On the defeat, Manager Nigel Clough, who bagged 102 league goals in 2 seperate spells at Forest between 1984 and 1997, spoke of his team's misfortune: "The fact we lost was completely down to bad luck. If we would have scored a scrappy goal, we would have won." Clough also praised the all-round display, which the Rams apparently dominated for long periods; "I'll take that performance every single week. If we keep on playing like that, I'm sure we'll pick up points in the coming games. It's a strange feeling because it is the best we've played for a while and it's the first defeat on the road since November." Thats an impressive 4 match league sequence the Rams had built up unbeaten away.

Centre-forward Rob Hulse was equally dejected; "I thought we did alright, it just wasn't our night. A point would have been a good result... We tried." On the next fixture Hulse added; "We now have to move on, a local Derby is the perfect opportunity to do so. Hopefully we can give our fans the right result. We have done well against the top teams so far this season. We have good quality in the dressing room to get a good result and pick us up.

The Rams lost 3-2 to Forest earlier this campaign, and against the top 10 in the Championship have failed to register a single win from 11 games, picking up 4 draws and losing 7. Plymouth's success over Derby lifted the Home Park Club to within 3 points off safety and 5 points behind the Rams, having played 2 games fewer.

It won't be long now...

Well, exclusively WebJam can give you an idea what it may be like. Here's a day-to-day guide as to what's been happening to those poor folk that are Derby County people...

Friday 8th January: A bad day for Derby. A big blow. The Ramtiques Roadshow is cancelled due to bad weather. The hugely anticipated event, a big day in any Rams fans calender, is yet to be re-arranged. Meanwhile Forest, in action at West Brom, must surely lose... won't they...?

Saturday 9th January: A bad day for Derby. A big blow. Rams are hammered 1-4 by Scunthorpe United. The team leave the field to a chorus of jeers in BOTH halves. Clough's tactics come under scrutiny. A truly shambolic day.

Sunday 10th January: With almost all other games off, Derby's defeat to Scunny gets big TV coverage. Pundits everywhere have their say on the club. "Absolutely woeful defending" says one. Savage meanwhile tries to defend the team. "It's just individuals making errors, nobody is ripping us apart, like Forest's goals at West Brom". Some fans say he's putting blame on his team-mates. 

Monday 11th January: Another bad day... Skipper Savage has a bust-up with a local radio reporter, and in failing to make a valid point, opts to repeat CONSTANTLY the same words..."I've heard rumours..." Unfortunately for Rams, the news is everywhere by lunchtime. And just to think, some young Rammies will probably be growing up and expect it is normal behaviour of a club captain, the way Savage behaves. Clough is given a 'vote of confidence' by the clubs board.

Tuesday 12th January: A magnificent Derby display sees the mighty Ram's demolish League 1 side Millwall on penalties. To make it a perfect night, Forest actually lose! Unreal! However, just 7,000 or so bother to turn up at PP, the Stadiums lowest EVER attendance.

Wednesday 13th January: Still buzzing. DCFC announce a 'Special' DVD is to be issued after the FA Cup win over Millwall. Fans have to be reminded they have not won the cup just yet. With demand not expected to be high, Rammies could expect a DVD as a freebie for a forthcoming game. But be warned - DVD's make excellent frisbies, heaven forbid if one hit Savage after being thrown onto the pitch, remember the way he went down when McCleary made minimal contact with him at The City Ground?

Thursday 14th January: As the league announce a 3% rise in attendances, the Derby board announce they hope to reduce the number of 'complimentary' tickets issued at Pride Park by up to 50% by 2016. Worried Rams fans fear not, the extra revenue will help to clear the clubs huge debts. Meanwhile fans que overnight to snap up the latest DVD, its also rumoured the whole of Derbyshire will be given a bank holiday in celebration if the Rams reach round 5.

Friday 15th January: County snap up defender Anderson from Premiership Sunderland. A good addition, but can he displace those rock solid-performers Buxton, Moxey or Leacock?

Saturday 16th January: 3-0, what a result. Forget about the fact bottom-club Peterborough had 2 men sent off whilst the game was goalless, and Bywater had to make important saves late on as the 11 men tired. This result lifts Derby to an impressive 18th and keeps the gap between them and arch-rivals Forest to just a mere 20 points, after the Reds record another win, this time 2-1 against Reading. To make it worse Derby man Lee Camp pulls in a man-of-the-match display. True to form, Clough hails the performance as one of the best ever! Whilst Savage calls on his teammates to replicate the Posh display at home. If only Derby could play against 9 all the time...

Sunday 17th January: DJ Campbell, at last back on the goals trail at London Road, striking his 2nd and 3rd goals of the season, is a surprise target from manager Clough. Nigel states the player "needs to work harder". Good management that Cloughie, when a player starts to rebuild his confidence, knock him back down!

Monday 18th January: Forest game is a sell-out. 2 wins in a week (in a fashion), bring on the Forest!

There, hope that gives you an idea. It makes you glad...  

For the first time in his management career, Clough is under a fair amount of pressure. So how is he handling the pressure-cooker atmosphere that is championship management? Well firstly after Saturdays 1-4 defeat to Championship also-rans Scunthorpe United, much to the dis-belief of Rams fans, he told the Pride Park faithful to carry on boo-ing his beleagured side. If that wasn't strange enough, have a read of this interview, it is quite incredible...

...Nigel Clough was left reflecting the treatment that Robbie Savage received rather than the match itself.
The Rams boss remains perplexed by the treatment that all fans give the former Welsh international.
"For some reason - I don't understand it - he gets booed at every single ground we come to. I have never quite figured that out.
I can understand that at ex-clubs - and he's had a few of them - but I can't understand sometimes this reputation that goes before him.
I don't quite get it because I think football supporters should recognise sometimes what an honest and wholehearted player he is."
There are some players that fans just love to hate and Savage has always been one of them. Sometimes he doesn't help himself and those are the things that people remember. I'm sure we were exactly the same before he signed for us!..."

Supporters' should recognise what a whole-hearted and honest player he is!!!!!!!!!

Cut it out Nigel, you are obviously losing the plot. Some managers thrive on pressure, others remain upbeat and level-headed, this just boarders on complete stupidity. And here's a small hint Cloughie, get that tw#t out of your club and you may, just may, start doing a little better, but its your call and with the small matter of Rams v Reds approaching - PLEASE KEEP PICKING HIM!

DERBY COUNTY 1: SCUNTHORPE UNITED 4

Yes, thats right, the mighty Rams repaid those supporters' with another (now typical DCFC) spineless, shambolic and down-right abysmal display. 2 down at halftime the home side left the field to chorus of boo's and despite Kris Commons, via a huge deflection, grabbing a goal back, the Iron made sure of the points with 2 more strikes. By the time the final goal was bundled in by former Notts County loanee Jonathan Forte, Pride Park Stadium was almost empty and those fans left made their feelings known in no uncertain way.

Rams boss Nigel Clough admitted afterwards he could'nt put his finger on what went wrong? Well Nigel, a quick look down the teamsheet; Buxton, Moxey, Addison,  Johnson, Porter, Davies and Savage. 4 central midfielders in the starting line-up, no width, no imagination, no creativity, no goal threat and Savage. Face it Nigel, you haven't a clue. And to make matters worse, arch rivals Nottingham Forest are still basking in the limelight after racing into 2nd position after a top-class win away to promotion chasing West Bromwich Albion. Proud times at Pride Park indeed.

So to all those people who gave their all for the Rams game to get the go ahead... Thankyou very much. You made our weekend. 

Well, a few of the gifts in mind from the Rams hierachy have reached us at WebJam. Here they are;

One idea is a free burger (or hotdog) with chips, however, with Kris Commons now coming back to full fitness and the possibility of the snacks being rained down onto the Pride Park surface, that idea is surely a none-starter. Fat-boy, sorry That-boy Kris Commons is well known for his liking of fast food, so the self-confessed Nottingham Forest born midfielder would simply go missing if this scenario would occur - a bit like when he tried to nutmeg Reds skipper Paul McKenna at The City Ground earlier this season. So with that idea doomed, fear not Rams fans, the owner, whoever he is now after the various takeovers, has a couple of other treats up his sleave. The next being a free umbrella for every supporter, quite simply this would enable all those poor soles protection against that dreadful shower of sh#t they have to endure every game. And finally, the last idea doing the rounds is a free pair of mini binoculours for every fan who purchases a ticket for the game. This will give every Rammie a chance to spot Robbie Savage actually offering something constructive during a game. Rumour has it the first supporter to spot this rare sight gets a lifetime of free Derby tickets... free derby tickets.... that can't be true? 

"He's a terrific player, an excellent footballer and gives us much needed cover in midfield. We are greatful to his club for allowing him to come for a month, he will go straight into the squad. He knows the game inside out, has bags of experience at this level, versatile and works extremely hard for the team. This is exactly what we need at Derby County FC".

So who is this gifted player? An accomplished international? An experienced Premier League campaigner dropping down a division? Maybe a veteran who can't get a game at a top Championship side? Well, we can confirm Clough's big signing is.... Lee Johnson, yes thats right, the lad from Bristol City, whose dad is the manager. Lee's past clubs include Yeovil and, well just Yeovil, who were managed by... Lee's dad, Gary Johnson! The 28-year-old has escaped the Ashton Gate boo-boys in joining up with the Rams for an initial 1 month spell, due to end after the game against The Reds.

Rumours are rife of Clough's next target- a free-scoring, quick, mature, energetic frontman with huge experience... Perhaps Dickov's loan will be made permanent.

More news to follow.......