RIMBAUD

Lost someone close to me recently.  
Mad keen football person. They loved it.
We have to enjoy it wherever possible.
It’s footy.
It’s fun.
Be passionate/angry/frustrated/delighted/ecstatic whatever. But enjoy it. Enjoy being part of something that is bigger than us as individuals. 
Its Derby County. 

Lost someone close to me recently.  
Mad keen football person. They loved it.
We have to enjoy it wherever possible.
It’s footy.
It’s fun.
Be passionate/angry/frustrated/delighted/ecstatic whatever. But enjoy it. Enjoy being part of something that is bigger than us as individuals. 
Its Derby County. 

Lost someone close to me recently.  
Mad keen football person. They loved it.
We have to enjoy it wherever possible.
It’s footy.
It’s fun.
Be passionate/angry/frustrated/delighted/ecstatic whatever. But enjoy it. Enjoy being part of something that is bigger than us as individuals. 
Its Derby County. 

Squad Size
We may have fewer numbers than last season, but a number of those were only here for half a season, and one player was unavailable to even be in the matchday squad for 85% of the season. Let's look at the numbers in detail...
We used 22 players in the league last season. This was then boosted by a number of U21 squad members for cup games. Excluding 2nd and 3rd choice keepers, we're currently 4 players down on last season (3 once Waghorn signs).
We can split the season in two, since the squad is adjusted in the January window.
In the first half of the season, we used 20 different players. With the exception of just 1 game, it was a case of either Davies or Rooney in the squad. 6 out of the 7 occasions Chester appeared in the matchday squad came in the first half of the season, so on the whole, he's hardly worthy of consideration. We essentially had an 18/19 man squad in the first half of the season, so in terms of depth, we're on par, with the view to still adding 2 or 3 more players later this month.
For the second half of the season, the only new additions to feature on the pitch were White and Springett. However, Osula returned to Sheff Utd, Stearman was no longer used, and Thompson eventually went out on loan. Once again, we basically ended up with a 19 man squad.
Warne stated he wanted a 20-22 man squad. Well, with the additions Warne still plans to make to the squad, we'll be at 22.
 
Squad Age
I'm sure Warne underestimated how difficult it was for us to add under 30s to the squad. We started last season with 10 players in the squad who were 30 or older, and we currently have 10 players aged 30 or over. The average age of those has decreased from 32.8 to 31.9. 
We have Wilson, Bird, Sibley, Cashin, Thompson and Rooney in the first team squad who are 23 or younger. More than just the 3 you're suggesting we have. That could be 3 out of our back 5 sorted, 2 CMs, and 1 AM, forming our spine for years to come. Wildsmith, Vickers, Ward and Elder are still in their prime years too.
I'm not sure why you're making it sound like other clubs (from a higher division) bidding for our players is a bad thing. It proves they're actually good players. Whilst it was sad to see Knight leave, I expect the other three to remain with us this season. None of them want to be playing in L1, so it's understandable that they may be reluctant to sign new deals at this stage. It may also be a case of us waiting to see how much budget we have left after signing our remaining targets before we offer them new deals. Cashin in particular will be due a big pay rise.
It'll be steady progress and small tweaks to the squad each season. We're unlikely to see major overhauls and finish a summer with exactly the squad we want and at perfect ages for a number of years. It'll only be a couple of additions each season who will be at the right age and stay long enough for us to build a top squad again.
It took Clough 5 summers to build 13/14 squad. We never signed a lot of key players in any one season, but along the way wee still signed: Barker and Buxton (09/10), Brayford (10/11), Bryson, Ward and Shackell (11/12), Keogh (12/13), Russell, Forsyth, Grant, Martin and Eustace (13/14). The only key player who was signed over 30 was Eustace, however, we still signed other older players during those seasons  to fill gaps until we could find a suitable player in their prime years. 
I imagine we'll start to see similar recruitment from next summer, where the majority of defensive signings at 26-30, and midfield and forward signings are 23-27.

To me this is a no brainer.
Won't take up much of the budget. Can play across the front line, threat from a set piece. Works his socks off. Loves the club. Confident he would chip in with around 10 goals.
Most clubs in this league would have Waghorn in a heartbeat.
Get him in on a one year deal. 

Excellent post.  Some football supporters think it’s OK to hurl abuse and then a player dares to have a reaction, most common is cupping their ears when they score, they then get offended.  Bizarre behaviour.
Personally, the chants at Sharpe are, quite frankly, disgusting.  You could argue he should walk away and ignore them but it’s not always that easy.  And as for the “pensioner” in the video, doesn’t seem like that to me.
As for the player, he’s another one that I think could chip in with a few goals. Obviously past his peak but would be a good impact sub.

No but Hourihane was.

Just looked back at some of the posts leading up to the signing of 34 year old David McGoldrick last year. Comments such as "a 1 in 5 player" and "doesn’t score enough goals" goes to show how difficult it is to predict what will happen when the season gets underway.
A pacey striker would give us a different option in attack but if we don't get one in before the deadline closes, it may be premature, as a few posters are doing, to write off our chances with what we currently have.

Whilst he perhaps wouldn't care about individual opinions, good or bad, negativity is contagious on all online platforms which can be taken into the stands.
Players will also be aware of the general "mood" as it's fed back through teammates, friends, family or reading themselves.
You will see them using their celebrations to cup ears or place a finger to the lips when they haven't received much attention in the stands, even make snarky comments in post match interviews.
It's natural for young lads to want to know what people think of them, even Robbie Savage admitted to posting on forums (not this one) to praise himself.
New season, the managers first window to figure out what he needs to get service to Collins who has 2 now in pre season.
Just think it would be nice to give the lad a clean slate, last seasons squad was a grab what we could to get 11 out on the pitch.
If Warne is happy for Collins to spearhead the attack, you would assume that service would be high on the agenda.
You do you though if it makes you feel better, nowt wrong with voicing your opinion as I have just now to you.

The thing is we all have a view and those views are open to challenge. I chose to challenge the mindset of certain posters who as members of a “fans” forum don’t sound much like fans to me.  All our players have strengths and weaknesses but this Collins focus is uncalled for at best and pretty revolting all too often. They are poised with a finger on the trigger. 
I couldn’t give a twopenny damn if it engenders hostility. I know where I stand as a fan. I can comfortably say player X had a bad game or should have done better with that shot or tackle .. but what has been directed at Collins from some quarters isn’t analytical comment. Its just plain nasty.
And as for me … It’s not about being proved right or having the last laugh. It’s about being fair minded and doing the right thing. 
 
 
 

Oh dear. That’s a blow for some folk - Collins scores.

One I find underrated is the Orange Tree. Usually a good selection in there. There’ll be plenty of others recommended by others to go to on your way there too. 

‘Hate’……. Can anyone say that about an individual they know nothing about B4 really? I doubt for a moment you do ‘hate’ the man. He’s a professional footballer who has done his utmost for his club Sheffield United. They are his employer. There’s a great deal in the press that is utter nonsense too.
I can’t see it happening but if it did I’d wish him well in our colours of course, as any Ram should. Sadly every club has an element of vile support who see fit to resort to chants that put me off any game. I’ve heard some over the years and you do hear on the terraces or travelling to /from games that is sickening. Today’s society sadly. 

None starter guys no way he will come here to much hateage  for that to happen we hate him and he hates us.

You are just wrong here mate. Please rethink the use of ‘we’ to describe a handful of nobheads.

Would be a decent signing for a season, would score goals for fun at this level, his movement in the 18 yard box would be way to good for defenders in this league.
I couldnt care less about whats been said or happened before, if he puts on a Derby shirt he will get my support. Same as Savage & Tyson did.

What's that? Another opportunity to dig this gem out, you say?

jake's plaggy bag

jake's plaggy bag

jake's plaggy bag

Needs more pink on it. 

Needs more pink on it.