Turning Points

[Andy_Faber]

Lets hope tonight is a turning point in The Rams' fortunes.

On that subject, what do you recall as major turning points in the past? Here are a couple from me.

David Nish's disallowed 'goal' in the 1976 cup semi-final against Man U, cheated by Jack Taylor, then the following wednesday Charlie George dislocating his shoulder in a home draw against Stoke when a win would have sent us top. That was the only game all season I missed, I heard the news by phoning my dad from the phone box opposite the Kings Hall where I'd been to a Gentle Giant gig. after these twin blows, our season, and our era as the best in the land, slipped away.

21st November 1995, two short weeks after the oft-remembered 'Tranmere game' where we were lucky Igor Stimac didn't pack his bags and head off back to Croatia, and Derby hammered Birmingham away 4-1, and were so much better it was embarrassing, Rocket Ron Willems having one of his finest games. To paraphrase a radio Derby pundit, it felt like 'something spcial was happening', and within six weeks from the Tranmere game we would go from mid table to top, go 20 matches unbeaten, and promotion was prize. I couldn't get to the game - I'd 'escaped' from hospital to attend the match two days after major surgery, drain tubes all over me, pumping gunk into drain bottles I held in an Asda bag, to be told by Mrs F not to be such a ****, so I watched it on the old ITV 10:30 highligts programme, then back to The City in the am before the consultants rounds.

So there's a goody and a baddy - anyone else?

[Luckless]

All those years ago signing Willie Carlin proved to be a turning point.... still plenty of time this time around to turn things around.
Keep the faith.

[Oldtimeram]

You beat me to it.

I remember going to Shef Utd (3 sided ground in those days) early in 1968/69 season and Willie Carlin played against us. We signed him a week or so later and our fortunes changed almost immediately. He was pivotal to our promotion and the start of the glory years.

Beating Chelsea in the League Cup in 1968 was significant too. It gave the team belief. Best game I ever saw

[Andy_Faber]

You beat me to it.

I remember going to Shef Utd (3 sided ground in those days) early in 1968/69 season and Willie Carlin played against us. We signed him a week or so later and our fortunes changed almost immediately. He was pivotal to our promotion and the start of the glory years.

Beating Chelsea in the League Cup in 1968 was significant too. It gave the team belief. Best game I ever saw

One of my uncles always talked about one from around that time, just before I started watching, and it was Dave Mackay, in the middle of a frenzied ruck of players in the Ozzy End penalty area, actually having the confidence to trap the ball, look up, look around and THEN pass (I think to Carlin), my uncle said he just got a sudden feeling that someone out there actually knew what he was doing. Although, clearly not everyone felt the same, one of the Bus Depot lads he shared The Paddock with nearly self destructed with rage at Mackay daring not to lamp the ball over the Offilers stand, uttering something like 'F**king get rid you c**t' but probably with more swear words

[Oldtimeram]

That was probably the Chelsea game? It had a bit of everything in that game. Very first time we heard the Derby roar! The crowd were the twelfth player that night.

[Andy_Faber]

That was probably the Chelsea game? It had a bit of everything in that game. Very first time we heard the Derby roar! The crowd were the twelfth player that night.

Possibly so, I've heard a lot about that game, just before my time

[ramAnag]

Late January 2004. We were looking like certain relegation candidates when Sheffield United turned up at a very snowy Pride Park. The Blades were scoring goals for fun and we were seriously struggling. Think it was Leon Osman's debut, either way he ran the show and largely because of him we ended up winning 2-0. Great game, great atmosphere. We finished the season just one point clear of relegation and it was the loan signing of Osman - the best loan we've ever had imo - that provided that season's turning point. What I'd give for a signing like him again now.

[DCFCArmy]

My favorite time as a Derby fan were the Nigel Clough years, zero expectation, cheap lower league buys, selling all our top players, but the fans knew we were average and actually went out to watch in hope rather than expectation, but it was so much more enjoyable because of it, we'd take the p*** out of ourselves and enjoy the atmosphere... occasionally we'd hit a purple patch and romp to 5 wins in 7 or something and call ourselves "derbylona" lol. Now its toxic, spending loads of money and expecting to roll teams over.

I'd actually take mid-table this season in front of 22000, at least we'd have a laugh again.. knowing my posts though watch us win the next 3 at a canter and get our hopes up again hahaha.

[ramAnag]

My favorite time as a Derby fan were the Nigel Clough years, zero expectation, cheap lower league buys, selling all our top players, but the fans knew we were average and actually went out to watch in hope rather than expectation, but it was so much more enjoyable because of it, we'd take the p*** out of ourselves and enjoy the atmosphere... occasionally we'd hit a purple patch and romp to 5 wins in 7 or something and call ourselves "derbylona" lol. Now its toxic, spending loads of money and expecting to roll teams

I'd actually take mid-table this season in front of 22000, at least we'd have a laugh again.. knowing my posts though watch us win the next 3 at a canter and get our hopes up again hahaha.

Isn't there a saying about 'expectation being the mother of disappointment' or have I just made that up? Either way that's how it feels...more 'Derbycountynil' than 'Derbylona' right now...be that much better when it changes.

[Andy_Faber]

Isn't there a saying about 'expectation being the mother of disappointment' or have I just made that up? Either way that's how it feels...more 'Derbycountynil' than 'Derbylona' right now...be that much better when it changes.

Oh ye of little faith, I refer back to 1995 andmy earlier post on this thread. The only difference is we don't obviously have a Stimac

Necessity is the mother of invention by the way