Two weeks ago 361 days of agony finally overflowed and my column became more about frustration and emotion than considered opinion. Two games later I want to be proved wrong.
When we are tired of failure, the most patient of us will say things that can come back to haunt us but I don’t regret anything I wrote. Everything fans had been served up over nearly a complete year would have tested the most loyal of football fans (and it did!).
The one regret I do have was mentioning players such as Rob Hulse who in any other season I would have given much more time to prove themselves. Anyone who signed this season deserves a chance to prove themselves and four games was definitely not enough. Even players still on the books probably deserve another chance.
A fit again Stephen Pearson may just prove to be the best unwanted player in the league if he can regain the form that brought him to Derby originally. The news Giles Barnes will return to action sooner than later is also encouraging and may prove a massive bonus in a possible promotion push, should the team continue to pick up points in the meantime.
I have always been a very positive supporter who supports the club in even the darkest hours but my fuse at the start of the season was so short that hitting the basement was intolerable. I can only imagine what fans with lesser patience were going through especially if attending the matches’ week in and week out.
Last weekend with much trepidation I sat up till 2am to watch the game against Sheffield United live on pay TV. My Aussie Rules team had the same night been knocked out of the finals series and I anticipated more of the same pain and suffering all Rams fans had lived and breathed for close to 12 months.
Instead what we all witnessed was a team transformed. As the game wore on the team grew into the expectations the massive home crowd were wishing for. The harder the opposition pressed, the stronger the Rams became till they not only won back over the home crowd, a battle with an Indian giving referee and more importantly the game.
Every player finally stood up and showed they are capable of becoming a unit but it took a young teenager who has been with the Rams since he was 14. Miles Addison showed heart and soul the squad has been screaming out for. His commitment and attack on every ball and every part of the pitch, put the senior members of the squad to shame for their recent efforts. Joined by other youngsters in Commons and Barazite, it was youth that injected much needed spirit into the Rams game.
The draw at Swansea three days later provided no further insight into where the team is at this campaign but it did nothing to dampen the positives derived from last weeks win. A point from the hardest trip in the championship is always a plus.
I am not convinced the corner has been turned but I do believe that at least we finally have fuel in the car and the engine is running. Paul Jewell has bought himself more time but will need to prove he is the right man for the job and only genuine effort and consistency on the pitch from his team will achieve that.
I am not as angry or emotional now 3 points has been achieved for the first time in a very long time. Though one thing that remains the same from two weeks ago... I am still wondering what has happened to Mile Sterjovski. He is fit and playing well for his country but manager and club have made no mention of the reason for his total absence. Only when I hear a good reason or even perhaps a bad one will I stop my incessant nagging on the subject.
A player of his experience and pedigree is not just good enough for this league, he is probably better than it. I know many fans still need convincing but will never be if he does not get an opportunity to prove it. Hopefully that chance will come sooner than later so I can find something else to complain about in this column.
Can Pride Park become a fortress again? Can Derby show they are not one week wonders, will Paul Jewell keep the wolves at bay and will Mile Sterjovski be given a chance or continue to be the Howard Hughes of the squad. All these answers and more revealed on Saturday evening. Same Rams time, Same Rams Channel!!
C’mon Ewe Rams! Cardiff may have Doctor Who and Torchwood but make sure you have the points in the bag by 5pm tonight!