"Plenty of matches" says Son of Clough "before we start with Peterborough on the 8th August".

So never mind the quality, feel the width.. Burton Albion we play twice at the Pirelli Stadium, 3 p.m. a week on Sat'dy 11th, then again Thursday 30th 7.45* in the Bass Charity Vase. Between those two, there's Arnold, 14th, 7.45*, Chesterfield 18th 3 p.m., Belper 20th 7.45*, Yeovil 21st 7.45, Torquay 23rd 7.45, Exeter 25th 3 p.m., Matlock 27th 7.45*, Notts County 28th 7.45.

These are not all first or even second choice teams, as all games marked * are just "Derby County XI" as is the one against Alfreton at the Impact Arena on July 31st, 7.45*. After coasting through the West Country, the climax is the home game against the Potters - KILN them... - 3 p.m. at Pride Park, August 1st, a month today, when we'll see how fired up we are, whether we're ready for the white heat of the Championship, or if we're going to glaze over and potter about near the bottom...

Recommended holiday reading: The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

And strange to tell, among that Earthen Lot
Some could articulate, while others not:
And suddenly one more impatient cried--
"Who is the Potter, pray, and who the Pot?"

Other verses perhaps more well-known...

Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly--and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.

Or this one, which of course should stop no-one from bringing his own predictable comments:

Myself when young did eagerly frequent
Doctor and Saint, and heard great Argument
About it and about: but evermore
Came out by the same Door as in I went.

& as for drinking to forget...

I often wonder what the Vintners buy
One half so precious as the Goods they sell.