Ram raid still on

Derby County have been something of a bogey team for us.  They defeated us in our first cup final at Wembley and I am still stung by a 2-4 home defeat in the then Division One when we had gone ahead.  Overall, in many encounters, we have lost 40 games, won 32 and drawn 21.

The Addicks are unbeaten in seven seasons on the opening day, winning five of those games, most recently 1-0 at home to Watford last year.

The Rams exited the EFL Cup at home to Lincoln and have seen a proposed takeover collapse in recent days while their 3-1 defeat at Stoke last season was their third straight defeat on the opening day.

Charlton Athletic have lost their past two home league games against Derby, only losing more consecutively between December 1946 and May 1951 (5).   Derby County have lost just one of their previous five league meetings with Charlton Athletic (W3 D1); a 2-1 defeat in February 2024.

Charlton lost five of their final eight league games last season (W1 D2), while only Sheffield Wednesday (12.7%) spent a lower proportion of their games in a winning position than the Addicks (16.5%) in the Championship last term.

Derby lost six of their final eight away games last season (W2), though did win their most recent match at QPR in April (3-2).

Carlton Morris' 12 league goals for Derby last season was his second-most in a single campaign in the top four tiers, behind his 20 for Luton Town in 2022-23; five of his goals in 2025-26 came from corners, more than anybody else.   Rams fans reckon that his physicality and hold up play make him the focal point.

Derby County have completed their fifth signing of the season,f Alex Mowatt from West Bromwich Albion as they made a breakthrough in their pursuit of the midfielder.

Coach John Eustace has said that he is glad the takeover drama is over and they can focus on the pitch.

Fuur Four Two forecast a 11th finish for the Rams with the fan commentator going for 8th and what is now a play off place,  The fans think that Eustace is not charismatic but a very effective manager   Thery also think that David Clowes is a model owner, not hogging the highlight and getting on rebuilding the clujb.

Scouser referee Ben Speedie has no sympathy for southern softies,  but at least has calmed down somewhat as he was known in his earlier career for his love of brandishing yellow cards and a red if he could.

Will wounded animal stage a Ram raid?

Charlton are facing a bit of a wounded animal in Derby County this weekend. The Rams were dealt the surprise blow of their exciting investment deal collapsing, but John Eustace will be eager to use this as a way to galvanise the squad for the fight.

Derby County were beaten on home turf by Lincoln City last weekend. Despite an early goal of the season contender from Samodics, the Rams conceded two early first-half goals to start their season with a defeat.

There is hope amongst the Rams fanbase that they can have another solid campaign this time out, although the collapse of the takeover deal has dampened spirits. After finishing 8th last term, John Eustace has been backed with three signings, the most eye-catching of which being the permanent arrival of Bobby Clark.

Pundits are forecasting a Ram raid, although some think that the Addicks may be able to grind out a draw.  However, it is agreed by analysts that the club’s financial constraints limit them.   Mid-table may be possible, but a relegation battle is more likely.

I am  predicting a 1-2 defeat.

Derby to carry on against Charlton after shock news

Derby County have been left stunned after Saudi Arabian boxing powerbroker Turki Al-Sheikh backed out of a proposed deal to buy a majority stake in the Championship club at the 11th hour.

The Times reported in May that Al-Sheikh, an adviser in Saudi Arabia’s royal court who serves as the head of the General Entertainment Authority, was in advanced talks to purchase Derby from David Clowes, who saved the club from liquidation in 2022.

Al-Sheikh satisfied the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) and the English Football League (EFL) that his wealth was separate to that of the Saudi Public Investment Fund and was cleared to complete the deal last week. However, in an about-face that shocked Derby chiefs, Al-Sheikh abruptly called off the takeover on Monday, five days before the beginning of the season.

A statement from Derby read: “The club can confirm discussions with Lion Sport [the group headed by Al-Sheikh] to buy a controlling interest in Derby County will no longer proceed.  “The purchase process had been sanctioned by both the Independent Football Regulator and the EFL, notification of which the club received last week.

“However, today the club received notice that Lion Sport no longer wanted to continue with the purchase. For the benefit of any doubt, the club is now off the market and will continue to operate under the loyal, committed and unwavering support of Clowes Developments. Our preparations continue for the new EFL season, beginning against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.”

Al-Sheikh took to social media shortly afterwards and implied that the time taken by the IFR to approve the takeover was key to him pulling out of the deal. 

The approval process took 55 days — 90 days are permitted — and, given the complexities of the case because of Al-Sheikh’s longstanding relationship with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and his role as a government minister, there is understood to be scepticism about whether other factors could be at hand.

“I would like to thank everyone at Derby County Football Club, and everyone involved in this process for all their hard work over the past few months,” Al-Sheikh said in a statement.

“We understood that the IFR process takes time and fully respect the importance of that, but unfortunately with the season already started, it would leave us with no time to prepare the team or the club for the season ahead.

Al-Sheikh previously owned both the Spanish club UD Almería and Pyramids FC in Egypt, but his primary involvement in sport has focused on boxing, and he is bringing the Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury mega-fight to Saudi Arabia under the “Riyadh Season” banner. He was linked with an approach to buy Bristol City last year but that also did not come to fruition.

 

Big test at Derby

It's promotion favourites versus relegation favourites at the IPro stadium this afternoon. A crowd of around 30,000 is expected for the first home game of Rams boss Paul Clement. Charlton have won only one of their last twenty away matches against the Rams. Derby have won their last five home games against Charlton, four with clean sheets. Last year we lost 2-0 and the year before that 3-0.

Rams boss Paul Clement is is set to make changes after Derby's League Cup defeat to Portsmouth with Scott Carson, Richard Keogh, George Thorne, Tom Ince and Chris Martin all pushing for a return. Craig Bryson's knee injury will rule him out for at least two weeks.

Rather than taking the usual 'three easy points' line when Charlton visit, Clement reckons it will be a hard game. He said, 'Charlton are a very well organised team, 4-4-2 and compact. It is going to be hard but I am really looking forward to the first game at the iPro.'

A worry for the Addicks is that key player Tony Watt took a knock after scoring in midweek against Dagenham and is a doubt for the trip.

Derek from Dymchurch writes: 'On Thursday we had a deluge on the coast and the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch railway was flooded out. It's an omen. Charlton are going to be swamped by Derby. Mark my words, the wheels are coming off.'

Odds are: Derby 8/13, Draw 3/1, Charlton 5/1.

Charlton lose to league leaders

The early exchanges between Derby County and Charlton Athletic were not decisive for either side, but then Derby County got an easy goal after nine minutes with a tap in from Hendrick after it had seemed that a home player was offside, but Bent had been given free scope. No one expected it to be easy, but such an early setback was disheartening.

A Johnson header was required to deal with a Derby attack. The front three of Ince, Lingard and Bent were giving Charlton problems. A Derby shot went not far wide. Cousins, out injured, was being missed in the middle. Derby were flooding forward once they got the ball with a five man attack and Lingard buried Derby’s second. Roger Johnson was furious. It was all too easy. Charlton needed to tighten up in midfield. One pass and Buyens was out of the game.

Every time Charlton got the ball they couldn’t get into the Derby half and the Rams were threatening every time they came forward. As soon as Charlton went forward, there were three men on the ball and it was unsettling the Addicks.

Henderson had to pluck a Derby free kick out of the air. The movement from the Derby players was very fluent. Charlton tried to launch an attack, but the momentum disappeared and they went backwards.

Charlton got a corner after Bulot threatened, following a loose pass in midfield snapped up by Buyens. The ball was eventually cleared from the corner. Derby did seem to have taken their foot off the pedal. Charlton were recovering their organisation which they had had at the beginning of the game.

Sloppy work by Ben Haim gave Derby a shooting chance, but fortunately it went just left of Henderson’s goal. The keeper would not have reached it.

A shot from Solly needed a save from Grant. Charlton had managed to put some serious pressure on the Derby goal. Watt was fouled and Charlton got a free kick in a promising position. Gudmundsson’s effort from 25 yards out needed a save at full stretch from Grant. It was panic stations at the corner, but ultimately it was unproductive. After a disastrous first fifteen minutes, Charlton were getting into the game.

Darren Bent got in behind the defence, but the move was unproductive. With one minute of injury time, Charlton found themselves under pressure after a poor ball by Wilson. Derby then hit the crossbar. It was a frantic last minute. However, the Addicks had recovered well from a disastrous first fifteen minutes.

Rams 2, Addicks 0

Wilson had not a good first half in midfield and Diarra was brought on. Buyens had to make a good tackle to break up a Derby attack.

Diarra put in some excellent defending with an excellent tackle to win the ball back for Charlton. An attempt by Diarra was blocked by Keogh after a free kick. The Derby tried to rally their team after Charlton applied some pressure.

Diarra put in another excellent tackle, he had won three or four challenges. On 68 minutes Bulot went off and Chris ‘Red Robin’ Eagles came on.

Lingard went off and Dawkins came on. Charlton brought on Harriott and Watt, who may have taken a knock, was taken off. Derby brought on Mascarell. Derby took off Hughes and brought on Bryson.

Charlton got a free kick five or six yards outside the penalty area, but Gudmundsson’s effort went just over the bar. Perhaps the ball should have been directed to Harriott.

Harriott did well to win the ball back for Charlton. The Addicks made a good move, but the ball was collected by the keeper.

Ben Haim put in a good tackle and then a shot cannoned off Diarra to give the Rams a corner. Henderson took the ball comfortably.

Three minutes were added on, but they were uneventful. Word came through that Millwall were losing 0-3 at home to Sheffield Wednesday (final score 1-3).

All the damage had been done in the first fifteen minutes, but at least it was not a rout at the hands of the league leaders. Charlton fell back to 16th, but were eight points above the top relegation spot occupied by Millwall.

<>The local Derby fan has commented: 'You gave our young talented midfielders far too much space in the first twenty minutes by standing off and defending deep. Once you pushed up and crowded midfield it stopped the flow for us but killed the game for your as well. To be honest on the first half it looked as if they were trying to waste time to get in only two down. Charlton were much better second half doubling up on our providers but actually the best chances came in the first half. The last hour was a bit of a damp squib to be honest.'

It should also be noted that the only top eight side we have left to play is Bournemouth (on the last day of the season).

Ram gives it large

I have just been round to the office of a colleague who is a Derby County season ticket holder and asked for his views about tomorrow night's match: 'Easy three points' was his reply, and I think that he genuinely believes it. The Rams in his view have no problems scoring goals and he sees Darren Bent as a great acquisition (something I would very much agree with!). However, he also admits that they concede goals rather easily, as happened against the Massives on Saturday.

Given that, I hope that Guy Luzon sticks to his disciplined 4-4-2 attacking system. Some Addicks say we should be focusing on our goal difference, which has improved. However, I doubt whether we would be relegated on goal difference. If we go on the attack and lose 4-2, I wouldn't blame Luzon (or Roland), although no doubt many will.

I had this chalked up as a defeat at the beginning of the season, so I think we should just give it a go, relying on the skills of Henderson in goal and the ability of the defence to circle the wagons. Morgan Fox is a possible weak link, although the Football League Paper was quite positive about him on Sunday. We also have issues in midfield, given the absence of Buyens and Jackson.

A word about Fredéric Bulot, dismissed as a waste of space by Steve Dixon in Voice of the Valley. The Football League Paper gave him a 9 on Sunday and that is not an accolade they give very often.

I am also heartened by the signings of Roger Johnson and Chris Eagles which to me is a possible sign that Roland may be reducing his reliance on Belgians (Tony Watt, of course, came from the network, but is Scottish and already a fans' favourite). Johnson may have had a few personal issues in the past, but he puts a shift in. Chris Eagles wanted to join us in the summer, but was stopped by the Trotters. He has roots in the area and is father is said to be a Charlton supporter. He also showed on Friday that he can deliver. Come On You Reds! Let's have a Ram raid.

As far as the bookers are concerned, it's a 'no brainer': Derby 1/2, Draw 10/3, Charlton 5/1. I don't bet, but the odds on a draw or a win look quite favourable.

Rampant?

Derby County were one of my promotion picks for this season and their start has been a little bit more hesitant than I expected, albeit the same in terms of points as us. After Saturday's 0-0 draw with the Massives at Hillsborough, manager Steve McClaren demanded greater quality in front of goal. Derby are pleased to be going to The Valley early in the season before the pitch deteriorates (what was all that work over the summer for?): Derby County

Some chances were missed, but the Rams will be hard to break down, having had three clean sheets so far this season. Keeper Lee Grant did very well for Derby on Saturday, dealing confidently with anything that came his way. Another good player for Derby on Saturday was Craig Bryson who was 'full of running.' Bryson was selected as the key player at the Rams by Four Four Two. They said: 'The energetic pocket Scot was the Rams' unsung hero last season. A hard-working midfielder who can change a match with a burst of pace and a fine finish'.

It will be a tough test for Nick Pope tonight with Henderson unlikely to be fit, but I feel confident about the youngster. He is certainly ready: Terminator Pope. In front of him he will have the huge frame of Bikey who bullied Riera out of the game on Saturday with Tel Ben Haim also giving the Wigan forwards some nightmares. Having watched the highlights of the game, I fail to see why the young Bloke Behind Me was dismissing Buyens as useless. Perhaps he didn't get many chances to go box to box, but he contributed a great deal.

The jury is still out on George Tucudean. On Saturday he failed to use one good lay off and lost possession a number of times, but improved as the game went on. According to the Football League Paper Jordan Cousins 'looked very comfortable on the left' so perhaps I was wrong in preferring him to be played in central midfield.

I would not expect Big Bob Peeters to tinker with the team too much. Hopefully, Solly will be up to another match so soon after the last one. Wilson can take his place, but he is often at his best in combination with Solly.

I am going for a draw and our local Ram thinks that I may well be right. He commented, 'We don't really seem to have settled yet.' Let's hope they remain unsettled tonight. Two of the last three encounters at The Valley have been draws, but we lost 0-2 last year. Indeed, the Rams beat us soundly in both matches last year, so if we can give them a game and take something from it, that will be progress.

Odds are Charlton 9/4; draw 9/4; Derby 6/5. Referee Michael Bull is from Essex, but is not known to be a friend of Andy d'Urso.

I am looking forward to tonight and hopefully will not make the same mistake as the Millwall fans who ended up on the wrong side of the river when they went in a boat to Fulham. Saturday's match analyst Mustang will not be able to get away from his day job at Kingdom Signs and was also somewhat affronted at being driven in a Toyota rather than his customary BMW convertible. Senior match analyst Ivy will be returning to support her fellow Belgians.

Charlton now harder to beat

Steve McClaren is too astute a coach to chalk up tomorrow's match against Charlton as three easy points. Rams fans are still celebrating their 5-0 thrashing of rivals Nottingham Forest last Saturday, but then slipped up in an away defeat at Ipswich. McClaren thinks that one time Ram Chris Powell was unfortunate to lose his job, but considers that Jose Riga has made the Addicks harder to beat: McClaren

Derby's home record is a bit more mixed than I expected: won ten, drawn four, lost five. Charlton are now 12th in the form table whereas Derby have slipped to 18th. They have won only one of their last six matches.

Derby are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two clubs. In last season's encounter, they won 3-2 and they also won 2-0 at The Valley earlier in the season. I would be surprised but delighted by a Charlton win, but a draw is possible. However, I think that a home win is the most likely result.

Odds are Derby 8/13; draw, 11/4; Charlton, 9/2.

Ram raid

Charlton face an on form Derby County at The Valley tomorrow. The Rams currently top the Championship form table, having won their last five matches. They have the best away record in the league, having won six matches and lost just two. Away from home, they have scored twice as many goals as they have conceded (twenty against ten). In contrast, the Addicks have scored just seven goals at home and conceded nine.

Last Saturday, the Rams demolished Blackpool 5-1, albeit that once again the temperamental Tangerines had a player sent off and had a make shift defence with two central defenders suspended for earlier offences. Chris Martin scored a hat trick for the home side. John Eustace was judged to be a 'midfield dynamo' who kept the Rams ticking over in the middle. Craig Bryson was also strong in an impressive midfield display.

Charlton will be without suspended skipper Johnnie Jackson.

Somewhat surprisingly, Derby haven’t won at Charlton since a Premier League victory in September 1998 with the last two encounters ending in draws:

• Charlton Athletic 1-1 Derby County (December 29, 2012) – Jamie Ward’s 72nd minute penalty cancelled out a first half strike from Danny Haynes as the teams shared the points.
• Charlton Athletic 2-2 Derby County (December 15, 2008) – Derby escaped with a point as Nathan Ellington scored in the last minute to level the scores. Ellington also scored Derby’s first goal, converting a penalty.
• Charlton Athletic 1-0 Derby County (January 29, 2002) – Chris Bart-Williams scored the decisive goal for Charlton in this Premier League clash on a Tuesday evening. The Addicks side contained current manager, and former Ram, Chris Powell. Malcolm Christie and Fabrizio Ravenelli failed to score for Derby. John Gregory was appointed as the new Derby manager the next day.
• Charlton Athletic 2-1 Derby County (January 30, 2001) – Youl Mawene scored an own-goal and Scott Parker got on the scoresheet as Derby fell to defeat at this Tuesday evening game. Craig Burley scored the Rams’ goal. Caig had to come on as substitute goalkeeper after Kiely picked up an injury and did a good job.
• Charlton Athletic 1-2 Derby County (September 12, 1998) – Paulo Wanchope and Francesco Baiano scored a goal each to help Derby to all three points at the Valley. The Rams did pick up five yellow cards during the match, with Igor Stimac and Stefanio Eranio amongst the names in referee Mike Reid’s book. Sir Clive Mendonca scored a penalty for Charlton in the 89th minute.

Odds: Charlton 11/5, Draw 13/5, Derby 6/5.

One might think that it was not worth making the journey from Warwickshire with the cards stacked against the Addicks. However, Charlton are sometimes at their best when their backs are up against the wall. Having said that, I fear an away win.

Rick Everitt's elves will be out and about selling Voice of the Valley around the ground before the game. The theme of this issue is the Greenwich Peninsula stadium.

Bring your garden forks to The Valley

Charlton have asked for nine or ten fans to volunteeer to fork the pitch ahead of tomorrow's game with Derby County. They are needed from 12 noon to help remove standing water. A number of Football League games have already been called off.

The club will have a precautionary pitch inspection at 9am tomorrow. Despite the recent heavy rain, the pitch is currently playable but Charlton are concerned about the weather forecast for heavy rain tomorrow in the hours before the 3pm kick off.

Head of operations Mick Everett said: 'At the moment, although it's very wet given the recent weather, the pitch is playable, and apart from the odd shower, the rest of today and overnight should be dry.'

'However, we're concerned that the pitch cannot take much more water, and from around midday tomorrow the forecast is for torrential rain in the three-hour period leading up to kick-off. We're very conscious of supporters' travel arrangements and want to provide them with as much information as we possess.'

As a result, and because the weather forecast could change during the course of Friday or overnight, we intend to have a precautionary pitch inspection at 9am on Saturday.'

Even if the game does ahead, wet conditions and high winds will not provide the optimal setting for quality football. There is the risk of freak goals being scored.

A further element of unpredictability is referee Carl Boyeson who has enjoyed a rapid ascent from the Hull Sunday League. He refereed Charlton's away match against Huddersfield last year, sending off Daryl Russell and awarding a penalty against the Addicks, the match ending 1-0 in favour of the home side.'

Odds: home win 7/5, draw 12/5, away win 9/5.

Hungry Rams

Rams boss Nigel Clough will celebrate four years at Pride Park this season, if celebrate is the word. He is still looking for his first top-ten finish and so far it's been a continual battle in the lower reaches. He has assembled a young and hungry team, but it needs a bit more quality.

In the pre-season predictions, Four Four Two had the Rams in 18th place. This was also the view of The Times, while the Football League Paper had them one place above the relegation places in 21st.

Even so, the Rams are the favourites to win tomorrow night with Coral putting them at 6/5 with a draw and a Charlton win both at 9/4. However, the 'easy three points' view emanating fromm Pride Park may be a touch premature.

Derby's Young Player of the Year Jeff Hendrick was talked up a lot pre-season and there were rumours of interest in the midfielder from Villa and the Baggies. However, against Huddersfield he struggled and was unable to dominate his opponents in central midfield.

In goal Frank Fielding is rated as one of the division's best keepers. John Brayford gets forward at every available opportunity while Richard Keogh commands the defence well and makes a nuisance of himself at the other end. Skipper and centre half Shaun Barker is out all season as he recovers from major knee surgery. Barker can amuse himself playing vinyl records as a joke plea for them on Twitter led to him being inundated with one fan sending him 300 alone.

Jamie Ward was Derby's best player against Huddersfield and offer their most potent attacking threat. Conor Sammon showed plenty of energy and determination, but there was no end product and he was eventually replaced by Theo Robinson. Despite taking an even share of the possession, the Rams only had one shot on target all game.

No one would blame Chris Powell for being bold, even if it didn't work out, although the loss of Wiggins could lead him to be cautious. Kermorgant, whose presence tends to encourage the long ball, could be replaced by Fuller. Pritchard could be replaced by Green, if one is prepared to gamble that Green can improve his decent crosses ratio: the approach can inspire, but the end product often does not. Dropping the skipper could be contentious, and is unlikely.

I am going for a 2-1 win for the Rams.

Rams look to crush Addicks

Derby County are hoping to bounce back from of the disappointment of their 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield on Saturday by replicating their 5-1 victory over Watford in their last home match when they face the Addicks on Tuesday night: Rampant

The news that Rhoys Wiggins has a double fracture of the foot is a real setback. I would play Evina in his place rather than switching Solly over to the left.

The Blackheath Addick has pointed that so far we have had a win, a draw and a defeat at home and a draw and a defeat away. All that is missing is an away win. The usual suspects are arguing that if Chris Powell does not win one of this week's away games, he should go. A complete over reaction.