Reputation from ImARam2

ImARam2 reacted to StaffsRam in Serial Whingers Notts Forest playtime, which we simply cannot accept. 46 minutes ago

Time to break out a classic:

ImARam2 reacted to Crewton in Paul Warne Tuesday at 11:56

I've always believed in giving manager's time. The only manager I can recall actively calling for the removal of was Tommy Docherty. I agreed with the removal of both John Gregory and Phil Brown because the situation was desperate at the time, though I had sympathy for the latter because of the difficulties of working under that particular regime. I always thought that calls for Warne's sacking were shortsighted and that some posters went well beyond reasonable criticism, and I think I made my views pretty clear along the way. The proliferation of anti-Warne threads were spoiling the forum. Some posters seemed to be on personal missions to get the manager out, fortunately few of them were "regulars".
The only thing that really matters is that David Clowes stayed loyal to his man, a quality I greatly admire. There's always room to improve some aspect of performance, style and results, and I appreciated the contributions of those who have identified those aspects and put their arguments across thoughtfully. I'd like to think that within the management team those aspects have also been identified and will be addressed, budget permitting in some cases, but for now let's just enjoy stage one of "mission accomplished".

ImARam2 reacted to Caerphilly Ram in Paul Warne Tuesday at 11:55

You’re correct, with my patient optimism I have always been right! And some people have also always been correct in their concerns. But mainly I was right 😉
I think the door has swung both ways with the more vocal minority on either side of the argument quick to goad, dismiss, mock, label all season long. Looking at it objectively the following concerns have been raised, some of them are valid and some were clearly short sighted and spiteful, the evidence is there if you go looking from all sides. These are summarised/paraphrased points to try and capture all sides ;
- “Warne doesn’t have any pull” (disagree here as we’ve signed some effective players this season… and gambled with some injury prone ones)
- which brings me to point two, “he’s been operating with restrictions so we should be patient.” I always felt there was some logic to this and also agree with the points made that we still could have recruited better when you look at some of the other free agents signed up by our rivals. Overall the group we had were effective and got the job done, hindsight being the wonderful thing that it is I can’t help but wonder if we’d have won the league with a couple of different options.

- “he only signs old players/cloggers/former Rotherham players” biggest short sighted load of nonsense out of all the criticism for me and one point I’ve been at pains to counter for the last 2 seasons. It’s a generalised and ill informed view that ignores the restrictions at play and also the likes of Nyambe, Adams, Nelson, Wilson, Elder, Ward, TJJ, none of whom are ancient or cloggers or former Warne players.
- “players don’t want to play for him/he’s a glorified PE teacher/fitness coach” always felt this was unfair and it’s clear by the end of the season that this squad did want to play for him and he’s got a little more about him than some would credit. His man management seems to be a big strength and one people have been quick to dismiss, surely he deserves credit for getting the team over the line even if they are “the best players in the league” and he’s “just done what’s expected of him” 😉
- “he’s tactically limited” this is one of the big ones and hard to fully pick apart without a good dialogue from all sides. Part of me agrees and sees it from the football purists point of view that we don’t typically control the ball and control games so see why folks have issues there. But also he has adapted all season, used different shapes, different combinations and still got the job done. It seems to be a case of pragmatism over style which then comes down to preference as many have expressed, it’s not for them that’s fair enough, and others (like myself) are happy seeing us score goals and win regardless of style (which is also fair enough). Though my biggest and remaining complaint with him will seemingly always be his timing of subs, a couple of times this season he’s nailed it (can’t remember specific games) but there have been others when a change was desperately needed and he’s done nowt….come on Paul, save my blood pressure next season please. It’ll be interesting to see how he adapts in the championship with Derby, but I think he’s earned that right.
- “the football is dire”, another difficult one to reconcile personally for me as I’ve enjoyed it but I get that people want more control in midfield, more passing etc so again it’s a complicated point to discuss with more nuance. Personally I’ve enjoyed winning lots, scoring plenty, improving away and ultimately going up automatically but it could have been smoother sailing for sure.
- “he doesn’t trust young players”, another of the biggies that so far seems to be evident and is more a wait and see thing for me. He definitely could/should have used the pizza cup to blood a few more youngsters this season then perhaps they’d have been ready to plug gaps when injury struck. However I also see Warne’s point about not throwing them in and “ruining them”, he’s essentially done the job this season but given the investment in the academy and his key it in theory will be to the clubs future this is one he must do better on.
- “his interviews are *insert positive/derogatory comment*” this is all down to personal preference, some like his interview style and some don’t, if that’s how you feel it doesn’t make you factually wrong it’s just an opinion.

- “give him time”, seems so far to have been the right shout, earlier in the season understandably more and more people had concerns, I even had my own mini wobble, but essentially the patience appears to have paid off (for this season at least….what happens next we have to wait and see).
There may be other points but I’ve got to do the school run so feel free to pile on and tell me what I missed and where I’m wrong. My point here is that there are valid concerns all round, and plenty to discuss respectfully, we all want what’s best for the club.

ImARam2 reacted to Nishfan in David Clowes Monday at 17:37

Just when I thought I’d got past the crying stage.
he’ll always think about his old seat and the people he sat with.
at the risk of sounding like an emotional wreck, Saturday was definitely a time of thinking of those no longer with us. Friends, family, ex players and managers.

it’s more than a game of football, that’s for sure
Ps. When do the pre season start!

ImARam2 reacted to WystonRam in David Clowes Monday at 17:37

https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2024/04/a-message-from-derby-county-owner-david-clowes

ImARam2 reacted to B4’s Sister in B4 - for ever a Ram 🐏 Sunday at 12:09

B4 was Daniel Beavis. A lifelong DCFC supporter who died suddenly in November, just hours after attending the Crewe away match. He was only 38 and had held a season ticket for almost 30 years. B4 was his username on this forum where he was well know for his unique take on all things DCFC and his kindness to others. Despite the situation of the club or inconsistency of results, he was unbelievably positive. Dan had learning difficulties and despite what he may have typed on here at times, he was actually quite vulnerable and his world was quite small. His whole world revolved around his beloved Derby County. His death has been a shock to us but his passion and love for DCFC has left an effect on many who knew him, in person or virtually. He was also my brother.

ImARam2 reacted to hydraulic ram in B4 - for ever a Ram 🐏 Sunday at 12:05

We all are.

ImARam2 reacted to Nuwtfly in Closure 🐏 Sunday at 12:00

Not sure if I am alone in this today but I feel an overwhelming sense of closure after yesterday’s achievement. What a relief to be back in the Championship. But it’s more than that.
It feels like all the hurt over the last couple of years: the administration, the points deductions, the financial turmoil, the humiliation, the relegation; it feels like we can finally turn the page on that sordid chapter of our history. Like we can move on.
I’m not sure why I’m sharing this, but it feels even more personal for me than that, too. In the summer of our relegation, I lost my grandmother to cancer. She was the major connection to Derby for me. My whole ritual of going to the matches involved staying with her for the weekend. For some reason Derby County, the city of Derby, the supporters bus that would pick my Grandad and I up from outside The Gate in Swanwick, the cone of chips before the game, all just seemed to have disappeared.
I know it sounds strange but I feel like I lost my connection to the club in so many ways that summer.
Yesterday, watching everyone celebrating and the tears and David Clowes and Ed Dawe’s’ tears, just felt like closure. The end of the trauma and the start of something new. It felt like moving on.
Thank you, Mr Clowes, for all of that 🐏

ImARam2 got a reaction from oodledoodle in Match Thread: Carlisle United (h) Sunday at 11:43

My head hurts and I've lost my voice!!

ImARam2 got a reaction from Thameram in Match Thread: Carlisle United (h) Sunday at 11:33

My head hurts and I've lost my voice!!

ImARam2 got a reaction from Indy in Match Thread: Carlisle United (h) April 27