Pre-match routine, Derby Brewery Tap, this time a “Table of Tigers” for accompaniment. They praise their Barmby, they berate a Nigel..., Pearson that is.

“Only interested in the money”. The words Greedy Barsteward and Judas feature frequently too. Strong held views about a man who turned them round.

Talk turns to “Sir Adam”, their saviour, was he ours? I share my opinion on the other Pearson, a shrewd man who made more money out of Derby than most.

As I nibble on a bowl of cheese, now nicknamed “Derbyshire Tapas” by the Yappies Yorkshire reject, I dare to ask the one question. The one I dread.

“So, do you like, err, close teams down much, err, in midfield perhaps”? “Do We” they say, eyes burning bright and they then proceed to explain how hard the team work, forwards chasing back closing down, midfield Tiger by name Tiger by nature and “we take no prisoners at the back either”.

“Well that’s us fcuked” then I whisper under my breath.  It really is tempting to stay in the pub. Only the prospect of watching Burnley stuff Leeds and then wander contently to Pride Park make the move to the Travelodge worthwhile.

One nil up at half time and Burnley blow it, Leeds come from behind to win 2-1, the beer is poorer than usual and the toilet has suffered from a severe case of projectile vomiting which whilst I’m not an expert appeared to be hit from a further distance than Derek Hales needed to be from goal on the odd occasions he scored for the Rams. It stank!

Almost as badly as the clubs policy on tickets, free for Southampton if you didn’t renew, Groupon offers, 2 for £25 today, £15 for Brighton, £17 for Leeds if you mention “Derby City Council” (I think on that one I’d pay full price), family of four for £50 against the Hammers. I mentally pen a letter to Slick Glick asking for a “Half Season Ticket” refund as we all need to save money in these difficult times.

Time to be positive, game underway, John Brayford’s back, Paul Green and Shaun Barker are on the bench and Conor Doyle is given a day off.

Theo Robinson puts in a short shift, fifteen minutes to be precise, before taking to the turf and staring skywards, a hamstring hampers any further involvement and Chris Maguire enters the fray.

Jason Roberts allows Hull City’s number 2 Liam Rosenior inside, Roberts trails in his wake as the ball is pushed into Matty Fryatt’s path and the ex-Leicester City man casually beats Frank Fielding in goal. The irony is that whilst Fryatt is not considered good enough for this division by the “Table Of Tigers” he’d walk into our team.

Derby double the deficit moments later, Jason Shackell raises his arm and asks for offside, it doesn’t work though when you are two yards nearer goal than the attacker. Brayford is left stranded as Cameron Stewart is onside and the striker cuts in from a narrow angle and blasts in the ball; Shackell’s chest completes the story, 2-0 to the visitors.

What else to add?

Hull passed and moved, kept good possession and could have perhaps widened the margin. The Rams mainly were overrun and seemingly short of ideas, very little of note from the wide men Ben Davies and Tomasz Cywka.

Jamie Ward ran his and Maguire’s socks off, yet on the rare occasions when we threatened, Hull systematically shut us down, five yellow cards a testament to their commitment.

Nigel Clough shoves Barker upfront for Cywka when we need to grab hold of midfield to get back into the game.  Eventually with eight minutes left, Green, given the number 32 shirt behind loanee Tom Naylor, comes on for Jeff Hendrick.

Too little, too late.

By then the trickle out of Pride Park had become a stream of disgruntled punters.

Where do you start to analyse the failings of our club?

Investors by name only, a management company whose idea of revenue steam seems to be sell every seat no matter what the cost?

A manager who picks a bench with two centre halves, who alienates high earners, who values effort over skill, who’s idea of improving the team is a spell of bonding by whisking the team away to New York rather than work on a Plan B. Or by the look of it any tactics whatsoever.

“I hope you’re playing this at home”.

Afterwards, we are told our manager isn’t worried, there was little between the teams, our performance was good, some players didn’t work hard enough to stay in team, injuries, cuddly toy, how much the opposition players cost, fondue set, it’s about taking chances, keeper had little to do, desk top pen and pencil holder, we’ll give ‘em a game in the reserves… BUZZZZZ.

“Good Game, Good Game”

Nigel, Strictly is calling, do us a favour “Give Us A Twirl” and whilst it was “Nice To See You, To See You Nice”, I think the time is right.

Photo: Action Images

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