thisiso6
Contact: 01332 410152
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
This is not a given but, if the Rams find themselves behind, it most certainly is.
As far as the fans are concerned (often a minority, I may add), the scoreline alone should determine the reaction the players leave the pitch to, regardless of the performance.
A perfect example of this is the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Rams' previous home game.
Truth be told, Nigel Clough's men did everything but score against Ian Holloway's promotion contenders, only to be rocked by a sucker punch when Palace took advantage of a fortunate ricochet to cash in with the only goal. On another day, the hosts would have emerged with a deserved victory.
Yet, walking away from Pride Park with my friend, I couldn't help but vent my disillusionment with the all-consuming negativity which swamps everything in its wake and can do nothing but sap the energy from the Rams players.
Take Conor Sammon, for instance.
The Irish striker arrived with inevitably high expectations, considering his £1.2m price tag.
Admittedly, his displays haven't always been vintage and supporters may have anticipated a higher goals tally but I do feel he's often subjected to unfair criticism.
Whatever your opinion, there is no doubt that, particularly at home, the front man is under pressure to perform.
It feels as if supporters are waiting eagerly to pounce on the first mistake he makes and subsequently hurl abuse in his direction.
It's impossible for any player to express themselves when they are almost afraid to do so without feeling the wrath of the crowd.
Although I do own a Rams season ticket, I'm one of a fair few to offer my support to Burton Albion as well.
It's the cynical attitude of certain members of the Rams fan base which often nudges me further and further towards the Brewers.
Albion are a small club with low expectations – the polar opposite of the Rams.
Brewers faithful often afford themselves a giggle at the so-called "bigger" clubs in League Two (Oxford, Bradford, I'm talking to you), who reckon they should be destroying a "tinpot" side like Burton.
They joke that fans of those sorts of sides have "big-club syndrome".
It is arguable the Rams have a touch of that themselves.
The trick is to accept reality (that Derby have next to no money) and the fact that you're in that position for a reason.
Let the team get on with it and offer them all the support you can give to help them in their quest.
21 Comments
View all
by ibelieveido
Friday, March 08 2013, 4:36PM
“Sad -Tad...
Give up pal,your posts get so disjointed you sound
like your drunk !.”
by derwentx
Friday, March 08 2013, 2:05PM
“Tadley 'the best football at home we player was 2 years ago with Bueno etc.....'
What a load of old rubbish. Bueno had about three good games before it got cold and he completely lost interest. I wouldn't have him anywhere near the current side.
As for Barker he beat Shackell into a cocked hat in terms of defensive ability and his influence on the team. If you are critical of Barker then you really have got a huge and irrational downer on everything connected to Derby County.”
by Tadley-Rams
Friday, March 08 2013, 11:20AM
“Ibelievido - billy got lucky, that word lucky again, sorry with our 1 out of twelve win ratio we are unlucky.......you Muppet.
Derwentx - the best football at home we player was 2 years ago with Bueno etc, not miserable just can't get my head around when we have won 1 out if twelve everything is OK, next season will be good, Barker, you have watched football long enough, really, fantastic bloke, great professional , before his injury he was getting caught out......... Short memories or what.......”
by jillycarol
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:52AM
“direby's support is sensational??? Ten thousand empty seats per game and booing your team when they go behind! Must look up sensational heh heh heh heh heh!”
by ibelieveido
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:10AM
“Sad-Tad.
Every team could do with a Seth-lad.
He was the main reason Silly Little Billy got lucky.
Your glass is forever half m/t.
Cheer up fella/other,if we lose or only draw you can
go on one again,after all...it's what you do best...”
by Balanced Funding Solutions Ltd
Friday, March 08 2013, 9:44AM
“Tadley
A simple alternative to the Derwentx comment about being Mr Negative.
Go and watch Florist seeing as you rate Billy so highly and hate Nigel.”
by derwentx
Friday, March 08 2013, 1:41AM
“I saw a rare positive post from you after the Cardiff game Tadley, that didn't last long!
Every summer brings changes, this year will be no different. We don't know who is on the way out or who is coming in so, unless you have a crystal ball, you have no idea how next year will pan out.
Why do you insist on going back three years when we were still getting rid of a mass of dead wood? That is totally irrelevant. This season we have seen our best football for years at Pride Park and a terrific work ethic and team spirit. We have been undone by two or three key weaknesses in the side, not because we have a poor squad. If we can address those key positions, and get Barker bsack for half a season, there is absolutely no reason that we can't progress further.
In other words so being so bloody negative and miserable!”
by Tadley-Rams
Thursday, March 07 2013, 11:33PM
“I think I can predict next season already, early on at home we will fantastic, may win the odd game away, then after Xmas we will about 10th, just in touch, then during Jan and Feb go on a poor run, season over, and sorry forgot to mention, Carling cup failure to a lower league club. Clough will state that with a bit more luck and better referees we would have won more and ibelievido will say all we are missing is a Seth type player!!!!!!
Hold on a minute hasn't that just happened the last three seasons.............”
by ridgey27
Thursday, March 07 2013, 6:32PM
“I have been to 6.matches this season thanks very much....some people simply cant afford to go that doesn't make u less off a fan...I listern to every game I miss!I went home and away for 25 years I remember going to swansea away on a school.night to see kevin harper score a 90 th min header I did a paper round for 7 weeks to save for that one!!so your statments are untrue....yes I agree the passing at times IS good but when derby get to the final third they go sideways...backwards we are in need off a flair player!!fumning”
by derwentx
Thursday, March 07 2013, 5:40PM
“Reading the report on the under 21 side they won with a combination of players who can't get in the first team and sixteen year olds. The reporter was enthused by the commitment which now runs through the club. OK commitment and effort doesn't make up for quality but its a great starting point to build on.
Ridgey must have been watching a different side to me, or he hasn't been to Pride Park this season. We have scored 34 league goals at home (only 3 teams have scored more) and some of the passing has been excellent. Even when our form has dipped because of injuries we have continued to play some enjoyable stuff. The form of the young lads has been worth the admission money.
Probably the most boring side I have watched for years was the one put together by Billy Davies but no one complained because it got us into the top six.”