So Saturday is on the horizon, it’s the big one. The game that splits offices, divides families, groups of friends will be segregated and this year surprisingly, it’s splitting Derby’s fan base.

I couldn’t believe what I was reading on Twitter last night after the Leicester game. “I hope we lose to Forest, #tacticallyinept” and “let’s get rid of Clough and bring in Di Matteo”.

I know football fans are passionate about their club, and want to win every game but this is impossible. Yes Derby has one of the highest average attendances in the Championship and even beats several in the premiership but that doesn’t guarantee success.

Football has changed over the last 25 years; no longer do players come from local sources, while millionaires now buy up football clubs as toys.

What Derby has is unique, a manager that has been involved in East Midlands football for many a year, a family background at both east midlands main rivals, young players that are from the local area and fully trained by our own academy. This is not a 3 year plan. This is not even a 5 year plan.

Derby is a club surviving on attendances + sponsorship only. It’s to be commended in an era where people want overnight success. Look at United fans wanting David Moyes out, a very similar resemblance to Sir Alex’s early days and look what he did... given plenty of time.

OK, so Clough has been in the job for four seasons now, but in footballing terms is that a long time? Yes. But In reality...No!

In four seasons he has got the wage bill down, got rid of deadwood, and brought in players that want to wear the shirt. Yes there have been failed signings but you name me a club in the Football league 72 that hasn’t bought a player that’s turned out to be a flop....it happens, especially when working to a strict budget.

Fans are no longer patient; fans expect to win every game and the top the league with 8 games to go. Look at the championship this season, Leicester, QPR, Forest all have money. Reading and Wigan have the parachute payments...it’s a tough league to get out of.

Derby are 11 points from 8 matches, if their away form and home form were switched, then the position would be stronger. The home games have been tougher then the away ones that is plain to see. Knee-jerk reactions don’t help anyway.

Get 3 points against Forest on Saturday and we’re suddenly 1 point behind them. Is that really a bad start to the season, given we have a new keeper, 2 new strikers and rely on a 19 year old as our lynch pin in midfield?

Step away, take stock, be sensible.

Marathon not a sprint!

Photo: Action Images

Portsmouth Polls