Rample

For opening day

Wildsmith picks himself

Definitely going to be Nelson Bradley and Cashin in a 3

I'd expect Ward right and Wilson left wing backs

Smith Hourihane and Bird for midfield

Then NML and Collins both in terms of fitness and likely preference as it stands.

I agree with Warne on that line up.

Can only see Elder, Washington and maybe Barkhuizen if he hits decent form seriously troubling those in the starting XI. Fozzy, Sibley and Thompson will be utility subs. 

2 or 3 additions would give us a healthy sized squad, ready to cover most issues but short of a proper step up in quality either as centre forward or attacking mid I don't see them being guaranteed starters.

Didn't see too much of him but he looked a prospect. Surprised we let him move on. I think its fair to assume he has reached championship standard and could have made an impact here.

At 25 you'd think he was pretty much fully developed now, and its not been a bad trajectory for him since leaving, captaining the champions of his country, international caps.

If he's happy with that then great, but a lot of players would be looking to take the next step at that age, a bigger european league, challenging and bettering themselves. Be interesting to see his next move.

Didn't seem to have the best attitude at times, but sounds like he's been taking coaching seriously.

I'm sure he has some knowledge to pass on, and knowing the club, players and so on should be advantageous.

Whilst I'm sure he can offer guidance on the pitch, I don't really want to see him playing over Radciffe, Robinson or Thompson.

Also, I understand Davies wanted to play on, but couldn't we have just kept him or Stears for this?

I'm warming to this now. He's a quality  finisher and puts the effort in.

Dropping down a league should boost his returns, and even if we only play him as sub or when we go 2 up top I think he offers something a bit different and can contribute important goals.

Only thing is he's their top earner so he's going to have to take a serious pay cut. I don't think a fee will be a problem as they will want him off the wage bill. Hopefully we don't offer a silly or long contract 

On 15/07/2023 at 11:44, jimbobram said:

Anyone know if he’s in the friendlies for cov at all ? 

They haven't had any yet. An oddsandsods XI who didn't go to Portugal played a non-league side and that's been it.

They play Forest Green tomorrow and Shrewsbury on Saturday.

His stock fell quite quickly again. Turned down £1.5m from Rangers according to reports as they were holding out for £2m. 6 months later he's back to Plymouth for half that and a few clauses.

We will get something from it. We definitely get a development fee of a few thousand for bringing him through our academy.

I imagine the total fee we could receive was based on appearances and goals so we won't have made much over the initial amount, but for a player of his age we must have chucked maybe a 10% profit clause in, so maybe another £50k or so from that.

Can see Plymouth doubling their money on him at some point.

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.

8 hours ago, inter politics said:

What was up with Korey?

Just feeling a hamstring so he wasn't risked - being cautious rather than carrying an injury. Mentioned either in commentary or some other video I've watched today.

Any movement on this dude or the other Scot? Take it neither went to Espana?!

1 hour ago, Carnero said:

I wonder if FGR had a sell on clause for Wilson?

Not heard one mentioned but redefining transfer fees to reduce outlay definitely happens. Look at our own Christie/Riggott trick. Harsh on lower league teams though and I'd doubt DC would want to do anything the EFL would deem a bit dodgy.

1 hour ago, VulcanRam said:

Interesting that Bristol City were happy to let him go on a 'free' only one year into a three year deal

Not really, you know what a tool Pearson is. Although, I'm going to suggest we've just taken the last 2 years of his contract over. Wasn't going to play at Bristol, maybe wages/subsidy an issue elsewhere so we've just transferred the contract outright.

Spectacular signing on a free. I imagine maybe 30 odd teams in this country would have taken him if they knew they could wangle that. 

Really impressed by our dealings so far, not just in terms of quality but the negotiations that have got them here.

About 3 players away from a genuine tilt at automatic now, and I think we may actually get them.

From what I gather Bristol paid £250k for WIlson last summer as he was out of contract but under 24. I imagine they'll probably be happy to recoup that.

Maybe Bristol beat Warne and Rotherham to him.

By no means an essential signing, I'd imagine if it's Ward as first choice wing back then any randomer would probably suffice as back up, but if we have enough cash for him without compromising our other targets then he could be a very shrewd addition. Swap them around when one is burnt out or use both in a different formation.

Sad to see Knight go despite him having a bit of a mediocre run for a while, and at the kind of price I would have laughed at a few years back, but things move on, and potentially signing Wilson along what we've brought in so far softens the blow.

On 07/09/2022 at 12:13, Reggie Greenwood said:

Mo was a good player think he had to retire due to a head or eye injury if my memory hasn’t failed me. 

Mo Konjic was the answer to the question that won me a pair of season tickets through the telegraph. Cheers Mo!

I can't see any out of us, Hull and Coventry wanting Sharpe really. Not sure he'd pass Warne's criteria even if.

It does go on to say Rotherham have already held talks. Local to him, and ironically they might need an extra body after we poached Washington.

I'd have thought he'd struggle to get picked up by a league one side in honesty.

Not much of a game, was never likely to be, we mostly controlled it

First half 3-5-1-1

 1 Wildsmith (31 Vickers, 30)

34 Rooney, 3 Forsyth, 41 Cox

23 Ward, 16 Thompson, 4 Hourihane, 26 Robinson, 15 Elder

7 Barkhuizen (36 Radcliffe, 30 - sat a bit deeper and Thompson moved to AM)

9 Collins

Second half 4-3-2-1?

31 Vickers (13 Loach, 64)

40 Bardell, 35 Nelson, 6 Cashin, 17 Moloney

12 Smith, 8 Bird, 36 Radcliffe (26 Robinson, 64)

37 Moore, 16 Thompson

39 Brown

First half wing backs really pushed up, Rooney and Cox looked like they were playing at full back

Midfielders were pretty fluid and difficult to say who was holding or pushing up

Both halves we seemed asymmetrical, Barkhuizen was sort of wide left first half, and Moore wide right in the second without equivalent players on the other side

Cox and Brown look solid physical players for saying they're youth players

I like the look of Radcliffe based on that, doesn't look like a 'Burton cast off'

Ward looked lively, happy to get on the ball, take people on, put crosses in and try a few long range shots

Keepers all seemed pretty sharp

Interesting Maloney had Sibley's number, but not reading anything into it, Sibley had a tight calf so was absent, maybe Moloney just took what was available/the right size

Commentary was awful, more like a chat, and barely addressed the game - didn't really want their opinions on Washington and players who weren't playing

Some new grafitti style graphics on the score and other text

After 7 weeks of no footy whilst still taking Rams TV subs the nerve to charge extra for friendlies is a bit of a pee take really. Didn't pay extra for any friendlies last year at all.

3 minutes ago, Magicman said:

Did you pay the extra £ 5 ???

I paid extra and it's live now so yep, its NOT included in subscriptions. Paid via paypal and it only charged me £1. Important thing is I get to watch it I guess.

Just now, Archie said:

I'm trying as well and can see the same. Is it free for subscribers or is there an additional £5 fee on top of the monthly subscription? 

I tried to buy it on top of my subscription and it says something to the effect of 'you already have a subscription, if you buy now you will be charged twice.'

Anyonw watching the rams tv stream? I'm getting an 'off air' message?

Washington has a decent enough record at this level. Nice to see assists in addition to goals. 

Pretty versatile, which may have hindered his career.

He knows what he does well, and more importantly I imagine Warne does too, and if he gets what he wants from him then I imagine he'll have a good season here.

Don't recall this clamour for a player to sign in a long time. Think he was Warne and everyone else's dream signing.

Talks well, backs himself as footballers should and sounds like he will help a great deal in shouldering the pressure of going for automatic promotion.

Big lad who will add a physical presence, and although I'm not expecting many, maybe a couple of goals from set pieces.

Nice to have options - Nelson would be a likely choice as things stand IF he's going to be a regular starter.

Bradley would supercede him. Despite neither being here long enough to earn respect in the way an existing player would.

Fozzie might be club captain but less likely on the actual pitch, Bird hasn't really shown he can rally the troops for me, but I can see him keeping vice captain.

3 hours ago, Amberram said:

Bradley Walsh?

No, he was born in Hull.

Bartley might have something if he can stay fit. Got to respect anyone who can endure 12 months of rehab and setbacks and stay optimistic.

As a part time Burton fan I know very little about Radcliffe apart from I think he can play centre half too. Was released rather than leaving so not expecting too much.

Both are 6'2". Under 21s will be playing for set pieces. 

Okay I guess. Always difficult to make a white shirt very interesting. No issue with the red as such, kinda wish they had gone a bit heavier with if.

Just under 1 in 2 at Prem 2 level, suggests he knows where the goal is. Might be a good bench option. You'd imagine he'd prefer to stay local and move to the coast though.

Interestingly (or not) I once loaned him on Football Manager when we had an embargo and he hit 25+ goals in league one. Signed him again but permanently for about £7m a year later and he was a key player to getting us to the premier league.