OoooMarkWright

Toothless performance.

I don’t mind the playing out from the back. The first 20-25mins we looked ok, without creating anything. I’d persevere, but as Wayne says mix it every now and again. I’d rather be brave than revert to the safety first tripe we saw from Feb onwards last season. But it has to have an end product. Tonight there was nothing. 

Lawrence is such a difficult player to like. I want to like him, but he makes it so hard. He’s never captain material. Petulant. Pathetic. Childish. I can’t stand those types. Awful pass for their 2nd goal. Has to do more. 

Bird tried to play, showed some nice touches. Sibley has to be stronger. Isn’t a wide man, but didn’t receive the ball when central much either. Has gone backwards massively since Cocu left. Worrying. 

We’re in big trouble with this squad. No way can we keep any level of performance up with the run of games coming up. It’s an impossible situation. I feel for Rooney as he’s trying to do the right things with nothing at his disposal.

20 minutes ago, Carl Sagan said:

Disappointed with Sibley at the moment, but the team shape and his position doesn't suit him. Of course the second goal isn't all on him, but I'd say 40%, which is still significant. He can see the Brummie forward alone on the edge of our box, but still makes the tackle to send the ball that way. You have to be smarter than that.

 

Agree with the majority of your post. Sibley was poor tonight, but I completely disagree about it being 40% Sibley’s fault. He was trying to get back, stuck a leg out. Unfortunately it went straight to their man. Never his fault though. Crazy statement. 
Everything else, I agree.

Thanks for the heads up. I cancelled my subscription just in time, but as I did it had an offer for 17.99. Saved me over £40. Cheers! 

The letter reads well to me. I’m not sure why fans are getting their knickers in a twist about them ‘not representing me’. The letter asks a number of questions that have been raised in this forum. I doubt they’ll hear anything in response though, such is the clubs complete disregard to its fans.  

24 minutes ago, Rev said:

At the end of the day, what is Derby County without its fans?

Making it harder for those fans to buy tickets than needs be is the stupidest thing we've done.

There's literally no excuse for it.

It's not a massively well paid, highly technical skill required to do so, it can easily be outsourced if need be, even temporarily, isn't that SeatGeeks role anyhow?

If not, what do they actually do?

 

 

Completely agree. Over half the people I go with haven’t been to a game yet. One of the main reasons is down to how hard it is to get a ticket. At a time when Derby needs its fans the most, we seem to be disengaging completely with them. You’d have thought after 18 months without fans in grounds, we’d be desperate to get them back in. Clearly not. But when you are a completely rudderless organisation, I’m not surprised. 

4 minutes ago, Crewton said:

He was a crook, and a monster of sorts. What he did or didn't do for us as a football club is pretty irrelevant to his reputation. 

My original point was football based though. Maxwell, yes he was a terrible bloke, but as an owner he had some success. The first few years were very successful. The best since the 70s. The football side of things wasn’t hugely affected. Not as much as it is being now. The same applies with the Three Amigos. Crooks - yes. But, on a footballing standpoint, we were on a more stable footing I would argue than our current plight. This is the lowest I can remember since 84. Can’t sign anyone, completely skint, no sign of improvement, no ticketing office. When has that ever happened? 

5 minutes ago, Charlotte Ram said:

I disagree, we had no cash at all in 2003, and no functioning bank account, also the ground was sold to a very sketchy Panamanian company. the 3 amigos between them could nt afford a bag of chips.

We weren’t in the High Court with winding up orders, literally minutes from going under though were we?

 
I don’t think we’ll get to that stage under Morris, but the football side of things has never been so negatively affected by the incompetency of the owners as it is now. 

11 minutes ago, kevinhectoring said:

Not sure you’re not missing a not here 

Yeah - you’re correct! I couldn’t edit it.

Maxwell and the Three amigos were deplorable humans. Mel’s intentions are to be applauded. But the way he has ran the club into the ground from such a position of strength, for me, is worse than the regimes of Maxwell and co. 

5 minutes ago, Charlotte Ram said:

The Nadir for the club was 2003 when it went into receivership because the Co-Op bank pulled the plug, and was purchased by the Amigos for £3, we were close to extinction then that is not happening now 

We were closer to the brink in 84. 

2 minutes ago, jono said:

I didn’t see your rant so can’t comment but comparing Mel to the Crooks that Maxwell and the 3 amigos were, is probably the most stupid, rude, insulting, ill informed comment I think I have ever seen on this forum. 
 

Really ? Think about what you said there, it’s shameful. 

We weren’t under all of these restrictions under those regimes.  Not saying they were shameful individuals, but the Maxwells saved the club and under their stewardship got the club to 5th. I honestly don’t think we’ve ever been as bad as this since 84. Statement stands. 

My rant seems to have been deleted by the mods. No idea why??

Anyway, Morris is the worst chairman we’ve had. Worse than Maxwell, worse than the Three Amigos. His reckless spending spree has led to this. Should we be thankful for someone wasting so much money? I don’t think so. This is the worst we’ve been since 1984. Shambolic.

Stephen Pearce. Equally as bad. He was finance officer before too. He’s should be overseeing the day to day running of the club. No communication, no ticket office. After a pandemic, the club is alienating its fans further. The club is on its knees. It’s a disgrace how this great club is being run. 

2 minutes ago, DCFC1388 said:

Ive mentioned before but I believe we owe Wigan money if Marshall plays again for us so dont think it is down to his ability.

That would make a lot of sense. Jeez, what a mess. Thanks Morris and Pearce - shambles. 

It’s very odd the whole Marshall business. He’s a better keeper than Allsop, considerably better in fact. With the amount of wages that have left the club, it can’t be a case of getting Marshall’s wages off. Allsop is an odd signing. Much prefer Marshall as a no.2. Especially given our lack of squad depth.  

Roos 6

Byrne 7

Forsyth 7

Davies 7

Jagielka 7

Bird 8

Shinnie 6.5

Morrison 6.5

Sibley 6.5

Jozwiak 7

Lawrence 8

Stretton 6.5

Buchanan (optional) 6.5

8 minutes ago, MuespachRam said:

I’m not sure he is that good at all actually, he will sell 1 million more shirts and packets of noodles so I guess that’s all they care about..? 
he will score 10-15 goals in a season without doubt. 

He scored 36 in 44 last season. Outscored Lukaku in an inferior team. He’ll get at least 20 goals, probably more. Man Utd have an outstanding team, not sure if Ole is up to it. We’ll find out. No excuses this season. 
 

Man City have had a bit of a mare though. Grealish doesn’t massively improve them and they don’t have a centre forward. They’ll challenge Man Utd and Chelsea in the Prem, but I think the lack of a quality forward could cost them. 

13 minutes ago, Sparkle said:

I actually think Buchanan could easily be used as a wide left midfielder within out side especially when Lawrence moves on ( probably next summer) 

No chance. His touch isn’t good enough. Completely different to being a half decent attacking full back to a wide midfielder. 
I like Buchanen, but he’s not a top full back in this division, yet. Potential is there though.

The Steve Bloomers Watching chorus is a decent chant. Can be done over and over and has lasted quite a while on occasions. It’s easy enough to sing to. A modern day We Are Derby chant. It must be about 20 years old now though. Persevere with it. 

6 minutes ago, England Ram said:

I remember watching McGrath in that season and what a joy he was to behold. 
Positional sense and speed of thought above anyone I’d seen play in defence for Derby. 
I’m 45 now so never got to see the champion winning team but have seen the likes of Wright, Hindmarsh, Stimac etc but for that one season Paul McGrath was absolutely immense. 
I remember him tracking a runner who had beat him for pace as a ball was played through and in stride Paul back healed a clearance further than some were able to make a normal clearance. The striker turned to look at him and just shook his head in disbelief. 
 

If Phil Jagielka can bring us even a fraction of what McGrath gave us in his one season we will find ourselves safe and secure for another year. 
Yesterday was a promising start. 

McGrath was one of the greatest defenders in the world. An outstanding player and a joy to watch in his season as a Ram. He was key to us having a good season. If Jagielka can have a similar impact, I’ll be happy. 

Roos  5

Byrne   4

Forsyth   5

Stearman    7

Davies    7

Bird   5.5

Shinnie   5

Morrison    7

Ebosele    5

Lawrence    5

Kazim      4

Stretton   6

Sibley 7

36 minutes ago, Ravabeerbelly said:

I posted on this in an earlier thread. I agree with GoC above and it also relies on the wide att midfielders being able to come inside to play in what they call the half spaces and to know when to run off and beyond the striker. Sibley can do it and to a degree Joz can do it. It was perfectly highlighted in our first goal v Salford where I read a super tweet on it :-

 

It’s why I was never sold on Festy playing that role today who likes to hug the line while both Lawrence and Morrison like to come towards the ball and receive it to their feet. It offered no threat beyond the forward and it’s why we looked instantly more threatening when Sibley came on.

I agree. We looked a lot better when Sibley came on, he occupied that space further inside. First half, Ebosele and Byrne were standing on each other’s toes. Never going to work. 

4 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said:

The idea is for players to move into positions making it harder for the opposition to mark them and dragging them out of position to open up space for us to exploit.

CM to FB, FB to W, W to AM, AM to CM

I think I remember one of the players describing Clement trying to use the same tactics.

I think the main problem is we need CBs capable of being playmaker, and Forsyth hasn't got it in him to play the LB role - it needs to be Buchanan or Williams who have the energy to bomb up and down the wing all day. Having Bielik/Knightb in at CM instead of Shinnie would make a big difference.

It’s not going to drag anyone out of position when it’s played at snails pace. Mind you, given the age of our back line walking football won’t be far off! 

Can someone explain to me the rationale behind the split midfielder tactic? I’ve never seen anything so ridiculous. We push both full backs high, and replace the full backs with our central midfielders Meaning our attackers drop deep into midfield to receive the ball, leaving the centre of the pitch exposed. Very bizarre. 

Early days, but so far I see very little benefit. The midfielders are 60 yards apart. We can’t build up play, can’t create angles and everyone, bar the full backs, drops deeper. I’m guessing the idea is to create overloads on either side, but we barely get the ball higher up the pitch to make this effective. Weird tactic. 

Is there anyway I can buy a ticket for someone else? My mates a 19/20 season ticket holder but doesn’t have an email address/ dcfc login. I have his customer number. Can I purchase tickets on his behalf? Thanks in advance! 

1 hour ago, LeedsCityRam said:

My ideal XI would see Morrison replicating his second half position against Salford. Ideally you'd want that quality up the pitch but want us to control possession & games - Ravel alongside Bird should guarantee that and act as insurance for our CBs who aren't that comfortable on the ball. 

I'd start Lawrence, Sibley & Jozwiak as the 3 behind Kazim with Sibley in particular tasked to run beyond Kazim.

Good team is that. I’d like to see Rooney play that, but I think he may opt for a midfield 3 of Shinnie, Morrison, Bird. Bird being the more advanced potentially. 

11 minutes ago, Srg said:

 

The change had to be made last night because Watson kept finding himself stood at left back in the first half. He looked confused.

I do find it odd the positions that the 2 in midfield were adopting. As you say they were playing so wide when we had the ball back at the back. I’m not convinced it’s the way forward as the angles created make it difficult to progress the ball forward. The wider you go, the less space you have, hence the reason Watson kept on playing back, his other midfield partner was 60 yards away in the other side. They were both hogging the touch line. Also, if we lose possession we are massively exposed.