Rample

Don't forget if/when we fail to sign someone today we can still moan about the available free agents:- Connor Wickham, Gary Madine... Troy Deeney... Fraizer Campbell... Maybe Peter Crouch to come out of retirement?

I meant certs for the play offs, Bolton, Peterborough or possibly Portsmouth for the top 2 as things stand.

In some semblance of order based on PW's likely preference for CM 1. Bird 2. Hourihane 3. Thompson 4. Adams 5. Smith 6. Fornah 7. SIbley? 8. Robinson or Fapetu I would have though midfielder could also include the likes of Ward

Not saying they will all go, just that I can see there being interest in people taking them and us moving them out for the right deal, and in honesty apart from 2 or 3 they'd barely affect the bench given Warne's preferences.

Between 3rd and 6th. Bolton and Peterbrough are a bit more consistant and will pull away, I'm surpised we're still in touching distance given our dodgy start and recent struggles. Pompey are in mediocre form but have points in the bag, Barnsley are certs for me, then likely us and one other. If Oxford drop enough points and either Stevenage and Blackpool keep string a few results they might creep in. Leyton Orient, Northampton and Wigan are a bit too far back with possibly too little in the tank. Play offs will probably be won by whoever finishes 3rd.

Convinced there will be a bit of action today. There will be a striker, Gregory may be plan C or D, but if we have to fall back on him I reckon we will. Outgoings wouldn't surprise me either - think Wildsmith, Cashin, Oduroh, Ward, Bird, Sibley, Fornah, Barkhuizen, Robinson, Radcliffe, Allen, Fapetu and Weston could all be subject to late moves, albeit more than likely loans. Devil's advocate - would you swap Sibley for a striker, loan or otherwise?

Wilson and Adams were team mates at Forest Green the season they got promoted to league one. Both played 40+ games and got championship moves in the following summer. I hope he can be another Wilson for us.

First thing I read was "good at breaking up play and switching defence to attack." Then everything else was "deadwood", "get rid", "not good enough but tries hard." Its another cut-price gamble, just like Wilson, Washington, Fornah etc. It might or might not work, but it is at least trying to address a need, and if he's all we can get (same with a Gregory) then at least its something. Its also temporary. You'd imagine Warne scouted him for Rotherham at some point and its based on that. Lets be glad who we've kept (touch wood), that we've added a couple of bodies to see us through.

Not sure beggars can be choosers at this stage, we need back up for Collins at least and Warne knows that. Gregory knows the fanbase and expectations and all that jazz Warne thinks is important, moreso than a young loanee. Yes it would be nice to have a Pesch type player that offers a big man little man combo with complimenting skills, but we do have players who can play off Collins if needs be. What we don't have in our squad or if Collins is missing (that suspension can't be far off) is more of a target man. I want Smith and I think because he has history with Warne he'd be a better fit for hitting the ground running. Reckon we'll find a way to get Smith in on a permanent tomorrow. That would stop the wages proportion and loan fee issue. Taking over his contract for 18 months would suit all parties I'd expect. Guess we'll see.

31Vickers 5.5. Could be more more commanding and organise his defence, in general I think Wildsmith inspires more confidence and I'd like him back in next game. 2Wilson 6. Be glad when Nyambe's back from a defensive standpoint too. I like Wilson a lot, but his strengths are going forward and should really be considered a winger when this covering spell is over. Should dribble a few inches further from the touchline though as seemingly every match he carries the ball out at least once. Played a lot after a long time out so no wonder he's tired. 5Bradley 6. Seems to have found his feet a bit more of late, I don't get the same sense of dread I previously did when he started or comes on 35Nelson 6. Decent, I guess its hard to maintain his recent levels when there is chaos next to and in front of him. 6Cashin 5. Some silly errors, with just a few moments of his usual self mixed in. Won't be long before people start speculating there's something going on behind the scenes, but even if so its not like him to be affected by anything. 20Elder 7.5. More like the player I was expecting when we signed him. Some good defensive work especially covering for others, and effort going the other way 4Hourihane 5. This midfield pairing just doesn't work, can't help thinking with his ability on the edge of the opposition box he should be more advanced, and someone with legs like Thompson or a player with bite should be shielding the defence. 23Ward 5. Pedestrian. Going to find it very hard to get back in to the team now CBT has signed and Wilson has shown himself to be a decent winger. Provides something different to our other 'more 1 on 1' wingers and think there may be games he could be useful, but he's going to have to work miracles in any cameos to stay here long term. Like Bradley he seems a square peg for anything other than 3 at the back 8Bird 4. Nothing came off for him, tried a few bits early on but then disappeared. Frustrating as we know what he can do, but not utilised correctly 7Barkhuizen 5. Typical Barkhuizen really, has flashes but is inconsistent not just from game to game but also from attack to attack. Pace and ability to finish should see him as a very good player at this level but has had a run of games and failed to grab his opportunites, imagine his starts will be reduced after CBT's arrival. 27Blackett-Taylor 5.5. A couple of moments that gave glimpses of what he can bring but clearly not up to speed with his team-mates; in a few weeks the overlap by Elder and cross-field ball to NML might well be more effective. 16Thompson 5.5. Energetic and think he should be starting, but not in an advanced role. 17Sibley 5.5. Did okay, got on the ball and was involved both sides of the half way line, wasn't the difference maker in attack which I think people expect him to be every week, but was more involved and no worse than others. 11Méndez-Laing 5. Hopefully going forward we can be less of a one man team, if he's not on his game then we lack a cutting edge. Tired, a dip in confidence or struggling due to poor performances around him? Not his night either way. 9Collins 4.5. Not a good game, but at least he tried. Little support/ammunition and clumsy with the ball when he got it. Aided the defence and midfield a little. 19John-Jules 4.5. Not sure what role he was supposed to be playing. I expected him to go up top when Collins came on but spent most of it in the right channel. Not making the impact expected at the moment but another who has it in his locker somewhere to be a real threat down here. Not sure how bad his hamstring injury is but you have to assume he's going to take a while to get fit and build back up, and I'm not sure we'll see the best of as a Ram now because of it. Hopefully a few changes for the next game - WIldsmith, CBT, and if we're lucky something/someone else, and it might just spark us off a bit. Last few games have been almost as poor as those before our recent run. During that run we got results playing below the acceptable level due to the odd form player, and we need to start seeing more than just 1 or 2 players have good performances in the same match. We'll pick up points regardless but not enough to stay in contention Rams TV.

Good signing if he keeps improving. Reminiscent of when we signed Blackman in some respects, he came in during the winter window after a very good 6 months. Hope he beds in better. Pretty sure he and NML will be our first choice wide players going forward, switching sides when they feel like it. Its nice to know what we have in place the next few years. Like that we have options out wide now who can bring different things if we need it, and we don't have to run NML into the ground. Smith will round our attack off pretty well and I think we have enough in the squad overall to see us through injuries. Whilst I think we could upgrade on a few players any additional signings now will be a bonus.

Disappointed Robinson didn't make the bench. Weston too, and maybe Cox. Could have left Hourihane and Mendez-Laing out completely to make some room. Almost a little surprised Cruz Allen wasn't on the bench just to boost his profile.

Should be a good enough test for what we have. Bradford haven't been pulling trees up in the division below so would expect a comfortable win even with the changes. Probably all but Nelson and Collins (I guess less so Vickers and Wilson, but their places are not nailed down) need to put a performance in to start knocking on the door of the first team. If Vickers is a fixture going forward its right to give him this one as well for momentum Nelson/Bradley worries me a bit - Warne looking at how they play together? Actually aside from Nelson the defence looks a bit suspect. Fornah needs to perform more than anyone or he's in danger of dropping out of the equation altogether over January. If the right Barkz and Sibs turn up we'll be fine.

Pretty shocking really, given the side we put out, and the start we had, but shouldn't we be putting 2 up front against lower league teams? Playing devils advocate, is it telling that Warne only signed two of the players that started tonight? Notably he didn't sign any of our centre mids or forwards. I know he brought a number of players in this summer but was he hamstrung filling gaps and taking gambles rather than being able to stamp his style on the team. It's glaringly apparent now that he inherited a team so far away from his preferred design, with no real means to change it, and as such he was the admitedly the wrong appointment. We don't have the means to shuffle the pack sufficiently in January so any chance of top 6 will be a matter of other sides failings and a bit of luck. Could another manager be achieving a lot more with these players? Likely so. Could someone come in now and give us a greater shot at promotion and maybe keeping a couple of the players we want to? The switch has flipped in me and I'm now starting to think so. With an inevitable stampede leaving in summer, we either seriously get our sh*t together now, identify and bring in exactly the players he needs to play Warneball - the midfield workhorses, some towering defenders, the right sort of centre forwards etc. If we aren't planning for that then there is no point keeping with him at all because thats all he can play effectively.

Put Radio Derby on for the last couple of minutes to hear the fan reaction.

Gamble by sticking Fapetu on, let him have a go at showing he can do it again.

Wow. Sad times. He's been knocking around the old DET and other forums as long as I have (pushing 20 years). Back then he had a much longer name that was his full surname and first name punctuated by numbers. Thankfully it was shortened it to B4. First thing I really remember of him was he used to make the craziest transfer suggestions. One that sticks in the memory is when Chelsea were battling to sign Mateja Kezman as their new no.9/Hasselbaink's replacement, B4 decided he would probably prefer to come to us and help in a Championship relegation battle because he'd start more games and score more goals. In the next few years a number of similarly unfeasible suggestions were made, we need a left winger, how about this guy from Ajax, who promptly went to La Liga or somewhere else for £20m. That sums up B4's love of football and his unbridled positivity and hope for me. He probably always aimed a bit too high, but that was an amazing belief to have and I hope he carried it through all aspects of life. I think at first a few of us were like, what the heck is this kid on about, but he soon won us over with his pure love and enthusiasm, and was accepted as a part of those forums' familes. His confidence grew amazingly over time and he pretty much created himself a role as official cheerleader, not just for the team, but when the fanbase was growing tired of poor football or bad results he would pep us up too and make us smile. I will also commend him for doing brilliantly to overcome his dyslexia, the improvement in his posts was monumental. I'm not sure over the past 20 years I've seen a page on any main Derby forum without one of his threads, he will leave a gap and any forum will be a little less bright without his input. In his memory I'd love to see a pinned thread for positive stories and comments only, that would seem fitting as he always saw and hoped for the best... ...except for NIck Blackman, my god he hated Nick Blackman. LOL RIP B4

The Marvels. Expected an absolute woke, manbashing, cringefest Yes it is woke casting, is clearly tailored from the standard Marvel movie to appeal to a female demographic, and bar Samuel L there is little by he way of male cast apart from some grunts to be beaten up, but it doesn't totally shove it down your throat. It actually was pretty enjoyable, completely bonkers in parts, but when it goes bonkers is probably when its at its best. Didn't expect to have anything positive to say about it but it was a fun popcorn flick. Larson is still hopelessly miscast but it kind of plays to her awkwardness this time, which makes that stand out less. With regards to female opinion, the wife, who has absolutely no love for woke female empowerment for the sake of it movies, who has seen probably 20-25 of the Marvel flicks at the cinema, and usually finds them somewhere between totally throwaway and okay, absolutley loved it. There is a big mid credits scene but nothing post credits apart from a few sound effects.

Interesting game for a few reasons Great to see some young lads trusted in the first team (sort of) I can see Weston being elevated above Browne when we need back up now - nice goal and assist Robinson needs more sub appearances/experience to develop further but as suspected has something about him Nice to see others just not looking out of place. i Always love the complete lack of fear some youngsters seem to bring. Good to get minutes and fitness into a few senior players too Despite his defensive frailties I like Wilson - going forward he's a good player, always got a trick in him, much like NML, and is one of those that can create chaos for the opposition. I'd definitely be training him as a winger though. Elder looks much improved of late, I think Fozzy needs a rest (at least from playing full back) so hope to see him start making that his own. Although I wouldn't object to Wilson for that matter, depending on the opposition. And finally Collins, I know he's not everyone's favourite but he is still the most instinctive poacher and best finisher at the club and for that reason, especially when we aren't scoring, he needs to be starting. I feel he and Washington could be a good partnership.

United fans always though they were bigger than they were. Managed a 2nd place finish under Fergie and they were still moaning.

Isn't it pretty much on a match by match basis at the moment?

You can't argue we have kept going.

Interesting bit of text in a Dobbin to Portsmouth article. "The News understands Everton left-sided talent Lewis Dobbin was under consideration, but the contribution to the 20-year-old’s wages is beyond Pompey’s budget for the position. Also the club’s football operation view what it would have taken to bring in the former Derby loanee as not representing decent value in that area of the pitch." How much do Everton actually think he's worth? After a hit and miss season here is he suddenly seen as league one cheat code? He's lively in fits and starts but I'm not convinced anyone is going to pay much to take him off their hands - a decent loan would do Everton more good in the long term than a few grand a week. Strangely enough though I can see him actually making the bench at Everton at some point this season as things are going there at the moment.