Ghost of Clough

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.

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.

I agree with everything you've said, except I think it's maybe 1 game too soon for Sibley. I'd give him 30 mins in this one before starting him the following week.

The 'unproven' U21s should be 3rd choice in each position. Versatility helps (Rooney at RB/CB, Forsyth at LB/CB, etc), but as a rough guide, I'd go with something like this:
GK: Wildsmith, Vickers, Loach, Evans
RB: Ward, Wilson, Moore
CB: Nelson, Rooney, Bardell
CB: Cashin, Bradley, Cox
LB: Forsyth, Elder, Moloney
CM: Bird, Smith, DRobinson
CM: Hourihane, LThompson, Radcliffe
RW: Mendez-Laing, Barkhuizen, Richards
AM: Sibley, Lindsay
LW: Washington, Davidson
CF: Waghorn, Collins, DBrown
Ignoring injuries, we would be a CM/AM, LW and possibly a CF short of a healthy first team squad. Due to the long term injuries to both first team right backs, it makes sense to sign someone who gets us through to January as relying on Rooney (who still hasn't played the full 90 in back to back games under Warne) would be a big risk.
Similar would apply in a 352, except our first team squad depth is heavier in certain positions and lighter in others.

If you're going that far, you can throw in Weimann and Anya at wing back too

If you're going that far, you can throw in Weimann and Anya at wing back too

Is he commenting on the team/matchday squad vs Fleetwood, or the squad as a whole? Ward and Bird are big misses. Any top 3 team, even with a full squad, would no longer be a top 3 team without those two. Add in Wilson's injury, Elder and Bradley not yet showing the ability we hoped they would add to the team, Sibley and Barkhuizen still to build up match fitness, and being a couple of players short in the transfer market, his comments are understandable.
Without signings, this team won't get promoted. With 3 long term injuries, 1 still to return to the matchday squad and a few others still building fitness, our first team squad is small right now. But, that's partly Warne's fault too. He should have spent the last 10 months giving more first team exposure to the likes of Rooney, LThompson, DRobinson, etc... so that when these situations do pop up, squad depth isn't such as issue - fringe players would be ready to make the step up to more regular football.

Average positions are usually a good indicator of formation. Based on our starting 11, that was:
Wildsmith
       Nelson   Cashin
      Rooney                                       
                Smith                  Forsyth
                       Hourihane LThompson
                     Washington
Mendez-Laing                                   
Waghorn
 
Kind of a fusion of 433, 442 and 352

We definitely started off a a solid back 4, which slowly morphed more and more into a back 5 as the game went on. Kind of like this:
Wildsmith
Rooney   Nelson   Cashin   Forsyth
           Smith   Hourihane   LThompson
Mendez-Laing                                         
                           Waghorn   Washington         

We definitely started off a a solid back 4, which slowly morphed more and more into a back 5 as the game went on. Kind of like this:
Wildsmith
Rooney   Nelson   Cashin   Forsyth
           Smith   Hourihane   LThompson
Mendez-Laing                                         
                           Waghorn   Washington         

Average positions are usually a good indicator of formation. Based on our starting 11, that was:
Wildsmith
       Nelson   Cashin
      Rooney                                       
                Smith                  Forsyth
                       Hourihane LThompson
                     Washington
Mendez-Laing                                   
Waghorn
 
Kind of a fusion of 433, 442 and 352

We definitely started off a a solid back 4, which slowly morphed more and more into a back 5 as the game went on. Kind of like this:
Wildsmith
Rooney   Nelson   Cashin   Forsyth
           Smith   Hourihane   LThompson
Mendez-Laing                                         
                           Waghorn   Washington         

Is he commenting on the team/matchday squad vs Fleetwood, or the squad as a whole? Ward and Bird are big misses. Any top 3 team, even with a full squad, would no longer be a top 3 team without those two. Add in Wilson's injury, Elder and Bradley not yet showing the ability we hoped they would add to the team, Sibley and Barkhuizen still to build up match fitness, and being a couple of players short in the transfer market, his comments are understandable.
Without signings, this team won't get promoted. With 3 long term injuries, 1 still to return to the matchday squad and a few others still building fitness, our first team squad is small right now. But, that's partly Warne's fault too. He should have spent the last 10 months giving more first team exposure to the likes of Rooney, LThompson, DRobinson, etc... so that when these situations do pop up, squad depth isn't such as issue - fringe players would be ready to make the step up to more regular football.

Average positions are usually a good indicator of formation. Based on our starting 11, that was:
Wildsmith
       Nelson   Cashin
      Rooney                                       
                Smith                  Forsyth
                       Hourihane LThompson
                     Washington
Mendez-Laing                                   
Waghorn
 
Kind of a fusion of 433, 442 and 352

We definitely started off a a solid back 4, which slowly morphed more and more into a back 5 as the game went on. Kind of like this:
Wildsmith
Rooney   Nelson   Cashin   Forsyth
           Smith   Hourihane   LThompson
Mendez-Laing                                         
                           Waghorn   Washington         

Lol, well you know 'lies, damn lies and statistics'! 😄

We definitely started off a a solid back 4, which slowly morphed more and more into a back 5 as the game went on. Kind of like this:
Wildsmith
Rooney   Nelson   Cashin   Forsyth
           Smith   Hourihane   LThompson
Mendez-Laing                                         
                           Waghorn   Washington         

I hope Warne decides 4231/433 is the way forward, and recruits accordingly.
I hope we do all our business before deadline day. We're rumoured to be close to signing a CM.
I hope we sign full back cover who is better than Yiadom.
I hope we don't sell Cashin.
I hope we sign a winger.

Open play key passes per 90 for Derby:
1. Wilson - 2.4
2. Bird - 2.0
3. Mendez-Laing - 1.6
4. Thompson - 1.6
5. Washington - 1.6
6. Ward - 1.4
7. Hourihane - 1.3
8. Waghorn - 0.9
9. Forsyth - 0.8
10. Collins - 0.7
11. Nelson - 0.5
12. Others - 0.0

I hope Warne decides 4231/433 is the way forward, and recruits accordingly.
I hope we do all our business before deadline day. We're rumoured to be close to signing a CM.
I hope we sign full back cover who is better than Yiadom.
I hope we don't sell Cashin.
I hope we sign a winger.

Open play key passes per 90 for Derby:
1. Wilson - 2.4
2. Bird - 2.0
3. Mendez-Laing - 1.6
4. Thompson - 1.6
5. Washington - 1.6
6. Ward - 1.4
7. Hourihane - 1.3
8. Waghorn - 0.9
9. Forsyth - 0.8
10. Collins - 0.7
11. Nelson - 0.5
12. Others - 0.0

I hope Warne decides 4231/433 is the way forward, and recruits accordingly.
I hope we do all our business before deadline day. We're rumoured to be close to signing a CM.
I hope we sign full back cover who is better than Yiadom.
I hope we don't sell Cashin.
I hope we sign a winger.

Open play key passes per 90 for Derby:
1. Wilson - 2.4
2. Bird - 2.0
3. Mendez-Laing - 1.6
4. Thompson - 1.6
5. Washington - 1.6
6. Ward - 1.4
7. Hourihane - 1.3
8. Waghorn - 0.9
9. Forsyth - 0.8
10. Collins - 0.7
11. Nelson - 0.5
12. Others - 0.0

Except Clowes, the coaching team, and the players have all stated the aim is to challenge for promotion. That is never 'mid-table'. Everything from the club says top 6 is the minimum expectation. The restrictions don't make us a midtable side. Mid-table is a club wage bill of £5m. Even the most pessimistic outlook would estimate our wage budget at a £10m, comfortably inside the top 6 this season.