The pattern continues; the Rams huff and puff but they can't blow that house down...

Derby County 0-1 Middlesbrough
Tuncay (38)

When asked by the parental units how we played, my reaction was the same as it has been for several weeks, “Alright I suppose.” Unfortunately that won't cut it in this league and the fact that the season has yet to reach Christmas we look down already.

Paul Jewell knows it and appears to accept it; his post match comments contained references to coming back stronger and the club's long-term ambitions rather than staying in the Premiership this season although the manager was quick to state that his players would fight on until the bitter end.

In terms of the future, it looks bleak at the moment but things are on the up, I expect Adam Pearson to reveal shortly that part of the clubs shareholding has been sold to American investors and as a fan of baseball I'm more in favour of this than most given how American billionaires do like to throw money at sport. The main point that appears to get overlooked is that the investment will not be provided in return for ownership of the club; Adam Pearson will still be Chairman and Peter Gadsby will still be involved so I'm all for it to be honest because if we ever want to compete in the top flight the simple truth is we will have to buy success in the same way that Wigan, Bolton and West Ham have done.

It is possible to get promoted and survive for a season with what you've got (see: Reading) but over the long term you need a better class of player than those that ply their trade in the lower leagues and they cost money; it'll take time but it is possible to slowly build yourself in a capable Premiership side (see: Bolton).

That's the plan and the stumbles we're taking along the way will help in the future; the likes of Leacock, McEveley and eventually Nyatanga (when he gets back) will benefit from playing games in the top flight and it will make them better players. The only downside is that it's getting painful to watch in the short-term as the underequipped Rams struggle to get back against even the weakest sides in the World's premier footballing showcase.

Despite beating Arsenal last week Boro are nothing special; they are strong at the back and have some talent going forward in Tuncay and Downing but if you want to stay in the league they are the sort of team you must beat at home in front of a full house.

Sadly, the Rams don't look capable of pulling it off and they never really looked like threatening the likes of Woodgate and Wheater in the Middlesbrough backline, two players who had it easy against the diminutive threat of Kenny Miller, victimised by a lack of support from his team-mates.

The visitors themselves only carved out a couple of chances and scored from the best of them; all it took was a poor pass from Teale and Downing's excellent cross, Tuncay Sanli did the rest with a superb finish under no apparent challenge in the box.

Same old, same old and whilst it was a good goal it should have been prevented had the Rams been able to keep the ball better, a problem which has caused so many conceded goals this season; giving the ball away cheaply has been the death of the Rams and you do wonder why David Jones, arguably the best football at the club, has yet to figure under Paul Jewell although I'm not going to question the manager too strongly, just two weeks into the job.

Newcastle away next up and a chance to complete a memorable double against the only team we have beaten this season; I can actually see it happening, such a result would be fitting and would return a smile to the faces of fan who know what the long term prospects hold but whom could really do with a short term lift.

Full-Time: Rams 0-1 Middlesbrough

Daniel's MOM: Dean Leacock.

Rams: Bywater 6; Moore 6; Davis 5; Griffin 4 (McEveley 6); Mears 5; Leacock 6; Oakley 6; Barnes 5; Miller 5 (Earnshaw 5); Teale 6 (Howard 6); Pearson 5.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer; Young; Wheater; Woodgate; Pogatetz; O'Neil; Rochemback; Boateng; Downing (Johnson); Tuncay; Aliadiere.

Referee: Rob Styles.

Attendance: 32,676.

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Photo: Action Images

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