chadlad

Thought he had a good game today at LB although he does need to get himself in the gym as he often gets muscled off the ball.
I hadn’t realised until the Newport County game what a superb crosser of the ball he is with that wand of a left foot and today once again against the Wendies he put in some excellent deliveries.
In a 442 he could well cement a place at LM but long term I don’t see him as a LB or a LWB.

Thought he had a good game today at LB although he does need to get himself in the gym as he often gets muscled off the ball.
I hadn’t realised until the Newport County game what a superb crosser of the ball he is with that wand of a left foot and today once again against the Wendies he put in some excellent deliveries.
In a 442 he could well cement a place at LM but long term I don’t see him as a LB or a LWB.

Thought he had a good game today at LB although he does need to get himself in the gym as he often gets muscled off the ball.
I hadn’t realised until the Newport County game what a superb crosser of the ball he is with that wand of a left foot and today once again against the Wendies he put in some excellent deliveries.
In a 442 he could well cement a place at LM but long term I don’t see him as a LB or a LWB.

Norman Stanley Fletcher, you have pleaded guilty to the charges brought by these Administrators, and it is now my duty to pass sentence. You are an habitual criminal, who accepts arrest as an occupational hazard, and presumably accepts imprisonment in the same casual manner. I therefore feel constrained to commit you to the maximum term allowed for these offences: you will only be allowed to communicate with @RoyMac5for the next five years.

I think there’s a common theme under Warne where we are struggling to control games. I don’t really care about conditions or how many men we had, yesterday we made zero attempt to even try and take control. Just aimlessly clearing it and then waiting for them to attack to do the same again. I don’t even mean passing it about, you don’t need to do that to be in control.
It was the same against Port Vale and Morecambe was like a basketball game at times. We have a few good midfielders in the squad but seemingly no intention of giving them the ball very often which is a shame.

I like Paul Warne I really do he comes across as a nice bloke and I don’t blame him for taking the job but how can anyone say we’ve improved or it was the right decision is beyond me 
yes before the anti Liam mob bring up the fact that we didn’t score or win away from home etc etc I’m going to reiterate that with Liam in charge I think most of us would’ve bought into the tough journey ahead that we had….LR was always going to have ups and downs but I believe the players he brought in albeit some journeymen were supportive of how we would play 
yes there were bumps but I firmly believe LR would’ve got us in and around the top 6 no more or probably no less than PW but at least with his past couple of seasons being one of us through the bad times I think we as fans would’ve bought into the journey more 
I’m afraid I can’t get behind the dross I’m seeing at times at the moment and still think appointing Warne was a mistake even though I really like the man ….

Wildsmith 7 - another good display. Wasn't overly tested but handling & kicking all sound when required
Smith 7 - looked comfortable considering it's not his natural position. Quick to snuff out attacks & technically adept to join in with build up play
Cashin 7.5 - got caught out for pace a couple of times but recovered with well-timed challenges. Usual class on the ball
Forsyth 7 - another good display & did well to deal with a couple of balls over the top second half. Lost half mark for dangling his leg out for their lad to collapse for the penalty
Mendez-Laing 8 - excellent. How on earth Warne thinks he is a wing back is beyond me - absolutely terrorised Bristol & set up two of the goals with his persistence
Bird ? 7.5 - much better than Tuesday. More energetic so won plenty of second balls & more involved in the game
Hourihane 7.5 - like Bird, improved massively from Exeter game. He was tracking back constantly, his set pieces were much better & his energy around midfield meant we gained control of the game
Roberts 7.5 - won the header for Collins' goal & assured defensively all game
Sibley 6 - offered some impetus late on but Bristol dealt with him comfortably enough
Osula 6 - like Sibley, didn't really threaten late on but worked hard to keep the 2 goal lead in tact
McGoldrick 9 MOM - outstanding display. Three excellent goals (particularly the third) & a constant threat throughout. Only blot was his attempt to clear the ball in build up to their first goal
Collins 8.5 - team have clearly missed him, thought he was excellent yesterday. Works so hard to chase down defenders & secure quality possession. Scored also & looks set for a good season
Dobbin 6.5 - not quite as incisive as previous games & fluffed a golden chance to score second half
Thompson 6 - solid sub cameo

Wildsmith 7 Good save in 2nd half, consistent kicking.
Smith 7 Did well out of position.
Cashin 8 Was up against some big lads and came out on top.
Forsyth 7.5 Would have been higher but for the silly penalty.
Mendez-Laing 8.5 Big contribution, important we keep him fit.
Bird ?7 Good positive performance, for me one of the first names on the team sheet.
Hourihane 7 Looked up for the challenge and delivered. 
Roberts 7 Looked comfortable, nice assist.
Sibley 6 Seemed easily dispossessed. Needs to bulk up a bit.
Osula 6 Looked like he was going through the motions, needs to learn from Collins
McGoldrick 9 Excellent, would have been higher but for the skewed clearance for their 1st goal.
Collins 8 Great to have him back, works so hard for the team.
Dobbin 6 End product/final ball is missing 
Thompson 6 Busy, a little short on confidence.
 

Wildsmith 7 Good save in 2nd half, consistent kicking.
Smith 7 Did well out of position.
Cashin 8 Was up against some big lads and came out on top.
Forsyth 7.5 Would have been higher but for the silly penalty.
Mendez-Laing 8.5 Big contribution, important we keep him fit.
Bird ?7 Good positive performance, for me one of the first names on the team sheet.
Hourihane 7 Looked up for the challenge and delivered. 
Roberts 7 Looked comfortable, nice assist.
Sibley 6 Seemed easily dispossessed. Needs to bulk up a bit.
Osula 6 Looked like he was going through the motions, needs to learn from Collins
McGoldrick 9 Excellent, would have been higher but for the skewed clearance for their 1st goal.
Collins 8 Great to have him back, works so hard for the team.
Dobbin 6 End product/final ball is missing 
Thompson 6 Busy, a little short on confidence.
 

Also wish we’d leave a forward up when we defend set pieces. Almost certainly takes two players out of their attack.
Pointless Dobbin, for instance, going back to mark. He just gets in the way of people who can head the ball.
Much better that they worry about his pace on the break.

We wouldn’t have scored them under Rosenior. There was a “shock & awe” aspect to our opening 20 minutes and disagree therefore about defensive howlers:
1. 1st goal was really about NML power just nicking the ball off the toe of the defender - not a howler.
2. Goal #2 - a simple tap-in; noted that Rovers had no defenders on the posts from our corners which is indeed school-boy error-level tactics. 
 
3. Goal #3 again was about NML power stealing possession not an error
4. Goal #4 was about McG ghosting the defender and stealing the ball - again we would not have scored under Rosenior.
Sorry to disagree but I rate Warne especially his simple approach to what is a simple game made complex by young men with coaching badges and a point to prove.

Well, well, who'd have thought it? Put players into a formation they are more familiar with, round pegs in round holes and watch them go! Credit to Paul Warne for making the change that resulted in our most fluid performance since he took over (I hope it wasn't only born out of necessity.)
I will start with Hourihane, because I have been particularly harsh on him. I thought this was his best game for Derby (goals notwithstanding.) Not surprisingly, this also enabled Bird to have his best game for a while. Their workrate and closing down was excellent. When they had the ball, they were spoilt for choice who to pass it to. Our midfield has discovered its engine at last! 
The defence worked so hard. The rocksteady Cashin the standout for me, but Fozzy marshalled them well and his experience was vital at times. Smith and Roberts worked their short socks off and got up to support the attack admirably. I felt a bit sorry that they let two goals in, but that was a very inexperienced combination. Despite this  Wildsmith didn’t have a lot to do, says it all.
But the plaudits of course go to the forward-line. The first goal was simplicity itself, McGoldrick stroking the ball into the back of the net. I think it gave him the confidence to go for those other two shots. The best finishing we've seen at Pride Park for a while. I'm so pleased a player of his quality has got his first career hat-trick in front of such a boisterous and appreciative crowd, who seemed to have recovered from Tuesday evening's lethargy. Well deserved, Didzy, and I enjoyed your comments afterwards on Radio Derby about managing your training time to maximise your time on the pitch. Warne, take note - it's not all about running around! 
Having said that, Collins - what an engine today, and he did make so much difference to the team dynamic. Mendez-Laing was excellent as ever and Dobbin more at home, although he does need to remember to track back with his man occasionally. 
4-2 at half-time slightly flattered Bristol, I thought, but plaudits to their fans, who got right behind their team.
After such an explosive first half it was perhaps inevitable that the pace dropped in the second, but we started brightly, should have scored more, and managed to hold on comfortably with the introduction of fresh legs. 
A word about the ref, I thought he did a good job (only missed the blatant foul on Collins just outside the box first half.) I did think Hourihane's was a booking. On today's form we'll miss him on Tuesday night. Hope we've saved some of today's fight for then.
Well done, Rams!

Wildsmith - 7 solid game, clean sheet
Chester - 6 injured
Cashin - 8 my MOM
Forsyth - 7 dependable
Mendez-Laing - 7 our best attacking player but not a wingback
Smith - 4 not for me, makes zero difference 
Bird - 6 prefer him at CDM
Hourihane - 3 shocking display
Roberts - 7 did well
Sibley - 6 should have done better with early chance
Osula - 5 needs more aggression in his game
McGoldrick - 4 half a yard off
Dobbin - 7 looked lively
Poor 1st half, much better in 2nd half. Time for a back 4 - NML needs to play in front of a RB.
 

On last night's match specifically,  I would have liked Warne to have taken more responsibility in his RamsTV interview for the poor first half performance. He set them up wrongly and had to change it at half time. We were playing badly way before Chester's injury.
He didn't play Sibley in his preferred position as someone stated, he  should have been part of a midfield three, where he can run at defences. I'd have started McGoldrick alongside Osula,  get some control of the ball early.
After half time we used a back four for the first time since Warne's arrival and despite Smith playing completely out of position we immediately looked more comfortable and better able to find other players. However, by this time options were limited and Mendez-Laing was the main threat, as usual, better when he was able to play further forward. Dobbin looks bright and can beat a man, but we didn't really get the right sort of balls into the box from either wing.
I can't believe I'm saying this, but am starting to feel a bit sorry for both Bird and Hourihane. No good saying they aren't playing well when we seem determined to bypass midfield in our approach play.
Whilst not calling them out as suspicious exactly, Warne did cast doubt on both Chester and Barkhuizen's injuries, by saying that Chester "felt" his calf, said Barks' hamstring was "surprising". The inference was definitely there. He also took a swipe at Sibley and Dobbin, and stated that we have no right back at the club, which must have filled Oduruh with confidence, for sure! 
It seems to me that he thinks he has a bit of a problem getting the players onside with what he's trying to do. What is he trying to do, by the way? I've still no idea! 
Fozzy's comment after the match was telling. Run more. Is that it? There's no wonder they are confused, so am I.
 

After more reflection about the match…
The ‘positives’
We kept a clean sheet and I can’t remember them creating many clear cut chances.
Wildsmith, Cashin, Roberts and Forsyth all played well. Dobbin was lively when he came on. Smith did OK at right back when out of position.
The back four seemed more positive than the back five and, overall, the second half was better (albeit I agree with Warne that it was still too frantic as a result of the sloppy first half).
Unlike Rowettball, at least we were trying to be positive and get the ball forward and attack; not sitting back, 10 men behind the ball and looking to hit teams on the break. It rarely worked, but at least there is positive intent.
Warne’s post match interview was good. 
The negatives
If you haven’t got the players to play your preferred style or formation then adapt your style and formation! A good manager shouldn’t need to come in and have to wait for January to basically rip up a new squad and start again. We haven’t the time or money for that anyway, so Warne needs to find a way of using the players we have.  
I don’t think a back 5 with NML at right wing back and Barkuizen or Roberts at left wing back is going to work. 
Similarly, bypassing the midfield with endless balls down the channels in hope of hitting of hitting a player rather than expectation isn’t a long term prospect for success. The bright spots of yesterday’s game where when our wingers ran at defenders and got the ball in. More of getting the ball to their feet and less hoofing it please.
We have good footballers playing in midfield, but if you don’t use them they’re wasted. I find it funny that I keep hearing we need a load of bruisers there to play for Warne; maybe so, but if that is the case it again highlights a potential managerial weakness. Play to our strengths (although in fairness I have always said we’ll need a few more players to bring the squad up to full strength- and that might mean different types of player too - but that’s a long term issue; use the players you have now to the best of their ability).  
Found the Chester for McGoldrick sub very odd. Could go like for like with Stearman but instead moves Sibley to left wing back. Completely foreign position for him. To then drag him off at half time was just a waste of a sub.  If you want to bring Didzy (?) on then do so, but change the system to accommodate, don’t shoehorn things in that will never work.  Again, I get that we’re still short of players and have pretty much had people out of position from day 1. However, Knight playing right back was out of necessity; I don’t think the same can be said for Warne, who could at least limit the square pegs approach if he wanted to.
Officials were appalling again.  Not blaming them for the result. Just an observation. 
Took ages to get out of Pride Park last night so endured more of Radio Derby than normal. The new chap is OK, but my God Ed Dawes is still king of the wrist slashers.  If his post match questions and observations are anything to go by I don’t know how anybody could listen to his commentary. Somehow, even when i probably agree with what he says in principle, he still manages to wind me up.  
 

Wildsmith - 7 solid game, clean sheet
Chester - 6 injured
Cashin - 8 my MOM
Forsyth - 7 dependable
Mendez-Laing - 7 our best attacking player but not a wingback
Smith - 4 not for me, makes zero difference 
Bird - 6 prefer him at CDM
Hourihane - 3 shocking display
Roberts - 7 did well
Sibley - 6 should have done better with early chance
Osula - 5 needs more aggression in his game
McGoldrick - 4 half a yard off
Dobbin - 7 looked lively
Poor 1st half, much better in 2nd half. Time for a back 4 - NML needs to play in front of a RB.
 

We've tried to pass the ball more in the past 2 games. Whether that's him adapting or finally getting his philosophy across is still to be decided. However, we've been slower at progressing up the pitch, which is why we've barely troubled to opposition keeper in both games.
Ipswich - we started brightly, but soon faded. Smith had only just returned from injury and was struggling with the intensity after 60 minutes. Davies just couldn't keep up and Chester had been poor for a couple of games. Mendez-Laing is proving every game he's only a 60 minute player (a result of his high intensity runs). All remaining intensity was lost when McGoldrick, Hourihane and Forsyth were brought on for Dobbin, Osula and Barkhuizen.
Exeter - It was a predictable start with Hourihane in the middle. Chester was also struggling, with Exeter looking to get beyond him and drag him out of position at every opportunity until he came off injured. The defence looked more solid as soon as that happened. A poor bench and substitutions meant we didn't have enough attacking minded players on the pitch at any point and later couldn't replace players who had clearly ran out of steam (Osula).
We've lost 4 of the 7 games under Warne in all competitions (we lost only 3 in 12 under Rosenior).
Whether we play 3 or 4 at the back, Warne quickly needs to learn which players can play a high intensity style and use others as impact subs late in the game.

It feels like to me a manager too stubborn in his ways and trying to play a style of football which does not match the strengths of this team.
Being a Victor Meldrew, he beat Cambridge fair and square. A hoof up the field and Bird showing his class got us a result. Accrington, they missed 2 penalties and we somehow came out with a win. The home performances, including the Man City academy defeat, have been horrible to watch. Our home form has been solid for as long as I can remember. Even last season, the home form gave us a fighting chance. Now it seems we're trying to counter attack away, which is fine, but at home, we have  zero control of that football. Tonight the opposition matched us all over of the pitch. Because we keep hitting these horrible passes into the corners and hoping for a mistake, it looks amateur.
It really grates me about football style. It feels like Paul Warne goes for the attacking long balls and hopes for a mistake. These teams aren't too shabby at the back, we need more technical play to unlock defences. And he isn't playing to the strength of the team. Go and cry to the board about a lack of depth. Why not adapt with the players with have at the moment and slowly build a team to your style. 
I'm not convinced by this chap yet, booooooooo. I'm sorry.

First half I agree, we played largely on the break but when we had the ball we passed it forward well, scored a superb goal and maybe should have scored 2 or 3.
In the 2nd half we were abysmal. Instead of trying to control the game by retaining the ball and playing it forward where possible, instead we hit and hoped by-passing our midfield.
Not good to watch.
 

We were short of less players to suit Rosenior's system, than we are to suit Warne's system. 
This is what happens when you let a manager recruit for one system and then change to a manager with a different system after a handful of games.

When you have a midfield 3 of Bird, Knight and Hourihane it makes no sense for the ball to be flying over their heads.

When you have a midfield 3 of Bird, Knight and Hourihane it makes no sense for the ball to be flying over their heads.

When you have a midfield 3 of Bird, Knight and Hourihane it makes no sense for the ball to be flying over their heads.

The composure point is well made. If we were a team full of rufty tufties it would be understandable, but we have a group with good ball skills. They weren’t used to the extent they should have been. Yes, we need that sweet spot. pretty passing in our own half isn’t the answer but ball on the ground in the middle of the park will get us a lot further than losing at head tennis. 

It's taken me a couple of days (and a hangover, cheers ref!) to analyse the match. 
I thought first half we did okay. Lovely finish from Collins and it's a real shame he's going to be out for 3 matches. His confidence has grown and he'll easily hit 15-20 goals. Second half the team was all over the place. Granted, the refereeing decisions were abysmal, we won't get many worse than him in middle. He shouldn't be refereeing professional matches. I still think we wouldn't have got more than a point based on the performance.
What shocked me was the lack of composure on the ball. It had that whiff of small team tactics. Ping it up the field quick when possible, no build up play in midfield. Pump the ball into the box. There is no way Port Vale should have 20 shots at our goal, for a home team that's frankly embarrassing. And this is down to having no control on the ball whilst in possession. It was like watching a basketball match and from my point of view it was horrible to watch. It's a very different style of football. Maybe it is because I've been used to watching plenty of passes and possession for years.
We need to find that sweet spot of being more aggressive going forward but settling on the ball at the right times. Rosenior could have us passing for days, mostly being easy on the eye (apart from passing out from the back), yet he could never get a result away from home. Paul Warne has come in and turned the style 180 degrees. Counter attacking, launching it 50 yards and hoping for a defensive mistake or runner. 
PW can get around with not so pretty football away from home. If he decides to be persistent with this longer play, (I won't say hoofing it), then I don't think the fans will be as forgiving if we lose at home in this division. Early days of course.