Derby County has unveiled its vision of the future by announcing plans for a £20m development around Pride Park Stadium.
The proposed Pride Plaza scheme would see eye-catching changes to the west and east sides of the ground.
Plans which have still to be formally submitted to Derby City Council include an eight-storey 165-bed hotel, office space, a convenience store, banking, restaurants and bars all set in tree-lined pedestrian-friendly squares.
About 250 jobs would be created by the scheme.
The club sees the development becoming a local service centre for the people who work at the many businesses on Pride Park while providing improved facilities for the fans on match days.
Designs of the two-storey or three-storey individual buildings will not block views of the main entrance to the stadium.
There will also be two squares on the west side of the stadium named after Rams legends Steve Bloomer and Brian Clough, with a monument to each.
The road behind the east stand will become a more vibrant area and will be named Lionel Pickering Way as a tribute to the club's former chairman.
Current chairman Peter Gadsby, pictured, was the director who oversaw the original stadium development.
He said: "When we first built Pride Park we were always aware of further development potential and when I came back to the club almost 12 months ago with the current board of directors we indicated we would look to maximise that potential for the benefit of the club."
Derby could either make land available for sale to interested companies or fund the building of units themselves for rental.
Mr Gadsby says the 'Pride Plaza' project will not impact on any football revenue.
"No football or promotion income will be used to support this scheme," he said. "We anticipate strong demand for the new commercial space. Indeed, we already have interest from two global brands."
Preliminary talks with the planning authority have been positive, according to the Rams, and time-scales will be dictated by the planning process and negotiations with individual businesses.
The planning application could go in within three months.
Eighty car park spaces will be lost at the stadium to make way for the new development but the club will look at alternative arrangements.
"We are confident any parking issues can be addressed," said Mr Gadsby. "People may be worried about their parking but this is unlikely to take their parking away."
The club will press on with the plans irrespective of in which division it finds itself next season.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-27 10:47:18
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Showing posts with label football. Show all posts
Friday, April 27, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Derby 1 v Luton 0 Nyatanga sends Luton down
Luton Town's relegation from the Championship was confirmed last night by a player whose season has been almost as unexplainable as their own. Lewin Nyatanga has been both a help and a hindrance to Derby this term, the 18-year-old featuring in Barnsley's recent victory over Birmingham and also making 11 appearances for Sunderland during two separate loan spells before he was recalled by Billy Davies this week. The Derby manager's timing was perfect.
Nyatanga marked his first appearance in a Derby shirt since September with a goal that lifts his side back into an automatic promotion place, one point above Birmingham having played a game more. For Luton there was only misery, this result bringing the harsh reality of League One football next season. Needing a victory to have any chance of survival, Kevin Blackwell presided over a fourth defeat in a row, which means Luton have collected one point from his five matches in charge.
Not that Blackwell can take the blame for relegation. The damage had been done long before he took over from Mike Newell last month, the dramatic slide since the New Year, during which Luton have picked up eight points from a possible 54, turning a season that promised so much early on into the ultimate failure.
"It hurts to be relegated," admitted Blackwell. "I haven't come here to sit in the lower echelons of English football. I want to make sure this club gets back as quickly as I can."
The Luton manager believes that an immediate return to the second tier is possible, pointing to the arrival of David Pinkney as chairman as pivotal in changing the club's fortunes in the future. "He's got a business brain, he's dynamic and he has got high demands," added Blackwell. The Luton manager understands that funds will be made available next season, with a forward likely to be his first priority. "It's no secret that Luton have sold £4m of strikers," he added.
Steve Howard was among them although the Derby striker failed to score against his former club. He came close on two occasions, seeing a header cleared off the line by Chris Coyne before Gary Teale, his team-mate, managed to do the same in the second half.
Those moments might have pained Howard but relief for a nervous Derby side had come much earlier when Nyatanga converted from inside the six-yard box after Dean Brill, outstanding in goal for Luton, superbly repelled Dean Leacock's point-blank header.
"That's called needs must," said Davies, playing down suggestions that his decision to bring Nyatanga back from Oakwell was a masterstroke. The Derby manager said that "it would have been a travesty if we had not picked up three points", alluding to several near misses, with Matt Oakley striking the crossbar and the substitute Arturo Lupoli denied after Brill stuck out a foot.
Davies had good reason to be sanguine, however. "We have now put a lot of pressure elsewhere," he added.
Unfortunately Birmingham rose above the pressure and only maximum points from the remaining two games will give Derby any chance of automatic promotion.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-26 10:22:54
Nyatanga marked his first appearance in a Derby shirt since September with a goal that lifts his side back into an automatic promotion place, one point above Birmingham having played a game more. For Luton there was only misery, this result bringing the harsh reality of League One football next season. Needing a victory to have any chance of survival, Kevin Blackwell presided over a fourth defeat in a row, which means Luton have collected one point from his five matches in charge.
Not that Blackwell can take the blame for relegation. The damage had been done long before he took over from Mike Newell last month, the dramatic slide since the New Year, during which Luton have picked up eight points from a possible 54, turning a season that promised so much early on into the ultimate failure.
"It hurts to be relegated," admitted Blackwell. "I haven't come here to sit in the lower echelons of English football. I want to make sure this club gets back as quickly as I can."
The Luton manager believes that an immediate return to the second tier is possible, pointing to the arrival of David Pinkney as chairman as pivotal in changing the club's fortunes in the future. "He's got a business brain, he's dynamic and he has got high demands," added Blackwell. The Luton manager understands that funds will be made available next season, with a forward likely to be his first priority. "It's no secret that Luton have sold £4m of strikers," he added.
Steve Howard was among them although the Derby striker failed to score against his former club. He came close on two occasions, seeing a header cleared off the line by Chris Coyne before Gary Teale, his team-mate, managed to do the same in the second half.
Those moments might have pained Howard but relief for a nervous Derby side had come much earlier when Nyatanga converted from inside the six-yard box after Dean Brill, outstanding in goal for Luton, superbly repelled Dean Leacock's point-blank header.
"That's called needs must," said Davies, playing down suggestions that his decision to bring Nyatanga back from Oakwell was a masterstroke. The Derby manager said that "it would have been a travesty if we had not picked up three points", alluding to several near misses, with Matt Oakley striking the crossbar and the substitute Arturo Lupoli denied after Brill stuck out a foot.
Davies had good reason to be sanguine, however. "We have now put a lot of pressure elsewhere," he added.
Unfortunately Birmingham rose above the pressure and only maximum points from the remaining two games will give Derby any chance of automatic promotion.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-26 10:22:54
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Leicester 1 Derby 1 - Is a point enough at the Walkers?
Derby's progress towards the Premiership, seemingly serene, was interrupted by some difficulties close to home.
While the majority of their points have been gleaned on their travels, Leicester, their closest rivals - geographically, anyway - in the Championship, deprived Derby of a club record 13th away win of the season. The Leicester substitute Matty Fryatt's equaliser, as well as reducing the possibility that the club's new owner, Milan Mandaric, will have invested in a League One club, made it a profitable trip to the Walkers Stadium for the Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce. His side will displace Derby at the Championship summit if they beat Burnley today.
Given Derby's mastery of a one-goal lead - it has sufficed for 19 of their Championship victories this season - and Leicester's ineffectiveness in open play, it ranked as a surprise when Fryatt levelled. Yet Derby's failure to build on the advantage Craig Fagan gave them, coupled with their timid attempts to convert late chances, meant they did not merit victory.
They will, however, rue misses that could yet determine the destination of the Championship. David Jones was one culprit, misjudging a header when unmarked while the assurance Fagan displayed for his goal was lacking when Gary Teale supplied him. "He should have been more clinical at the end," Davies said.
And it served to reinforce the significance of the suspended Steve Howard. Howard is available for the visit of Coventry City on Monday and it is a safe assumption he will be restored to the team. "We've got four difficult points from six and now we can welcome back our striker," Davies added. "He's a big loss."
The forwards selected - Fagan, Jon Macken and Darren Currie - started without a single goal for Derby. Fagan remedied that in his 12th match since his £750,000 move from Hull, yet Derby were too ineffectual up front. The exception came when Jones began a counter-attack by feeding Giles Barnes. As four defenders congregated around the teenager, he found Fagan and the winger's finish curled around Paul Henderson in goal.
Leicester were doubly aggrieved. In the ascendancy for the opening quarter, they were still bemoaning referee Howard Webb's decision not to award them a penalty. As Danny Tiatto - who Davies felt should have been dismissed for elbowing Barnes - delivered a left-wing corner, Darren Moore both grappled with and leant on Patrick Kisnorbo. "It was a penalty,' said the Leicester manager, Robert Kelly, ruing his players' reaction to Webb's ruling as Fagan advanced to score. "That second or two of disappointment cost us."
He was happier with the response of his replacement. Freed by Jason Jarrett, Fryatt evaded Dean Leacock's attentions before placing his low shot beyond Stephen Bywater. The celebrations in Birmingham and Sunderland were surely as loud as those in Leicester.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-07 04:03:10
While the majority of their points have been gleaned on their travels, Leicester, their closest rivals - geographically, anyway - in the Championship, deprived Derby of a club record 13th away win of the season. The Leicester substitute Matty Fryatt's equaliser, as well as reducing the possibility that the club's new owner, Milan Mandaric, will have invested in a League One club, made it a profitable trip to the Walkers Stadium for the Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce. His side will displace Derby at the Championship summit if they beat Burnley today.
Given Derby's mastery of a one-goal lead - it has sufficed for 19 of their Championship victories this season - and Leicester's ineffectiveness in open play, it ranked as a surprise when Fryatt levelled. Yet Derby's failure to build on the advantage Craig Fagan gave them, coupled with their timid attempts to convert late chances, meant they did not merit victory.
They will, however, rue misses that could yet determine the destination of the Championship. David Jones was one culprit, misjudging a header when unmarked while the assurance Fagan displayed for his goal was lacking when Gary Teale supplied him. "He should have been more clinical at the end," Davies said.
And it served to reinforce the significance of the suspended Steve Howard. Howard is available for the visit of Coventry City on Monday and it is a safe assumption he will be restored to the team. "We've got four difficult points from six and now we can welcome back our striker," Davies added. "He's a big loss."
The forwards selected - Fagan, Jon Macken and Darren Currie - started without a single goal for Derby. Fagan remedied that in his 12th match since his £750,000 move from Hull, yet Derby were too ineffectual up front. The exception came when Jones began a counter-attack by feeding Giles Barnes. As four defenders congregated around the teenager, he found Fagan and the winger's finish curled around Paul Henderson in goal.
Leicester were doubly aggrieved. In the ascendancy for the opening quarter, they were still bemoaning referee Howard Webb's decision not to award them a penalty. As Danny Tiatto - who Davies felt should have been dismissed for elbowing Barnes - delivered a left-wing corner, Darren Moore both grappled with and leant on Patrick Kisnorbo. "It was a penalty,' said the Leicester manager, Robert Kelly, ruing his players' reaction to Webb's ruling as Fagan advanced to score. "That second or two of disappointment cost us."
He was happier with the response of his replacement. Freed by Jason Jarrett, Fryatt evaded Dean Leacock's attentions before placing his low shot beyond Stephen Bywater. The celebrations in Birmingham and Sunderland were surely as loud as those in Leicester.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-04-07 04:03:10
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Barnsley 1 Derby 2 Rams fans roar Derby to victory
Derby won at Barnsley to extend their lead at the top of the Coca-Cola Championship - but the real talking point at Oakwell was a sickening injury to David Lucas.
David Jones had put the visitors in control with a sixth goal since his January move from Manchester United, but it was Derby's second for which the game will be remembered.
Making his first start for the club, goalkeeper Lucas was knocked out after clattering into Giles Barnes in the box, allowing Matt Oakley to fire into an empty net.
Despite several minutes of treatment, the on-loan Sheffield Wednesday stopper only regained consciousness en route to hospital.
Sam Togwell pulled a goal back late in stoppage time but Derby were worthy winners.
As well as Lucas, Barnsley made three other changes from their last outing, Bobby Hassell and Anthony Kay coming into the backline and West Ham winger Kyel Reid replacing the banned Martin Devaney.
Derby, meanwhile, entrusted Jon Macken with filling the boots of suspended top scorer Steve Howard, while Darren Currie was handed a first start in midfield at the expense of Seth Johnson.
Barnsley assistant boss Ryan Kidd revealed in midweek he and manager Simon Davey had devised a gameplan to beat the Rams.
That appeared to consist of flooding the midfield and playing Istvan Ferenczi as a lone striker.
The result was a scrappy start, Northern Ireland's Grant McCann - now a goalscorer at international level - first to try his luck with a weak shot from distance.
But Derby made the most of the minimum of ball when they broke from their own area in the 11th minute, Jones playing in Barnes, whose shot was parried by Lucas, only for Jones to net the follow-up.
The game then fell back into the same disjointed pattern with which it had begun.
It was a full 15 minutes until the next serious attempt at goal, again from a Derby break, when Oakley volleyed well over.
Reid then fired over the top at the other end as Barnsley abandoned their starting formation and moved Peter Rajczi up front.
A debatable free-kick then gave top scorer Brian Howard a sight of goal from 25 yards, but he sent the ball over the bar.
So too did Macken with a header from Jones' corner as the half wound down.
Rajczi then had a great chance to level when the ball reached him at point-blank range.
But his back was to goal and he hesitated long enough to allow Derby to clear.
The first half's lack of quality was of no concern to a very large and very vocal travelling contingent, who had more reason to celebrate shortly after the restart.
A flighted free-kick was played into the box for Barnes, who looked favourite to win it with his back to goal until Lucas decided to come and claim, flattening the midfielder in the process.
Before the referee could make a ruling, the ball ran loose to Oakley, who did well to guide it first time into the empty net from 20 yards with Barnes and Lucas still on the floor.
The keeper came off far worse and was eventually carried from the field on a stretcher.
Upon the resumption, the pattern of poor free-kicks persisted when Reid sent one straight at Stephen Bywater.
The home side came closer to pulling one back when the goalkeeper narrowly beat Ferenczi to a low cross.
There was another lengthy stoppage when skipper Paul Reid went down in agony. He was unable to continue and was replaced by Neil Austin.
Ferenczi and Barnes both had shots too close to the respective goalkeepers as the game became stretched.
Bywater was finally required to produce his best when Reid arrowed Rajczi's cross goalward, forcing a great reaction stop.
There was no surprise when an additional eight minutes was announced, giving Togwell enough time to pull one back from close range and set up a nervy finish.
Derby fans made up nearly half of the 17,000 crowd and certainly had value for money. they will be hoping for a Good Friday at Leicester next week.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-31 16:54:20
David Jones had put the visitors in control with a sixth goal since his January move from Manchester United, but it was Derby's second for which the game will be remembered.
Making his first start for the club, goalkeeper Lucas was knocked out after clattering into Giles Barnes in the box, allowing Matt Oakley to fire into an empty net.
Despite several minutes of treatment, the on-loan Sheffield Wednesday stopper only regained consciousness en route to hospital.
Sam Togwell pulled a goal back late in stoppage time but Derby were worthy winners.
As well as Lucas, Barnsley made three other changes from their last outing, Bobby Hassell and Anthony Kay coming into the backline and West Ham winger Kyel Reid replacing the banned Martin Devaney.
Derby, meanwhile, entrusted Jon Macken with filling the boots of suspended top scorer Steve Howard, while Darren Currie was handed a first start in midfield at the expense of Seth Johnson.
Barnsley assistant boss Ryan Kidd revealed in midweek he and manager Simon Davey had devised a gameplan to beat the Rams.
That appeared to consist of flooding the midfield and playing Istvan Ferenczi as a lone striker.
The result was a scrappy start, Northern Ireland's Grant McCann - now a goalscorer at international level - first to try his luck with a weak shot from distance.
But Derby made the most of the minimum of ball when they broke from their own area in the 11th minute, Jones playing in Barnes, whose shot was parried by Lucas, only for Jones to net the follow-up.
The game then fell back into the same disjointed pattern with which it had begun.
It was a full 15 minutes until the next serious attempt at goal, again from a Derby break, when Oakley volleyed well over.
Reid then fired over the top at the other end as Barnsley abandoned their starting formation and moved Peter Rajczi up front.
A debatable free-kick then gave top scorer Brian Howard a sight of goal from 25 yards, but he sent the ball over the bar.
So too did Macken with a header from Jones' corner as the half wound down.
Rajczi then had a great chance to level when the ball reached him at point-blank range.
But his back was to goal and he hesitated long enough to allow Derby to clear.
The first half's lack of quality was of no concern to a very large and very vocal travelling contingent, who had more reason to celebrate shortly after the restart.
A flighted free-kick was played into the box for Barnes, who looked favourite to win it with his back to goal until Lucas decided to come and claim, flattening the midfielder in the process.
Before the referee could make a ruling, the ball ran loose to Oakley, who did well to guide it first time into the empty net from 20 yards with Barnes and Lucas still on the floor.
The keeper came off far worse and was eventually carried from the field on a stretcher.
Upon the resumption, the pattern of poor free-kicks persisted when Reid sent one straight at Stephen Bywater.
The home side came closer to pulling one back when the goalkeeper narrowly beat Ferenczi to a low cross.
There was another lengthy stoppage when skipper Paul Reid went down in agony. He was unable to continue and was replaced by Neil Austin.
Ferenczi and Barnes both had shots too close to the respective goalkeepers as the game became stretched.
Bywater was finally required to produce his best when Reid arrowed Rajczi's cross goalward, forcing a great reaction stop.
There was no surprise when an additional eight minutes was announced, giving Togwell enough time to pull one back from close range and set up a nervy finish.
Derby fans made up nearly half of the 17,000 crowd and certainly had value for money. they will be hoping for a Good Friday at Leicester next week.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-31 16:54:20
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Ashbourne Shrovetide ball up for auction
What is thought to be the oldest Shrovetide ball still in existence is to be sold at auction.
The 1883 ball, currently on display in the reception at Bagshaws in Church Street, was thrown up on Shrove Tuesday, and was goaled by Down’ard Henry Hurst.
It is currently owned by an Ashbourne family who are moving out of the area and want the piece of Ashbourne history to stay in the town.
Bagshaws fine art valuer Neil Grenyer said: "It is very hard to value such an unusual item, but to go with my instinct, I would say somewhere between £300-£500.
"Having said that, it could go either way. If you have two wealthy businessmen competing for it on the sale day, there’s nothing to predict how high it will go."
Younger balls have been valued at £1,000 or more in the past, and one was even rumoured to have fetched £15,000 at auction.
It is due to go under the hammer in Bakewell on September 5, by Bagshaws' partner, Wintertons Fine Arts unless they balls it up.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-28 12:54:48
The 1883 ball, currently on display in the reception at Bagshaws in Church Street, was thrown up on Shrove Tuesday, and was goaled by Down’ard Henry Hurst.
It is currently owned by an Ashbourne family who are moving out of the area and want the piece of Ashbourne history to stay in the town.
Bagshaws fine art valuer Neil Grenyer said: "It is very hard to value such an unusual item, but to go with my instinct, I would say somewhere between £300-£500.
"Having said that, it could go either way. If you have two wealthy businessmen competing for it on the sale day, there’s nothing to predict how high it will go."
Younger balls have been valued at £1,000 or more in the past, and one was even rumoured to have fetched £15,000 at auction.
It is due to go under the hammer in Bakewell on September 5, by Bagshaws' partner, Wintertons Fine Arts unless they balls it up.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-28 12:54:48
Saturday, March 24, 2007
New Age of Football Hooligan
A new gang of school-aged football hooligans have been causing trouble at Derby County matches. Yobs as young as 13 had become involved in incidents at several games in the second half of this season.
PC Allan Guy, of Operation Cabby, which was set up to deal with Derbyshire hooligans, warned that firm action - including football banning orders - would be used to tackle the thugs. He urged parents to keep an eye on exactly where their children were going during Rams matches.
He said: "We've started getting a big influx of youngsters ranging from 13 to 17 years old getting involved. This lot aren't really going into pubs, they're going around in groups trying to goad people. They are also doing it when police are escorting other fans.
"I can't think of any particular reason why the number of kids is increasing this season. Maybe it's because Derby's doing well. It could also be gangs on the street simply attaching themselves to football."
Some members of established Derby hooligan gangs such as the Derby Lunatic Fringe and Derby Orphans have received banning orders stopping them attending matches. Now police must track the Happy Nappy Gang.
Unlike the older hooligans, who generally only target other gangs, PC Guy said there had been cases of the new group attacking innocent fans. The latest incident occurred during Saturday's home game against Cardiff when the youth group tried to get at, and provoke, a confrontation with away fans as they were being escorted to the railway station.
Police managed to hold them back and one teenager was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace but there have been arrests at other fixtures.
There are currently 54 hooligans banned from going to Derby and England matches. Make that 55 'er indoors has stopped me going to Israel this weekend. she didn't think the trip was kosher.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-23 03:59:28
PC Allan Guy, of Operation Cabby, which was set up to deal with Derbyshire hooligans, warned that firm action - including football banning orders - would be used to tackle the thugs. He urged parents to keep an eye on exactly where their children were going during Rams matches.
He said: "We've started getting a big influx of youngsters ranging from 13 to 17 years old getting involved. This lot aren't really going into pubs, they're going around in groups trying to goad people. They are also doing it when police are escorting other fans.
"I can't think of any particular reason why the number of kids is increasing this season. Maybe it's because Derby's doing well. It could also be gangs on the street simply attaching themselves to football."
Some members of established Derby hooligan gangs such as the Derby Lunatic Fringe and Derby Orphans have received banning orders stopping them attending matches. Now police must track the Happy Nappy Gang.
Unlike the older hooligans, who generally only target other gangs, PC Guy said there had been cases of the new group attacking innocent fans. The latest incident occurred during Saturday's home game against Cardiff when the youth group tried to get at, and provoke, a confrontation with away fans as they were being escorted to the railway station.
Police managed to hold them back and one teenager was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace but there have been arrests at other fixtures.
There are currently 54 hooligans banned from going to Derby and England matches. Make that 55 'er indoors has stopped me going to Israel this weekend. she didn't think the trip was kosher.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-23 03:59:28
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Derby County 3 Cardiff City 1: Howards way inspires Derby
Derby County regained the top spot in the Championship from Birmingham City but the race for the title remains wide open. This performance from Billy Davies' men was not one of a team that will romp away with the Championship.
However, if they show the same spirit and determination to grind out results, like they did against Cardiff City, they may just find themselves becoming the Championship title winners.
Two goals from Steve Howard, who rushed off straight after the game to be with his wife who is set to give birth to another child, and a strike from Giles Barnes, enabled Derby to take a crucial win over Cardiff.
"It was a big game for both teams and a tremendous win for us," said Davies. "Once we scored our first goal we were the better team. This is an important three points." Of Howard, whose goal tally for the season now stands at 16 League goals, he had nothing but praise. "To his credit, he did not ask not to play because of his wife," he said. "He was excellent today and he showed what a great leader he is."
The Derby opening goal came after the Cardiff striker Steve Thompson handled in the penalty area. Howard duly stepped up and tucked away the resulting penalty kick with no fuss. However, Derby were in the lead for just four minutes before Cardiff restored parity. Thompson flicked on a goal kick from Neil Alexander but in attempting to clear the ball, the Derby defender Jay McEveley missed his clearance. Cardiff winger Paul Parry surged through and slotted the ball past Stephen Bywater in the Derby goal.
Cardiff had been stronger for much of the first half and it came as a blow on 34 minutes when their top scorer Michael Chopra was taken off the pitch with a hamstring injury.
"We looked a bit nervous in the opening half hour and I asked them at half-time to show more belief because the way they were playing wasn't reflecting their League position," said Davies. "It was important at half-time to get one or two to believe in themselves a bit more and it happened."
Derby were much stronger at the beginning of the second half and took the lead when Barnes raced on to a flick-on from Howard. The young attacker confidently put his side back into the lead by shooting low past Alexander. Howard sealed the points after he controlled a cross from the captain Matt Oakley on his chest before shooting low past Alexander.
The Cardiff manager Dave Jones said: "We were the better team in the first half and I am disappointed that we did not do enough to win it. But we should not have lost the game. We have a young side and we should have taken a grip when we were on top of the game. I think that they lacked belief in their ability."
Davies meanwhile was pleased that his three-year plan for Derby to find their way into the Premiership was so far ahead of schedule. "I didn't envisage this at the start of the season," he said. "We were looking at a long-term plan to get into the top flight. It was supposed to be about steady progression."
Looking ahead to the remainder of the season he added: "It doesn't matter about the team we play, we just have to keep on doing what we are doing irrespective of the opposition. There are no easy games."
With the enforced break for the forthcoming England games Davies has time to contemplate who will take on Howard's role now that he is suspended for two games.
Either ways WBA win today and 4 more wins from 7 will do.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-18 02:50:13
However, if they show the same spirit and determination to grind out results, like they did against Cardiff City, they may just find themselves becoming the Championship title winners.
Two goals from Steve Howard, who rushed off straight after the game to be with his wife who is set to give birth to another child, and a strike from Giles Barnes, enabled Derby to take a crucial win over Cardiff.
"It was a big game for both teams and a tremendous win for us," said Davies. "Once we scored our first goal we were the better team. This is an important three points." Of Howard, whose goal tally for the season now stands at 16 League goals, he had nothing but praise. "To his credit, he did not ask not to play because of his wife," he said. "He was excellent today and he showed what a great leader he is."
The Derby opening goal came after the Cardiff striker Steve Thompson handled in the penalty area. Howard duly stepped up and tucked away the resulting penalty kick with no fuss. However, Derby were in the lead for just four minutes before Cardiff restored parity. Thompson flicked on a goal kick from Neil Alexander but in attempting to clear the ball, the Derby defender Jay McEveley missed his clearance. Cardiff winger Paul Parry surged through and slotted the ball past Stephen Bywater in the Derby goal.
Cardiff had been stronger for much of the first half and it came as a blow on 34 minutes when their top scorer Michael Chopra was taken off the pitch with a hamstring injury.
"We looked a bit nervous in the opening half hour and I asked them at half-time to show more belief because the way they were playing wasn't reflecting their League position," said Davies. "It was important at half-time to get one or two to believe in themselves a bit more and it happened."
Derby were much stronger at the beginning of the second half and took the lead when Barnes raced on to a flick-on from Howard. The young attacker confidently put his side back into the lead by shooting low past Alexander. Howard sealed the points after he controlled a cross from the captain Matt Oakley on his chest before shooting low past Alexander.
The Cardiff manager Dave Jones said: "We were the better team in the first half and I am disappointed that we did not do enough to win it. But we should not have lost the game. We have a young side and we should have taken a grip when we were on top of the game. I think that they lacked belief in their ability."
Davies meanwhile was pleased that his three-year plan for Derby to find their way into the Premiership was so far ahead of schedule. "I didn't envisage this at the start of the season," he said. "We were looking at a long-term plan to get into the top flight. It was supposed to be about steady progression."
Looking ahead to the remainder of the season he added: "It doesn't matter about the team we play, we just have to keep on doing what we are doing irrespective of the opposition. There are no easy games."
With the enforced break for the forthcoming England games Davies has time to contemplate who will take on Howard's role now that he is suspended for two games.
Either ways WBA win today and 4 more wins from 7 will do.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-18 02:50:13
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Birmingham City 1 Derby County 0: Off the top but don't panic
Birmingham City dislodged Derby County at the top of the Championship last night after a fractious summit meeting on a ploughed field of a pitch at St Andrew's. Rowan Vine's first goal for the club opened a seven-point lead over third-placed West Bromwich Albion, yet victory came at a high price for Steve Bruce's side.
Gary McSheffrey, who has contributed 13 goals to Birmingham's quest for an instant return to the Premiership, was sent off for a reckless lunge on Tyrone Mears with 18 minutes remaining. The former Coventry player's three-match ban for violent conduct will include the six-pointer at Albion a week tomorrow.
Billy Davies, whose Derby team had played at Norwich on Tuesday, justifiably complained about the state of the playing surface before and after the match. "We had three games in the week while they had two," he said. "Their extra recovery time was crucial, but they played the pitch better than us."
Davies admitted asking the referee whether the match would have gone ahead if it had not been live on Sky. He did not reveal Steve Bennett's answer, though in the event the contest turned not on a defender losing his footing but on a fine turn and shot by Vine after he took Martin Taylor's cross under pressure from Dean Leacock in first-half stoppage time.
The teams had traded scoring chances in a fast and furious start. Derby's Giles Barnes sent Colin Doyle sprawling across his goal in the second minute. Within 60 seconds McSheffrey dispossessed Mears at the opposite end but made the angle too difficult by trying to round Stephen Bywater and won only a corner.
Bendtner, the on-loan Arsenal striker, was unusually animated. After 13 minutes he brought down Doyle's long kick with a sublime touch, burnt off Darren Moore and unleashed a drive that Bywater saved with his trailing leg.
Steve Howard continued the tit-for-tat exchanges with a curled shot that missed Doyle's left upright by inches, but the game had become an attritional affair by the time Birmingham edged ahead.
Midway through the second half, Derby demanded a penalty as the substitute Morten Bisgaard tumbled with Mat Sadler in close attendance. Bennett correctly ruled that the Dane had dived while incorrectly failing to caution him.
There was no such leniency after McSheffrey's two-footed challenge on Mears. The red card was Birmingham's seventh this season, but the 10 men survived late pressure in which Davies had five attackers, including the burly centre-back Moore, besieging the home goal.
There is no doubt in my mind that a draw would have been a fair result. In truth the pitch was awful and in the modern era of football Birmingham should not be allowed to continue playing on it. It is a disgrace and an unfair advantage.
there is only one good thing about Birmingham and that is the A38 back to Derby. With 9 games to go Derby need 5 wins maybe 6 to guarantee promotion. Next Tuesday's game at home to QPR is now must win.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-10 09:26:48
Gary McSheffrey, who has contributed 13 goals to Birmingham's quest for an instant return to the Premiership, was sent off for a reckless lunge on Tyrone Mears with 18 minutes remaining. The former Coventry player's three-match ban for violent conduct will include the six-pointer at Albion a week tomorrow.
Billy Davies, whose Derby team had played at Norwich on Tuesday, justifiably complained about the state of the playing surface before and after the match. "We had three games in the week while they had two," he said. "Their extra recovery time was crucial, but they played the pitch better than us."
Davies admitted asking the referee whether the match would have gone ahead if it had not been live on Sky. He did not reveal Steve Bennett's answer, though in the event the contest turned not on a defender losing his footing but on a fine turn and shot by Vine after he took Martin Taylor's cross under pressure from Dean Leacock in first-half stoppage time.
The teams had traded scoring chances in a fast and furious start. Derby's Giles Barnes sent Colin Doyle sprawling across his goal in the second minute. Within 60 seconds McSheffrey dispossessed Mears at the opposite end but made the angle too difficult by trying to round Stephen Bywater and won only a corner.
Bendtner, the on-loan Arsenal striker, was unusually animated. After 13 minutes he brought down Doyle's long kick with a sublime touch, burnt off Darren Moore and unleashed a drive that Bywater saved with his trailing leg.
Steve Howard continued the tit-for-tat exchanges with a curled shot that missed Doyle's left upright by inches, but the game had become an attritional affair by the time Birmingham edged ahead.
Midway through the second half, Derby demanded a penalty as the substitute Morten Bisgaard tumbled with Mat Sadler in close attendance. Bennett correctly ruled that the Dane had dived while incorrectly failing to caution him.
There was no such leniency after McSheffrey's two-footed challenge on Mears. The red card was Birmingham's seventh this season, but the 10 men survived late pressure in which Davies had five attackers, including the burly centre-back Moore, besieging the home goal.
There is no doubt in my mind that a draw would have been a fair result. In truth the pitch was awful and in the modern era of football Birmingham should not be allowed to continue playing on it. It is a disgrace and an unfair advantage.
there is only one good thing about Birmingham and that is the A38 back to Derby. With 9 games to go Derby need 5 wins maybe 6 to guarantee promotion. Next Tuesday's game at home to QPR is now must win.
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-10 09:26:48
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Norwich City 1 Derby County 2: Derby back on top
Derby County recorded their 11th away victory of the season to put them right back on top of the championship.
It took a classy double from Derby's former Manchester United midfielder David Jones to ensure that Billy Davies' men will be top of the Championship when they face promotion rivals Birmingham City on Friday in another Sky TV game.
This was a pulsating, thoroughly enjoyable game and a credit to championship football and while Norwich City's endeavour possibly deserved a point, Derby and Jones produced the two moments of real quality to guarantee all three.
Derby had the better of the first half though neither team created much by way of clear-cut chances.
The contest really took off in the second period. After 52 minutes, Norwich worked a throw-in to Chris Martin on the edge of the box where he unleashed a low drive that brought him his fifth goal in seven games. The goal in truth was a mistake by the otherwise excellent Derby goalkeeper Bywater.
Back came Derby. Jones received Matt Oakley's alert 63rd-minute throw and curled a sublime left-footed effort into the far corner.
Norwich responded well and manager Peter Grant felt aggrieved at the refereeing after Huckerby had been brought down by Dean Leacock when clean through and Martin's subsequent "goal" was deemed offside.
Norwich had no problem with the offside decision, but justifiably questioned the referee's decision not to send off Leacock. "He's got to bring it back and send him off," Grant said.
Then came the move of the match. Substitute Gary Teale chipped a ball into the highly-rated Giles Barnes whose audacious flick fell perfectly for Jones to score calmly from close range.
Norwich threw on Dion Dublin for the last 20 minutes and the veteran striker immediately forced a magnificent save from Steve Bywater.
The home team piled on late pressure but Derby were strong enough defensively to hold out, moving a step closer to fulfilling their dream of a place in the Premiership.
"They were there for the taking," said Grant ruefully. "They are singing and dancing because they know they got away with it. But then that's why they are where they are and we are where we are."
Your dead right we were singing and dancing. nearly 1,000 derby fans made the tortuous journey but were well rewarded. The table shows Derby two points clear of Birmingham in second and six points clear of WBA in third.
Avoid defeat at Birmingham and Derby will stay on top. But allowing for the St Andrews disgraceful pitch what price a 12th away win?
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-07 03:34:15
It took a classy double from Derby's former Manchester United midfielder David Jones to ensure that Billy Davies' men will be top of the Championship when they face promotion rivals Birmingham City on Friday in another Sky TV game.
This was a pulsating, thoroughly enjoyable game and a credit to championship football and while Norwich City's endeavour possibly deserved a point, Derby and Jones produced the two moments of real quality to guarantee all three.
Derby had the better of the first half though neither team created much by way of clear-cut chances.
The contest really took off in the second period. After 52 minutes, Norwich worked a throw-in to Chris Martin on the edge of the box where he unleashed a low drive that brought him his fifth goal in seven games. The goal in truth was a mistake by the otherwise excellent Derby goalkeeper Bywater.
Back came Derby. Jones received Matt Oakley's alert 63rd-minute throw and curled a sublime left-footed effort into the far corner.
Norwich responded well and manager Peter Grant felt aggrieved at the refereeing after Huckerby had been brought down by Dean Leacock when clean through and Martin's subsequent "goal" was deemed offside.
Norwich had no problem with the offside decision, but justifiably questioned the referee's decision not to send off Leacock. "He's got to bring it back and send him off," Grant said.
Then came the move of the match. Substitute Gary Teale chipped a ball into the highly-rated Giles Barnes whose audacious flick fell perfectly for Jones to score calmly from close range.
Norwich threw on Dion Dublin for the last 20 minutes and the veteran striker immediately forced a magnificent save from Steve Bywater.
The home team piled on late pressure but Derby were strong enough defensively to hold out, moving a step closer to fulfilling their dream of a place in the Premiership.
"They were there for the taking," said Grant ruefully. "They are singing and dancing because they know they got away with it. But then that's why they are where they are and we are where we are."
Your dead right we were singing and dancing. nearly 1,000 derby fans made the tortuous journey but were well rewarded. The table shows Derby two points clear of Birmingham in second and six points clear of WBA in third.
Avoid defeat at Birmingham and Derby will stay on top. But allowing for the St Andrews disgraceful pitch what price a 12th away win?
Chris Sabian, Peak District View - 2007-03-07 03:34:15
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