Rample

Probably setting myself up for a fall but actually confident for once.
Knight and several others from midweek give me hope we can put a couple past Hamer.
Step up Jack Stretton, with ammo from Knight, Byrne etc I think he can put himself firmly in the shop window, oops, I mean first team picture.

Our luck, something will go wrong and the thread will get changed to Gary Crook

Ravel is, by the look of this thread, underrated if anything.
Wants to play for us, and even his effort is a bonus compared to some in recent times. That leads to frustration but its better that than complacency.
Has the nous to play reliably in numerous roles, I expected a technical player but have been pleasantly surprised by his selflessness, willingness to take responsibility and make tackles.  I think its fair to say he is plugging gaps for us at present rather than being able to play his own game, due to the issues both behind and in front of him.  Hopefully we will see what he can really do when other players return, starting with Knight.
For the wages and our situation I'd say he's a bargain and a genuine asset.
 
 

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

I certainly bear him no ill will, I just fail to understand why he has gone down this route, if he is as big a fan as he says he is?
I don't think his Radio Derby interview has done him any favours at all, it was about as successful as Prince Andrew's TV interview with Emily Maitliss (except the night at Pizza Express), and look where that got him - sent to Coventry!

On a pedestal with Murdo Mackay, Jeremy Keith and Mr Maxwell.
And rightly so.

If your contention is Mel Morris' actions amount to anything other than trying to cheat the system, then I'm sorry we'll just have to agree to disagree.
Seems clear enough to me he rolled the dice on cheating our way to promotion (as the likes of Leicester and Bournemouth did successfully) but failed.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Never thought after crooks like Maxwell and the amigos screwed us over it would be a 'fan' that actually landed us in this mess.
After starting the season off I can't believe Mel has pulled the plug so soon. Negotiations aside, which surely he knew would fail, why start it if you have no intention to see it through?
His commitment should have been seeing a season through. I imagine things would have been a lot easier, shifting players, staffing back up and potentially finding buyers during the summer. To not try and move players out during the summer and buy ourselves some leeway is nothing short of head in the sand (or clouds).
For me at the end of the day, there is a responsibility that comes with owning a club, you are the caretaker/guardian and nothing more. Obviously things were going out of control after the Lampard season, so why not reverse the trend then and there? Why throw crazy contracts at Cocu and co, why not re-sell Marriott, Waghorn et al with a year lor 2 left on their deals (especially as they had actually performed) - even if it's for a loss we would have got something and think of the wages we could have saved. Also it flies in the face of Mel's amortisation BS. Apparently players don't lose value quickly in the first year or so, but it drops sharply at the end of that, so he must have known they'd soon be worth millions less.
Could have gone into the season utilising Bird, Knight, Bogle and brought in players on vastly less than Lawrence etc, turning the finances round, catching up with some debts, and avoiding administration and a points deductions in tandem.
Aren't there signs all around the stadium - gamble responsibly, set limits, don't chance losses. Mel is either an egomaniac or a clueless businessman and the blame for all this falls nowhere but at his feet. 
Right now he should apologise, throw £50m in to clear debts and leave the city/county/country/planet. If he can't do that he's not a fan.

Can't see there being a shortage of takers
Keepers
Roos keeps this up and either someone in the championship will cough up £500k bearing in mind he's out of contract in June, or a continental side will take him. At least if it's a Bosman we keep him for a few months longer.
Marshall will be moved on - free transfer to anyone who makes eye contact.
Allsop I imagine will be first choice.
Defenders
Byrne with 6 months left will net a few hundred thousand and save wages.
There will be interest in Ebosele, he's done enough to get on clubs radars and anywhere near 7 figures he'll be off.
Jagielka will go at the end of his contract if we can't offer anything else.
West Ham and Arsenal have been credited with an interest in Buchanan, he's the one I can see Prem and SPL teams taking a punt on as a potential future international. Only 6 months on his contract in January though so he might be a Bundesliga Bosman. If not £1.5-£2m if we're lucky.
Williams will have attracted attention, decent enough offer and he will be off, but hopefully low wages means he will stay a bit longer.
Back 4 of McDonald Stearman Davies Forsyth.
Midfielders
Leeds will be in for SIbley, and depending on who wanted him at Wolves either them or Spurs. If we're talking £1-1.5m I can see half the championship trying their luck, and he might be tempted by a promotion challenger and first team football.
Newcastle and West Ham (again) for for Knight, maybe 4 or 5 lower Prem sides - £2.5-3m.
Can't see why Ipswich wouldn't be back in for Shinnie, maybe scrape £750k for him.
Bird I'm not sure about, I can't see big offers flooding in unless he has an eyecatching few months so he either goes on the cheap or stays.
Lawrence will be bombed out due to salary, 6 months left on his deal so £500k to WBA
Bielik is a tough call, salary will be reasonable so can see them wanting him out the door but injury may work in our favour. £2.5-3m if anyone does want him.
Jozwiak again will be on a few quids and would net 7 figures from somewhere given his international status.
Morrison, Hutchinson, Watson we can probably retain.
Midfield of Bird/Bielik/Thompson
Morrison, Hutrchinson Watson
Strikers
Baldock off at the end of his deal
CKR back and staying
Stretton not done enough really to attract much attention
2 up top due to lack of winger - CKR and Stretton
Management
Will they deem Rooney too expensive?
 
At best we'll bring in £15m, barely enough to pay a couple of debts off, but an obvious wage reduction.
Squad from Jan-May
Allsop (Foulkes)
McDonald (Brown) Stearman (Solomon) Davies (Cashin) Forsyth (Williams)
Bird/Bielik (Thompson)
Hutchinson (Wiilson) Morrison (Aghatise/Dixon/Rooney?) Watson (Borkovic)
CKR (Cybulski) Stretton (Duncan - LOL/Plange)
 
 
 

Can't see there being a shortage of takers
Keepers
Roos keeps this up and either someone in the championship will cough up £500k bearing in mind he's out of contract in June, or a continental side will take him. At least if it's a Bosman we keep him for a few months longer.
Marshall will be moved on - free transfer to anyone who makes eye contact.
Allsop I imagine will be first choice.
Defenders
Byrne with 6 months left will net a few hundred thousand and save wages.
There will be interest in Ebosele, he's done enough to get on clubs radars and anywhere near 7 figures he'll be off.
Jagielka will go at the end of his contract if we can't offer anything else.
West Ham and Arsenal have been credited with an interest in Buchanan, he's the one I can see Prem and SPL teams taking a punt on as a potential future international. Only 6 months on his contract in January though so he might be a Bundesliga Bosman. If not £1.5-£2m if we're lucky.
Williams will have attracted attention, decent enough offer and he will be off, but hopefully low wages means he will stay a bit longer.
Back 4 of McDonald Stearman Davies Forsyth.
Midfielders
Leeds will be in for SIbley, and depending on who wanted him at Wolves either them or Spurs. If we're talking £1-1.5m I can see half the championship trying their luck, and he might be tempted by a promotion challenger and first team football.
Newcastle and West Ham (again) for for Knight, maybe 4 or 5 lower Prem sides - £2.5-3m.
Can't see why Ipswich wouldn't be back in for Shinnie, maybe scrape £750k for him.
Bird I'm not sure about, I can't see big offers flooding in unless he has an eyecatching few months so he either goes on the cheap or stays.
Lawrence will be bombed out due to salary, 6 months left on his deal so £500k to WBA
Bielik is a tough call, salary will be reasonable so can see them wanting him out the door but injury may work in our favour. £2.5-3m if anyone does want him.
Jozwiak again will be on a few quids and would net 7 figures from somewhere given his international status.
Morrison, Hutchinson, Watson we can probably retain.
Midfield of Bird/Bielik/Thompson
Morrison, Hutrchinson Watson
Strikers
Baldock off at the end of his deal
CKR back and staying
Stretton not done enough really to attract much attention
2 up top due to lack of winger - CKR and Stretton
Management
Will they deem Rooney too expensive?
 
At best we'll bring in £15m, barely enough to pay a couple of debts off, but an obvious wage reduction.
Squad from Jan-May
Allsop (Foulkes)
McDonald (Brown) Stearman (Solomon) Davies (Cashin) Forsyth (Williams)
Bird/Bielik (Thompson)
Hutchinson (Wiilson) Morrison (Aghatise/Dixon/Rooney?) Watson (Borkovic)
CKR (Cybulski) Stretton (Duncan - LOL/Plange)
 
 
 

Are substitutions of officials still sponsored by Ron Brookes Toyota?
 

Actually no. Long story and a bit boring. Essentially, my cousin works with one of the community teams that use moor farm - only allowed to use one half the lights since last year. 

Decent result, not much to choose between the teams until we scored.
2 well taken goals by Stretton, terrible goal conceded by Allsop, soft and right through the legs.

Are substitutions of officials still sponsored by Ron Brookes Toyota?
 

Great third from Stretton  - deflected long range shot