Steve Bloomer's Washing

Football is back! After an imposed three month break due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Championship is back in action, albeit behind closed doors. Chris, Richard and Tom return to analyse how different football will be in ‘the new normal’… and whether playing in empty grounds could work in Derby’s favour. There’s also a preview…… Continue reading SBW 85: The Rams return!

SBW chatted to Rams top scorer Martyn Waghorn in our latest lockdown podcast, as Derby’s No.9 gave his in-depth views on how to cope in the ‘new normal’, the risk of injury or virus transmission when football returns, the strikers he wants to emulate, the contrasting styles of Cocu and Lampard, and ofcourse the influence…… Continue reading SBW 84: Waggy’s lockdown latest

The second part of our extended conversation with Steve McClaren sees the former Rams boss explain why he felt ‘frustrated’ by his two managerial spells. McClaren also relived his stint as Jim Smith’s assistant in 1990s, told us what went wrong with the England job, how he found redemption in Holland… and what he makes…… Continue reading SBW Meets: Steve McClaren (Part 2)

In the first of a two-part interview, SBW sat down with former Rams player, coach and manager, Steve McClaren, for a full and frank account of his two spells in charge since 2013. McClaren came closer than any recent Derby boss to Premier League promotion, only to fail in devastating, dramatic circumstances. McClaren gave us…… Continue reading SBW Meets: Steve McClaren

Cutch, Tom and Anton discuss Derby County and football in general’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and lockdown, and what the immediate future may hold for the Rams and the Football League. Tom, Anton and the listeners provide their Derby County suggestions for Isolation Heaven and Isolation Hell, and there is also a bumper of…… Continue reading SBW 81: Furlough, Finances & Football’s Future

SBW caught up with RamsTV lead presenter and lifelong Rams fan Owen Bradley, who gave us his take on Cocu’s rollercoaster first year, the art of good commentary, how Derby are coping with the Covid crisis and how he came to follow the Rams.

Chris, Richard and Tom are reunited (possibly for the last time in a while) as they attempt to make sense of English football grinding to a halt as a result of the coronavirus global pandemic. As the beautiful game – and society – face dire consequences from Covid-19, we attempt to provide some light relief…… Continue reading SBW 79: Coronavirus shutdown special

Derby County returned to winning ways on the road with an emphatic victory at Hillsborough thanks to a Tom Lawrence brace and hat-trick of assists from Chris Martin. Cutch, Tom and Anton discuss the improving away form, a couple of frustrating results against QPR and Fulham and the futures of Chris Martin and Jayden Bogle.

Derby County’s quest for the Most Average Season Ever continues with another win, another draw and another defeat. Chris and Richard analyse the long-awaited away win at Swansea, the frantic five-goal thriller at Bristol City, and the drab draw at home to Huddersfield. There’s also discussion on Radio Derby’s sacking of Craig Ramage for his…… Continue reading SBW 77: Swans, Robins & Terriers

Only Derby County could squeeze their best AND worst result of the season into four days, and that’s exactly what Phillip Cocu’s Jekyll & Hyde Rams have done. Chris, Richard and Anton salute the spectacular four-goal shoeing of Stoke City, before asking what on earth went wrong earlier in the same week against Luton Town.…… Continue reading SBW 76: Hatter, Haters & Potters

A truly woeful FA Cup tie against Northampton Town sees the Rams needing a replay to secure a fifth round spot… but they’re still in the hat. Chris, Tom and Anton pick the bones out of an uninspiring display against their League Two opposition, and also look back on the home win over Hull City.…… Continue reading SBW 75: Cobblers & Tigers

The new year sees Derby County still unbeaten (enjoy it while it lasts!), as Crystal Palace are dispatched in the FA Cup before Duane Holmes’ late volley snatches an unlikely point on Teeside. How long can the Rams continue their undefeated stretch in 2020? Penalties, Rooney, VAR, Deon Burton (!), transfer rumours and loads more…… Continue reading SBW 74: Palace, Boro & John Percy

Derby start the new year as they ended the last – with a 2-1 home win easing unrest around Pride Park. How influential was Wayne Rooney after his long-awaited debut for the Rams against Barnsley? Chris and Tom analyse Captain Wazza’s first appearance, and also single out Derby’s academy youngsters for more praise. With an…… Continue reading SBW 73: Happy Roo Year

2019 is nearly over, and frankly it can’t finish soon enough for Phillip Cocu’s travel sick Rams, as only a last minute bundled equaliser spares them the embarrassment of another away defeat, this time at bottom club Wigan Athletic. Chris and Richard analyse the talking points from Derby’s Boxing Day fixture, look back on the…… Continue reading SBW 72: Wigan woe & Best of 2019

Derby’s 2019/20 season may have left some parts of our fanbase divided, but one era from our past will always remain unblemished. It’s only on reflection when you can appreciate how special some period for were for the Rams. Jim Smith’s six year reign at Derby County was just that. From broken club records and…… Continue reading Jim Smith: Six games which defined the Bald Eagle’s Derby era

The Steve Bloomer’s Washing boys take a break from contemporary Derby County developments to pay tribute to the most successful manager of their lifetime – the late Jim Smith. The Bald Eagle took charge of the Rams in the summer of 1995, leading an entertaining Derby side to automatic promotion in his first season. He…… Continue reading SBW 71: Jim Smith remembered

The below interview is a transcript of our podcast with Dean Sturridge, recorded in June 2018. – Dean it’s a pleasure to see you again – and you’re still working in football? – That’s correct – in another capacity now. I’d love to be out there on the field with the quality of play -…… Continue reading ‘Jim Smith believed in me’: Dean Sturridge on becoming a Rams goalscoring machine

No Derby fan can deny the last decade for the Rams has been eventful. Four playoff campaigns, plenty of managers, heroes, villains and everything in between. But which 11 players made the biggest contribution to Derby County between 2010 and 2020? Chris, Richard, Tom and Anton sat down to name their combined Team of the…… Continue reading SBW 70: Team of the Decade

The Rams’ patchy season continues with a win, draw and, predictably, another 3-0 defeat in London in their last three games. Wayne Rooney’s unveiling against QPR failed to mask a lacklustre display, and Derby’s woeful away record continued at Fulham. Which injured first-teamer are we missing most? Are we a midtable side, or a good…… Continue reading SBW 69: Win, Roos or Draw

After 276 games, 42 goals and an historic hattrick… comes one podcast interview. Rams hero Craig Bryson joined us on SBW to look back on his eight years at Pride Park – from his early career and ‘owing everything to Nigel Clough’, to play-off heartache, Forest hattricks, a fall-out with Steve McClaren, and a new…… Continue reading SBW Meets: Craig Bryson