Chopper

Dunno, Wycombe could be up for it. If they sell out their carpark again, threaten the EFL with some litigation and spend the week training hard at their natural strengths like kicking puppies and stealing toys from orphans they may be a tough challenge. 

Hope so, I have no great love of Reading but no antipathy either. Pray they get it done and that these buyers aren't Kirchner 2.0. We can all appreciate how emotional and helpless we can feel at times like this. Reading fans deserve to have a club, and one that is run well, for them, and that lose to Derby every time we play them.
It would be great if Moonpig, or Couhig, or whatever tries to get the ground, fails, makes the whole football world see what a leach and vulture he is. I know he won't care but people like that need ostracising from the game. 

I think the pgmol or whatever they're called should review the footage to see if lessons can be learned, and if there is anything there, that can be retrospectively done then they should do it.
That means Red card for Yates. To which it would have been a free kick effectively making it Liverpools ball, so alls well that ends well, Forest got away with one there not the other way around.
But still if I was a PL ref before a Forest game I'd make sure the insurances I have on any of my business are tip top, especially if I owned bakeries. No reason, no accusations, just good practice. As an aside I hope the dogs dont intimidate the Refs and get future beneficial treatment because of their owner and that bloke they've hired off Gladiators.

No thanks, the last 'double entry' I saw Kieran Lee involved in looked eye watering.

I think this is spot on.
If you think he's competent as a manager, this approach works because I suspect the players think they can talk to him about anything and everything and that only helps the team. So I do think for a certain type of player, they will run through brick walls for him.

But for some people/players I suspect it comes across as being too relaxed (football classically being more important than life or death) and then there's no way he can demonstrate competence and earn respect.

Personally, I think he'd be fantastic in the pub, and second in the league ticks the competence box for me for now

I'm pleased to see ED back, and wish him good fortune in anything he takes on. When listening to his thoughts on commentary I cant say I agreed with all of them, but hey that's people. Yeah he'd move from elation to morbidity in 3 minutes, but welcome to life as a Derby fan.
As long as I could get an impression of who has the ball, and when; along with an impression of how the game is going, then that'll do. 
Nearly losing Derby hurt him too, we could tell that on the radio surely? He's one of "us". I enjoy DDs commentary too and for my thoughts has give no reason to be supplanted as the lead commentator , so we'll just have to see.
But GR was a legend, I seem to remember the Play Offs against Millwall words to the effect of: "Those pea brained morons, wrecked me van". 

Although looking at figures usually bring me out in a rash, nice work Dimmu. 
I have a feeling in my gut (which may or may not be because Mrs. Chopper does all my meat, medium rare, including chicken) that our points per game for the second half of the season will be better than the first half, and also that the points needed for automatics will be lower. Some bookies apparently, somehow, have 8 teams as odds on for top 6 (no me neither), but it is indicative of the lack of standout teams and it's those teams that mean crazy figures for teams in the autos.
I might, just might be starting to feel the butterflies of optimism.

Warnes pre game interview on the Derby channel says he had the doctor to it, there's a bit of swelling (cue Kenneth Williams gif) but should be training on grass soon. I read from that, that Shrewsbury may come too soon.

I think Portsmouth will still be there about at the end, they've had a dip, but have got some signings and could rally over the rest of the season. Bolton I think we'll know after Feb, they have a lot of games this month. Those two will be our biggest challengers for the top 2 slots. They have a good squad for L1 and games in hand, but a bruising run of games could aid burn out in some of their players.
What about us? Still quite optimistic, think 2nd place. More often flirting with 3rd than 1st, but getting over the line. 
 

I suppose we could look at a false nine type role? Barkhuisen, NML, CBT, Wilson playing as a front four rather than a 3 + 1? Perhaps NML and Barkhuisen in the middle.
I think our first choice youngster is only available around the same time Washington and Wagstaff come back, that said wasn't Izale Mcloud bought in from the U18s as the other youngsters were unavailable and he then got himself into the team on merit? Worth a punt for a couple of games to have one on the bench?
Could see what Bobby Duncan is up to? 
However I think if Collins breaks down, we'll probably be praying for a Paul Warhurst / Chris Sutton type hail Mary and see Bradley get co-opted and then become the next 20 goal striker.

I dunno Ithink the site could be quite creditable based on a pre existing rumour that Charlton want 500k and it would be the most Derby thing ever to then offer 600k. 
Seriously though, if (and it's a giant, kipling sized if) we are in negotiations for him I'd imagine we'd stay below 500k and hope to hit that asking price with incentives, namely through promotion.

Chris Powell and Rory Delap my best two. Yep, Eranio was a RWB when signed but played in CM for us I reckon (alongside Carsley).
I'm surprised noones mentioned ol' Francois Grenet!
At least now, in L1 I'm happy with our RB options, and Fozzy remains solid enough in LB too.

4 Million, is a lot in L1. 4m up front? Crazy money, and unlikely; if any deal is structured with even 50% up front we would be doing well.
Cash is a clever boy, he must know that next year for his development he needs Championship football, this year the edge of a hard fought promotion campaign will be fantastic for his development too, as well as playing alongside Nelson in a successful defensive partnership. 
I hope there is some kind of arrangement where he stays, and if we go up the extra year gets triggered, if not we put in terms and it goes to tribunal when he goes in the summer. If we go up then we will be in a similar position with Cash as this year, but 1 league higher, and still in the right place for him to be to developing further.
I'll be sad to lose Cashin, always loved a good centre half, and I'm not afraid to say I remember the moment we didnt lose him and signed him back on as the moment I almost 'lost it' during those very emotional few hours a couple of summers ago.

I cant quantify how much optimism the Oxford result has given me. Yes our form will invariably dip, but I have been given the hope that we have the resilience to pick up some extra points even when things dont go our way.
2024, I hope it'll bring celebration as a Derby fan, and I think it will. Seasons like this aren't that common for the average football fan so let's celebrate it and celebrate it whilst it is happening. To you all generally, I hope it will bring us moments of peace when we want it and moments of strength when we need it. 

I cant quantify how much optimism the Oxford result has given me. Yes our form will invariably dip, but I have been given the hope that we have the resilience to pick up some extra points even when things dont go our way.
2024, I hope it'll bring celebration as a Derby fan, and I think it will. Seasons like this aren't that common for the average football fan so let's celebrate it and celebrate it whilst it is happening. To you all generally, I hope it will bring us moments of peace when we want it and moments of strength when we need it. 

I feel although a Defensive mid who can break up attacks would be right at the top of our shopping list alongside a no. 9 if we go up, pragmatically speaking are we going to get those in Jan? Do we even need those this season?
I'm not convinced. My concern is that we run out of steam again, injuries hit and creativity suffers. I'd look for some attacking threat maybe including a quick loanee. I cant seem to get past Steve Macs (I think, although please correct me) assertion that he liked 4 players for 2 positions either side a no.9. 2 would run themselves ragged for 60 minutes and then be replaced by the other 2 who in turn may start the next match. Get that and we can protect NML, and for me, for L1, that's our final piece.

I feel although a Defensive mid who can break up attacks would be right at the top of our shopping list alongside a no. 9 if we go up, pragmatically speaking are we going to get those in Jan? Do we even need those this season?
I'm not convinced. My concern is that we run out of steam again, injuries hit and creativity suffers. I'd look for some attacking threat maybe including a quick loanee. I cant seem to get past Steve Macs (I think, although please correct me) assertion that he liked 4 players for 2 positions either side a no.9. 2 would run themselves ragged for 60 minutes and then be replaced by the other 2 who in turn may start the next match. Get that and we can protect NML, and for me, for L1, that's our final piece.

I feel although a Defensive mid who can break up attacks would be right at the top of our shopping list alongside a no. 9 if we go up, pragmatically speaking are we going to get those in Jan? Do we even need those this season?
I'm not convinced. My concern is that we run out of steam again, injuries hit and creativity suffers. I'd look for some attacking threat maybe including a quick loanee. I cant seem to get past Steve Macs (I think, although please correct me) assertion that he liked 4 players for 2 positions either side a no.9. 2 would run themselves ragged for 60 minutes and then be replaced by the other 2 who in turn may start the next match. Get that and we can protect NML, and for me, for L1, that's our final piece.

I feel although a Defensive mid who can break up attacks would be right at the top of our shopping list alongside a no. 9 if we go up, pragmatically speaking are we going to get those in Jan? Do we even need those this season?
I'm not convinced. My concern is that we run out of steam again, injuries hit and creativity suffers. I'd look for some attacking threat maybe including a quick loanee. I cant seem to get past Steve Macs (I think, although please correct me) assertion that he liked 4 players for 2 positions either side a no.9. 2 would run themselves ragged for 60 minutes and then be replaced by the other 2 who in turn may start the next match. Get that and we can protect NML, and for me, for L1, that's our final piece.

Seeing this window, now, as a really tricky one for us.
We all know January isn't the best time in regards to value for money transfers of decent players.
We all also know that a relatively poor January window has been attributed as a reason for Derby dropping off last season, and a repeat of that could be ... suboptimal for Warne.
The only way a team can truly strengthen in January is by throwing a bit over the odds moneywise for a player, fit, hungry and in a bit of form; who is more likely to hit the ground running and not need 2 months acclimatisation/getting match fit.
The only way we'll get that financial wriggle room is by selling one of our assets, even then I feel our days of paying over the odds are probably gone for now.
Does Warne gamble? Lose at least one of our assets (Bird and Cashin), and run the risk that whatever we've made isnt enough to get what we want/need, we get gazumped last minute and go into Feb weaker than how we entered Jan. Only bringing in a few loanees to put bodies through the door.
Or
I'm starting to feel that one (Cashin) is going, but I'm optimistic that it'll be a Prem club, we get the loan back immediately and some money. Most of that goes on 2 attackers/creatives that make us stronger, top end L2 and a big fish from an underperforming (but safe) L1 side. It makes losing Cashin ok for the greater good, the first time we feel like that about losing a player for (sighs and shrugs)
We are all mostly pleased by the names bought in, Pride Park is a fortress and we feel Derby are truly back as we claw our way back to the championship.
I really need to stop drinking this optimism is most unlike me.

Seeing this window, now, as a really tricky one for us.
We all know January isn't the best time in regards to value for money transfers of decent players.
We all also know that a relatively poor January window has been attributed as a reason for Derby dropping off last season, and a repeat of that could be ... suboptimal for Warne.
The only way a team can truly strengthen in January is by throwing a bit over the odds moneywise for a player, fit, hungry and in a bit of form; who is more likely to hit the ground running and not need 2 months acclimatisation/getting match fit.
The only way we'll get that financial wriggle room is by selling one of our assets, even then I feel our days of paying over the odds are probably gone for now.
Does Warne gamble? Lose at least one of our assets (Bird and Cashin), and run the risk that whatever we've made isnt enough to get what we want/need, we get gazumped last minute and go into Feb weaker than how we entered Jan. Only bringing in a few loanees to put bodies through the door.
Or
I'm starting to feel that one (Cashin) is going, but I'm optimistic that it'll be a Prem club, we get the loan back immediately and some money. Most of that goes on 2 attackers/creatives that make us stronger, top end L2 and a big fish from an underperforming (but safe) L1 side. It makes losing Cashin ok for the greater good, the first time we feel like that about losing a player for (sighs and shrugs)
We are all mostly pleased by the names bought in, Pride Park is a fortress and we feel Derby are truly back as we claw our way back to the championship.
I really need to stop drinking this optimism is most unlike me.

I think from NMLs perspective if Hull are in they'd be the most tempting, that said its Hull that would surprise me the most if they are in for him. Whom so ever is managing Birmingham come January may want him to fight against relegation, but I'd probably advise staying at Derby and see what close season brings. He's having a good season at Derby, one that can be marketed by his agent come the summer, should we go up or not. For us if he stays and gets us up, job done, we can sit with his representatives and see if we can work something out.

Agree
Although losing George Burley hit a little, I think, with some Forest reactions Jim Smith may be closer. Frankly I feel Jim has a stronger legacy here than Cooper does there, but let's face it if Forest win 2 in a row then their manager is the best since Clough and the third star is a formality.
The feeling from some of my Forest fan acquaintances is that it's a real shame and his legacy is secure, but perhaps it's time for him to go. Although I hate to admit it, that was how I felt with Jim Smith.

The recruitment there was going to cause an issue, that many players for that much money when you can only register 25 in your Premier League squad was always going to cause trouble. It's the managers job to sort it even if they didnt do the buying.
I think the Espirito Santo isnt likely to to set the world on fire ... or even a family run bakery for that matter, but the current bottom three do not inspire me either, and I dont think those 3 will strengthen too much in January (wont mortgage future for a long shot at staying up).
Still a nice implosion and if we get the chance to play them twice in the league next year will suit me fine.
Oh man I know what their next banner thing will be: Brian, Nigel and Nuno. The father, son and the holy ghost!

Although looking at figures usually bring me out in a rash, nice work Dimmu. 
I have a feeling in my gut (which may or may not be because Mrs. Chopper does all my meat, medium rare, including chicken) that our points per game for the second half of the season will be better than the first half, and also that the points needed for automatics will be lower. Some bookies apparently, somehow, have 8 teams as odds on for top 6 (no me neither), but it is indicative of the lack of standout teams and it's those teams that mean crazy figures for teams in the autos.
I might, just might be starting to feel the butterflies of optimism.