LazloW

I think there is scope to be angry at both Mel and the EFL; doesn't have to be just one or the other. One got us into the mess, the other has seemingly done everything in their power to keep us there. Its a sorry state of affairs and one which I hope leads to the EFL taking a long look at their rules and practices, but none of that will help us now. If Mel & Co hadn't upset them by trying to be too clever then this wouldn't have happened. We can all be wise after the event though.  Its just all very sad.

I mean, where was the clamour from the football world for QPR, Leicester, Bournemouth, Watford, Wolves and Villa to be put out of business for their obvious disdain for FFP, legal threats to the EFL in the cases of QPR and Bournemouth, and dodging schemes so blatantly crooked that even the Blind Boys of Alabama could have see through them? 
Got a fine? No problem! Pay it using a fraction of your ill-gotten PL gains. ?

I started going to watch Derby properly in 1984 when we had just been relegated to the old Division 3 (League One in modern parlance)
In the light of current events,  I wanted to start a thread to offer some positivity around the very high likelihood of our relegation this season
I'm sure there is a high percentage of posters who weren't even born back then and have no idea what it was like to playing in tier 3, but I'm here to tell you that it was a fantastic experience
Derby fans came together like never before and relished the status of being a big fish in a small pond, the fallen giants - every other  team's cup final, the one they wanted to beat
Atmosphere on the Popside was better than ever, away games were brilliant adventures to new places 
Players grew in confidence week after week as the team started to coalesce, with the realisation that we had the beating of anyone in the division if we stuck together
Because at the end of the day - it doesn't actually matter what league you are in, you're watching a football game, and in that moment - the passion is just the same
So come on old timers - share your memories of those years 84-86 in Division 3 for the nippers
 

That’s poor form. He had huge support from the club. Low blow, cheap, expected more.

You don't know if you don't listen and by the same token can't judge if you don't listen. You may well be right, but you are guessing if you don't listen.

I believe that because I listened to what Mel said on an interview by Radio Derby at 1pm, I thought it was probably a good idea to do that before posting in a thread called ‘Mel Morris interview on Radio Derby 1pm’. 

Go on then tell me the things YOU heard that Mel or other sources/EFL hasn't already told the media/press or fans in one form or another. Put your facts where your mouth is mate.

So first of all this is no defence of MM. Like most I am fuming, but let's not let emotion get in the way of reality.
Players value depreciation at championship level is not relative to premiership and as MM pointed out if you under value an asset then sell it you get a tax bill, so whilst the EFL don't like it, technically MM is right. Not the first time the EFL are wrong and it won't be the last.
As for Lampards team, years 2 and 3 don't matter as they left of their own free will, so there was no cost. In fact we got a pay off so made a profit.
WE didn't get the rub of the green and MM made mistakes, big mistakes, but he tried. That is all now history. We need to move on, support the club and the players and together, with a fair wind and a pinch of overdue luck, we will come out of this.
 

Some posters think that Mel can do no wrong. Some think that he is a victim and some think he is a villain. Some prefer to think that the truth lies somewhere in between. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

That's hilarious.
Like when you used to criticise the team's performance in games under Cocu then admit you hadn't even seen the match.
I thought people who actually were listening already had closed minds to what was actually being said but to say you've heard it all before without even listening to it takes "pre-empting" to a new level.

That's his side of the story, but his progress after leaving Derby suggest he was never physically able to get back to Championship first team level anyway, does it not?

It may be understandable, but he really is in ‘damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t’ territory here (see the ‘apology’ issue - complaints that he hasn’t apologised, then when he does, complaints that it’s all insincere and hollow). 

It did say it in the club statement.
Sort of doesnt make sense that if a club is in financial trouble that the EFL would not loan them money to get out of financial trouble. 
Sums the EFL up quite well actually. 

But I can see it clearly and not a bit of rage in me.  I have held this view for a long time and received many insults because of it.  I have no idea why you wish to suggest anything other but you are well off beam.

And most of us were egging him on all the way

It’s not about affection it’s about seeing things with accuracy rather than gut, in the moment emotion. We are all hurting but road rage isn’t constructive, logical or reflective of the whole story which is vastly complex. 

Just because some disagree with some of your views on MM, it doesn't make them a MM lover. 
I saw the way Lionel Pickering was treated and slated by some of our fans and some of the comments about MM were very similar,  I find it hard to join in with slagging off, but I'm a Derby fan, not a MM fan.

It may be understandable, but he really is in ‘damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t’ territory here (see the ‘apology’ issue - complaints that he hasn’t apologised, then when he does, complaints that it’s all insincere and hollow). 

But Angie, I think this misses the point. The fans will *always* want money spending. The owner is the one in charge and responsible for ignoring the whims of the fans and making the best decision for the club. 

When all this is over, and we are wallowing near the bottom of division one or two and living sustainably within our means, I don't want to see any of the posters who are now criticising the way Mel Morris overspent complaining. Or saying players are rubbish, or demanding the owner sacks the manager. 
All the things people have demanded repeatedly during Mel Morris's tenure. 

It may be understandable, but he really is in ‘damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t’ territory here (see the ‘apology’ issue - complaints that he hasn’t apologised, then when he does, complaints that it’s all insincere and hollow). 

My personal view for what it's worth is he sounded deflated towards the end of the interview. A beaten man.
Despite a lack of raw emotion shown on air, I genuinely think Friday would have hurt him massively as this wouldn't have been anywhere in his plans.
I understand this will not be any comfort to any of the staff that will lose their jobs, or creditors unpaid who my thoughts are with right now as they face an extremely tough week ahead.
Tomorrow I will be opening a jobs board on the forum, if any of you have a business or hear of vacancies in the local area please post them.
Also if you know anyone that has/will be lose their job through this process, give them a heads up.
Saturday showed what an incredible fan base we have when we come together, let's help try and make the impact as minimal as possible. ?

He said that he had put £200 million in and didn't expect to be getting anything back.
You sound as though you want blood though. Do you want him to have lost money? Would that somehow appease you?
This isn't necessarily assumed at you but a lot of folks who criticised Mel for chasing the dream, and overspending, would equally complain about owners who didn't financially back their manager's transfer demands.
Who'd be a football club owner? I cannot see how they can win.
(Cue debate on egos)

You and everyone else calling him have your opinions and I have mine. I don’t share the opinions of a lot of people. But I am an intelligent adult and I’m standing up to what I think. 

It may be understandable, but he really is in ‘damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t’ territory here (see the ‘apology’ issue - complaints that he hasn’t apologised, then when he does, complaints that it’s all insincere and hollow).