Ghost of Clough

Think derby twitter would go up in flames if our on loan striker was left back Marvin Johnson 😂

Is that in reference to the groin injury he picked up in 12/13 when playing at LM in a 442 (which he played for most of the season), or the ACL which kept him out of most of 15/16 when playing in his favoured RCM role in a 433?

I wish I shared your optimism towards Warne's recruitment, as based on the evidence so far, I'm less than impressed.

Clough won 7 of his first 9 league games as manager (8 of first 10 in all competitions). 

He gave Thompson a start because he's openly stated he had no-one else to choose after than Smith and Hourihane. He was given just 194 minutes of league football last season, and has only ever played the full 90 twice under Warne (FA Cup games - the 5-0 win over Torquay and 1-0 defeat to Coventry).
Similar for Rooney. He's never been trusted to play the full 90 in back to back games, and has only been given the equivalent to 7.3 league games.
Warne has broken promises made to players regarding involvement in the first team.

So Warne having problems with transfers, team selection, tactics, in-game management and player development are all "nit-picking"? What do you actually think a managers job is, if none of that stuff is important?

I wish I shared your optimism towards Warne's recruitment, as based on the evidence so far, I'm less than impressed.

His short term approach to team selection and transfers. His tactics on the pitch which typically results in a less than entertaining performance on the pitch (more entertaining if you were a neutral watching our games), his lack in ability to spot what is the issue(s) on the pitch, his stubbornness to move away from what isn't working. The long term impact on our academy, stemming from his reluctance to trust and give opportunities to young players. The destruction of the togetherness and feel good factor around the club ever since his apppointment.

His short term approach to team selection and transfers. His tactics on the pitch which typically results in a less than entertaining performance on the pitch (more entertaining if you were a neutral watching our games), his lack in ability to spot what is the issue(s) on the pitch, his stubbornness to move away from what isn't working. The long term impact on our academy, stemming from his reluctance to trust and give opportunities to young players. The destruction of the togetherness and feel good factor around the club ever since his apppointment.

I wish I shared your optimism towards Warne's recruitment, as based on the evidence so far, I'm less than impressed.

I wish I shared your optimism towards Warne's recruitment, as based on the evidence so far, I'm less than impressed.

I don’t think mods are meant to block other users, but if Fornah goes elsewhere today then I’m afraid I’m going to have to block you temporarily for my own sanity 😬

He clearly doesn't see Thompson as a first team squad member, just someone to help make up the numbers. Same would apply to Rooney based on the evidence so far.
Hourihane, Smith, Bird and Thompson ARE his 2 people in each CM position. Understandably, we're a tad short for 25+% of the season due to Bird's injury, but this is why you have a top class academy. For youngsters to step in for a few games here and there to plug the gaps. 
Signing another CM would free up Thompson (and Bird when fit) to help Sibley in the AM role, so whilst a signing is required, the point regarding usage of young players still stands.

He clearly doesn't see Thompson as a first team squad member, just someone to help make up the numbers. Same would apply to Rooney based on the evidence so far.
Hourihane, Smith, Bird and Thompson ARE his 2 people in each CM position. Understandably, we're a tad short for 25+% of the season due to Bird's injury, but this is why you have a top class academy. For youngsters to step in for a few games here and there to plug the gaps. 
Signing another CM would free up Thompson (and Bird when fit) to help Sibley in the AM role, so whilst a signing is required, the point regarding usage of young players still stands.

8 weeks = 14 games
Rest of season = 32+ games
We have 2 options:
1. Sign 1 player to be a starter, and utilise fringe players such as DRobinson and Radcliffe to fill in when required until Bird is fit
2. Sign 2 players, not use fringe players and harm their development, AND limit game time for first teamers such as Thompson and Sibley, further harming their development and future sell-on value.
Signing short term cover is not an option, as this indicates they are squad players rather than starters who would improve the squad. If they would improve the squad, they would be season long signings, resulting in option number 2.
Why would we sell Bird in January? Our aim is promotion and selling Bird would be to the detriment of that. He's our best midfielder so we should be doing everything to keep him. We do that by getting promoted...

Why would I? I was adamant that Thompson should have been brought into the side for matchday 2 and should have started every game since. I also would introduce Sibley to the starting lineup once fit
The flaw wasn't having a midfield of Smith, Hourihane and Bird and asking them to play in such a way which leave every single one of them and the defence exposed to counters. A change in style would have addressed that problem.
I have not said we shouldn't sign one midfielder, quite the opposite. I have said I would be annoyed if we signed two midfielders when we already have: Bird, Hourihane, Smith, LThompson and Sibley, with DRobinson and Radcliffe waiting in reserve. Two signings would further compound the short sightedness of this entire summer transfer window.

I'll be very annoyed if it's 2 as it'll be a waste of budget. It means Thompson will drop down to 6th choice CM/AM, then down to 7th when Bird returns from injury - behind Hourihane, New, New, Smith, Sibley.

Only based on retroactive rule changes which resulted in modifications to our P&S figures for each season leading up to 2019. Whilst we would have failed P&S eventually, we wouldn't have failed any season up to and including 18/19 under the rules actually in place.
Clubs were also exempt from punishment for the period ending in 19/20 due to Covid (which we would have failed)
We would have eventually failed by about £9m for the 20/21 period due to the 4 year Covid rules. Remarkably, that would have been the only P&S punishment we would have faced.
In line with the points deduction we actually had, we would have only received 4 or 5 points instead. P&S losses would then have been at manageable levels, with a takeover more likely to occur and administration much less likely to occur too.

Wildsmith
Rooney   Nelson   Cashin   Forsyth
Smith   Hourihane
Mendez-Laing   LThompson   Washington
Waghorn
 
Subs: Vickers, Bradley, Elder, Forsah (?), Sibley, Barkhuizen, Collins

This kind of feeds into what I was told this week. Clowes' is fully commiting to the academy, in terms of a (relatively) very high budget. The first team is a (relatively) low budget  with the aim of getting to the Championship as soon as possible.

I forgot we didn't change our shape vs Fleetwood or add more pace to our defence. We still looked roped and were lucky not to concede at least 2 goals.
Go through every season since Bird has been in the first team and you'll notice our record every season with Bird playing is much better than without him. I made a post giving the exact point not too long ago but I guess you conveniently missed it. Out of our CMs, he's still our most creative, wins more in the air, and the best defensive contributor despite being given a more advanced role this season. The issue is with the two other CMs who leave our defence exposed in the current system.

This is why it’s important to hang on to cash, the ability to grow face fuzz at a young age should not be overlooked 🧔🏻

I forgot we didn't change our shape vs Fleetwood or add more pace to our defence. We still looked roped and were lucky not to concede at least 2 goals.
Go through every season since Bird has been in the first team and you'll notice our record every season with Bird playing is much better than without him. I made a post giving the exact point not too long ago but I guess you conveniently missed it. Out of our CMs, he's still our most creative, wins more in the air, and the best defensive contributor despite being given a more advanced role this season. The issue is with the two other CMs who leave our defence exposed in the current system.

I forgot we didn't change our shape vs Fleetwood or add more pace to our defence. We still looked roped and were lucky not to concede at least 2 goals.
Go through every season since Bird has been in the first team and you'll notice our record every season with Bird playing is much better than without him. I made a post giving the exact point not too long ago but I guess you conveniently missed it. Out of our CMs, he's still our most creative, wins more in the air, and the best defensive contributor despite being given a more advanced role this season. The issue is with the two other CMs who leave our defence exposed in the current system.

8 weeks = 14 games
Rest of season = 32+ games
We have 2 options:
1. Sign 1 player to be a starter, and utilise fringe players such as DRobinson and Radcliffe to fill in when required until Bird is fit
2. Sign 2 players, not use fringe players and harm their development, AND limit game time for first teamers such as Thompson and Sibley, further harming their development and future sell-on value.
Signing short term cover is not an option, as this indicates they are squad players rather than starters who would improve the squad. If they would improve the squad, they would be season long signings, resulting in option number 2.
Why would we sell Bird in January? Our aim is promotion and selling Bird would be to the detriment of that. He's our best midfielder so we should be doing everything to keep him. We do that by getting promoted...