The Rams are in town on Tuesday. Manager Phillip Cocu, (one time midfielder at Barcelona) is probably holding onto his job by the skin of his teeth. Heir apparent, Wayne Rooney is champing at the bit to take over; something that SSN are trying to make happen by talking about it as much as possible?

Looks like he's lost an arm as well as his hair. He should have got advice from Shane Warne at The Advanced Hair Studio instead of wherever he went for it doing. He could also have a word with The Hairdresser in the press box; see if he has any sweepings-up to stick on? Phillip Cocu always looks like he should be playing a maverick policeman with emotional baggage in a TV detective series set in the noughties. Just me? 

Head to head stats favour Derby.

Phi

Last time out in February at Pride Park, we drew, our equaliser came from Harry Toffolo in the 81st minute, his only ever goal for us.... until 2 seconds ago when he scored against Swansea! Spooky. 

You have to go back to 2016 for our last win. To be fair, we were in the premiership the following season so left them behind. Even so, there's not much success against them prior to the 2016/17.

Breaking news today says there is doubt that Wayne Rooney will play on Tuesday. Apparently, he had a friend visiting on Thursday who has now tested positive for covid-19. This should mean that he has to isolate for 14 days and presumably the team mates that were in contact with him on Friday? This also has implications for the Watford team. 

Following today's fixture; PNE v Cardiff, we have dropped to 13th place and Derby are in 21st.

Mark Lillis played for Town 1978 to 1985 and at Derby 1986 to 1987. He's acted as caretaker manager at Town 2012 (after Lee Clark), 2013 (after Simon Grayson), 2014 (after Mark Robins) and 2015 (after Chris Powell). He's always been passionate about Town and I'd like to to hear him in the commentary box a bit more often, i.e., move over Hairdresser.  

Crisp Owl played at Derby County 1996 to 1998. He replaced Mark Bobbins at Town following our shocking start in 2014. He lasted just over a year. In 2016, he was assistant to Nigel Pearson at Derby. When Pearson was suspended in September, Chris took over as caretaker. Steve McLaren was appointed in October and Chris returned to his role as assistant. They both left in March 2017. Chris may not have set the world alight with style of play but he was a safe pair of hands and I rated him. I like to see him as a pundit now. He doesn't get over excited and always gives a balanced view. Good lad, Chris Powell. 

Diminutive Duane Holmes always looked like a 12 year old girl when he first turned up. Not that there's owt wrong with 12 year old girls playing football but he never looked big enough to play with the grown ups. In fact, Pritch looks like a giant next to him. I think they tried to have us on that he was 5' 8" when he was with us which was obviously a lie. His wiki page now says 5' 6" which I think is still a little generous.  I never felt he had enough power to run through midfield and against big defenders. He was with us 2013 to 2016. He's been at Derby since 2018 and looks like a much more effective player now.

Scott Malone came to us from Fulham in 2017 but never looked like he could do for us what he could do for them or, in fact, what he could do against us. He went to Derby in 2018 and is now on loan at Millwall. He has a liking for over the knee socks which makes them more like stockings but without the suspenders.

Nearly forgot Ben Hamer! We signed him from Leicester in 2018 and sent him out on to Derby County for the 2019/20 season. 

Here are some rams

On the left, Dalesbred and Herdwick, middle Derbyshire Gritstone, right Masham. Handsome fellas.