Saints v Derby - Saturday 3pm

[Sheaf Saint]

Really no point in trying to suggest a preferred lineup, because whatever Tonda picks I have no doubt it will be the right call, and we have such strength in depth that we can rotate pretty much anyone in and still be really competitive.

I went to Pride Park for our 1-1 in September, and it was an absolute travesty of a game. LND getting crocked early and totally ruining our game plan, Manning failing to stop the cross for their equaliser by being too busy arguing with the lino, Macca keeping us in it with two or three crucial saves. The general cynicism and gallows humour in the away end reflected all this - especially when DD came on to do another of his abject impressions of being a footballer. 

We've come and awful long way since then and look a completely different team. With their main big striker out and BBD unavailable, I confidently predict another comfortable win. 2-0 Saints and the teams above us will be shitting themselves.

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

Fans will really play a part now, isn't really showing right now but fatigue will likely set in at some point playing intense games twice a week. We've been patting ourselves on the back for backing against Arsenal , really got to be like that every time.

Like Wrexham before, looks a tough test but we can keep this going. 3-0.

[Harry_SFC]

No reason why we shouldn't be able to whip up another great atmosphere.

As I said previously this is the tougher game this week. Although they have an injury crisis upfront they have some decent players. Matt Clarke, David Ozoh and Bobby Clark have stood out to me. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

2-0 Saints, same as Oxford, game done early on.

[Football Special]

2 hours ago, TheAlehouseBrawlers said:

Fans will really play a part now, isn't really showing right now but fatigue will likely set in at some point playing intense games twice a week. We've been patting ourselves on the back for backing against Arsenal , really got to be like that every time.

Like Wrexham before, looks a tough test but we can keep this going. 3-0.

I agree,  Eustace will set Derby up to frustrate us, could be a slow game at times, hopefully like Oxford we can get an early goal. 

Derby sold out their 3,008 allocation pretty quickly and see this as a big game with them still in with a chance of the play offs, a win would bring them level on points with us, 6 pointer. 

Will be watching Norwich vs Ipswich pre match 

[Football Special]

2 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

No reason why we shouldn't be able to whip up another great atmosphere.

As I said previously this is the tougher game this week. Although they have an injury crisis upfront they have some decent players. Matt Clarke, David Ozoh and Bobby Clark have stood out to me. 

Despite injuries they'll have Carlton Morris and Sammie Szmodics up front , not too bad 

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

I’ve read they’re a physical side and will be aggressive and shithousing all over the pitch, fortunately we can do a bit of that ourselves now so should be a feisty affair. “Get into ‘em”

[Toadhall Saint]

Home win

[Saint_clark]

I think our momentum carries us the rest of this season now and we win every game. Stewart and Larin are both in great form up top meaning we don't have to burn either of them out. 

[Dman]

Tough game. They're a decent, well coached side. As Blackburn will be on tuesday as well. 

However its worth pointing out that Derby have a few injuries, most recently confirmed Agyemang and will be without BBD, so it'll be a bit of a make shift forward line. 

That being said, we've played sides ravenged with injury before and it didn't work in our favour. 

The next 2 will be make or break if we want to make top 2. 

[saintant]

We're unbeaten in 16 including cup games against two Premier League sides. Let Derby worry about us.

[skintsaint]

We done the sheep shaggers last night, now to do over the Rams. 3-0 win.

[SouthWalesSaints]

I’d start Scienza, Stewart, Matsuki as the front three Saturday. All have a goal in them at the moment.  Midfield can’t change nor the back 4, looks like we’re heading towards a sell out. As we should be. 
 

Hopefully people get behind this team in the three midweekers …. The last one felt flat with next to no away fans and a sparse chapel / kingsland corner. 
 

Taking my two year old in the chapel Saturday via level one so at least a couple of us making some noise from that end.  Enjoy this fellas, it’s never been this good. 

[James G]

Derby play a low block, pacy wingers and hit teams on the break. They are also better away from home

We need an early goal then we should be fine. I'll guess an Azaz goal from outside the area, I think we'll win 3-1

[Saint Garrett]

Should win, but we do need to be wary of them on the counter. Them not having Aygemang or Brereton-Diaz I would guess causes them issues.

In Tonda we trust, can pretty much put out any players and you know they'll be the right choice. Scienza back in from the start for 60 mins, and then replace him when he's getting tired. Same with Stewart. Rotation is so important with all these games

I'd probably go:

Peretz; Bree THB Stephens Manning; Downes Jander; Fellows Azaz Scienza; Stewart

[Middlewordie]

Looking forward to another birthday trip with my son. His best mate and Dad are Derby fans so hopefully we can keep the winning run going and provide them some constructive feedback on the way home 😀

[macca155]

Rotation is going to be  crucial as fatigue is bound to be an issue. The players aren't machines no amount of adrenaline is going to compensate for the impact of playing so often.

Thankfully this is where the squad size really starts to kick in. Crucial players are being protected, which allows them to make an impact.

Larin,Stewart,Scienza and Edozie are alternating well. A fresh Fellows,Bragg, and Jander will help maitain the energy levels. Tonda has got the squad exactly where he wants it.

Doesn't really matter who is selected now, but I guess Tonda will be looking to give Fellows, Jander, and Wood some decent minutes.

[Jack]

Every single game is must win to keep the very slim chance of 2nd place alive. Let’s hope Ipswich play like they usually do in the old farm derby and we keep the pressure on after they drop points. Derby are short on options up top with Agyemang injured and Diaz unable to play. It’ll be Morris up top on his own. 
 

Expect another rotation from Tonda to keep the legs fresh and intensity high. Would like to see something like: 
 

Peretz

Bree THB Stephens Welington

Downes Jander

Fellows Azaz Scienza 

Stewart

[SNSUN]

1 hour ago, Jack said:

Every single game is must win to keep the very slim chance of 2nd place alive. Let’s hope Ipswich play like they usually do in the old farm derby and we keep the pressure on after they drop points. Derby are short on options up top with Agyemang injured and Diaz unable to play. It’ll be Morris up top on his own. 
 

Expect another rotation from Tonda to keep the legs fresh and intensity high. Would like to see something like: 
 

Peretz

Bree THB Stephens Welington

Downes Jander

Fellows Azaz Scienza 

Stewart

Rotation back to what is probably our best team on paper. No discredit to Kuryu who has been excellent lately, and Larin who has really added something in attack, plus Charles and Manning who have been good lately too, but on paper, for me, that is our strongest team. On paper that is, as that doesn't take into account form as, bar Arsenal, Fellows hasn't shone of late and Jander isn't hitting the same heights as earlier in the season.

But put that team out and I can't see anything other than a win. The fact we have a good player for pretty much every position must make Tonda's life more difficult as to whom to pick and when. But a nice dilemma at the same time.

[Doctoroncall]

8 hours ago, Football Special said:

Despite injuries they'll have Carlton Morris and Sammie Szmodics up front , not too bad 

Szmodics has a knock, not sure he will make it. Brewster is out as well. 

[SNSUN]

1 minute ago, Doctoroncall said:

Szmodics has a knock, not sure he will make it. Brewster is out as well. 

Sounds like a decent time to play them. Agyemang will be a loss for them. Meanwhile we are at full fitness bar Roerslev and Alex Mc. Although Transfermrkt says Larin has pulled a Hammy.

[hypochondriac]

5 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

Szmodics has a knock, not sure he will make it. Brewster is out as well. 

Does he? Their forum doesn't seem to think so. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

I can see this being a little like the Norwich game. By all accounts they are a physical team and as we know we sometimes struggle against those types. But I think we should have enough to get over the line. 

[spyinthesky]

Whenever I had a good feeling in my water, in recent years, something comes along to burst the bubble so I musn't feel too optimistic.
However, as an old timer, my thoughts go back to 1966 when we were a mid table 2nd Division team without much expectation of reaching the club's first ever promotion to the top tier of English football.
We had just signed full back Dave Webb (from Leyton Orient??) and along with a small band of school mates we went along to see his debut at Molyneux against Wolves.
Webbie scored on his debut, in a 1-1 draw, and we then went unbeaten for the rest of the season (without looking it up I am uncertain how many games that was in a 42 game season but less than our current run I think) and we ended the season runners up to Man City for our first ever promotion to the top tier.
I am just hoping that the recent momentum will propel us to an exciting and beneficial end to the current season.
If, by chance, it doesnt happen I truly hope that we follow the disappointment of Leeds and Coventry and do the job properly next season.

[Football Special]

Very few tickets left for this one now , our last Saturday home game of the season,  how mad is that 

[S-Clarke]

They'll be without most of their attack at the weekend, so it'll be interesting to see how they play. Carlton Morris is back though, he's another in the 'Moore' category of being hard to play against. 

Trying hard not to get too expecting of this team, but it does feel somewhat relentless at the moment.

[die Mannyschaft]

Saints win, 1-0 or anything up to 5-1 will do. 

[Football Special]

2 hours ago, Doctoroncall said:

Szmodics has a knock, not sure he will make it. Brewster is out as well. 

Szmodics will be available. 

I'd be tempted to rest Stewart again and play Larin, in games I've seen Derby have been physical and get away with quite a bit. Fans even imply "shithousing" is a quality of theirs. 

I've had a dislike of them since the play offs 20 odd years ago,  would be lovely to get a win 

https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/45078-match-thread-vs-southampton-a/

[Sheaf Saint]

29 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Szmodics will be available. 

I'd be tempted to rest Stewart again and play Larin, in games I've seen Derby have been physical and get away with quite a bit. Fans even imply "shithousing" is a quality of theirs. 

I've had a dislike of them since the play offs 20 odd years ago,  would be lovely to get a win 

https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/45078-match-thread-vs-southampton-a/

Yep, and shit-housing was their standard MO back then as well. Bunch of dirty cloggers whose entire game plan was to kick lumps out of our best players.

[Harry_SFC]

3 hours ago, SNSUN said:

Sounds like a decent time to play them. Agyemang will be a loss for them. Meanwhile we are at full fitness bar Roerslev and Alex Mc. Although Transfermrkt says Larin has pulled a Hammy.

Not sure they got that from. Walked off the pitch totally fine last night. 

[RedWillie]

Only a handful of tickets in block 20 left.

Sell out again. 👏👏😇

[Patrick Bateman]

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

Szmodics will be available. 

I'd be tempted to rest Stewart again and play Larin, in games I've seen Derby have been physical and get away with quite a bit. Fans even imply "shithousing" is a quality of theirs. 

I've had a dislike of them since the play offs 20 odd years ago,  would be lovely to get a win 

https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/45078-match-thread-vs-southampton-a/

Fk. 20 years ago? Ugh. That's all.

[sfc4prem]

What the Arsenal game analysis has taught me is that Tonda is fastidious in finding opponents' weaknesses and coaching his players to exploit them.

As a result im feeling more confident than ever. I'm sure we will have moments of either struggling to break them down or deal with their direct and physical attacks. I'm sure there will be moments where Derby look like scoring.

I am feeling good about this game though. Really hoping for another three points.

[Crab Lungs]

That playoff defeat under Burley still pisses me off.

So yeah, let’s put them back in their box.

[LiberalCommunist]

Could well meet them in the play offs this season. Its not the craziest permutation. 

[Dr Who?]

Win this and Derby are not catching us. Should be a 2/3-0 win. We will see. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

With their injuries the most concern I have is in the quality of the officials in managing a pro football game rather than allowing rugby style tackling from Derby. Wrexham tried to injure at least two of our players - Derby have nothing to lose now and it will serve their purpose to crock our best players for the rest of the season.

Decent officials : 3-1 Saints

Shit officials: 1-1

[Football Special]

15 hours ago, RedWillie said:

Only a handful of tickets in block 20 left.

Sell out again. 👏👏😇

Wonder if they'll open up the ticket exchange ? Been a long time since thats been needed 

[saintant]

Derby should find it hard to score against us. Defensively we are very sound at the moment. Just looking at the numbers during the 16 match unbeaten run we have let in just 11 goals and 3 of those came in the 4-3 win at Leicester. The maths is simple - we have let in a paltry 8 goals in the other 15 matches ( that should be 7 but for the incompetence of the ref on Tuesday night). That is some turnaround considering we have always consistently shipped goals for fun. It all stems from the arrivals of Peretz and Bree plus the move to a settled back four.  

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

5 hours ago, Football Special said:

Wonder if they'll open up the ticket exchange ? Been a long time since thats been needed 

This has sold out so should probably be open soon. I have bought off the ticket exchange earlier this season.

[Hawkswood]

Watched them recently against Coventry ( I think) and they were a much better footballing team than I had realised so going to be tough even with their injuries. We seem to be quite solid at the moment and obvs have faith in Tonda  but its going to be close so maybe 1 - 0 or 2 -0

[It's There]

Picked up 2 tickets today...not many left. 

[sfc4prem]

1 hour ago, It's There said:

Picked up 2 tickets today...not many left. 

Sold out.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

On 08/04/2026 at 09:47, Dman said:

However its worth pointing out that Derby have a few injuries, most recently confirmed Agyemang and will be without BBD, so it'll be a bit of a make shift forward line. 

Would prefer him being fit to play....would be one less striker to be concerned about.

[Willo of Whiteley]

Scrappy 1-0 win

[Turkish]

On 08/04/2026 at 19:56, Football Special said:

Szmodics will be available. 

I'd be tempted to rest Stewart again and play Larin, in games I've seen Derby have been physical and get away with quite a bit. Fans even imply "shithousing" is a quality of theirs. 

I've had a dislike of them since the play offs 20 odd years ago,  would be lovely to get a win 

https://dcfcfans.uk/topic/45078-match-thread-vs-southampton-a/

Mine goes back much further than that to when they signed Peter Shilton and Mark Wright. I was devastated as a kid that a club I had barely even known existed could sign two of our best players particularly as the Shilton deal left us with pennies. The only Derby fan I’ve ever met was a complete cock who insisted they are a much bigger club than us and deserved to be a top ten premier league club. For those reasons plus the play offs and their silly nickname I want to destroy them