Matchday Fred

I fear it will cost us dear this season if Warne doesn’t address the known issue in midfield ie the lack of legs and pace. It’s killing us attacking wise (everything goes down a wing and ends up with a cross) and particularly defending where midfield is an open door to the opposition. Been saying for 18 mths you cannot pair `Hourihane and Bird in midfield, they are both luxuries who play at exhibition pace.

3pts so not complaining, but surely performances will improve. The pitch needs some attention, as does the midfield which remains a huge weak link with two similar players who aren’t the best athletes trying to plug a big space where the game is typically won and lost. And we still rely heavily on NML for goals/assists. Jury out on TJJ. Hoping this window announces some pleasant surprises. 

6 minutes ago, Eastdevonram said:

We just need players that have pace, energy, quality and experience all in one

I’d settle for pace and energy as quality can be developed and experience is overrated. We have a squad of players with largely one gear, second to the ball most of the time. Bird and Hourihane seem to play at exhibition pace.

Deserve the win, been more athletic than us all over the pitch. We conceded the middle of the pitch and didn’t stop their centre half’s running into our half with the ball. Our midfield is powderpuff with non of Bird, Hourihane, Thompson, Sibley, Elder really physical enough. Would love to see the metres run stats.

Bird always wrong side, a defensive liability. All flap and feather, no flight.

Hourihane being outrun this time. We concede the centre ground with this set up. Drive your tanks right down our middle. Combatant central midfielder required who will put a tackle in.

Bird dreadful tracking back. No legs, no desire.

Darren Ferguson looks like he’s just finished the panto matinee performance of Old Mother Hubbard

1 hour ago, StarterForTen said:

It would be a meltdown, and quite rightly so.

However, there is not a single ounce of evidence to suggest that is going to happen, but don't let that spoil your fun.

There are some stories doing the rounds that Hull, Birmingham are interested in NML. Likely to be lazy journo’s or his agent stirring the pot , but his contract expires end of season. Not one we’d like to lose. Lots of short term contracts, lots of challenges in just keeping what we have.

0-1 Win

FRGS Bradley

Winning away from what was essentially a set piece. A clean sheet. That is what gets you promoted. Well done Rams.

0-1 Loss. Statement o.g. From Bradley

A poor division but currently ahead of expectations and that is despite playing half a season with really only Collin’s as a striker. We haven’t yet played consistently well but crucially are winning games.

The Jan window is the most significant in years with potentially some going’s, but it is the comings that we need to get right. Striker, central midfielder and winger needed for me with pace added. Huge ask but get it right and we finish top two.

Hoping the Jan Window will see an end to Warne’s fascination with Hourihane and Collins. No leadership from them, and performances are mediocre at least. One good game in five isn’tt good enough especially when Bird plays well below his talent with too many lacklustre performances.. Warne has to be brave and start dropping the big name non-performers.

65% possession zero shots on target. Midfield more interested in a scrap than a goal

It’s a dull cliche but focus should be on the next game. Do not distract the players from tomorrow’s job, keep it simple but effective. Celebrate wins and reinforce strengths. Projecting forward and obsessing with fixtures and scoreboards is usually a mugs game. Focus on current form and what we can do better.  What we need this year is to start beating the sides in the top 6, setting out to win every game especially away from home, getting an early goal, being the side on top in the last 10 mins, not settling for a draw because legs are tired.
 

There for the taking if we stay fit, keep our s*** together. 

It’s a results business and they could not have been better over the last 5 games. Performances could be better, but at this level most wins are ugly wins and that is where we need to be. I do think performances will get better though. Watched the Pompey v Bolton game and they have some good players but no great shakes. Maghoma and Santos good for Bolton but the rest pretty average. The much vaunted Charles was shocking. Pompey struggled in the first half but Kamara and Yingi looked decent in the second half. Both sides are pretty solid at the back, and both press in the midfield pretty well with energy.

i suspect both score goals from set pieces and have defenders contributing goals. The Pompey first goal was a training ground set piece. I feel this is where Derby could get much better and where the coaching team should be adding value. Sadly most headers fall to Cashin whose compass doesn’t work at the other end of the pitch. Ten more goals per season from corners could make a huge difference.

i can see us passing Bolton if we can up the intensity and maintain it, and improve the pace and striking options in January. Nothing to fear if we finish in the playoffs, other than bad luck.

1-0 Bradley o.g.

Good away win. All about the result and grinding them out. Performances will improve, be good to score in first half. Collins has some competition up front now, and there is still an opportunity to improve the legs in midfield. Fornah decent, Hourihane underwhelming.

If they want a pub game, let’s bring on John Jules and Waghorn

1-0 Bradley og

All about the result, a win is a win. Top six and massively think our luck in second half season will change for better. Huge opportunities to upgrade midfield and attack so we should look forward positively believing top two is easily within reach. 

0-1 Bradley og 

Here’s the summary of the problem. Clowes hires Warne with experience of getting out of L1. Warne only knows one game. We all know how Rotherham played, little skill but lots of hard runners, aggression, height at both ends lending itself to the numbers game of lots of crosses into the box. Fast forward to Derby where Warne inherits someone’s squad put together at speed, full of journeyman who are the least equipped bunch to play the Rotherham way. But Warne still hasn’t spotted that, and has no idea how to set up this team up to get the best out of it. Clowes would not have spotted this cos he isn’t a football man. He just hoped that history would repeat itself, but totally failed to spot the dilemma just described. Warne doesn’t have enough transfer windows open to build a team that can play the Rotherham and doesn’t appear to have the smarts to play another way.

Warne put his strongest side out bearing mind the international break to give them a rest. Fair play for that. But they just aren’t good enough, and tellingly not proud enough to give 100 percent every time. If Warne lets them get away with jogging through a game, too many will do it. Conceding 3 at home to a L2 side notwithstanding some geezer sticking in the corner twice from outside the box.