Jourdan

P.G Wodehouse pre match presser.
As the stage is set for a clash of footballing titans, Port Vale, under the leadership of the illustrious Big Dave, embark on a journey to the hallowed grounds of Pride Park, where the once pristine pitch now bears the scars of battles past, its surface marred by the passage of time. Meanwhile, Derby County, perched precariously in the lofty heights of second place, find themselves under the watchful eye of Manager Warne, whose fervent devotion to wing-backs threatens to jeopardize their bid for automatic promotion. Amidst this tactical chess match, expect to witness a spectacle of long diagonal passes and set-piece specials as both sides vie for supremacy. With the stakes higher than ever, Warne must navigate his team through the treacherous terrain of the pitch without exhausting their reserves, striving to ignite the engine of victory and propel Derby County into fifth gear to secure a crucial triumph.

That was awful last night and more akin to a ping pong game between two blind men than a game of football.
I don't mind being direct,I don't mind constantly knocking it in from the wings but this game had neither and was basically tedious and boring.
A glimmer of hope was Gayle who showed some of those deft touches and lay offs not seen since Martin left...they were pointless however as none of our other players had the nous to actually put themselves in the region of where one of these lovely lay offs might actually be.
Amongst the others,Smith showed promise and looks far more championship than league 1 and Wilson put a shift in as,bizarrely,he was the main recipient of every pass to the wings instead of Mendez who had a very q game.
I'm a fan of warne,I like him and would still have him over the oft referenced manager who never was the manager Rosenior (whose football was equally tedious,just in a different way)but he needs to sort this out sharpish or we will be dropping like a stone before we know it.
Hard to believe we are second but still talking like this,we should be on a high not dreading the next game against port vale....we need a outstanding result there to put the confidence back into the team and the fans.

For balance, I think the biggest criticism that can be levelled at Warne is that his changes can be too left-field and tend to destabilise the team.
Injuries are obviously a big factor, but there are curveballs in team selection and set up that fans are struggling to decipher so imagine how the players must be feeling.
With so few games to go, we need simplicity and to establish consistent partnerships. Get Nelson and Cashin back together in a four. Play full backs at full back. Get Adams, Bird and Hourihane in midfield. Get NML and CBT on the pitch and playing with Gayle.
If we do logical things and don’t achieve logical outcomes, OK. But right now both the players and the manager are doing the inexplicable and that tends to make you think what if.

There is normally a drop off between weekend and midweek attendances. Life and work often gets in the way for people.
Of course, fans will vote with their feet. It happens at every club up and down the country, even at clubs with much vaunted support like Leeds.
If we don’t get promoted, either Warne’s job will be under threat or Clowes will give him the first half of next season.
Will it affect attendances? Maybe slightly. But if Derby’s core support have remained through the management spells of Todd, Gregory, Brown, Jewell, Pearson, Cocu, Rooney, Clement and so on, I don’t see the majority deserting the club now.
There have been worse times and less enjoyable football. If you are a fan of the club, nothing should really change.

There is normally a drop off between weekend and midweek attendances. Life and work often gets in the way for people.
Of course, fans will vote with their feet. It happens at every club up and down the country, even at clubs with much vaunted support like Leeds.
If we don’t get promoted, either Warne’s job will be under threat or Clowes will give him the first half of next season.
Will it affect attendances? Maybe slightly. But if Derby’s core support have remained through the management spells of Todd, Gregory, Brown, Jewell, Pearson, Cocu, Rooney, Clement and so on, I don’t see the majority deserting the club now.
There have been worse times and less enjoyable football. If you are a fan of the club, nothing should really change.

Happy clapper and the usual people liking your post. Wake up and smell the coffee all of you

There is normally a drop off between weekend and midweek attendances. Life and work often gets in the way for people.
Of course, fans will vote with their feet. It happens at every club up and down the country, even at clubs with much vaunted support like Leeds.
If we don’t get promoted, either Warne’s job will be under threat or Clowes will give him the first half of next season.
Will it affect attendances? Maybe slightly. But if Derby’s core support have remained through the management spells of Todd, Gregory, Brown, Jewell, Pearson, Cocu, Rooney, Clement and so on, I don’t see the majority deserting the club now.
There have been worse times and less enjoyable football. If you are a fan of the club, nothing should really change.

There is normally a drop off between weekend and midweek attendances. Life and work often gets in the way for people.
Of course, fans will vote with their feet. It happens at every club up and down the country, even at clubs with much vaunted support like Leeds.
If we don’t get promoted, either Warne’s job will be under threat or Clowes will give him the first half of next season.
Will it affect attendances? Maybe slightly. But if Derby’s core support have remained through the management spells of Todd, Gregory, Brown, Jewell, Pearson, Cocu, Rooney, Clement and so on, I don’t see the majority deserting the club now.
There have been worse times and less enjoyable football. If you are a fan of the club, nothing should really change.

For balance, I think the biggest criticism that can be levelled at Warne is that his changes can be too left-field and tend to destabilise the team.
Injuries are obviously a big factor, but there are curveballs in team selection and set up that fans are struggling to decipher so imagine how the players must be feeling.
With so few games to go, we need simplicity and to establish consistent partnerships. Get Nelson and Cashin back together in a four. Play full backs at full back. Get Adams, Bird and Hourihane in midfield. Get NML and CBT on the pitch and playing with Gayle.
If we do logical things and don’t achieve logical outcomes, OK. But right now both the players and the manager are doing the inexplicable and that tends to make you think what if.

Warne and the players have 11-14 games to get things right. Clowes will be concerned about back to back losses but ultimately he will assess the situation at the end of the season when we know what division we’ll be in, so really so should we as a fanbase.
It’s not going to be helpful to do it any sooner. It’s crunch time. We all need to be pulling in the same direction, not getting the knives out after every less than perfect result. People talk about the club being short termist, yet where the manager’s future is concerned, many of our fans are the same.
Clearly Warne and the players are feeling the pressure, and need our support to get the job done. Instead, if last night is anything to go by, the players and the manager will be dragged over the coals. 
People believe we have the best squad in the division and should be achieving more, but it doesn’t really add up. This is a League 1 group of players with the kind of limitations that are rampant at this level. Players don’t make the mistakes ours do and switch off in the way ours do with the same regularity in the Championship and above. 
Portsmouth have set the pace and led the way since early on and look fully deserving of promotion. We need to step up and show we deserve it too. If we don’t, Barnsley, Bolton and Peterborough will definitely oblige.
Last night was a worry but we have to believe while it’s still possible.

Warne and the players have 11-14 games to get things right. Clowes will be concerned about back to back losses but ultimately he will assess the situation at the end of the season when we know what division we’ll be in, so really so should we as a fanbase.
It’s not going to be helpful to do it any sooner. It’s crunch time. We all need to be pulling in the same direction, not getting the knives out after every less than perfect result. People talk about the club being short termist, yet where the manager’s future is concerned, many of our fans are the same.
Clearly Warne and the players are feeling the pressure, and need our support to get the job done. Instead, if last night is anything to go by, the players and the manager will be dragged over the coals. 
People believe we have the best squad in the division and should be achieving more, but it doesn’t really add up. This is a League 1 group of players with the kind of limitations that are rampant at this level. Players don’t make the mistakes ours do and switch off in the way ours do with the same regularity in the Championship and above. 
Portsmouth have set the pace and led the way since early on and look fully deserving of promotion. We need to step up and show we deserve it too. If we don’t, Barnsley, Bolton and Peterborough will definitely oblige.
Last night was a worry but we have to believe while it’s still possible.

I think we saw in these last 2 games why Barkhuizen doesn't get picked ahead of Wilson - two more wafty performances with about as much presence as an absent ghost. The gaps between his good performances are just too long.

Well that was a poo end to a nice holiday, taxi got us back from Gatwick with 10 mins to spare before kick off ( on rtv ), wasn’t sure on the team but we seemed to start ok with real tempo and intent , got a goal and then it just fell apart ,, ffs what is wildsmith doing 🤷🏻‍♂️, from then on the result / ending seemed pretty clear to a long time derby fan , our players and perhaps the management team just don’t seem to have the balls when we get into good position to kick on in games and cementing top two ,
last night was probably the most disappointing this season , there’s only one chance and that s that the players and management put last night behind them with the attitude that the season starts here ,
over to you warne and the boys 🤷🏻‍♂️

Managers and players make mistakes and have bad nights. Tonight Warne and the players were culpable of that. It’s part and parcel of football. Every team has a wobble. This is ours.
The question is whether Warne and the players can recollect themselves and show their mettle. We can’t afford a repeat of last season’s run in where we tripped up horribly.
Warne really needs to set on an XI and put some faith behind it. At the moment, he seems to be experimenting and seeing what sticks and that is a concern 35 games into the season, even considering all of the injuries.
The players also need to stand up and be counted. They are making the kind of errors and missing quality and nerve, which backs up the thinking this is not a top two team.
However I think tonight shows that it will be a long eight weeks for everyone in the mix. We won’t be the only ones to drop the ball and have off-nights. There are going to be twists, turns, trips and falls and the picture will change dramatically game after game.
We need to see a big response and rebuild momentum. We can’t keep giving the teams around us lifelines. Barnsley and Peterborough will feel buoyed after tonight and Portsmouth are beginning to look out of sight.
All that being said, I don’t get the calls for Warne to be sacked though. It’s plainly unrealistic and unachievable. Some simply have to buckle up and enjoy the ride because our fortunes are going to fluctuate from week to week and while everything is still up for grabs, Warne still has time to learn from mistakes and put things right.
There is still so much life in the season and there’s ample opportunity for us to bounce back. Tonight was a setback but a big win v Port Vale gets us right back on track.

Managers and players make mistakes and have bad nights. Tonight Warne and the players were culpable of that. It’s part and parcel of football. Every team has a wobble. This is ours.
The question is whether Warne and the players can recollect themselves and show their mettle. We can’t afford a repeat of last season’s run in where we tripped up horribly.
Warne really needs to set on an XI and put some faith behind it. At the moment, he seems to be experimenting and seeing what sticks and that is a concern 35 games into the season, even considering all of the injuries.
The players also need to stand up and be counted. They are making the kind of errors and missing quality and nerve, which backs up the thinking this is not a top two team.
However I think tonight shows that it will be a long eight weeks for everyone in the mix. We won’t be the only ones to drop the ball and have off-nights. There are going to be twists, turns, trips and falls and the picture will change dramatically game after game.
We need to see a big response and rebuild momentum. We can’t keep giving the teams around us lifelines. Barnsley and Peterborough will feel buoyed after tonight and Portsmouth are beginning to look out of sight.
All that being said, I don’t get the calls for Warne to be sacked though. It’s plainly unrealistic and unachievable. Some simply have to buckle up and enjoy the ride because our fortunes are going to fluctuate from week to week and while everything is still up for grabs, Warne still has time to learn from mistakes and put things right.
There is still so much life in the season and there’s ample opportunity for us to bounce back. Tonight was a setback but a big win v Port Vale gets us right back on track.

Managers and players make mistakes and have bad nights. Tonight Warne and the players were culpable of that. It’s part and parcel of football. Every team has a wobble. This is ours.
The question is whether Warne and the players can recollect themselves and show their mettle. We can’t afford a repeat of last season’s run in where we tripped up horribly.
Warne really needs to set on an XI and put some faith behind it. At the moment, he seems to be experimenting and seeing what sticks and that is a concern 35 games into the season, even considering all of the injuries.
The players also need to stand up and be counted. They are making the kind of errors and missing quality and nerve, which backs up the thinking this is not a top two team.
However I think tonight shows that it will be a long eight weeks for everyone in the mix. We won’t be the only ones to drop the ball and have off-nights. There are going to be twists, turns, trips and falls and the picture will change dramatically game after game.
We need to see a big response and rebuild momentum. We can’t keep giving the teams around us lifelines. Barnsley and Peterborough will feel buoyed after tonight and Portsmouth are beginning to look out of sight.
All that being said, I don’t get the calls for Warne to be sacked though. It’s plainly unrealistic and unachievable. Some simply have to buckle up and enjoy the ride because our fortunes are going to fluctuate from week to week and while everything is still up for grabs, Warne still has time to learn from mistakes and put things right.
There is still so much life in the season and there’s ample opportunity for us to bounce back. Tonight was a setback but a big win v Port Vale gets us right back on track.

Managers and players make mistakes and have bad nights. Tonight Warne and the players were culpable of that. It’s part and parcel of football. Every team has a wobble. This is ours.
The question is whether Warne and the players can recollect themselves and show their mettle. We can’t afford a repeat of last season’s run in where we tripped up horribly.
Warne really needs to set on an XI and put some faith behind it. At the moment, he seems to be experimenting and seeing what sticks and that is a concern 35 games into the season, even considering all of the injuries.
The players also need to stand up and be counted. They are making the kind of errors and missing quality and nerve, which backs up the thinking this is not a top two team.
However I think tonight shows that it will be a long eight weeks for everyone in the mix. We won’t be the only ones to drop the ball and have off-nights. There are going to be twists, turns, trips and falls and the picture will change dramatically game after game.
We need to see a big response and rebuild momentum. We can’t keep giving the teams around us lifelines. Barnsley and Peterborough will feel buoyed after tonight and Portsmouth are beginning to look out of sight.
All that being said, I don’t get the calls for Warne to be sacked though. It’s plainly unrealistic and unachievable. Some simply have to buckle up and enjoy the ride because our fortunes are going to fluctuate from week to week and while everything is still up for grabs, Warne still has time to learn from mistakes and put things right.
There is still so much life in the season and there’s ample opportunity for us to bounce back. Tonight was a setback but a big win v Port Vale gets us right back on track.

Managers and players make mistakes and have bad nights. Tonight Warne and the players were culpable of that. It’s part and parcel of football. Every team has a wobble. This is ours.
The question is whether Warne and the players can recollect themselves and show their mettle. We can’t afford a repeat of last season’s run in where we tripped up horribly.
Warne really needs to set on an XI and put some faith behind it. At the moment, he seems to be experimenting and seeing what sticks and that is a concern 35 games into the season, even considering all of the injuries.
The players also need to stand up and be counted. They are making the kind of errors and missing quality and nerve, which backs up the thinking this is not a top two team.
However I think tonight shows that it will be a long eight weeks for everyone in the mix. We won’t be the only ones to drop the ball and have off-nights. There are going to be twists, turns, trips and falls and the picture will change dramatically game after game.
We need to see a big response and rebuild momentum. We can’t keep giving the teams around us lifelines. Barnsley and Peterborough will feel buoyed after tonight and Portsmouth are beginning to look out of sight.
All that being said, I don’t get the calls for Warne to be sacked though. It’s plainly unrealistic and unachievable. Some simply have to buckle up and enjoy the ride because our fortunes are going to fluctuate from week to week and while everything is still up for grabs, Warne still has time to learn from mistakes and put things right.
There is still so much life in the season and there’s ample opportunity for us to bounce back. Tonight was a setback but a big win v Port Vale gets us right back on track.

Managers and players make mistakes and have bad nights. Tonight Warne and the players were culpable of that. It’s part and parcel of football. Every team has a wobble. This is ours.
The question is whether Warne and the players can recollect themselves and show their mettle. We can’t afford a repeat of last season’s run in where we tripped up horribly.
Warne really needs to set on an XI and put some faith behind it. At the moment, he seems to be experimenting and seeing what sticks and that is a concern 35 games into the season, even considering all of the injuries.
The players also need to stand up and be counted. They are making the kind of errors and missing quality and nerve, which backs up the thinking this is not a top two team.
However I think tonight shows that it will be a long eight weeks for everyone in the mix. We won’t be the only ones to drop the ball and have off-nights. There are going to be twists, turns, trips and falls and the picture will change dramatically game after game.
We need to see a big response and rebuild momentum. We can’t keep giving the teams around us lifelines. Barnsley and Peterborough will feel buoyed after tonight and Portsmouth are beginning to look out of sight.
All that being said, I don’t get the calls for Warne to be sacked though. It’s plainly unrealistic and unachievable. Some simply have to buckle up and enjoy the ride because our fortunes are going to fluctuate from week to week and while everything is still up for grabs, Warne still has time to learn from mistakes and put things right.
There is still so much life in the season and there’s ample opportunity for us to bounce back. Tonight was a setback but a big win v Port Vale gets us right back on track.

Style of play isn’t everything.
Our fate in the Championship will depend on so much more.
It starts at the top with a committed owner who will strike a balance between financial control and ambition.
Then it trickles down to the football staff. Switched on recruitment with good scouting and good squad building with a good balance between youth and experience and an understanding of where each player fits will be important.
Then of course you have what the manager, the coaches and the support staff can instil - a good atmosphere and ethos around the club that aids player integration, good team spirit, good organisation, good preparation and fitness, and good man management.
Then don’t forget how the mental and psychological side of the game can take hold - how often do we see promoted sides carry confidence, belief and momentum through from one season to the next?
If all of these moving parts can work well together and we can put our best foot forward, then there is no reason to approach a season in the Championship with trepidation.
In the end, it might be a bridge too far and we might go back down. That is a possibility. We would be ignorant to not anticipate that possibility, but I think we have to at least give it 10-15 games at that level to see how we match up before we consider it such a certainty as others are doing.

Will they get points deducted from their gold stars too?
#two gold triangles 
 

Next week Forest, it’s coming, karmas a bitch