Rams vs Blues in Curtain-raiser

Ben Clifford
Sep 16, 2018
3 min read

Derby vs Birmingham City

Division 2

Sunday 16/09/18

Pride Park

Derby welcome Birmingham City to pride park in TFF's season 4 Division 2 Curtain-raiser. The fixture already has some history to it, no Derby fan will forget last seasons final game a 2-2 draw away at Birmingham, a result that secured their Division 2 safety. Not to mention the Derby manager Ben Clifford is a well known fan of his home town club Birmingham. Both side's struggled last season with Derby finishing 17th and Birmingham 15th, in the previous 4 meetings both teams have recorded 1 win each.

Derby Manager Ben Clifford..

"Firstly it's fantastic to have football back in TFF... And i know the fans can't wait for another season of drama. I personally am looking forward to my first full season in charge, last seasons struggles were well documented. I think the players just needed more time to adapt to the idea's me and my team tried to implement. With a pre-season out the way keeping most of the squad together and with additions of Koscielny, Lamela, Schurrle and Richarlison I feel like we can at least avoid another dog fight down the bottom half of the table"

"Personally this is the first pressure free season I'll have as a manager in TFF. We have the squad and resources to hold our own this season in Division 2, I'm certainly hoping and expecting that we can bring the Derby fans a season free of relegation fear. However having said all that there really isn't any pressure on myself or my boys.

Southampton has a monster squad, if they don't get promoted this season that's going down as the biggest upset in TFF history. I don't think that will be the case, so automatically that's one automatic promotion place gone. Sunderland have a slick squad also with a proven manager at Division 2 level. Personally those are my top two for this season...QPR have quality and if they perhaps put the effort from their cup run last season into this seasons league campaign then there up there, Swansea and Middlesbrough had good seasons last season as well, I think Norwich and Wigan will be in for a good season this season.

Factor in the quality that all the promoted teams have especially Reading and with Fulham having a manager that's conquered the division already i think it will be hard for anyone to disagree that Division 2 certainly has more quality this season then it did last season. Expect one or more of the promoted teams to be pushing for playoffs this season"

Questioned on the Derby chairman's exception of Promotion this season and the rumoured lack of investment money. ..

"I've had positive talks with the chairman this season, we spoke at length when i joined the club about where we wanted to take Derby and how long that project would take. I personally feel like a playoff push would be the better target this season if not then a solid mid-table season

I can't hide it there are better teams in this Division then us right now, the lack of investment i knew would be the case after talks with the chairman, i understand the logic in it and that issue has been parked. I don't think this squad has had the time collectively to set the world alight, however like i said we're going to challenge this season to the best of our ability"