Return to pride park

[It's Character Forming 1,204]

Being based in Nottingham, Pride Park is where I had my first Covid vaccination back in those dark days, so it will always have a positive vibe for me. I can still vividly remember how wonderfully efficient the whole thing was and the relief when I’d had the shot. An incredible achievement for everyone involved with the vaccine programme and the whole of our NHS come to that.

 

I know it was on TV but after the Watford game I realised a lot of posters hadn’t been able to watch it, so this is my experience of the day.

 

Today after biblical rain earlier in the week, it was the perfect autumn day, clear blue skies and warming up after a chilly start, and I parked north of the A52 and had a pleasant stroll to the ground just in time for kick off. On the way I was thinking I’ve seen City play at Pride Park many times, but I can’t remember any classics - nothing like the 3-2 win at home which I was also fortunate enough to be at. Is there a game I’m forgetting?

 

Anyway, City started with some good possession but Derby won it back and broke down the left, a brilliant low cross found their #19 unmarked at the far post. From our position high in the corner at the other end it looked like an easy chance, but the replay showed it was played across at pace, a difficult one to get on target, and he sliced it completely out of play . An early wake up call.

 

After this the game settled down with City mainly in control, good possession but creating few real chances. Derby were playing on the break but didn’t really trouble Gunn.

 

I remember one chance when the ball came out to Sainz from a corner and his shot was just wide, another chance with a through ball to Sarge, the keeper was out quickly and the ball bobbled away and they cleared the danger.

 

The home fans were poor, making little noise even with their drum.

 

As the half wound down a low cross was deflected perfectly towards Sarge at the far post and this would have been a clear open goal, but their defender just got a toe to it and flicked it behind, avoiding an own goal as well.

 

But soon after we put in another through ball to Sarge who played it across for an exquisite finish by Sainz with a back heel. I wasn’t sure if Sarge had kept it in, and the Derby players and fans protested long and hard, but the lino had been haring off to halfway the second it went in, and it’s his job to spot this. Turns out Sarge hadn’t quite kept it in. Although even a fraction of the ball over the line is enough to keep it in, it was inches beyond. That’s how it goes, like England’s goal in ‘66 and Lampard’s disallowed goal vs Germany, some you win and some you lose.

 

Interestingly I thought the full back had been doing a good job keeping Sainz under wraps, fortunately in our system the front players can swap around which he did to good effect.

 

We managed to see out some pressure to half time, but after the break as expected Derby were putting on the pressure with their fans now making plenty of noise. Initially I thought we stood up to it well, but they started to get some corners and free kicks which looked like their best chance to score and eventually 15 minutes in they won a header from a corner which fell to their player on the six yard line who buried it and the stadium erupted.

 

Fortunately City didn’t fold and only a few minutes later Sainz brilliantly burst through the middle and Sarge was open,  giving him an easy pass to the right, pulling the defender away and instead Sainz took advantage to drill it to the keeper’s right, a superb goal.

 

After this City regained a measure of control, but one close call was when Derby won the ball in midfield and their player tried a speculative shot from distance which skimmed the top of the bar with Angus beaten, but otherwise not much was troubling him. They had a penalty shout when their player went down very easily under a challenge from Cordoba, but happily the ref correctly waved it away, resisting any temptation to “even things up”.

 

In the final 10 minutes Derby had won a free kick in a great position outside the box which was blocked and City broke superbly and Sarge played a perfect cross on the ground for Sainz to convert for a well deserved hat trick - has anyone scored a hat trick since Teemu?

 

Derby were not done yet and Angus had to make a comfortable save in the centre of the goal (this may have been after they scored again- I’m not sure). Then as 90 mins was up, Derby attacked down the left and Stacey backed off (showing the difference from Fisher) and their player cut inside and put a shot beyond Angus at the far post. With 6 minutes injury time it was very much game on. Derby won some set pieces and their GK started to come up although from one he more got in the way than helping. Angus made one brilliant save after the ball had been bobbling around the 6 yard area. After another, a City player (Forshaw?) tried a shot from inside our half towards the empty Derby goal, it bobbled away left of the goal, but I love to see this.

 

It was thrilling stuff, but not an easy win and it was a relief to hear the final whistle.

 

Afterwards the players came over to our corner and I love it that JHT pushed Sainz to the front to take the plaudits, then he pushed Angus forward for well deserved applause, and finally another chance for Sainz to take the applause- he really has stepped up this season.

 

I know the fashion is to talk about “weapons” and I’m always dubious about football fads, but if Sainz isn’t a weapon then I don’t know what is.

 

So, a true thriller that will be remembered a long time.  4 points off 2nd place despite a poor opening to the season. Also demolishing the “fact” that we’d only scored once away this season before today. This season is definitely looking much better than expected.

[Midlands Yellow 4,682]

That’s a post that’s covers a lot. I remember my first covid jab too, never bothered with the second. 

[Creedence Clearwater Couto 1,633]

8 hours ago, Midlands Yellow said:

That’s a post that’s covers a lot. I remember my first covid jab too, never bothered with the second. 

Fair play sir. I didn’t want to, but pressured into and sold my soul… 🫠

[Creedence Clearwater Couto 1,633]

I thought the Derby fans contributed to an excellent atmosphere, but I was sat right next to them. 

[LaUnionCanary 150]

I believe Forshaw plays for another team now, but Forso N definitely plays for us.