And so to Sunday

[tamworthram]

OK, so it's only half time and the battle will re-commence on Sunday.

Derby were not brilliant last night but don't ignore the fact that they knew they needed to get a decent result against a very good side. If anyone was expecting Derby to dominate, create a host of chances (OK more than 1 would have been good) and score a load of goals then that person wouldn't have been showing much respect to Brighton. Sometimes you can only play as well as your opponents allow you to.

Despite Derby winning last night, having home advantage for the second leg etc etc, I think the tie is still finely balanced. It could of course have been a lot different. If Derby had got a third (I know we only had one shot on target but there were a couple of breakaways when we could have made it count) I think the tie would be pretty much over. However, if you'd scored again (you had plenty of chances) then it would be different story.

With regard to Sunday, I reckon if we score first it will be game over. If you score first then, unless it's a late goal, I don't think you'll see Derby panic or go to pieces under the pressure. The Mac will be patient but expect some very attacking substitutions early in the second half if we're still behind.

I've got this horrible feeling it will end 0:1 and if it goes to penalties, looking at the confidence levels of both sets of fans, the penalty shoot out result may be 1:0 (or 0:1) as well.

Anyway, I hope it's a good game and I'm sure, whatever the result, both teams and sets of supporters will be proud of their achievements and will wish the others well in the final. Good luck if you do get through although, I do of course hope you don't.

 

[Simster]

OK, so it's only half time and the battle will re-commence on Sunday.

Derby were not brilliant last night but don't ignore the fact that they knew they needed to get a decent result against a very good side. If anyone was expecting Derby to dominate, create a host of chances (OK more than 1 would have been good) and score a load of goals then that person wouldn't have been showing much respect to Brighton. Sometimes you can only play as well as your opponents allow you to.

Despite Derby winning last night, having home advantage for the second leg etc etc, I think the tie is still finely balanced. It could of course have been a lot different. If Derby had got a third (I know we only had one shot on target but there were a couple of breakaways when we could have made it count) I think the tie would be pretty much over. However, if you'd scored again (you had plenty of chances) then it would be different story.

With regard to Sunday, I reckon if we score first it will be game over. If you score first then, unless it's a late goal, I don't think you'll see Derby panic or go to pieces under the pressure. The Mac will be patient but expect some very attacking substitutions early in the second half if we're still behind.

I've got this horrible feeling it will end 0:1 and if it goes to penalties, looking at the confidence levels of both sets of fans, the penalty shoot out result may be 1:0 (or 0:1) as well.

Anyway, I hope it's a good game and I'm sure, whatever the result, both teams and sets of supporters will be proud of their achievements and will wish the others well in the final. Good luck if you do get through although, I do of course hope you don't.

I agree. Which begs the question, why on Earth did McClaren set up Derby to protect what they had in the second half? I think they could have killed the tie playing as they had for the second quarter of the game. If we somehow pull this off on Sunday, that's where I think Derby fans will point out the tie was lost.

 

[Austrian Gull]

The Derby fans on here seem to be very reasonable people.

If the away goals rule counted, I'd be very worried but I still think we have a fair chance if the manager sets the team up properly.

 

[Jim in the West]

The Derby fans on here seem to be very reasonable people.

Derby are a classy club…..gave Nigel Clough a lot of time (possibly too much), play decent football, are VERY well supported (even when times are tough). Assuming we don't go up, I really hope Derby make it.

 

[Monsieur Le Plonk]

I agree. Which begs the question, why on Earth did McClaren set up Derby to protect what they had in the second half? I think they could have killed the tie playing as they had for the second quarter of the game. If we somehow pull this off on Sunday, that's where I think Derby fans will point out the tie was lost.

Not sure Maclaren did though. He brought on Dawkins and Sammon for Ward and Russell. Attack minded players. The pressure we were putting them under forced them to defend. I agree with you that Derby could and probably should have killed the tie off last night. I wonder......

 

[Mellotron]

Despite Derby winning last night, having home advantage for the second leg etc etc, I think the tie is still finely balanced. It could of course have been a lot different. If Derby had got a third (I know we only had one shot on target but there were a couple of breakaways when we could have made it count) I think the tie would be pretty much over. However, if you'd scored again (you had plenty of chances) then it would be different story.

By that token, if Albion had scored 4 it would've been game over. And that looked more likely than Derby scoring 3. Glad to see there's absolutely nothing to fear from Derby at all, and at home you won't be able to play counter attack as you did in the first leg. I guess you can hope your goalkeeper has another world class performance but I wouldn't bet on it.

Re: Penalties, we're as bad as you at putting them away, but we have a SUPERB penalty specialist keeper on the bench. If there's a sub left and he comes on for the pens, we'll win them.

 

[Mellotron]

I agree. Which begs the question, why on Earth did McClaren set up Derby to protect what they had in the second half? I think they could have killed the tie playing as they had for the second quarter of the game. If we somehow pull this off on Sunday, that's where I think Derby fans will point out the tie was lost.

We also changed how we played in the second half to counter them countering, to be fair.

 

[Simster]

Re: Penalties, we're as bad as you at putting them away, but we have a SUPERB penalty specialist keeper on the bench. If there's a sub left and he comes on for the pens, we'll win them.

FFS. Why would you say that? WHY??

 

[Mellotron]

FFS. Why would you say that? WHY??

Sorry, you're right. One Derby fan knowing about Brezovan changes everything. I will support Portsmouth from now on.

 

[knocky1]

I can't find this anywhere. If we win by only 1 goal difference on Sunday does the game go to extra time or straight to penalties?

 

[Simster]

Sorry, you're right. One Derby fan knowing about Brezovan changes everything. I will support Portsmouth from now on.

Alternatively, be factual about Brez but NOT assert we'll win a penalty shoot out, which is still far from unlikely?

But it's up to you. I'll look out for you in the seats at Fratton next that smelly tosspot with the bell.

 

[peterward]

I can't find this anywhere. If we win by only 1 goal difference on Sunday does the game go to extra time or straight to penalties?

30 mins extra time first, then pens if aggregate still tied

 

[peterward]

Can we be the first championship club ever..... (according the Argus)

To lose first leg at home and then go on and still win the tie overall.

Never been done before in the championship.

 

[LamieRobertson]

I agree. Which begs the question, why on Earth did McClaren set up Derby to protect what they had in the second half? I think they could have killed the tie playing as they had for the second quarter of the game. If we somehow pull this off on Sunday, that's where I think Derby fans will point out the tie was lost.

Exactly as I thought...scoring before the break was ideal for them and if they had gone at us at the beginning of the second half a third would hav killed it

 

[Napper]

The Derby fans on here seem to be very reasonable people.

If the away goals rule counted, I'd be very worried but I still think we have a fair chance if the manager sets the team up properly.

Decent club .

Spoke with a fair few of them last night and they were knowledgable and didnt rub it in afterwards.

Hope they go up if we dont

 

[backson]

OK, so it's only half time and the battle will re-commence on Sunday.

Derby were not brilliant last night but don't ignore the fact that they knew they needed to get a decent result against a very good side. If anyone was expecting Derby to dominate, create a host of chances (OK more than 1 would have been good) and score a load of goals then that person wouldn't have been showing much respect to Brighton. Sometimes you can only play as well as your opponents allow you to.

Despite Derby winning last night, having home advantage for the second leg etc etc, I think the tie is still finely balanced. It could of course have been a lot different. If Derby had got a third (I know we only had one shot on target but there were a couple of breakaways when we could have made it count) I think the tie would be pretty much over. However, if you'd scored again (you had plenty of chances) then it would be different story.

With regard to Sunday, I reckon if we score first it will be game over. If you score first then, unless it's a late goal, I don't think you'll see Derby panic or go to pieces under the pressure. The Mac will be patient but expect some very attacking substitutions early in the second half if we're still behind.

I've got this horrible feeling it will end 0:1 and if it goes to penalties, looking at the confidence levels of both sets of fans, the penalty shoot out result may be 1:0 (or 0:1) as well.

Anyway, I hope it's a good game and I'm sure, whatever the result, both teams and sets of supporters will be proud of their achievements and will wish the others well in the final. Good luck if you do get through although, I do of course hope you don't.

I've highlighted the bit that a lot of our own fans would do well to remember

 

[Lenny Rider]

The morning after the night before, and Im feeling even more positive.

There's no grey area Sunday, we all know we have to win, somewhat different from last years second leg where we wrongly assumed we just had to turn up at the Amex, we've got to go and attack them from the kick off.

Elsewhere on NSC there's a thread entitled 'next goal wins', and I think that sums it up, we have matchwinning players and I think if we score first we will go through.

In the mid 1970's the matchday programme had a photo on the front of fans with a banner that said 'Go at 'em Brighton', says it all...

(Hiney do you have the picture I think it was either season 74-75 or 75-76)

 

[Papa Lazarou]

The morning after the night before, and Im feeling even more positive.

There's no grey area Sunday, we all know we have to win, somewhat different from last years second leg where we wrongly assumed we just had to turn up at the Amex, we've got to go and attack them from the kick off.

Elsewhere on NSC there's a thread entitled 'next goal wins', and I think that sums it up, we have matchwinning players and I think if we score first we will go through.

In the mid 1970's the matchday programme had a photo on the front of fans with a banner that said 'Go at 'em Brighton', says it all...

(Hiney do you have the picture I think it was either season 74-75 or 75-76)

It was actually "Goat 'em Brighton" - it was an occult reference.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

It all boils down to which team scores first.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Just picked up tickets for Sunday. The team were gathering, the coach was being loaded. Oscar was on the phone to Barcelona in the Club Shop (well he was on the phone anyway), Will Hoskins was driving off. We must be staying at St Georges for a couple of nights.