DCFC are making little noise about rumours a loan for Preston’s Paul Hayes has fallen though or their signing of aging striker Michael Boulding. If it’s noise you want you can rely on Robbie, he says a minimum of four wins is his target.

Rams bring in Boulding

Former Grimsby and Bradford striker Michael Boulding has signed for the Rams on non-contract terms until the end of the season. He is seen by Nigel Clough as cover should injuries hit his recently swollen strike force and as something of an experienced head to play along the youngsters plying their trade in the second string.

After leaving Barnsley, the 35-year-old free agent had been on trial with the Rams and has scored twice in two Reserves matches.

Once ranked in the top 20 British tennis players (yes, really!!), Boulding has had two spells at both Mansfield, Barnsley and Grimsby during his career and most recently was on the books at Bradford.

During many stages of his career he has struggled to find the back of the net or for that matter a place on the team sheet with spells at Villa, Rotherham and Barnsley all ending without making a single appearance for the first team.

His most prolific seasons in terms of goals were with Grimsby in 03/04 with 16 in 39 games and Mansfield Town between 06 and 08 with 27 in 82 games.

It seems unlikely Clough has Boulding marked down for first team action unless things fell apart in the striker department but stranger things have happened at Derby.

Good luck Michael but (please don't take this personally) here's hoping we don't see you on the pitch - if we do then disaster can't be far away!

Hayes Deal Dead?

The signing of Boulding may also give credence to the rumours that Paul Hayes is unlikely to be signing from Preston as previously reported in the media and by Nigel himself.

The deal seemed to be a forgone conclusion from Clough’s comments last weekend but it seems something may have scuppered the deal.

No word as to what that something is but perhaps Hayes failed the medical after his nose began bleeding at the thought of joining a club four places higher than bottom.

Sav Says 'at least' four more!

Robbie Savage has been laying it on thick recently with tweets about how much he loves Rams fans and how great their support is but he does not seem as positive in his prediction for the remainder of the season.

Personally I think Robbie does a great job promoting the club but I really would like our Captain to shoot higher than at least four wins from the remaining fourteen matches.

Mind you, considering most of us probably don’t think we will win more than that either; I suppose he is being positive after all.

Sav spoke to the DET about his lofty dreams of Derby success before he retires:

"We need to get a win soon and Sheffield United is a massive game for us," said 36-year-old midfielder Savage, who plans to hang up his boots in the summer. We've got 14 games left and we need to win at least four of them." 

"There have been good signs in our last two away games – and I thought they were also there against Hull, I thought we played well. We fought our hearts out – the lads were tremendous and we didn't deserve that.” 

"In the first half against Leicester, we were shocking and deserved everything we got. But we didn't deserve that against Hull. I'm not saying we were sparkling like we were earlier in the season but we showed heart and the spirit was there. All the players wanted the ball and we tried to get into the box as much as we could.” 

"The crowd were magnificent and that made a big difference, I've criticised them in the past – and rightly so, I think – but against Hull, they were fantastic and were with us all the way, so fair play to them. They really can help us when we need them."

Well one thing is for sure Sav, Rams fans will always turn out in big numbers home and away. They are well overdue for something to shout about. Let’s hope it starts today against the Blades.

As Sav would say – COYR!!

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