Ghost of Clough

I was about to say this. We haven't been in an embargo since we exited administration. Last season, restrictions were part of the business plan. The terms of the business plan have now been relaxed.

I was about to say this. We haven't been in an embargo since we exited administration. Last season, restrictions were part of the business plan. The terms of the business plan have now been relaxed.

"Stability. Integrity. Progress" probably comes in to it.
Clowes has clearly chosen the path he wants to go down and believes Warne to be that man. 1 season in and we narrowly missed out on the playoffs. It's not the end of the world, and there are some very simple areas to improve on to ensure we meet our target next season - promotion. Stability means we stick with the manager who has a very realistic possibility of winning promotion.
The progress bit will come in to it next season. Limping along between 5th and 10th all season wouldn't be progress, but Warne would still have the chance to finish the season to achieve the target. Failure should be a sackable offence IMO. A very strong attempt at challenging for top 2, but not going up would probably be enough for him to keep his job.
You say he's been rubbish, and in a lot of aspects of management I would tend to agree with you. Squad management, recruitment, academy integration, in game management, etc. The reality is, we don't know what has been discussed in the boardroom to justify the decisions which have been made. But, there's very little margin for error next season and the actions shouldn't be excused by 'EFL restrictions'.

Wouldn't be surprised if Roberts stayed, he's been doing a fair bit of coaching for the younger age groups too as well as filling in every now and then in goal.

I just don't see his all round game being good enough. If we're to play 343, which best suits the players we currently have registered for next season, then we would need a more complete forward. We've seen how it doesn't work when Collins is upfront on his own for example. Defensive contribution, in either winning the ball back high up the pitch or at set pieces is also extremely important. 
In front of goal, May is almost identical to McGoldrick, 2 less shots overall (1 less in penalty area and 1 less outside) resulting in 2 less goals (1 more outside the box, 3 less in the penalty area). However, that's where the similarities end...

Dribbles - dribble success is much worse, at 35% from 77 attempts vs McGoldrick's 56% from 84
Aerial duels - 8% from 49 vs 45% from 219
Key passes - 28 vs 38
Tackles - 25 vs 40
Clearances - 6 vs 20

No excuses for next season now. I won't accept anything less than 140 points.

I think that's a fair summary, with it mostly coming down to who we sign specifically for the U21s.

No excuses for next season now. I won't accept anything less than 140 points.

Oh good. Now we can spend money again, we will have an amortisation policy to discuss.

I may be wrong but I think the average first year pros at Derby get a one year deal with the club having the option of a further year.
I think its’s only the outstanding prospects that get a first pro contract for longer than one year.
But I may be wrong.

No excuses for next season now. I won't accept anything less than 140 points.

Roberts - With first team backup being in the first team squad most weeks, I can see the club keeping Roberts for an extra year to provide cover for the U21s. Especially since I expect Foulkes to leave and it would be in the best interests of Evans' development to go out on loan. Isn't he also a 1st year pro, with most youngsters typically getting 2 year deals?
Brailsford, Ibrahim, and Kelly - aren't they also 1st year pros, so likely to have 1 more year with us? They were three of our most used U21s this season too, so it's not as if they're out of favour. I suppose Ibrahim is most at risk due to not pushing on since he first joined us and depth at CM.
Aideyan - Currently 2nd year scholars, so I would expect him to be given a pro deal, even if for only 1 season due to our limited squad depth.
Sebagabo - Similar to Aideyan with being a 2nd year scholar. Competition at CM is tough though and he hasn't pushed on much since stepping up to the U18s, but has struggled with injuries.
Solomon and WGP - I would also include Bardell in this group based on age. Tough one due to promising youngsters coming through, but at the same time we still need to have a squad. We also don't want to repeat the last couple of seasons of struggles, so a bit of 'experience' could be useful at guiding some of the youngsters. Injuries to Bardell and Solomon over the past 2 seasons have held them back, whilst WGP would also be cover at LWB. Probably comes down to budget and/or if they think they are ready to go play men's football elsewhere.

Squads for next season (with the view to getting all players used to 3 at the back)? Not necessity what I would do, but what I thin we'll do.
U21s
GK :  Evans, Roberts
CB :  Bardell, Solomon, Grewal-Pollard, Moore, Aideyan, Cox*
WB :  Oduroh, Brailsford, Moloney, Burton
CM :  Bates, DRobinson, Ibrahim, Hawkins, Sebagabo, Fapetu
W :  Kelly, Richards, Davidson*
CF : Nunn, Oseni, DBrown*, Wheeldon*
* = still scholars
Possible outs :  Foulkes, CDixon, Aghatise, Lo-Everton, Cybulski, Taylor-Hart, Vigar
 
U18s
GK :  JThompson, Shattell, Price
CB :  KRobinson, Osayande, IGordon, Banks
WB :  Perry, Gough, Gill
CM :  Simons, Ashia, McAndrew, Eames, Allen
W :  Osong, Augustien, Oguntulu, Irefin
CF : 
Possible outs :  ZDixon

No excuses for next season now. I won't accept anything less than 140 points.

Shall I run the poll again now the embargo is lifted

"Stability. Integrity. Progress" probably comes in to it.
Clowes has clearly chosen the path he wants to go down and believes Warne to be that man. 1 season in and we narrowly missed out on the playoffs. It's not the end of the world, and there are some very simple areas to improve on to ensure we meet our target next season - promotion. Stability means we stick with the manager who has a very realistic possibility of winning promotion.
The progress bit will come in to it next season. Limping along between 5th and 10th all season wouldn't be progress, but Warne would still have the chance to finish the season to achieve the target. Failure should be a sackable offence IMO. A very strong attempt at challenging for top 2, but not going up would probably be enough for him to keep his job.
You say he's been rubbish, and in a lot of aspects of management I would tend to agree with you. Squad management, recruitment, academy integration, in game management, etc. The reality is, we don't know what has been discussed in the boardroom to justify the decisions which have been made. But, there's very little margin for error next season and the actions shouldn't be excused by 'EFL restrictions'.

No excuses for next season now. I won't accept anything less than 140 points.

No excuses for next season now. I won't accept anything less than 140 points.

No excuses for next season now. I won't accept anything less than 140 points.

No excuses for next season now. I won't accept anything less than 140 points.

Honk Honk!

As well as academy departures because we weren't even allowed to give them game time. Couldn't even loan them out as we weren't allowed to sign freebie loanees.

"Stability. Integrity. Progress" probably comes in to it.
Clowes has clearly chosen the path he wants to go down and believes Warne to be that man. 1 season in and we narrowly missed out on the playoffs. It's not the end of the world, and there are some very simple areas to improve on to ensure we meet our target next season - promotion. Stability means we stick with the manager who has a very realistic possibility of winning promotion.
The progress bit will come in to it next season. Limping along between 5th and 10th all season wouldn't be progress, but Warne would still have the chance to finish the season to achieve the target. Failure should be a sackable offence IMO. A very strong attempt at challenging for top 2, but not going up would probably be enough for him to keep his job.
You say he's been rubbish, and in a lot of aspects of management I would tend to agree with you. Squad management, recruitment, academy integration, in game management, etc. The reality is, we don't know what has been discussed in the boardroom to justify the decisions which have been made. But, there's very little margin for error next season and the actions shouldn't be excused by 'EFL restrictions'.

"Stability. Integrity. Progress" probably comes in to it.
Clowes has clearly chosen the path he wants to go down and believes Warne to be that man. 1 season in and we narrowly missed out on the playoffs. It's not the end of the world, and there are some very simple areas to improve on to ensure we meet our target next season - promotion. Stability means we stick with the manager who has a very realistic possibility of winning promotion.
The progress bit will come in to it next season. Limping along between 5th and 10th all season wouldn't be progress, but Warne would still have the chance to finish the season to achieve the target. Failure should be a sackable offence IMO. A very strong attempt at challenging for top 2, but not going up would probably be enough for him to keep his job.
You say he's been rubbish, and in a lot of aspects of management I would tend to agree with you. Squad management, recruitment, academy integration, in game management, etc. The reality is, we don't know what has been discussed in the boardroom to justify the decisions which have been made. But, there's very little margin for error next season and the actions shouldn't be excused by 'EFL restrictions'.

Not good enough to be a starter, and probably chasing too much money to be a backup. Wouldn't make the top 5 of my RWB targets if I was in Warne's shoes.