No matter how bad a team is, that team usually seems to manage at least one upset in a disastrous season.
So far Derby County have not been able to manage such a feat.
The statistics, bookies and story of the season indicates the Rams will be torn to pieces Monday by a far superior gunner’s team. Arsenal have just let slip the league title and the chance of a Champions League cup so perhaps if there was ever a time they will be deflated then that time is now.
The type of upset required is even larger than the 00/01 result at Old Trafford when the Rams defeated United 1-0. That year the Rams were a slightly better team and only just able to avoid relegation. This time around survival is not part of the equation but if the Rams overcome the Gunners, it would be considered a bigger achiement than that famous day seven years ago.
Against West Ham, Derby looked more than a match and frankly with some better finishing would have easily taken the points away with them. Instead as has been the story of the season, things just didn’t go their way when it counted. Perhaps it was just a case of not making them happen which good teams always do.
The most impressive fact was that the team stepped up after the embarrassing game against Aston Villa and showed further development that they had been promising during the Fulham and Everton matches.
If Derby is going to get their upset for the season then the time is now and the home fans at Pride Park deserve nothing less. A win against one of the powerhouse clubs in the league would be a great way to signal the team’s intentions for next season as well as give the loyal supporters something to hang their hat on after a long and tiring season.
Whether the Rams have the ability or the fire in their bellies to do so remains to be seen but if they can produce a similar performance to the one last week then they may very well give it a shake.
It would also be a great situation for the team to go into its final games with the possibility of beating the lowest ever points tally for the league. It would hopefully give them a desire that has been lacking and a goal to focus on that may deliver those much desired points.
This scenario is as much speculation as it is a personal wish but nothing is impossible at this end of the season. The last few weeks is a time when the Premiership traditionally throws up some crazy results and amazing finishes. Perhaps this Monday could be another one of those games mentioned when unlikely victories are talked about in years to come.
If nothing else every Derby fans will be hoping their team gives a good account of themselves and if that performance gives the club a chance to avoid a very unwelcome record then it will also give them something to cheer that bit harder for in the final games to come.
Giving us all anything to cheer about would be a welcome change… so bring it on!
C’mon Ewe Rams!! :0)