A review in two parts.
Review 1 - the match. We sat down. They scored. We agreed on a number of goals at which point we would go back to the pub, with a fire, and bass on handpull, and just pretend that the game never happened.
First half was about as bad as I've seen. Two goals somewhat flattered Derby who just let us do our thing then attacked with pace and purpose. Someone up thread has mentioned that there's no point in passing the ball at the back - quite - the keeper can barely make the halfway line with his kicks.
Second half, we changed both personnel and purpose. A well deserved goal followed and, while I think 2-2 would have been unfair given the first half, there's enough there to suggest we can get the points to nudge our way out of the shit. We pressed, we played when we had the ball, and it wasn't awful. Now, there's two caveats on this. First, you'd expect the ET from midweek to gradually come into play as the game wore on. Second, they were 2-0 up and that's the small thing that might make them work a bit less hard second half.
Room for improvement. Signs of life. We're not done yet BUT we need the full 90, not bits and pieces. Otherwise, League 1 and I hear that Fleetwood is simply delightful this time of year.
The second review. Early start for Green, and as his train came in, we noted the lack of a true station pub in New Street. We've a 45 minute window so off to the Shakespeare, where a doombar and a doombar shandy awaits. Some discussion of that Adrian Chiles 'am I an alcoholic?' TV show as the first of the day slips down. Shakespeare is doing a brisk trade, with fans from all corners getting their pre-march or pre-train pint in. Nothing special, I guess, but its the best option near the station.
Derby. It feels slightly further north than it is. Slate grey skies greet us as we shuffle from the train to the Victoria Inn.
Proper, cosy pub. 2 pints of Bass. Comfy chairs. Excellent.
On, past the Merry Widows (nope!) and The Waterfall (nope!), to the Brunswick. Two pints - Everards Sunchaser for me and something local for Green - followed down by a pork pie that might have sat on the window sill 24 hours too long. Another proper pub and starting to get busy.
Alexandra hotel next and a bit of a gem for your train spotters, with a plethora of train memorabilia inside and the cab of 37411 outside. Camra discounts accepted so a cheap round at just over a fiver here. Quite the collection of memorabilia here, the highlight being the station clock over the bar.
Onwards, to the Neptune. This place was very much packed with Derby fans enjoying their local rivals slug it out in the local lunchtime derby. Couple of pints here, one perched on a turnstile from the Baseball ground. It has to be said that the pub garden is a delight - full of memorabilia from the Baseball ground, and a striking mural of Clough and Taylor. A cautionary note: this is apparently Britain's most patriotic pub and, I'll be honest, not one for a full and frank discussion of the ins and outs of Brexit. £2 for a bus to the ground, though, and the possibility of cobs from behind the bar. Lovely. Winning here.
Until we got on the bus and were clearly the only two strangers on it, not joining in with 15 minutes of Richard Keogh chants.
Game thoughts above. Marsdens at the ground which is a nice touch, a walk back through the estate chatting to two Reading fans from Lincoln and then a couple more in the Victoria, chatting with some older Derby fans, who were knowledgeable and friendly. I could have probably seen out the evening in the front bar of the Victoria.
Last stop before the train home?
and he even opened our bottles for us. A touch of class from Mr Booze there.
Derby - 8/10. Would recommend.