The Worst Team in History

[DerbyJack]

No more time to prepare as our season is here and with the qualifying rounds of the Europa League thrown into the mix, were about to be plunged into the deep end as we get what is sure to be a hectic season underway.

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18th August 2018
Barclays Premier League
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+ Moraes makes it back to fitness just in time for the season opener.
- Experienced defender Craig Dawson misses the first week with a stubbed toe.

Getting things underway against the wounded giants, Manchester United was hardly the easiest way to do it and the determined Red Devils duly took us apart in a ruthless performance enspired by their Belgian superstar Januzaj. Having been dominated by Chelsea of late both Manchester clubs are still throwing everything into their attempts to over throw King Jose.

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23rd August 2018
Europa League - Playoff First Leg

Before we can think about making a fight off it in the Europa League, we actually have to qualify for the group stage. Greek giants Panathinaikos presented a relatively big obstacle between us and the main competition but we welcomed them to Derbyshire with a display that showed our intent. Despite fielding a mainly second string side we controlled the game, taking a two goal lead and putting one foot firmly into the group stage.

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26th August 2018
Barclays Premier League

Despite our poor start against Manchester United we get our Premier League campaign back under way in style with a three goal victory to make amends for the sloppy start. Our key performers from last season made the difference with influential midfielders, Will Hughes and Rory Gibbons both picking up a goal, whilst the ever reliable Guidetti picked up the first of the new season.

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30th August 2018
Europa League - Playoff Second Leg

With the job done in the first leg we travelled to Greece to seal the deal. Once again the second string side took on the task and again performed admirably. Will Hughes understudy Vadala picked up an early goal to all but kill off the game after just sixteen minutes but to their credit Panathinaikos kept on digging and eventually grabbed a goal to salvage some pride from the playoffs, for the Rams however all eyes where now on the group stage draw.

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August 2018
Barclays Premier League

With a three goal defeat and victory under our belts its no surprise to see ourselves right in the middle of the table. The league might be over shadowed by our European exploits this year but non the less if we don't keep up our high standard in the league it will all count for nothing.

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August 2018
Europa League - Group J

So the draw is done and dusted and we're thrown into a pretty challenging group. Czech side, Slovan Liberec are pretty much certain to be the easy target and with the likes of Italian giants Fiorentina and the formidable Germans, Wolfsburg both determined to advance in the compeitition its going to be a hotly contested group thats for sure.​

 

[DerbyJack]

The season is certainly building up the pace. Having qualified from the Playoff stages of the Europa League, were now into the all important group stages. On top of that we've now got the Capital One League Cup and of course there is the ever important Premier League to take into account. Everything matters. Now is not the tap for any lapses in concentration.

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2nd September 2018
Barclays Premier League
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+ A new 2 year contract is signed to keep me with the Rams.

Roy Keane is slowly establishing Watford as a Premier League side to be proud of and they certainly showed us they are not to be underestimated. Two of our heroes from the second half of last season, Alberto Cerri and Will Hughes combined to keep us in the lead at half time but the Hornets certainly weren't letting us leave London so easily, dominating the second half and deservedly taking the points.

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17th September 2018
Barclays Premier League

- Defender Daniel Mazur strains his knee ligaments and is out for a week.

Norwich have slowly developed into a team on the brink of making their way into European competition. With a strong and dependable team, they are more then capable of making their way into the top ten and certainly against The Rams they looked the more likely to be near the top of the table come the end of the season, seeing out a one goal lead with some effective defending.

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20th September 2018
Europa League - Group J - Match One

- Roger Strutton is banned for the next game having picked up 3 yellows in 3 games.

The Czech minnows were the first to face us in the group stages and where quickly shown just where they stand in the group. The second string side made their third appearance of the competition and once again showed our quality in depth taking a solid two goal victory with both strikers, Moraes and Barnes-Homer finding the net in the first half to give us a perfect start in the competition.

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23rd September 2018
Barclays Premier League

Back to the league and our third straight defeat in a row. West Ham are by no means going to be one of the teams fighting it out in the top half of the table but despite us taking a very early lead through midfielder Rory Gibbons they comfortably saw out the remainder of the game taking the points and plunging us further down the league and away from our usual place near the top.

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25th September 2018
Capital One League Cup - Third Round
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- Midfielder Tom Cairney requests a transfer and is immediately placed on the list.

The League Cup gives us a welcome escape from our troubles in the league and another chance for the second string side. Despite being up against recently relegated Cardiff they performed with ease, again picking up the expected victory with only a late goal for the Welsh side being the only thing that spoiled another faultless performance from our fringe players. I'm starting to debate who should be on the starting list of this team.

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29th September 2018
Barclays Premier League

We end our baron run in the league with a welcome victory against newly promoted Ipswich Town. The Tractor boys looked to be set to cap an appalling month for us in the Premier League but a late revival finally saw us pick up some points with midfield duo, Rory Gibbons and Fernandez both scoring with five minutes to go as we can finally breath a massive sigh of relief.

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September 2018
Barclays Premier League

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It says a lot when despite winning just once this month, our right back, Nakatani manages to claim the young player of the month award. The Japanese star has been a target for some of the biggest teams in Europe in recent months but has shown he is more then willing to play his part with the Rams and continues to grow as a key member in our back line.

Its been a long time since we've been this far down the table. Having dropped points all too easily thus far, we certainly need to bring our form from the cup competitions into the league. Our new defensive pairing despite having the potential to be a brutal pairing at this level look to be struggling to adapt to life in the English top flight. It might be time to start making some changes if were to salvage this season before its too late.

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September 2018
Europa League - Group J

We the big two in the competition, Fiorentina and Wolfsburg playing a one all draw in their first match of the stage, it leaves us to take a nervy step onto the top spot as we already start to glance towards the next step of the competition. Theres a way to go yet and two European heavyweights certainly aren't going to let us escape quite that easily. ​