Derby’s season can probably be summed up like Barnsley’s- inconsistent and the fact both sides are next to each other in the league reflects this. What have you made of the Rams first full season under Nigel Clough? Satisfied? Disappointed?
Disappointed in a way. I think many fans expected a better all-round team than we have ended up with. Injuries didn't help the situation at the start of the season and continue to ravage the team. The introduction of so many loan players also doesn't produce a strong and well balanced squad. Had hoped for mid-table mediocrity, instead we have been fighting a relegation battle for most of the season.
Explain the home form to me- 11 wins at Pride Park which is the best home wins total outside the top seven, but eight defeats (one of which was to the Reds) which is the worst outside the bottom five!
Typical Derby, we don't seem to be able to produce a consistent side, mainly due to the problems mentioned in the first question reply but the defeat to Florest was just to give them a look at the Brian Clough Trophy, which the two sides play for every time they meet. We regained it four months later after they had just enough time to clean it. Maybe our supporters give us an edge at home, as we average around 28,000 per home game.
What are your hopes for the rest of the season now? Four games left, 12 points still to play for, is the top half still an attainable target?
Just hope we have done enough or can gain the necessary points to avoid the drop. Hopefully we can then start to build for next season.
Who in the Derby side has impressed you most this season and who will you be happy to see out the exit door this summer?
We have not spent much money on players this season as we try to lower the wage bill and most of the incoming players have been loans. We did however manage to prise Shaun Barker from Blackpool for £900,000 and he has been a superb buy, stabilising a poor defence and enabling us to put a few wins together. He is certainly my player of the year.
The long list of loan players (sorry to keep banging on about this) have proved either poor or barely adequate, I will not mention names.
Robbie Savage: an enigma but seems to be loved by the clubs he plays for, whats he been like for the Rams this season?
To be honest I hated Robbie when he arrived at Derby but you have to give it to the guy he is a player who gives 100% on the pitch. He does the simple passes in midfield and chases the ball when we don't have it. He is like a persistent annoying wasp around the opposing midfield which breaks up their play. Unfortunately he doesn't always give us the creativity we need in midfield. I dare say he has gained many friends whilst with the Rams and it is funny to see nearly every opposition supporter boo him at every occasion.
Mark Robins won his first game (and indeed Barnsley’s first win) against the Rams at Pride Park, what have you made of the Reds season under Robins?
I think he has been a similar manager to Nigel Clough. Both have had hard seasons but with support should be a good manager in time in this division.
Who in the Barnsley side are you most wary of this weekend?
Daniel Bogdanovic seems to be getting most of your goals, so he has to be watched.
Score Prediction for Saturday?
1-1
Where do you see both teams finishing in four games time?
Both teams pretty much staying where they are in the table and safe from relegation