What is your strategy for us getting promoted next season?

[nottingram]

1) If Moyes fancied it he'd be my choice, otherwise I've warmed to the idea of Rowett. 

2) I'd like us to run a squad of around 20 established players with the U21's making up the numbers. An experienced defensive midfielder, a top class attacking midfielder (Pritchard?) and a viable rotation striker would be priority signings.

3) Think we could fill those gaps comfortably for £8m or so, could potentially make that back from sales with plenty to spare.

4) Clearout. Baird, Pearce, Shotton, Albentosa, Johnson, Butterfield, Blackman, Camara, Bent.

5) Have them (Zanzala, Rawson, Guy, Lowe, Elsnik) start the season as options past the initial 20, if they're required and do well the place is theirs to lose. Rashford is an example of a player exceeding all expectations once given a chance. How do we know ours can't do the same?

6) I think we can keep both. Thorne is a given and I think Will isn't the type of player to demand to leave. Wouldn't stand in his way though if he wanted to go.

[eustonstation]

3 hours ago, Rampage said:

The dust is beginning to settle on our loss to Hull. Some questions for you to comment on.

Q!. Who would you realistically appoint as manager?

Q2. How many players do we need for next season?

Q3. What sort of net transfer budget do we need for next season?

Q4. Do we need a major clear out or can we tweak the squad?

Q5. Can we realistically bring U21 players into the team next season?

Q6. Can we hang onto Hughes and Thorne next season?

A1:  I'm warming up to the idea of Pearson. But I'd be happy with Martinez or Sherwood too. 

A2:  I honestly don't think we need anyone new, unless we get rid of someone and need cover. We just need to better use the players we have. Some are on the way out like Sammon, Warnock, Shotton, Pearce, Albentosa, Baird, 

A3:  $0.  

A4:  Tweak. Better use of Weimann, Camara, Bent if they stay (I'd think twice if I were them).

A5:  There are some I'd give a shot in pre-season to see what they can do (Rawson, Bennett, Calero) and have them float around the first team. 

A6:  Hughes is a maybe, but I think he'll stay one more season; I don't think there are any teams above us who would take a chance on Thorne given his injury record, so he's ours. 

We need a total overhaul of the scouting/recruitment team. 

[Comrade 86]

2 hours ago, Rampage said:

The dust is beginning to settle on our loss to Hull. Some questions for you to comment on.

Q!. Who would you realistically appoint as manager?

Q2. How many players do we need for next season?

Q3. What sort of net transfer budget do we need for next season?

Q4. Do we need a major clear out or can we tweak the squad?

Q5. Can we realistically bring U21 players into the team next season?

Q6. Can we hang onto Hughes and Thorne next season?

Q1: Assuming Wassall is moved back to the academy, Warburton, Pearson, MON and Flores in that order. Maybe the Wendies' coach should they lose to Hull next week. I suspect DW might be given a chance though which will doubtless cause some major pre-season handwringing in some quarters. 

Q2: Given our record with injuries and FFP considerations aside, I'd maintain a similar squad size but change up some personnel.

Q3: £5 mill max. There's a good few with little to no prospect of playing regularly. Shipping them out should help make up any shortfall.

Q4: The core of the first team is fine. Carson, the 2 CBs, Thorne, Hughes, Bryson and Martin are all more than good enough. Pearce, Shotton and Baird can definitely be sold. The jury is stil out on Butterfield, Johnson, Weimann, Blackman and Camara. Not sure about Jake. Would like to see out and out wingers, a striker with pace as an option to (or play alongside) Chris and another CB brought in if needs be. Jeff has shown he can ably cover for Thorne should worst come to worst. 

Q5: Of course. If they're good enough, they're old enough. Hard to see anyone beyond Hanson and Zanzala being given a chance though.

Q6: According to Mel, Hughes is going nowhere. Time will tell. Thorne I'm pretty sure will still be here until he's proven he's over this latest injury setback. 

In summary, a few tweaks and we've no reason to fear anyone though I'd like to see us to make a call on the manager ASAP so that transfers in and out can be sorted in good time and before other clubs beat us to the punch. 

DCFC - 2016/17 Championship winners  

[SKRam]

All have our ideals but what stands out here is Camara..... Simply can't believe almost all are shouting Get Rid.... Surely the lad has not had a sniff. He's got pace and we are sadly lacking... Give him a chance 

[Carl Sagan]

4 hours ago, Rampage said:

The dust is beginning to settle on our loss to Hull. Some questions for you to comment on.

Q!. Who would you realistically appoint as manager?

Q2. How many players do we need for next season?

Q3. What sort of net transfer budget do we need for next season?

Q4. Do we need a major clear out or can we tweak the squad?

Q5. Can we realistically bring U21 players into the team next season?

Q6. Can we hang onto Hughes and Thorne next season?

A1. Is Rodgers realistic? He's my first choice but I'd be very happy with Pearson or Flores. I'd also be delighted with O'Neill post Euros.

A2. Our squad was way too bloated this season, which leads to unhappy senior pros and the impossibility off bringing in youth. Not counting younger players, we ended up loaning out Sammon, Albentosa, Shotton, Baird, Pearce, Warnock which shows the madness of it all. I'd go for max 20 senior pros and then the U21s coming through as needed.

A3. In the era of player power, it depends on how many players we're able to move on. Even in doing so, we could end up still paying their wages or giving them considerable payoffs to go, We should have bought McCormack last season. If we can get him, he'd be my only major signing this time around. One of the issues is that I have no confidence in the recruitment team. If I thought we might buy well, I'd suggest twisting with some players (perhaps movving on our Irish triumverate of Keogh/Hendrick/Christie if they have a good Euros and we can capitalize), but I expect they would buy dross. Others to sell if we can would be Grant, Blackman and Bent (as we're not going to play him). Despite his playoff hopelessness, I might keep Ince. I'd sell at least one of our midfielders, ideally Johnson or Butterfield, but I suspect Hendrick will be more attractive to other teams

Getting 10 players off the wagebill as well as maybe raising some funds, in exchange for McCormack coming in suggests no net outlay.

A4. Partly covered in A3. A major clearout without major additions. Lose 10 gain 1 and bring through U21s gives me a senior squad of:

Carson & Mitchell/Roos; [2]

Christie, Forsyth, Olsson, Keogh, Shackell, Buxton; [6]

Hughes, Thorne, Hendrick, Bryson, Butterfield, Johnson, Hanson {with one of these to leave); [6]

Russell, Martin, Weimann, McCormack, Camara, Ince [6]

If I thought the recruitment department cold bring in a genuine international class centre half (of the calbre of the likes of Stimac/McGrath/West naming examples when we weren't any better than we are now) then I'd sell one of the centrebacks to make room and be thrilled with that.

A5. Players that I hope will occasionally come into the squad at points through the season are:

Lowe, Rawson, Elsnick, Guy, Calero, Zanzala. That's 2 defenders, 3 midfielders and a striker. I'd hope most of them would get some game time in the League Cup. Right back cover comes from Hanson, Hendrick or Keogh as needed, or Stabana could be ready for the odd game.

A6. I think yes to both. Will will give us one last season. I wouldn't sell for anything other than a massive fee (>£25m) as I don't trust our recruitment department not to squander the money. As has been aid, Thorne's too brittle for anyone else to take a risk, which is massively to our advantage if he can stay fit.

The fear is that this squad is too similar to the group that has narrowly missed out for three seasons in a row, but I think with a decent manager they can get us over the line. The bigger fear would be to hand over money to the recruitment department who have simply brought in way too many additions no better than what we already had.

[maydrakin]

Everyone shouting to be rid of Grant might want to bear in mind that emergency loans are no longer an option.  Therefore, should we get rid and Carson gets an injury in Sept, we are left with quite a bit of a gap in a key position.  Mitchell and Roos may have been impressive on loan in the 4th Division, however the 2nd Division is a big step up (as Roos proved at Rotherham).

The odd game may be ok, but would you risk half a season on an u21 goalkeeper?

[Dimmu]

1 hour ago, maydrakin said:

Everyone shouting to be rid of Grant might want to bear in mind that emergency loans are no longer an option.  Therefore, should we get rid and Carson gets an injury in Sept, we are left with quite a bit of a gap in a key position.  Mitchell and Roos may have been impressive on loan in the 4th Division, however the 2nd Division is a big step up (as Roos proved at Rotherham).

The odd game may be ok, but would you risk half a season on an u21 goalkeeper?

Good point. So we should get rid of Grant and get decent back up for Carson.

[StevoRam]

9 hours ago, Rampage said:

The dust is beginning to settle on our loss to Hull. Some questions for you to comment on.

Q!. Who would you realistically appoint as manager? - Harry Redknapp

Q2. How many players do we need for next season? - RB, CB, CDM cover. Striker and winger that can push for the first team . 

Q3. What sort of net transfer budget do we need for next season? We need to be identifying players that fit our system and squad, not just buying players who are the best we can find. 

Q4. Do we need a major clear out or can we tweak the squad? Blackman, Bent, Johnson, Buxton, Pearce, Shotton should be sold.

Q5. Can we realistically bring U21 players into the team next season? Yes there will be injuries and we've got to let the u21s have a shot rather than blowing several mil on an overrated player to cover

Q6. Can we hang onto Hughes and Thorne next season? Thorne easily yes. Hughes, I think we have one more season, if we don't go up next season, I think he'll leave

 

[kingsy1884]

1 hour ago, Dimmu said:

Good point. So we should get rid of Grant and get decent back up for Carson.

Speroni is a free agent in the summer. He would be a more reliable backup to carson. He has done promotion before and was starting in the prem not too long ago. 

[Rampage]

7 hours ago, eustonstation said:

We need a total overhaul of the scouting/recruitment team. 

This may be the main key to promotion. Why do we have no Africans or proven Spanish players. surely a quality spanish midfielder would not go amiss. Where are our South Americans?

[CornwallRam]

10 hours ago, Rampage said:

The dust is beginning to settle on our loss to Hull. Some questions for you to comment on.

Q!. Who would you realistically appoint as manager?

Q2. How many players do we need for next season?

Q3. What sort of net transfer budget do we need for next season?

Q4. Do we need a major clear out or can we tweak the squad?

Q5. Can we realistically bring U21 players into the team next season?

Q6. Can we hang onto Hughes and Thorne next season?

Q1 - Nigel Pearson

Q2 - However many Pearson wants

Q3 - As much as Pearson feels is needed without causing financial problems for the club.

Q4 - Depends what Pearson thinks of the squad

Q5 - Depends what Pearson thinks of the U21 players

Q6 - Depends on what bids come in and whether Pearson believes he can use the money to improve the squad overall.

If Pearson is not available then substitute his name for Howe, Dyche, Warburton, Hughton, Warnock, Rogers, Martinez, Bruce, Holloway etc. The point is, the strategy for promotion is to get the best manager available and let him run the football side of the club.

[LesterRam]

Bribery, proven to work.

[ramsbottom]

Q1. Who would you realistically appoint as manager?

- I'd move heaven and earth to get Mark Warburton.  After that, perhaps Karl Robinson, MK Dons played some good stuff and I think he could do well with a bigger budget.

Q3. What sort of net transfer budget do we need for next season?

- As healthy as possible, for all of Mel's assurances about FFP I doubt we can afford to spend big.

Q4. Do we need a major clear out or can we tweak the squad?

- The squad is too big and lop-sided.  Depending how the new manager wants us to line up we need the players to fit those roles.  I'd personally get rid of Shotton, Baird, Pearce, Johnson, Warnock, Grant, Bent & (if we received a decent offer) Russell.

Q2. How many players do we need for next season?

- Stuck this here as Q3 & Q4 dictate it.  I'd like to see another CB, a winger/inside forward who can go either side of their man with conviction (somebody like Albrighton or Ibe), and a striker like Martin but with added pace.  What I would like to see is a relatively small squad of 22/23 players.  Both PC and Waffall came unstuck trying to keep everyone happy, especially over the last two games.

Q5. Can we realistically bring U21 players into the team next season?

- I think Rawson should be looking to break through, either as back up for Christie or at CB, Hanson can hopefully kick on as well.  Others that may break though if the manager takes a like to them are Elsnik & Guy

Q6. Can we hang onto Hughes and Thorne next season?

- Thorne yes, but I can't see Will being here unless clubs thinking of signing him are thinking "Let's see if he can go the season without his knee going again"...

 

[Rampage]

Run out of likes! The quality of posts on this forum is light years ahead of any other Forum that i have looked at. No wonder that Mel asked representatives of it to meet with him. If you are not convinced by this, then try the others. so much garbage on some of them.The combined, gained wisdom and insight of posters who have watched the Rams for years is a very significant resource and should influence the staff at DCFC.

Despite this, the sheer lack of concensus on choosing a manager shows how critical the next choice will be.There are many variables. However, Mel's overriding view is to have continuity and sustainability of the vision that he has for the club.

We failed to get promotion by a margin of about 5%. A lack of concentration from a poor corner and the malaise of not having enough men back has probably cost us a very large amount of cash.

I cannot see us getting automatic promotion next season without addressing our 'did not turn up' mentality. If it means that some 'better' players may have to go, so be it. I would tell Martin that if he continues to show negative body language when he does not get the pass that he wants, then he will be dropped. Ince and Shackell have a lesser problem in my opinion. I do not believe that we have bought crap players. We bought what we saw when we looked at them. That is not the fault of the players.Why criticise a player who is what he was when we bought him. Criticise the person that bought him. If I buy a Ford Escort with a view to winning F1, then I do not blame the car. If someone else buys that car for me to try to win F!, do not blame me. Why does anyone at the Club feel more qualified at choosing a player than the manager who is building the team? By all means vet the manger's choice at length and decide if he is not worth the money asked as it is not the manager's money being spent.

[ramsbottom]

3 minutes ago, Rampage said:

Run out of likes! The quality of posts on this forum is light years ahead of any other Forum that i have looked at. No wonder that Mel asked representatives of it to meet with him. If you are not convinced by this, then try the others. so much garbage on some of them.The combined, gained wisdom and insight of posters who have watched the Rams for years is a very significant resource and should influence the staff at DCFC.

Despite this, the sheer lack of concensus on choosing a manager shows how critical the next choice will be.There are many variables. However, Mel's overriding view is to have continuity and sustainability of the vision that he has for the club.

We failed to get promotion by a margin of about 5%. A lack of concentration from a poor corner and the malaise of not having enough men back has probably cost us a very large amount of cash.

I cannot see us getting automatic promotion next season without addressing our 'did not turn up' mentality. If it means that some 'better' players may have to go, so be it. I would tell Martin that if he continues to show negative body language when he does not get the pass that he wants, then he will be dropped. Ince and Shackell have a lesser problem in my opinion. I do not believe that we have bought crap players. We bought what we saw when we looked at them. That is not the fault of the players.Why criticise a player who is what he was when we bought him. Criticise the person that bought him. If I buy a Ford Escort with a view to winning F1, then I do not blame the car. If someone else buys that car for me to try to win F!, do not blame me. Why does anyone at the Club feel more qualified at choosing a player than the manager who is building the team? By all means vet the manger's choice at length and decide if he is not worth the money asked as it is not the manager's money being spent.

stop it, I'm blushing 

[Rampage]

We should by now, be convinced that a big squad is vital because we are often one injury away from a poor run of results. We could not replace Thorne and use Hughes' forward play. I gave Hendrick no chance of playing well, but I was wrong. BJ is a very good player in the right position but was not match fit. At least we had players on the books in good numbers, but even then we were 'short' of fit players..

[eddie]

11 hours ago, Rampage said:

The dust is beginning to settle on our loss to Hull. Some questions for you to comment on.

Q!. Who would you realistically appoint as manager?

Q2. How many players do we need for next season?

Q3. What sort of net transfer budget do we need for next season?

Q4. Do we need a major clear out or can we tweak the squad?

Q5. Can we realistically bring U21 players into the team next season?

Q6. Can we hang onto Hughes and Thorne next season?

Q1. Harry Redknapp, with Darren Wassall as No 2

Q2. 1. A defensive midfielder as cover for Thorne, although a quality centre half and a central striker would be most welcome too, but is it feasible to get that level of quality (i.e. as good as Keogh/Shackell and Martin) to serve as cover? Perhaps those positions could be filled from the U21s.

Q3. Depends upon Q4.

Q4. Tweak - I should think that Shotton is a definite leaver, but if Q6 is answered positively, then a least one out of Johnson and Butters is surplus to requirements. Ince is a mercurial talent, but he has blown more cold than hot this season. Andy Weimann was a sensation at Hull, and far more direct in getting to the byline and creating panic. Likewise with Russell.

Q5. The likes of Vernam, Guy, Calero, Hanson, Rawson, Lowe etc must be getting close to the squad, if not regular starters.

Q6. I cannot see anyone breaking the bank to buy Thorne. Hughes, on the other hand, might be a different proposition. Sooner or later he will get itchy feet - this lad is good enough to play for England at the moment, but until he is playing in the top division, he will not be recognised for the creative genius he is.

[Rampage]

Run out of likes but have a like along with the others on this thread who were victims of the 50 likes maximum threshold in a day. When does a 'day' start? I know that it did not start today.

I think that we are going to have to be better next year than Boro, Brighton and Hull/Sheff Wed were this year to get promotion next year. How many players do we have who can play 10% better next year than this year on a consistent basis?

[Rampage]

Only Redknapp and Wassall in tandem can clearly play the Derby Way but will that be good enough to get promotion? I think not.

[rynny]

9 minutes ago, Rampage said:

Run out of likes but have a like along with the others on this thread who were victims of the 50 likes maximum threshold in a day. When does a 'day' start? I know that it did not start today.

I think that we are going to have to be better next year than Boro, Brighton and Hull/Sheff Wed were this year to get promotion next year. How many players do we have who can play 10% better next year than this year on a consistent basis?

You get 50 likes over any 24 hour period. So if you gave a like at 10:30, 10:32 11:00, when it gets to that time you will have a like available to use. If you used all 50 at 11:30 last night unfortunately you will not get them back until that time tonight.