OoooMarkWright

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. 

9 hours ago, Leeds Ram said:

Not sure why he's gone to PSG apart from the money tbh. He might as well have gone back to his boyhood club in Argentina for a few years and been an absolute hero tbh. He literally cannot win anything else in Europe as it is and is he ever going to be as happy playing for another European team that isn't Barcelona? 

He obviously wants to win the champions league again. Once Man City were out after signing Grealish, PSG was the obvious option. 

2 minutes ago, Srg said:

Trying to figure out how much of this is sarcasm.

I’m serious! Maybe the goosebump bit was a bit OTT! He gets a lot of stick on here, rightly so on occasions. But credit where credits due, he’s handling this very difficult situation brilliantly. Would have been understandable if he walked, but he’s said all the right things and he has that siege mentality about him, I like it. 

Fair play to Rooney for tonight, but also for how he’s handling this entire situation. His press conferences have been outstanding. He is saying exactly the right things, I actually feel proud of him and I’ll be honest I had some goosebumps listening to his message. I think he can bring the pride back. Maybe he can motivate and galvanise this club after all. I’ve been critical of his selections and tactics, but this could be the making of him. 

33 minutes ago, David said:

Possibly some controversial thoughts here, but watching the Messi press conference, he was talking about doing everything he could to stay.

I think it would be fair to say that Messi is a wealthy man.

A man that could easily play out the rest of his career for free and still not have to struggle for a coffee.

If you’re that desperate to stay, you wait, you offer to go down to 5k a week until they are in a position to pay more.

Is Messi not partly responsible for the financial situation being on the contracts he has over the years? He’s certainly not solely responsible.

Let’s be honest, a Ligue 1 title medal would sit on the bottom shelf of his trophy cabinet, so why go, he has nothing to prove now. 

No doubting he could still perform on a Tuesday night in Stoke. I just find it a little bizarre.

I would also love to know how PSG can sign Messi without breaking FFP.

Messi can’t stay at Barca. They can’t register him as they are well over FFP. There is also a Spanish law that means Messi can’t take more than a 50% wage cut. He can’t play for free or even 4.5k a week! A weird one. Messi did everything he could to stay. I have huge sympathy for him. This is not the way the greatest should bow out of such a great club. 

I sympathise with you @Davidover the twitter backlash. Not on there myself so don’t quite get it. Am I right in thinking you won’t be releasing any details of the meeting?? Basically the same as the RamsTrust statement. What a drama over nowt if so! 

For a team so desperate for a goal threat, it’s criminal we’re not using Sibley more. Play him centrally, off Kazim and he’ll easily get double figures. 

2 minutes ago, Igor Igor Whats the Score? said:

I agree with Mel’s academy comments and although I appreciate I’m in the minority I would rather watch Cashin develop than Wisdom make his customary howlers, see Bird kick on rather than have another Butterfield at 4m and give Ebosele a go instead of Anya at a combined cost of approaching 10m (fees and wages).

As would I. But at the time Mel was quoting our collapse when Martin, Hughes etc. got injured and having zero cover. He said this harmed our promotion bid, hence signing Butterfield, Johnson etc. to ensure this doesn’t happen again. He’s contradicted himself. Again. 

12 minutes ago, Sparkle said:

Not really far off 

Jim Smith brought in a few journey men and promoted a promising youngster and once it gelled a bit he brought in a diamond and we went to the summit and promotion followed to the top league and more money and even better players - But we managed that without half the division receiving huge parachute payments - we can’t compete with that which is where all our financial problems stem from.

It is still miles off. Smith bought in about 9 players that summer. We can’t bring in any. Smith bought players with some standing still. Van Der Laan was decent at Port Vale, Powell he knew from Portsmouth. We also had an experienced manager and one of the best young coaches in the game. That is miles off where we currently stand. 

33 minutes ago, G STAR RAM said:

I remember when Jim Smith took over Derby, the fans were not positive then either.

Maybe this season will be a reset. Wage bill down and if the fans stick with us we may find that this time next season we will be on a more sound financial footing.

Who knows, along the way we may even enjoy watching some of our own youngsters progress through the ranks.

By a club of this stature, do you mean one that has been in The Championship for the last 13 years and, as it stands, is still in The Championship and on the same amount of points as every other team in the division?

I remember in the infamous 11 point season how our fans won admiration for being the 12th man, maybe it is time that we stepped up to the plate again rather than sitting here crying like spoilt little babies who cant get what we want.

After 17 months without being a match, I cannot wait to be back in Pride Park on Saturday getting behind whichever players pull on a Rams shirt. Unfortunately, I think there are plenty who have missed an opportunity to vent their anger who are equally excited.

I like the positivity. 

But we are miles off when Jim Smith took over.

It’s a great chance for a reset, but we can’t reset without funds to do so and an embargo paralysing our club. The fans would and will step up I’m sure. But the club haven’t treated them brilliantly these last few months. Until Morris sorts this mess out we’re going nowhere. No matter what you say about 13 years in the champ, we’re still a big club and shouldn’t be in this position. 

On 02/08/2021 at 16:12, Raich Carter said:

Will Hughes maybe? Time will tell. 

I thought Hughes would eclipse Huddlestone, he still has time. But Huddlestone had an established Premier  League career, and for a long time at a top 6 club. Not sure Hughes will hit those heights. I hope he does. 

6 minutes ago, G STAR RAM said:

So how will Morris being out of the club change that?

What negativity is coming out of the club? The only negativity I can see is coming from the fans. 

The club will hardly promote negativity will it? However the following isn’t positive:

No money

Less than 12 senior players.

No signings.

Failed takeovers.

The club is a shambles. I feel for Rooney and the staff as we will not be competitive next season and are certs to go down as it stands. A club of Derby County’s stature soul not be in this position. Well done Morris. Thanks a lot. 

I don’t think he has any inside knowledge at all. Lots of random digging which, with little news coming out keeps us entertained. I’d take everything he says with a pinch of salt.

I’d play for as long as i could if I was him. As you say MLS could be a good option. He never had pace so sure he’s got another season or two left in the tank. 

Probably the best player our academy has produced. He can do a job for someone at this level I’m sure. What a player he would have been if he could run! 

6 minutes ago, kevinhectoring said:

Rooney should do one of two things:

1. Tell the world he is lucky to be managing our club and that he is determined to get the best out of our squad whatever its weaknesses

2 resign 

 

Why would Rooney resign? He kinda has said No.1 previously. 

1 hour ago, Ramarena said:

We’d appoint Wassall or Mac or both. 

Both already on the payroll and no backward step in managerial talent.

Is McClaren still on the payroll? No one even knows what he does? The most pointless of appointments ever! Great if he was on the grass doing what he does best, but he isn’t. Not heard from him at all.

I’m no fan of Rooney, far from. But I can’t understand the logic in those saying he should do the honourable thing and walk away. With the absolute shambles that we are, we wouldn’t be able to appoint anyone anyway. We’re lucky he hasn’t walked away. I doubt anyone would want this job. It’s nigh on impossible. We’re a disgrace of a club right now. Rooney is also a big carrot for any prospective owners. I don’t think he is up to the job, but I don’t think many could have us competitive with the squad we currently have. Tough times ahead.

Good player is Clarke. Him and Keogh would have made a great pairing. Cocu really was cursed. Not convinced he’d make it in the Premier League, but in the Champ he is a very dominant centre half. 

7 minutes ago, RoyMac5 said:

Lol. It's not like he realised there was a camera recording it all! 

Regardless, a very awkward speech. Poor body language, fiddling with a bottle, referring to Tom as ‘him’ all the time. Last bit was a muddle about having a problem seeing him rather than me. Just a shoddy presentation. Might sound a little OTT, but I’m even less confident in Rooney after that. 

I like Lawrence. A surprising choice but I get the rationale behind it. We need to let go and forget about the Joiners Arms. Hopefully it inspires him on the pitch to perform well. He is capable. A football captain isn’t a major role like in rugby and cricket so hopefully it gives him a confidence boost. 

More concerning is Rooney’s ‘speech’. I was kinda hoping behind closed doors he was a different character and more jovial. That was dry. No enthusiasm, pure dullness. He can barely string two words together and is surly. I know we’re in for a long season, but he’d send me to sleep if we’re in the trenches needing to pull together. Sort it out Wayne! 

Italy it is. Would be a very good final. C’mon England - make it happen! 

Croatia ruined the Spanish with balls in the box and down the channels. Plenty for England to threaten them with, it’s been one of our strengths. Down their right we’d fancy it. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves! 

I think Spain have been more positive with possession than normal. Not just passing for passing sake. Not a fan of the fake 9 so I’ll give you that, although Olmo did play well there. They should have won this game with the chances they’ve had. 

I think England could take both though. 

32 minutes ago, Alpha said:

Hahaha! Have that you slobbering pundits. 

Every pass causes Danny Murphy to change underwear. 

They are 11 midfielders playmaking. If you want the ball off them just let them try and score and they'll mess up.

Italy just showing why you have players that are direct. 

Deserved. 

Are you watching the same game?

Spain looking decent. Italians high pressing game potentially catching up with them. Spain deserved it.