San Fran Van Rams

Why do we need an extension? These should have been prepared and ready to go long ago so we could get on with our season. 

One can only presume that we have agreed some sort of ‘deal’ with the EFL and are re-doing them on that basis but why has it taken so long? 
 
One can only be thankful that the club will no doubt be communicating the reason for this deferral, and the impact it may well have on signing any proper footballers before it is too late, in their usual timely and informative manner. 
 
 

Thing is when it comes to Shinnie we didn't have much other option and it perhaps was as apparent that he was unsuited to the role until the season started. Perhaps the thought was his positives outweighed the tactical baggage. But we were/are looking at other midfielders in Carroll and Garner.
In terms of stopping it you'd have to see it working properly before you could say definitavely but it most likely involves single out the weak links. Like right now it's pretty easy as there multiple points of likely failure. In terms of a plan B I've not seen much in the way of that thinking because the effort has been getting plan A going. It likely involved CKR before injury.

I'm writing this because I've been thinking about it for a little while and I feel that I keep see people misdiagnosing what we are trying to do and why it's not working. (Also because I'm a bit bored whilst a bit ill). This isn't necessarily an attempt to defend what we are trying to do or whether it's the best approach to take (although I do think there is merit) but more an attempt at explaining the tactical intent and why we aren't meeting that intent or at least not consistently. It's worth noting there is an amount of variation in what we have tried to do but I'll try to cover the gist of it and where and why it's varied a little.
The Intent
The primary goal of what Rooney is trying to tactically work towards is aiming to create a chasm of space in midfield in front of the opposition defence for the 3 attacking midfielders (Lawrence particularly) to exploit, with the secondary goal of if that doesn't work having an overload out wide. We do this by working the ball out from the back and having players drift from their starting positions into space we manufacture in turn creating more space where we want it. With that in mind we can look at the player's roles.
GK, CBs - Not much to really explain here and they aren't doing anything fancy. The important bit is that we expect the ball to move around between them a lot and so need to be comfortable on the ball and able to shift possession quickly and accurately. Also the centre backs may be called upon to cover the space wide that the full backs vacate so in an ideal world are positional aware and quick.
Fullbacks - Almost used as wing backs the idea is that when we are building possession they push very high and wide. This is to achieve a couple things; provide width, give an out-ball for CBs and GK or a switch ball for a midfielder and push the opposition wide players back and out of the way contributing to space opening up where you'd typically see the fullback. There has been a minor variant on this with one of the full backs playing high but narrow acting as a pseudo-midfielder with the attacking player in front of them providing the width.
DMs - With the space vacated by the full back the DM on the side possession is moving towards can freely move into that pocket of space hopefully dragging their opposite number out of position and if they aren't tracked they will have time and space to pick a pass. The idea is goes quickly into them and the quickly on either into the 10 or to a wide player on their side. By doing this it contributes to trying to moving the opposition around, get them out of position and ideally out of those central areas which brings me on to the next group.
AMs - This whole tactical system is designed to give these players a platform to play, with the movement of the fullbacks and the DMs the AMs should find it a lot easier (if the ball has been moved quickly) to find time and space in the centre of the park where they can turn and hurt the opposing team. My belief is that there is three nominal roles the left sided player operates as a wideish playmaker, the right sided player operates as the most direct of the three looking to run at the opposition or in behind and the central player is to be somewhat in between both whilst also being the primary target for most of the build up, possession and I suspect the player wanted to be on the ultimate end of the move. You'll notice that there is a big emphasis on getting the 10 on the ball as much as possible. Typically the wider players are inverted so they are more comfortable coming narrow.
CF - Unlike a lot of tactical set ups, the striker isn't here primarily as the focus of things and more as almost a decoy. The idea is they consistently make runs beyond dragging the opposition back and have them back peddling when an AM breaks into the space in front of them. The importance once again is all about disrupting how the opposition set up in order to create space.
Ideally in the build up you'd expect us to look like this (assuming an attack on the right)
 
      
 
And if you look at in that regard I believe you can start to see how we expect to create passing triangles in order to work possession. It then shifts to something closer to this further up the pitch (again assuming an attack on the right)
 

(Diagrams aren't perfect but I hope they get the point across)
The Execution
Whilst the above is the intent we often see it breakdown well before the final third giving the impression that we aren't going anywhere and it's partly we see some players end up consistently coming very deep. What's basically happening is to an extent we aren't able to execute what we are trying to do tactically and forever recycling the initial phase of it. The problem is rife throughout the team and there are a lot of players out there who are clearly unsuited to doing what is asked causing severe breaks in the tactical cohesion. 
GK Roos is actually perfect for the role in terms of his attributes. Whilst he may have his moments; at this level his distribution is excellent and he is fast off his line if somebody breaks beyond the defence. CBs Admittedly this feels a touch unfair to criticise and in fairness they've made about as a good a fist of it as can be expected but fundamentally we need CBs much more comfortable on the ball the Davies and Stearman if we want to build out from the back. Jagielka coming in will help this mind and if we can pick up Mengi as well we will be golden. Fullbacks  Forsyth just isn't really quick enough anymore to properly stretch the pitch and then return to position, Buchanan returning will improve this but I think we need start seriously considering bumping Williams up to second choice. Byrne whilst he has made mistakes is probably ok in the role with a couple caveats; ideally we'd have someone a little faster and more capable of drilling the ball into the box (as opposed to Byrne's floaters). Ebosele would fix some of the issues but is a little rawer in possession than Byrne. Also whilst Byrne is fine with the primary role, he is clearly supremely uncomfortable playing as an inverted full back as we saw against Peterborough. DMs Bird tactically and positionally completely gets what he should be doing and whilst it might look odd is following the plan set out for him to a T.  The ball comes into and back out from him quickly and reliably. The only minor problem is because of the position he is taking up the quick forwards pass is typically on his wrong foot  and he'd be far better off if he was playing on the left half of the pitch. Shinnie however is arguably one of the biggest issues in the current set up and blatantly unsuited for it. Tactical he looks unsure of his role and the number of times that one of the following happens when he gets the ball is significant; the momentum of the move is killed dead because he takes too many touches, he gives up possession or he passes in a such a way that the next player does. As much as he is liked if Rooney wants to tactically make work what he's trying to do, Shinnie has to come out of the side. AMs The system has been built with Lawrence playing at 10 in mind and whilst he hasn't perhaps pulled up any trees he does seem to tactically understand what his role and what he should be doing at a given time. Need a bit more creatively from him and I think we will see that once other things click into place. Morrison somewhat similar to Lawrence I feel was firmly in the coaching team's mind when thinking on how they want to play this season and does his role well The problem position is the RAM slot. The plan very clearly was to get Aluko in here. Jozwiak and Ebosele have started here but neither are really right for both being right footed and given that Byrne behind them can't play the compensatory role. The player very clearly most suited to it is Sibley but it's just a question of whether Rooney gets over his hangups with him as he looked like a clear fit when he came on versus Peterborough. CF This is also where there has been a bit of a problem. I really like CKR but this system needs someone energetic and spinning in behind to open up the space and keep the opposition honest and it's just not his game. It wasn't surprising to me that the game seemed to change when he got injured and Stretton came on because suddenly spaces started to appear. I'm relatively convinced Baldock was being brought in with this in mind and was going to be earmarked as first choice. Personally however I think Stretton looks a better fit and I suspect is more likely to be clinical when it comes to chance creation.  Whilst it might not look great now with perhaps a couple signings/players returning to fitness it could quickly click into place, it's just down to Rooney and Co to realise why it's not working and fix it. For example a theoretical line up along the lines of the following would likely execute the plan set out pretty well 

It’s something I’ve internally struggled with for a few years now, pre Covid and the EFL/Mel troubles…and maybe not just a Derby thing, but football on the whole, I just don’t get as excited as I used to.
Maybe it’s getting older. I became a dad recently too, so a bit more pipe and slippers. I actually prefer listening to the game on RD than going. 

The thing that comes to mind is the Mitchell and Webb sketch where David Mitchell implies, by way of a faux Sky ad, that Football never really ends - and I feel that a lot. Sky and the digital age mean it’s information overload 

I also feel a bit spent from Mclaren’s first spell. That was like football heroin. The highest high. Not just the football, but the ease and rate in which Cloughs neatly assembled, but fits and starts team - became so entertaining and alluring so quickly. Still in hangover from that. ‘Why can’t we always improve that quickly’……?
it might just be me. Don’t wanna be an eeyore. But in answer to the post, to some people (I.e me) it’s not just Covid, or the precarious nature of the club that’s stopping me from going.
 
But I’m a fickle sod, so if Jags comes into a back 3 on Wednesday and we start playing like PSG then I’ll start to waver….??

Joz and Byrne asleep. Shocking defending. Was a foul on Sibley that went the other way though. Rooney will be angry I'm sure

Sibley the brightest spark out there. Everytime he's running at them we look dangerous.

For me, today was a story of three substitutions - one enforced, one good, one bad.
The first one was significant because although Kazim-Richards wasn't having his most successful game, he would have been an important pivot for a late assault on the Peterborough goal from our young substitutes. As it was, it left us one tactical substitute short.
Stretton did well when he came on early and I am so delighted that he has got his first senior goal. We needed other players to play to his strengths, though, which they didn't always do.
Sibley's introduction once Stretton was on, was a must, as he does play well with Stretton and his forceful play driving forward, changed the game in our favour. Good substitution.
Having got the lead and knowing we would have to see out a considerable amount of injury time then the third substitution was a poor one. I thought Morrison had been running the game, so to replace him with Jozwiak left our midfield exposed and invited the counter attack. Maybe Brown in defensive midfield would have been better? 
I thought at the game the foul against Sibley should have gone in his favour and the Peterborough player clearly kicked him when he was on the floor, but I haven't seen a replay having only just got home so I could be completely wrong there. Regardless of that, the way we defended it was amateurish. This isn't the kids letting us down, it is the established players.
Then to do it all again a few minutes later turned a good afternoon completely on it's head. How deflating for the supporters who were magnificent all afternoon (idiots notwithstanding.)
Just a couple of other observations, Ebosele for me is an excellent fullback/wingback so play him there. If Byrne's shaky start to the season continues that will happen sooner rather than later.
Lawrence needs to step up. I like his workrate but I don't think he is affecting the game enough. Others have observed it is because he has to keep dropping deep to fetch the ball. But even allowing for that,  he is not driving play as Sibley, or even Watson, does. 
Another frustrating afternoon because I felt that game was there for the taking. We need to be braver, managerially, individually and collectively.

First half, complete dross. Second half it got better and over the 90 minutes we were the better side of 2 poor teams. we are set up not to lose, we got defenders who could feature on the antiques road show, put the 2 together and it is even more frustrating to loose it like that. Our only hope is Bielik is back soon

I resisted posting at full time as I would’ve said sack the lot of them, they’re all poo gutless senior players are bottlers we’re going to lose every game etc etc. I pretty much said the same on the phone in a rant to my folks. 
Now I’ve calmed down, some more thoughtful reflections.
Not saying we deserved the win but Peterborough didn’t really trouble us for 90 mins, there wasn’t much in the game and before we scored we had two or three really good opportunities on the counter. I’m not sure why 11 mins was given at the end, 6 or 7 mins maybe. The two goals were criminal, Jozwiak switched off and lost his man and only Byrne knows what he was trying to do for the second - sums up his start to the season which has been really poor by his standards. Rooney can’t do anything about either goal, individual errors from senior players. They don’t happen we’re talking a completely different result and looking at a reasonable start to the season.
Brilliant goal by Stretton, he will get better and better. So pleased Marriott (who looked a right fat bar steward today) has gone and Stretton now has a chance. He could be a big player this season. Absolute body blow losing Kazim to what looks like a bad one.
Sibley made a huge difference when he came on. Unlucky not to start but still managed to pick up another yellow card ?. He’s played barely an hour across two games and got 2 yellows, got to get that out of his game. Playing Bird and Shinnie is not the way forward, one or the other with someone more progressive (either Watson or Morrison, Knight when he’s back). Morrison is now the most important player in this team while Bielik is out. Vital. 
Need more from Tom Lawrence. Tried to get involved too deep in the play to help, at times late on he played some suicidal passes that nearly cost us (he wasn’t the only one though).
Injuries really starting to bite now and that’s a problem. Hopefully the EFL may allow us to get someone in if Kazim is out for a long time as Sky seemed to suggest they could post-match.
Ive seen enough three games into the season to suggest we have enough to survive but it will be tough. If Byrne and Joz dont make those errors, we come away with 1-0. Good Players to come back from injury during the season, the youngsters will get better, Ravel will get better. 
As for is Rooney the man. He’s what we’ve got. I’ve seen a difference in how we’re trying to play and I’m willing to get behind it. I’m pleased we’re making individual errors now, if we’re still doing it and losing games 10 or 15 games from now I’d be more critical. 
Completely understand the reaction of those fans dragging up our record from last season and using that to say we need to make a change now. I’m still angry at how we lost but I’ve seen enough positives to suggest we can compete. Only way it’s going to get easier is if Mel and the club sort their poo out! That remains the number 1 problem.

Well, a pretty wretched way to finish what could have been a decent week...on the field. Life is difficult enough at the minute without this self-inflicted nonsense.
For 85 mins though it was actually OK. They'd barely threatened us all match & whilst our attacking effort was very blunt first half, we picked up once Sibley got on the park. Great finish from Stretton too for his first league goal. On subject of first half, I can't fathom why we're persisting with this habit of split DMs & Lawrence/Morrison picking the ball deep...all it led to was us playing very deep as a team, Kazim getting totally isolated & a traffic jam of Derby players on the wing doing little. Second half Shinnie stepped up a few yards as did Morrison & we started to threaten them a lot more.
Injury time was as pathetic a collapse as I've seen from us & totally preventable. I like the lad but that was Nathan Byrne's worst game in a Derby shirt by a mile...losing men, not stopping crosses & falling over constantly at crucial moments. That said, Jozwiak & Forsyth both also culpable for their equaliser...switching off is unforgivable at such a late stage in a match.
Onto Hull. Need to pick ourselves up, stop feeling sorry for ourselves & build that siege mentality we'll need to eke out results. And keep it simple please...play DMs where they should be & full backs where they should be.

I understand the doom and gloom I really do but for 90 minutes there was nothing in it and arguably until we scored we had shaded it.
Unfortunately I agree with other posters and you have to say when 11 mins went up I feared the worst and I’d have snapped your hand off for a point at 1-1…..it was clear as day that a second was coming in the next 9 minutes.
Both goals were poor defensively and looked to be the result of tiredness (mentally and physically) and that won’t have been helped by the lack of games pre season and not being in a position to get 90 mins into most players legs at least once due to the risk of injuries….
As hard as it may be, Must stay patient and must offer as much support as possible because if frustrations on here spill into the stadium I fear for the younger players. 

Back to winning ways? 

Joz and Byrne asleep. Shocking defending. Was a foul on Sibley that went the other way though. Rooney will be angry I'm sure

Can't blame Sibley for being fouled and then kicked on the floor. Never a foul the other way

Cracking finish that. Great strike on the turn, half volley. Scrappy from Posh but still had to put it in. Good to see a far post corner and Morrison did well with the seconds.

Andddd I told you so ?

Oh look we’ve looked a million times better with Sibley on the pitch again. Must be a coincidence

Sibley the brightest spark out there. Everytime he's running at them we look dangerous.

Sibley the brightest spark out there. Everytime he's running at them we look dangerous.

Sibley the brightest spark out there. Everytime he's running at them we look dangerous.

Sibley the brightest spark out there. Everytime he's running at them we look dangerous.

Have they got enough stretchers?

Looked innocuous but could be anything from a dead calf to an Achilles injury. Not good when CKR goes off on a stretcher though

It's a Rooney tactic. One of those comes deep, full back pushes up and deep lying CMs go to full back. Meant to pull them out and mess with their press. Does leave us exposed up front though and reliant on balls over the top to Ebosele. Little bit one dimensional

While i’m more concerned about our ‘give Festy a run’ attack - would be good if either Byrne or Festy picked up their number 3, who’s getting lots of space. 
 
and can everyone stop posting about how useless Marriott is, you know the consequences