Nuwtfly

The question of whether this has been a "good" season is really interesting to me. Statistically speaking it certainly has been. How can anyone argue that a promotion season (fingers crossed) isn't a good season? And yet I would say that I enjoyed the McClaren season, the Lampard, maybe even the Rowett season, more than this one. Why? Maybe my own personal enjoyment from football comes more from what I've seen happen over the 90 mins as opposed to the result. I think what this season has done has made every Derby fan, whether they realise it or not, question whether they prefer the result or the football being played.

I certainly feel this way sometimes - but could it be that the quality of the football this season has been determined more by: - the quality of the players available to Warne (loads of injuries, especially to those with better ability) - His restrictions regarding recruitment - The reality of the league and the way the opposition force you into playing at times I’ve seen us play some horrible hoofball this season but I don’t think we can say for sure that this is all on Warne and, if we go up, he’s going to have earned the right to have a go next season with (hopefully) better players

The football this season has been tough to watch, even when winning. There's definitely cause for concern when thinking about how we're going to do if we go up. But if Paul Warne manages to get us promoted with a squad that has been plagued with injuries all season whilst having next to no money to spend, then he will have more than earned the right to take us into next season. He'll also have earned the chance to spend some money and mould this squad into what he wants. Quite what that might, in theory, look like worries me slightly, based on what we've seen this season. But that's just an assumption. Maybe with some money to spend, Warne can overhaul the playing staff and get us playing some nicer stuff? We'll see. The bigger question will then be: what money has he got to work with? The club and ownership will need to back him if he's going to have a decent chance.

Aside from the occasional one or two, I don’t think anyone on here actually thinks the football club should sack their manager with three games (maybe a few more) to go. I do think however that there’s a good chunk who don’t want to see another season of his football, even if that season is spent in the division above.

Totally agree with all of this. I think the last few games of this season are, for supporters, make or break. If we don't go up I'm not sure there will be many that will want to see another season of League One with Paul Warne. It's been hard enough to watch this season...and we're second! Whether or not David Clowes sees it that way, though...

Anyone from the previous trip heading up on this one on Saturday?

Is 'Warneball' genuinely considered to be a jibe at this point? I just thought it was the colloquial way to describe Warne's style of play. I've certainly used in in shorthand that way.

Can we delete this thread please? We won't be needing it...

Completely agree with this With Gayle out, all our attacking impetuous is going to depend on the wing backs. I’d go with Wilson and Elder (if fit enough). A middle three of Adams, Thompson and either Smith (allowing Thompson to drift forward) or Sibley in the 10 role. Hourihane firmly on the bench.

A few quickfire thoughts from me on todays game: - Curtis Nelson might well be the signing of the season. Followed closely by Kane Wilson. - Forsyth was good today but I was very surprised that the MoM award didn’t go to either Wildsmith or Cashin. Both kept us in the game at times. - We need to begin moving on from Hourihane now. He is just not offering enough and his tracking back is very poor. Thompson and Adams in the middle for me, going forward. - Derby fans are great.

It was a fantastic trip, expertly organised by Justin! Would definitely recommend it for any fans living in exile in the South West!

Will see you there!

Fantastic opportunity for CBT to kick-start his Derby career!

I don't think he thought he'd failed But I think he acknowledged that the relationship wasn't working and probably wasn't happy that his boss had already hired his replacement and sat him on the bench...

I think it's what the young people call "manifesting"

Honestly never thought I would see the day that you would be called a happy clapper on here. I’m buying a lottery ticket! Anything can happen.

Here's my problem with it, and this has been the problem more or less all season: Win or lose, 9 times out of 10, it is just awful to watch. I think if we don't go up, he has to go. I'm not even convinced I'd like to see him manage us in the Championship, but he'll have earned the right to have a go at least, if we get there.

Has there? I think at most it is as good as it was. Not vastly better. I often think the quality of the commentary actually depends on the insight/quality of broadcasting coming from the co-host/ex-player they've got joining them! I think it's great to have Ed back and I hope he's in a good place.

It’s probably both isn’t it. And in my opinion he gets the set-up wrong from the get go quite a lot. As @oodledoodlesays though, setting up without a No.9 was always going to be difficult. We had a few injuries. But he also bizarrely dropped Bird back deeper after he’d been playing so well further forward? Why? I feel I’m in this bizarre place with this football club at the moment. We’re picking up loads of points and we’re second and statistically we’re doing really well - and yet it is so so hard to watch at times. I hope he gets us promoted and then gets a summer to bring in some better players and we improve. Otherwise…

Deserves massive credit yesterday for changing it up, making clever substitutions and finding a way through Stevenage to get the three points. I just wish we didn’t start off playing such turgid stuff at times. Can’t help but feel that we will not get away with that in the Championship.

That’s just your opinion

Pretty sure it nearly happened before Uncle 'Arry gave Mel a ring and we ended up with Lampard!

Desperate to know who the Championship forward was that was on his way to us and then wasn't at the 11th hour. Obviously wasn't Ennis as Warne says the Champ manager decided to keep him in the end. I don't think it was Gregory/Smith either because those deals tanked quite early and this sounded like it was all going well until very late. Looking at the list of Championship clubs, one does't come to mind. Who could it be? My wild guess would be Kayden Jackson at Ipswich. Or perhaps a Scott Hogan at Birmingham? Hmm.

You're absolutely right. It's also exactly why we're in this mess!

Feel for Paul Warne tonight. He has been totally let down by the club here. Not a chance he would have wanted to end the window like this. Awful stuff.