WharfedaleRam

Imagine being the one of the Americans ?
(watch from 50s onwards)
 
 

Farewell to a great and gracious lady
 

I kind of think this is something we shouldn’t bicker about too much, especially getting ourselves in entrenched positions and almost falling out with our online “mates”. Games get cancelled/postponed/moved for lots of reasons, Sky, Illness, Internationals. I would have preferred the game to go ahead but just can’t get steamed up about it. And just maybe it’s a good thing that in the rushing routine of life something upsets the normal programme so we have pause for thought and reflection. Not particularly about the queen but about the passing of life and times. 

I am not going to argue with any of the remarks here. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
However having served for 35 years in her majesties military (and worked bloody hard in some pretty sh!tty places) even if I retire at 67 I will not have worked as much as she has REIGNED. She has reigned for 70 years - let that sink in (much more than most will ever work) 
The difference is, she NEVER had a day off. Imagine having to get up on a cold winters morning, having to put on your make up, get dressed immaculately and do your duty, instead of turning over and saying 'stuff it I am staying in bed'.
I personally think that missing one game in 70 years as a mark of respect is little price to pay. After all that game will still be played, she will never return.
 

You can always rely on the match thread starting life as a hate-fest. After all, we're only 7 unbeaten in all games.
 

As Rosenior would tell you, it's not about picking the best starting 11 it's about picking the best 16/18 and understanding how each player fits the overall plan to win the game.
Sibley may be gutted not to start, but McGoldrick may offer something in this game against this opposition that Sibley wouldn't. Alternatively Sibley buys into the overall plan and for the game and actually isn't gutted at all, and  having gained some form and confidence from his recent performances will be subbed on against a tiring defence, full of confidence and drive should the game be calling out for that.
If you think about it from the opposing side's view, an in form Sibley & Dobbin coming on for the last half hour is not something they'll relish, nor is having to deal with McGoldrick's skill and NML's pace all game.

just got home, Strange game for me where we had the lions share of the ball, Doing all the things LR is asking but some things we shouldn't...like giving them the ball when a easier ball was on, Sucker punch for their goal, Cross comes in and player ghosts in at the back post...0-1 against 10 men...we've been there before ?
Then we started to revert to type, Playing balls that a simple ball was the better ball, I couldn't see us getting back in the game, Another corner with the same outcome...No, Knight rises like a Salmon that's been stung by an underwater wasp...boom 1-1, Crowd is now up for it, This resonates to the players, I'm happy with a point, The players aint, Ball comes in, And an old head is there...enter Mr McGoldrick, A side foot into the net...and PP explodes, At my age I was whooping it up...thought I was 20 again, The noise from all 4 sides was electric, I even sang which is very unusual for me.
A deserved 3 points, Won by a little craft and an attitude of not giving up, The supporters WERE the 12th man...Boom!  

3-1 to us.
Sibley frgs

While I agree that Sibley has done well and should start this seems like an odd stance to take before a ball has been kicked. What if he doesn’t pick Sibley and the side he picks goes on the win 5-0, will you still call for him to go? What if he starts Sibley on the bench and brings him on when their defence is tiring and he grabs himself a couple of goals, isn’t that potentially good tactical awareness from Rosenior? What if he starts Sibley and Sibley has a shocker, scores a hat trick of own goals and gets sent off? Is that on Rosenior?
I want to see Derby succeed after a rubbish few years off the pitch, Rosenior is currently the person paid to make that happen, it’s his responsibility to pick the team based on what he sees in training, what his staff have analysed about the game, what he knows the strengths of his squad to be etc, and he’s made a solid enough start to life as the manager. Calling for him to be sacked for his potential selection decision surrounding one player seems extreme to me. ??‍♂️ 

This is our best start to a season since 2014.
And all done with a team of free transfers and a EFL enforced wage cap.
Just let that sink in for a moment.
 

When things were at their lowest some were in favour of leaving MM with stadium and starting a phoenix club. Imagine if Ashley had bought us and paid the minimum so we were starting with another points deduction. Based on the comments on here both scenarios would have gone down well! I dont think where we were at is a carte blanche for this season to be a write off with zero expectation but I think some of the comments so far are ridiculous at this stage. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I am happy to see how the squad gels and what combinations, formations, etc work well for LR (as long as we win at Cambridge!!!!). COYR??

Top bloke Liam , just think we may have found someone special to fill that managers hotseat

Wow. That's nearly 29,000 fewer than last week! Fickle supporters!?

My first game of the season last night as been at weddings the past two weekends. Player observations:
Wildsmith - Like him but still getting used to being sweeper keeper taking a few too many risks
Odouroh - Not ready yet
Cashin - made some daft errors over playing but recovered every time. Building on last season, stand by my prediction he’ll be one of best CBs in the league this season 
Stearman - worst player on the pitch, badly needed minutes looked very rusty so hopefully will stand him in good stead.
Foz - Typical foz, know what you’re going to get solid option
Smith - Got better as game went on. Calm head. Excellent option at this level. 
Tommo - struggled until Barkhuizen and Mendez Laing came on, moved inside alongside Smith (his rightful position) and finished game well, did play important role in first goal
Sibley - Excellent. Has to start Saturday
Dobbin - first half excellent struggled when they moved Bowery to CB. Like him causes problems and works hard.
Knight - Everywhere as normal
Rooney - What a debut, a serious serious talent who could be as good as Bielik. Possibly better. 
 
Subs changed the game, Barky and Mendez-Laing class at this level, everyone is behind Collins willing him to score. He will score he’s doing all the right things.
Overall - we didn’t deserve to win last night but we made 7 changes and used it as a test for the kids and they passed with flying colours and ground out a win helped by the big guns. We could barely put an 11 out 4-5 weeks ago. Massive progress.
All the players signed seem to be the right characters. They have talent but they are all grafters. That’s vital.
Its time to get very very excited about the potential of this squad. Once it clicks we will be on fire and have the potential not only to be promoted this season but be competitive in the championship next season.
I honestly don’t know how you fit everyone in the team in midfield and attack. Good players will be left out. We desperately need a right back. 
 

Boom!!  Fantastic game management since the goal.

Brilliant day for the country, brilliant day for women's football - heroes to be spoken about for years to come. So many good players - Mead, Williamson, White, Russo, Stanway, Kirby, Bronze all rightly getting plaudits but most under-rated has to be Lauren Hemp on the wing, seriously good player.
And I really wouldn't be surprised to see Sarina Wiegman in a high profile men's management job in the not too distant future - very impressive character.

The girls have shown such joy in winning and the celebrations are just a big party. 
Seems so different to the mena championships. It's half an hour after the match finished and the stadium is still well populated, the tunes are belting out and all the girls are thanking the crowd for coming. 
It's really lovely. 

This really does feel like a fresh start. I am so happy and full of enthusiasm.
If you think about it, all our woes were becoming visible prior to Covid. We entered the closed stadium era full of fear and doubt. Who remembers those echoing Rams TV games ? Then in the back of your mind the “this sounds bad, what’s going on?” The embargoes, the playing 16 year olds in cup games, can we loan anyone at all ! , will the wages get paid ? Then a brief respite as the stadium part opened, I shed a tear then when the team came out then but it was hard, so very hard. The us against them of last season a bitter attritional battle against the odds with the EFL sticking spokes in the wheels at every opportunity, yet we stuck together, found reserves of fervour, spirit and grit that will live in my memory. Then at the death, being tortured by a charlatan, a custodian of tawdry self promotion. We’ve done 3 years of penal servitude. Today we walk free. Let’s enjoy it !
Meanwhile we need a right back and we are short a striker. A problem ? Naaaa that’s not a problem that’s football. 

Women's football is what the men's game used to be and what it should be now. The Women's game is not making any multi millionaires. These ladies are in the sport for the love of the game - which is why they give 100%.
I have a daughter who plays football. The girls game at U9s, U10s, U11s, U12s etc is just as good as the boys and sometimes better. My daughter plays in the Nottingham girls and Ladies league for a team that beat Forest girls 9-3!
My Son plays in the YEL. Notts County girls play in that league and regularly hammer the boys.
Women's football is predominantly watched by girls and the families of those girls. I have been to several WSL matches and I have always enjoyed them. My daughter much prefers to watch the Women's game.
We have tickets at Wembley on Sunday for the Euro final and it will be a cracking day out for the family.

Byrne's contract hasn't changed though - the club simply extended by triggering the additional year option. So Byrne is objecting to being held to that contract, claiming the club was not entitled to trigger the extension clause, not the terms of it (because he agreed to those when he signed it). 
If he's still being paid, the club are acting correctly, because they believe the contract is valid, but if he's accepting the payment without fulfilling his obligations, he's in breach of contract and the club has the right to fine him under the terms of his contract. 

Last season the atmosphere and togetherness was phenomenal. Rams in big numbers home and away inspired the team to keep fighting. The Club had its future hanging by a thread & Fans responded & inspired. The result is that high calibre players have signed because they want to play in that atmosphere. But can Rams fans keep that support going now the context has changed? The learning points for us:
1.  Support in big numbers home and away: the cost of living crisis will impact here but Derby is a football city so expect the big numbers to continue. In any case, often the atmosphere was better when PP had 25k than when 30k.
2. Inspiring songs like we fight to the end, Allez Allez, Since I was young…are more likely to insure and raise the Teeam’s energy than Collymore’s a winker and other negative chanting. 
 
There’s a total change of context; we are no longer United in the face of extinction. We will be the big fish, the prime scalp. Teams will play in “Cup Finals” against us and raise their performance 20%. At times Derby will struggle. It’s at these points that we need to stay positive and stay classy and try to raise our new team to higher levels. Generate positive energy which will translate to the Team. Do this and we will move upwards and forwards. 
Can’t wait for next Saturday. ? 

So I would say that so far most of our signings have shown glimpses to excite us.
Not too sure Wildsmith is a top keeper but we said the same about Allsop.
Would prefer Cashin next to Davies like last year.
Collins needs a goal to ignite his season.
We need a keeper, a right back and a speedy striker for squad strength.
BUT
Wow! We have a team!
They will take time to gel and I hope the fans will be patient.
Not only do we look like surviving, we might actually be competitive.
Compare that to a month ago. Remember how that felt?
Please don’t be grumpy about the team. They’ll be okay.
Enjoy the ride. Those numpties at Wrexham are making the wrong movie!

Anyone seen any reports of a case of spontaneous human combustion in the Bristol area yet? ?

Imagine the pride he must’ve had writing the line below his name. What a man.