Gerry Daly

3 hours ago, Terry Hennessy said:

17 MANAGERS IN 16 YEARS HAS GOT US TO WHERE WE ARE NOW.... 

Only because we keep appointing crap ones

Nigel Clough. Perfect for where we are now. Understands the academy and its importance. Builds clubs selflessly

Excellent

2 hours ago, one_chop said:

I'm trying not to be pessimistic here but I can't see any improvement on the horizon under this clown. And the sad truth is we can't afford to sack him.

Maybe we can't afford to not sack him. I hated it today

8 minutes ago, Gaspode said:

So, did anything interesting come out of the forum? - was hoping this thread might provide a bit of insight, but it just seems to be the usual suspects bitching about the usual things - I live in hope that one day we might be able to move on and look forward....

One thing that I thought was interesting, and nobody has mentioned, is that Pearce confirmed that we could have paid fees but chose not to and that our budget is not in any way constrained by the EFL. We are working within our own business plan. Which concerned me a little bit in that it means we can't expect any more spending next season if we are still in this division  

1 hour ago, Ghost of Clough said:

What you're describing is Smith and Hourihane as wing backs...

Of course not. 3-4-3 is exactly the same as 4-4-2 as far as the midfield 4 are concerned surely. One less defender and one more up front, so a more attacking formation

14 minutes ago, Magicman said:

Wildsmith 

Smith Nelson Cashin Fozzy

Fornah Embleton Hourihane 

NML TJJ Waghorn

What about exactly that selection but 3-4-3 with Smith pushed forward to the right side of the 4 man midfield? Waghorn will be central and I think he will stick with Washington to start

40 minutes ago, DavesaRam said:

Consecutive matches in his best position would be a big help in achieving consecutive performance awards.

I think Warne pretty much confirmed to the letter what I have been saying about Sibley. And Thompson for that matter. He said that Last season Thompson wasn’t showing enough in training and was told he needed to up his game and get fitter in the close season. He did so and deserved his selection and Warne says we are now missing him. Warne said he rates Sibley and he thinks he should be in the side in the number 10 position but he again needs to up his game to cement a regular stating place in that position. If he does so he will be first choice I’m certain of that

Having watched it all carefully I'm still not happy with Warnes flippant attitude towards the academy

11 hours ago, Ghost of Clough said:

Finally got round to watching thr Fans Forum. First off, I'll apologise for jumping to conclusion based off the feedback from individuals who attended and put their own slant on responses to questions. Having now listened to the foruk in full, these are my takes on what was said:

Pearce confirmed that Clowes paid above the minimum required to creditors upon exiting administration.

Warne acknowledged the lack of RBs and CFs at the club when he took over as manager - which begs the question why we did nothing to address those areas in January despite also losing a CF. In fairness, we have got the bodies in this summer - 2 RB/RWBs signed, and now 4 CF options. Warne mentioned 4 RBs are out long term (Ward, Wilson, Rooney and Bardell?)

On transfers in general, Warne believes we've built a good squad over the summer but feels we've been unlucky with injuries which have had an impact on our start to the seaso. Thinks the team will play better once players are back from injury. Got to agree, when you have the likes of Bird and Ward missing. Warne feels we'll be at least top 6 this season, possibly top 2 depending on how the team gels and what happens with injuries.

Warne and Pearce bother referenced 2-3 years to get the academy up to speed again. There's a focus on signing 15 year olds as U21 signings are expensive.

Warne made a joke about not wanting to be quizzed on who the academy players are (faces on a wall and naming them). This has irked me, as he should make it his job to know every single one of the U18s and U21s, so he knows who's likely to get through into the first team. He did however say he wants as many players to come through the academy into the first team. Either the club generates cash from sales or they form part of thr first team. In both cases that's more budget which can be put towards the rest of the squad. Suggestions that not many academy players were involved in training last season, but a lot more already this season. Buxton tells him a lot about where U18 and U21 are in their development. I got the feeling Warne really likes DBrown, so we should see him get opportunities this season.

Warne watches U21 and U18 games, (but didn't get the score right for the U21s earlier that day). Tries to watch the first half of U21 games on Saturdays prior to first team games.

On style of play, Warne's desired style of play has been mentioned a few times on here and sounds like it will be good to watch. However, I still have reservations that we'll see that we'll see that until we move on from a sqaud with a lot of over 30s in it. Potentially won't see it work until next season.

On transfers, we haven't paid any upfront fees this summer. Sounds like we are recruiting based on stats. Club thinks it would be difficult to sign players from overseas whilst in League 1. The signings we make are with a view to disposing of them before they become a burden on the wage bill. Hard to argue with this, but you would have hoped there are more players we could have signed eith potential who would grow with the club. With Warne wanting to play 352, we should have signed another LWB with neither Elder nor Forsyth being suited to the role.

On signing Waggy, he said he didn't want to sign Waghorn mostly due to age. "Wasn't interested at all". However, he liked how he interacted with the rest of the squad when here for the testimonial. Contradictory to his previous comments regarding 'ego'. 

Sibley is back in training. Best finisher at the club. Warne thinks he will be at his best playing as a 10 (inferring a 3421). However, Warne also stated his preference for playing 352. Sibley may not be ready for Portsmouth, but likely to be in the sqaud next week. Thompson was the fittest player in the squad in pre-season. Warne didn't think he did enough in training last season and didn't deserve to play.

Hourihane said small teams raise their game when they come to Pride Park and we need to deal with them better. Felt invincible when on the good run last season and struggled to pinpoint the downturn in form (a small hint that he thinks it was due to burnout).

Hourihane wants to be in a system which results in him being around the edge of the box for shots and crosses. Waghorn doesn't want to play out on the wing. He wants to play in an attacking team playing on the front foot. Both mentioned players need to be adaptable to the manager in charge if they're to have a career in football - a strong message to academy players who want to get a chance in the first team.

 

Overall, I like what Warne wants to do, but I need to see more of it becoming a reality rather than just words.

Thanks for that I found it reassuring

2 minutes ago, Jimbo Ram said:

Sometimes it’s a case of if your face fits. There are plenty of players who haven’t been great but still get regular game time.

Sibley made 42 league appearances and 52 appearances in total last season so nobody can tell me his face doesn't fit under Warne

19 minutes ago, RoyMac5 said:

Perhaps if you consider the quality of managers involved in our more successful periods that might give you a hint as to what is the defining factor? They aren’t seen as the norm because they are much better managers than lots of the ones we have employed - did they also have better recruitment networks?

We didn’t have any money when Burley was manager but just look at the quality and imagination of some of his signings. Bisgaard, Rasiak and Idiakez were all free transfers but they were from Italy, Denmark and Spain. Now look at the unimaginative rubbish we have signed this summer. 

9 hours ago, Jimbo Ram said:

I think Sibbo has done well in the 5 or so minutes he is often given. Got the injury time winner in one game and also hit the post in a 5 minute cameo in another. When he was finally played he looked very good at left wing back. Why not play him there again if Warney refuses to give up on his 3 at the back? 

I agree and as I said earlier, that’s what I think will happen

16 minutes ago, RoyMac5 said:

He forced his way in when Bird was injured - who else would have played?

But he played brilliantly when he got his chance. Consecutive man of the match performances. Also by all accounts he has been really putting in the effort in training and impressing the manager. In pre season he played at left wing back -rather than Sibley - and gave it 100%. You and others who think Sibley is better than he is are missing the point. Football is a total meritocracy. If Sibley was good enough he would be picked. Its about results and performances, only that. Sentiment has no place  

Or he could take a leaf out of Thompsons book, really apply himself in training and in games, get that 10% of extra fitness and force his way into the team

1 hour ago, DavesaRam said:

Welcome to the banquet, Sibbers. We’ve  got a fantastic feast lined up, and there’s an opportunity for you to eat under the table. Here’s a dustpan and brush to make it easier to pick the crumbs up. Actually - bring your own dustpan and brush.

Well, where would he play in your team? Or rather one that Warne is likely to pick given that he disagrees with you that Sibley should be first name on the team sheet lol. Assuming then it isn't to be in either a back 4 or back 5, does he get into midfield ahead of Fornah, Smith or Hourihane? Moving on though as injuries clear does he get into midfield ahead of those 3 plus Embleton, Thompson and Bird? No chance I'd say. Up front? Ahead of Waggy, Washington, NML, TJJ, Collins and Barkhuizen? I don't think so. The only position where we need somebody is left wing back where he played a good chunk of last season    

There will be an opportunity for Sibley at left wing back. That’s where he will play if at at all. I just can’t see him starting in midfield or at number 10

On 09/09/2023 at 08:59, Gerry Daly said:

I voted no but I remember that I hated the pointless possession for possessions sake football under Clement and Cocu more. Remember how we would work it up one wing, get to level with the penalty area then turn and play it back then across the box  via it going all the way back to the centre halves and then up the other wing to the edge of the box then repeat? Keep it, keep recycling it then lose it. Never shooting, never creating any chances. We would go a half and at half time think we haven’t had a single attempt on goal. 

There has to be a happy medium between that rubbish and the stuff Warne is now serving up. The sort of football that Steve McLaren played. 

 

There is a PS to this. The rubbish possession for possessions sake football I described was shown exactly by England last night 

Paulo Wanchope. Not only would he score loads of goals but he would add some entertainment to this pudding team

I voted no but I remember that I hated the pointless possession for possessions sake football under Clement and Cocu more. Remember how we would work it up one wing, get to level with the penalty area then turn and play it back then across the box  via it going all the way back to the centre halves and then up the other wing to the edge of the box then repeat? Keep it, keep recycling it then lose it. Never shooting, never creating any chances. We would go a half and at half time think we haven’t had a single attempt on goal. 

There has to be a happy medium between that rubbish and the stuff Warne is now serving up. The sort of football that Steve McLaren played. 

6 hours ago, sunnyhill60 said:

How many promotions have you achieved from league one?

 

How many relegations from league 1 have you achieved? Mores the point how many clubs 3 times the size of the only one you have previously managed have you managed and stank the place out?

To compare Bradley to Keogh is just ridiculous. Keogh had some faults but he was a top championship defender. Played 300 odd games for us at that level. Bradley isn’t good enough for league 1 at the moment. Craig Forsyth was preferred to him yesterday to start alongside Nelson to replace Cashin. That says it all doesn’t it? A 35 year old left back preferred to him. Then when we had no option but to bring him on he produces another howler. He may improve but he’s 32 so I think that’s unlikely. We have dropped a clanger

Yep it’s looking more and more like we have dropped a right clanger

Thats terrible news if true, he's been key to our upturn in form. I haven't seen this reported anywhere else except a reference to Embleton being signed because we have an injury i.e. one we didn't already have 

51 minutes ago, Ellafella said:

We’re on our way, we’re on our waaayy!

Not taking her with you I hope. I remember ones like that from my days in the Pink Coconut