Anag Ram

A big part of the problem is that there isn't a single formation where we can place all players in their preferred positions and have a balanced team.
GK: Wildsmith, Vickers, Loach
RCB: Nelson, Rooney
CB: Cashin, Bradley
LCB: - 
RB: -
LB: Forsyth, Elder
RWB: Ward, Wilson
LWB: -
DM: Bird, Smith
CM: Hourihane, LThompson
AM: Sibley
RW: Mendez-Laing, Barkhuizen
LW: -
CF: Collins, Washington, Waghorn
We lack a pacey left sided CB and an effective left wing back to play 5 at the back.
We don't have a defensively minded RB to play 4 at the back.
The midfield could be balanced when playing in the right 3 man midfield system, but would lack balance with a 2 man midfield.
We lack a top left winger or inside forward to play with wingers.
All of our CFs prefer playing in a 2, meaning any formation with 1 up top is innefective.

I guess my feelings are that we were led to believe this was going to be a fit, hungry group of players. 
The friendlies (and yes I know they’re no real barometer) saw us playing some nice stuff to feet. I was a little alarmed at how easy teams found it to create chances, even though (esp Stoke) they missed a lot.
When I saw the team for Saturday I thought we would struggle to score, but I thought we would be well-organised and difficult to break down. With two very experienced central defenders and an upcoming defensive talent, we should have dealt with Wyke and Co without too much trouble.
What I saw was very chaotic and troubling.
Bradley looks like he’s going through a crisis of confidence. Nelson regularly over hits passes. Cashin doesn’t seem to know how to play alongside them.
They aren’t bad players, they are good players playing badly. I think our defending will improve dramatically. I am less confident about what will happen in front of them. In order to get the variety we need in midfield, we need two new players.
We have three hardworking but toothless old forwards and we seldom look like getting on the end of crosses. Collins raised hopes with easy goals when unmarked in friendlies but when he is marked creates no threat at all. Washington might help another score, as might Waghorn, but we haven’t got the pace or guile to make half a yard to score goals. 
I think that will take two more players. That’s four to find, just to become competitive. 
I really hope Warne gets those four, because I don’t think any manager would succeed with what we have. Sibley and Barkhuisen will offer more from the bench, with occasional starts. 
I think we also need to have more faith in Bardell and Rooney who have energy and enthusiasm to play progressive football.
Warne seems to want success, but also wears his heart very much on his sleeve. Good managers should look full of energy to put things right, not dejected, no matter how bad they are feeling.
The players need lifting up, not to be vilified. They have to believe they are good enough to beat Burton. I’ll be rooting for them. Even if they lose, I will settle for passion, positive play and a shape which will be effective over the course of a season.

 

 
 
 
 

I guess my feelings are that we were led to believe this was going to be a fit, hungry group of players. 
The friendlies (and yes I know they’re no real barometer) saw us playing some nice stuff to feet. I was a little alarmed at how easy teams found it to create chances, even though (esp Stoke) they missed a lot.
When I saw the team for Saturday I thought we would struggle to score, but I thought we would be well-organised and difficult to break down. With two very experienced central defenders and an upcoming defensive talent, we should have dealt with Wyke and Co without too much trouble.
What I saw was very chaotic and troubling.
Bradley looks like he’s going through a crisis of confidence. Nelson regularly over hits passes. Cashin doesn’t seem to know how to play alongside them.
They aren’t bad players, they are good players playing badly. I think our defending will improve dramatically. I am less confident about what will happen in front of them. In order to get the variety we need in midfield, we need two new players.
We have three hardworking but toothless old forwards and we seldom look like getting on the end of crosses. Collins raised hopes with easy goals when unmarked in friendlies but when he is marked creates no threat at all. Washington might help another score, as might Waghorn, but we haven’t got the pace or guile to make half a yard to score goals. 
I think that will take two more players. That’s four to find, just to become competitive. 
I really hope Warne gets those four, because I don’t think any manager would succeed with what we have. Sibley and Barkhuisen will offer more from the bench, with occasional starts. 
I think we also need to have more faith in Bardell and Rooney who have energy and enthusiasm to play progressive football.
Warne seems to want success, but also wears his heart very much on his sleeve. Good managers should look full of energy to put things right, not dejected, no matter how bad they are feeling.
The players need lifting up, not to be vilified. They have to believe they are good enough to beat Burton. I’ll be rooting for them. Even if they lose, I will settle for passion, positive play and a shape which will be effective over the course of a season.

 

 
 
 
 

I guess my feelings are that we were led to believe this was going to be a fit, hungry group of players. 
The friendlies (and yes I know they’re no real barometer) saw us playing some nice stuff to feet. I was a little alarmed at how easy teams found it to create chances, even though (esp Stoke) they missed a lot.
When I saw the team for Saturday I thought we would struggle to score, but I thought we would be well-organised and difficult to break down. With two very experienced central defenders and an upcoming defensive talent, we should have dealt with Wyke and Co without too much trouble.
What I saw was very chaotic and troubling.
Bradley looks like he’s going through a crisis of confidence. Nelson regularly over hits passes. Cashin doesn’t seem to know how to play alongside them.
They aren’t bad players, they are good players playing badly. I think our defending will improve dramatically. I am less confident about what will happen in front of them. In order to get the variety we need in midfield, we need two new players.
We have three hardworking but toothless old forwards and we seldom look like getting on the end of crosses. Collins raised hopes with easy goals when unmarked in friendlies but when he is marked creates no threat at all. Washington might help another score, as might Waghorn, but we haven’t got the pace or guile to make half a yard to score goals. 
I think that will take two more players. That’s four to find, just to become competitive. 
I really hope Warne gets those four, because I don’t think any manager would succeed with what we have. Sibley and Barkhuisen will offer more from the bench, with occasional starts. 
I think we also need to have more faith in Bardell and Rooney who have energy and enthusiasm to play progressive football.
Warne seems to want success, but also wears his heart very much on his sleeve. Good managers should look full of energy to put things right, not dejected, no matter how bad they are feeling.
The players need lifting up, not to be vilified. They have to believe they are good enough to beat Burton. I’ll be rooting for them. Even if they lose, I will settle for passion, positive play and a shape which will be effective over the course of a season.

 

 
 
 
 

What frustrates me is that we have now kicked off the season and as a squad we don't seem much stronger than last season.
We've brought in a load of defensive players but what we actually needed to strengthen was the midfield and the top end of the pitch.
We needed to bring in creativity, pace, goalscorers and we simply have not done it. We have lost two good players in McGoldrick and Knight and have not replaced them.
Clowes said that Warne has been given a budget which is better than our rivals and one that he thinks is good enough to get us out of this league. So there are little excuses.

I guess my feelings are that we were led to believe this was going to be a fit, hungry group of players. 
The friendlies (and yes I know they’re no real barometer) saw us playing some nice stuff to feet. I was a little alarmed at how easy teams found it to create chances, even though (esp Stoke) they missed a lot.
When I saw the team for Saturday I thought we would struggle to score, but I thought we would be well-organised and difficult to break down. With two very experienced central defenders and an upcoming defensive talent, we should have dealt with Wyke and Co without too much trouble.
What I saw was very chaotic and troubling.
Bradley looks like he’s going through a crisis of confidence. Nelson regularly over hits passes. Cashin doesn’t seem to know how to play alongside them.
They aren’t bad players, they are good players playing badly. I think our defending will improve dramatically. I am less confident about what will happen in front of them. In order to get the variety we need in midfield, we need two new players.
We have three hardworking but toothless old forwards and we seldom look like getting on the end of crosses. Collins raised hopes with easy goals when unmarked in friendlies but when he is marked creates no threat at all. Washington might help another score, as might Waghorn, but we haven’t got the pace or guile to make half a yard to score goals. 
I think that will take two more players. That’s four to find, just to become competitive. 
I really hope Warne gets those four, because I don’t think any manager would succeed with what we have. Sibley and Barkhuisen will offer more from the bench, with occasional starts. 
I think we also need to have more faith in Bardell and Rooney who have energy and enthusiasm to play progressive football.
Warne seems to want success, but also wears his heart very much on his sleeve. Good managers should look full of energy to put things right, not dejected, no matter how bad they are feeling.
The players need lifting up, not to be vilified. They have to believe they are good enough to beat Burton. I’ll be rooting for them. Even if they lose, I will settle for passion, positive play and a shape which will be effective over the course of a season.

 

 
 
 
 

Hope it's not our back 3 defending Paul Warne, or he'll have no chance.

I guess my feelings are that we were led to believe this was going to be a fit, hungry group of players. 
The friendlies (and yes I know they’re no real barometer) saw us playing some nice stuff to feet. I was a little alarmed at how easy teams found it to create chances, even though (esp Stoke) they missed a lot.
When I saw the team for Saturday I thought we would struggle to score, but I thought we would be well-organised and difficult to break down. With two very experienced central defenders and an upcoming defensive talent, we should have dealt with Wyke and Co without too much trouble.
What I saw was very chaotic and troubling.
Bradley looks like he’s going through a crisis of confidence. Nelson regularly over hits passes. Cashin doesn’t seem to know how to play alongside them.
They aren’t bad players, they are good players playing badly. I think our defending will improve dramatically. I am less confident about what will happen in front of them. In order to get the variety we need in midfield, we need two new players.
We have three hardworking but toothless old forwards and we seldom look like getting on the end of crosses. Collins raised hopes with easy goals when unmarked in friendlies but when he is marked creates no threat at all. Washington might help another score, as might Waghorn, but we haven’t got the pace or guile to make half a yard to score goals. 
I think that will take two more players. That’s four to find, just to become competitive. 
I really hope Warne gets those four, because I don’t think any manager would succeed with what we have. Sibley and Barkhuisen will offer more from the bench, with occasional starts. 
I think we also need to have more faith in Bardell and Rooney who have energy and enthusiasm to play progressive football.
Warne seems to want success, but also wears his heart very much on his sleeve. Good managers should look full of energy to put things right, not dejected, no matter how bad they are feeling.
The players need lifting up, not to be vilified. They have to believe they are good enough to beat Burton. I’ll be rooting for them. Even if they lose, I will settle for passion, positive play and a shape which will be effective over the course of a season.

 

 
 
 
 

I guess my feelings are that we were led to believe this was going to be a fit, hungry group of players. 
The friendlies (and yes I know they’re no real barometer) saw us playing some nice stuff to feet. I was a little alarmed at how easy teams found it to create chances, even though (esp Stoke) they missed a lot.
When I saw the team for Saturday I thought we would struggle to score, but I thought we would be well-organised and difficult to break down. With two very experienced central defenders and an upcoming defensive talent, we should have dealt with Wyke and Co without too much trouble.
What I saw was very chaotic and troubling.
Bradley looks like he’s going through a crisis of confidence. Nelson regularly over hits passes. Cashin doesn’t seem to know how to play alongside them.
They aren’t bad players, they are good players playing badly. I think our defending will improve dramatically. I am less confident about what will happen in front of them. In order to get the variety we need in midfield, we need two new players.
We have three hardworking but toothless old forwards and we seldom look like getting on the end of crosses. Collins raised hopes with easy goals when unmarked in friendlies but when he is marked creates no threat at all. Washington might help another score, as might Waghorn, but we haven’t got the pace or guile to make half a yard to score goals. 
I think that will take two more players. That’s four to find, just to become competitive. 
I really hope Warne gets those four, because I don’t think any manager would succeed with what we have. Sibley and Barkhuisen will offer more from the bench, with occasional starts. 
I think we also need to have more faith in Bardell and Rooney who have energy and enthusiasm to play progressive football.
Warne seems to want success, but also wears his heart very much on his sleeve. Good managers should look full of energy to put things right, not dejected, no matter how bad they are feeling.
The players need lifting up, not to be vilified. They have to believe they are good enough to beat Burton. I’ll be rooting for them. Even if they lose, I will settle for passion, positive play and a shape which will be effective over the course of a season.

 

 
 
 
 

I guess my feelings are that we were led to believe this was going to be a fit, hungry group of players. 
The friendlies (and yes I know they’re no real barometer) saw us playing some nice stuff to feet. I was a little alarmed at how easy teams found it to create chances, even though (esp Stoke) they missed a lot.
When I saw the team for Saturday I thought we would struggle to score, but I thought we would be well-organised and difficult to break down. With two very experienced central defenders and an upcoming defensive talent, we should have dealt with Wyke and Co without too much trouble.
What I saw was very chaotic and troubling.
Bradley looks like he’s going through a crisis of confidence. Nelson regularly over hits passes. Cashin doesn’t seem to know how to play alongside them.
They aren’t bad players, they are good players playing badly. I think our defending will improve dramatically. I am less confident about what will happen in front of them. In order to get the variety we need in midfield, we need two new players.
We have three hardworking but toothless old forwards and we seldom look like getting on the end of crosses. Collins raised hopes with easy goals when unmarked in friendlies but when he is marked creates no threat at all. Washington might help another score, as might Waghorn, but we haven’t got the pace or guile to make half a yard to score goals. 
I think that will take two more players. That’s four to find, just to become competitive. 
I really hope Warne gets those four, because I don’t think any manager would succeed with what we have. Sibley and Barkhuisen will offer more from the bench, with occasional starts. 
I think we also need to have more faith in Bardell and Rooney who have energy and enthusiasm to play progressive football.
Warne seems to want success, but also wears his heart very much on his sleeve. Good managers should look full of energy to put things right, not dejected, no matter how bad they are feeling.
The players need lifting up, not to be vilified. They have to believe they are good enough to beat Burton. I’ll be rooting for them. Even if they lose, I will settle for passion, positive play and a shape which will be effective over the course of a season.

 

 
 
 
 

I think there’s something in what you say about letting Ritchie Barker do the interviews.  Warne is wears his heart on his sleeve and by his own admission he needs to apply a filter to the media.  The heart on the sleeve approach will be great for those who work for him as it’ll show he’s genuine and authentic.  The problem with letting someone else do the interviews is that if we lose he’ll then be accused of not having the bottle to face the public.  He can’t win.
We need calm in times of trouble.  I think he is the right man and will get us out of this league.  I also think it may take more than this year as David Clowes is effectively building everything from scratch.  Other clubs of similar stature have not found it easy.
To be honest, I find it a bit disappointing how fractious we seem to have become.  In admin, as a fan base, we had a siege mentality.  It seems we’re becoming very divided at the moment.  It’s OK to have different views and opinions but it seems be turning into a bit of mud slinging - not you I hasten to add, it’s just that I’m replying to your post. 
Let’s get behind PW, his staff and the team.  They aren’t going anywhere in the short-term so let’s all support them to help improve results.   That togetherness nearly helped to pull of a miracle 2 years ago and it can help us get out of L1.  And then have a healthy debate and understand others views and opinions with respect and courtesy.

Sibley might add something but pace isn’t it.

He holds his position, receives and makes passes. He’s a ‘tidy’’ footballer.
The issue we have is he is one of three pretty similar midfielders and that doesn’t work.

Heading off for a 7 night cruise round the med on Friday.  Can't flipping wait.  So need a holiday.  

I think Hourihane being made captain just complicates the midfield picture.
Does it now make him undroppable?.
I just don't think he offers enough and is bypassed too easily.
Fine if we have high energy around him and some real grit then it becomes a different conversation.
 
Sadly we don't.

It’s wrong, it’s disrespectful, but it did make me chuckle.

Will he double down on his 3 at the back, and will he play these players who are 'distracted' by other clubs. I'd like to know what is going on in his head this morning. He is probably thinking what hat should I wear to lift the mood.

Is this job too big for Warne?
Cracks starting to show in his interview.
We’ve bought two defenders specifically to play alongside Cashin in Warne’s preferred formation and it isn’t working (so far).
Ward seems to be the only successful newcomer but he has little to aim for in the box.
If we revert to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 who’s going to play right back? Might Max Bardell be an option? Don’t think Ward is a good enough defender, but certainly worth his place further forward.
The midfield is an area which has needed improvement for some time and all we’ve done is lose Knight.
We have a team devoid of pace and with very few skilful players. The plan was to bolster the defence and score from set pieces, using Bradley and Nelson. Hmm.
I really hope PW can turn this around and yes, I’m very aware that it’s only August 9th but it’s really not looking good for him. I could see the cracks on Saturday and got told we were okay but it was the body language I didn’t like. We were told these new guys were winners, leaders.
I saw precious little to convince me.
 

 

Is this job too big for Warne?
Cracks starting to show in his interview.
We’ve bought two defenders specifically to play alongside Cashin in Warne’s preferred formation and it isn’t working (so far).
Ward seems to be the only successful newcomer but he has little to aim for in the box.
If we revert to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 who’s going to play right back? Might Max Bardell be an option? Don’t think Ward is a good enough defender, but certainly worth his place further forward.
The midfield is an area which has needed improvement for some time and all we’ve done is lose Knight.
We have a team devoid of pace and with very few skilful players. The plan was to bolster the defence and score from set pieces, using Bradley and Nelson. Hmm.
I really hope PW can turn this around and yes, I’m very aware that it’s only August 9th but it’s really not looking good for him. I could see the cracks on Saturday and got told we were okay but it was the body language I didn’t like. We were told these new guys were winners, leaders.
I saw precious little to convince me.
 

 

He holds his position, receives and makes passes. He’s a ‘tidy’’ footballer.
The issue we have is he is one of three pretty similar midfielders and that doesn’t work.

Is this job too big for Warne?
Cracks starting to show in his interview.
We’ve bought two defenders specifically to play alongside Cashin in Warne’s preferred formation and it isn’t working (so far).
Ward seems to be the only successful newcomer but he has little to aim for in the box.
If we revert to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 who’s going to play right back? Might Max Bardell be an option? Don’t think Ward is a good enough defender, but certainly worth his place further forward.
The midfield is an area which has needed improvement for some time and all we’ve done is lose Knight.
We have a team devoid of pace and with very few skilful players. The plan was to bolster the defence and score from set pieces, using Bradley and Nelson. Hmm.
I really hope PW can turn this around and yes, I’m very aware that it’s only August 9th but it’s really not looking good for him. I could see the cracks on Saturday and got told we were okay but it was the body language I didn’t like. We were told these new guys were winners, leaders.
I saw precious little to convince me.
 

 

He holds his position, receives and makes passes. He’s a ‘tidy’’ footballer.
The issue we have is he is one of three pretty similar midfielders and that doesn’t work.

Fair play to the derby fans cheering their team on tonight.

Is this job too big for Warne?
Cracks starting to show in his interview.
We’ve bought two defenders specifically to play alongside Cashin in Warne’s preferred formation and it isn’t working (so far).
Ward seems to be the only successful newcomer but he has little to aim for in the box.
If we revert to 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 who’s going to play right back? Might Max Bardell be an option? Don’t think Ward is a good enough defender, but certainly worth his place further forward.
The midfield is an area which has needed improvement for some time and all we’ve done is lose Knight.
We have a team devoid of pace and with very few skilful players. The plan was to bolster the defence and score from set pieces, using Bradley and Nelson. Hmm.
I really hope PW can turn this around and yes, I’m very aware that it’s only August 9th but it’s really not looking good for him. I could see the cracks on Saturday and got told we were okay but it was the body language I didn’t like. We were told these new guys were winners, leaders.
I saw precious little to convince me.
 

 

What an utter shambles that first half was tonight. I don't think it was so much lack of effort that did for us, but the system. 
Someone commented that Blackpool also play three at the back and made it look easy, but actually they had a five man defensive unit across the pitch and a solid midfield in front of them.
This isn't helped by our painfully slow build up play. It takes us an age to play out from the back because neither Nelson nor Bradley are comfortable on the ball. So the Blackpool defence was set, and coped easily with our balls in to two attackers who don't look match-fit.
Blackpool in contrast just got the ball forward quickly and because we were only playing three at the back -at best - often two as Nelson and Cashin are being encouraged to play forwards - we were caught flat-footed on numerous occasions and there could have been a few more goals against us than there were. 
Wilson plays so far forward that he might as well be a winger. Except Mendez-Laing is a much better winger, if we want someone to play that high. (I know he's injured tonight, but just making that general point.) 
Why was Hourihane on the left wing getting in Elder's way? The whole set-up was bizarre.
Second half we could have made more subs but Tommo and Fozzy made a big difference. Tommo because he moved about looking for the ball and played it quickly. Bird came to life with him at the side of him. Fozzy because he is far more assured in defence, Cashin immediately relaxed and he too had a better second half. Ward was much better than Wilson, not least because he can defend a bit, too! 
I could put up with slow centrebacks if they were doing their jobs but they aren't at the moment. And they aren't much of a threat from set pieces either, I don't think we got a head on any of those first half. Fozzy is also pretty slow, but his positioning and reading of the game is just so superior to Bradley's so far that his lack of pace isn't the same issue.
I would have liked to see Collins and Brown on at half time too, as Wash and Waggy were tiring and not able to take advantage of our increased momentum in the early part of the second half. As it was, we huffed and puffed but didn't create a lot. At least we looked more solid at the back. 
I didn't enjoy Warne's post match interview on Radio Derby. If he wants to throw players under the bus, then he'll need to take responsibility for finding some better ones. Even if we don't know for certain who they are, the players will and that might be the final push they need to decide to walk away. On his track record so far, I'm not sure what sort of quality we're going to get in to replace them. 
Disappointed.