Billy Davies will be hoping to do a Jed Clampett and strike it rich by discovering more points at Arsenal.

When the whistle blew to end the game against Newcastle a collective sigh of relief was released by Rams fans across the globe. At the same time it showed detractors in the media and a handful of empty headed fans who turned on their own club that this squad do not intend to become easy beats for other teams in the Premier League.

The passion on display by each and every player was evident with a gritty game that the Rams could easily have won by more if players had taken their chances. From the keeper to the forwards everyone did their bit to secure the first victory of the campaign. 

I have explained in previous articles that now the Rams are back in the top flight that many of my fellow Aussies are aware of the clubs existence even if so far that awareness has only led to school yard like teasing and questions about relegation.

Following the win, the result ran seemingly over every Australian news services. I could not have anticipated how many people commented on the result. Perhaps after the playoff final I should have known that it would be that way but definitely did not expect co-workers, friends and even casual acquaintances to be aware of the result and what it meant to me.

The fact it was an early morning mid-week game here gave it a massive amount of coverage on breakfast radio, TV and press. I still find it so weird to have Derby so widely covered. Just being able to watch pretty well every game is surreal enough without the majority of media outlets picking up on their results (mind you that wasn’t such a  great thing after the Liverpool game). 

As the team head off to meet Arsenal with Aussie bookmakers offering $20 (8 pounds) for a Rams win, the odds would suggest no one expects Derby to take anything from this game. A point would be like lifting a rock in your backyard and finding a nugget of gold, 3 points would be like digging a hole in that same backyard and striking oil.

Unlikely as it may be… it has happened!

With Giles Barnes and Craig Fagan to come into the winning side over the next few weeks, if the team can add their attacking flair to the mental and physical resolve they showed against the Toon, then Derby could pull themselves from danger faster than any critic would ever have expected (mainly because they don’t expect it!).

Fagan will be unable to help the team at Emirates Stadium come Saturday afternoon (or night, depending where you are) but with some of Billy’s comments yesterday I would not be shocked to see Barnes on the bench. Davies assertions he is near fit and will resume in the first team and not the reserves could point to a tracksuit and seat for young Giles. It would definitely bring a smile to my face and thousands of other faces for that matter.

Go Ewe Rams!!

Photo: Action Images

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