DCFC1388

Some random thoughts:
Cashin and Davies cruised it, all the back four did to be honest. Cashin’s reading of the game for someone with so few games under his belt is impressive.
Knight MOTM over the 90, again his reading of the game and anticipation is a class above this level. He will be the best player in this league if he stays. 
Bird and Knight showed fantastic temperament after a few iffy challenges, kept playing their game and grew into it whilst Oxford stumbled. 
Mendez-Laing does his best work with his back to goal, getting the ball down, coming inside and leaving space outside for a simple pass to whoever is there. Opened them up a couple of times second half. We can tell he’s going to be hot/cold but you need players like that.
Hourihane really grew into the game, but you can tell he just loves playing football. Ran round like a mad man once he scored, was lovely to see. If in League 1 the opposition leaves so much space on the edge of the box then he will be the signing of the season.
Itll come with Collins, liked what I saw but needs to gel and get others around him. 
Sibley will love this league, again the amount of space he will get and defenders chopping in at him. Looks to be a bit more bulked up too.
We are looking to create and play into space, which in a look that’s more direct is going to be interesting. Make teams chase us and pull the opposition out of their positions. 
Slightly concerned to see a couple of challenges when the player isn’t in control of a dangling foot. Bird nearly got one in the first half, and then did catch one in the ankle second half. I don’t mind physicality and and that, but both were stupid and are dangerous to both players involved. Fearful we could see a proper ankle breaker coming up if it continues. As I say don’t mind tough challenges but you need to protect yourself and the opponent. 
Oxford essentially ‘showed their arse’ second half, probably through tiredness or whatever. A few frustration challenges, surrounding the ref asking for cards, trying to come across as physical rather than playing their game. They left a lot of open space and lost control of what they were attempting to do. Derby kept their head down, kept playing their way and opened Oxford up, took the chance and went away with 3 points. Interesting to see if that trend continues with opposition sides, you didn’t see that frustration/lack of discipline in the championship before I don’t think.

Rosenior saying some exciting signings are really close and hopefully done next week

Tough opening game. I thought overall we played alright, can see what we're trying to do but that it is still early days with the cohesion of players. NML was very direct which is brilliant to have from a winger, when Barkhuizen got the ball 1 on 1 he beat his man with ease and put a pretty decent ball in. I liked that we finally put some crosses into the box too. Thought Bird & Hourihane didnt impact the overall play as much as I expected/hoped but in time they well. Might go unnoticed by many but I really enjoyed Collins performance. He put himself about, ran his socks off, won plenty of freekicks & nearly scored with a difficult volley.
Need to strengthen the overall squad though, the bench was pretty poor in terms of attacking options although Sibley did well & made an impact.
3 points, clean sheet, opening day win = very happy!

Rosenior saying some exciting signings are really close and hopefully done next week

Rosenior saying some exciting signings are really close and hopefully done next week

Rosenior saying some exciting signings are really close and hopefully done next week

Now Bielik has gone does that mean Rosenior wants 5 more in now not 4.

Hopefully means we can bring more in

As others have said, Birmingham of all clubs is just bizarre!
It sticks in the throat a bit as well considering the club have stood by him in terms of the long rehabilitation (more than once) to get him back fit to play. Add to that we've had very little in return on the investment.
I wish him well as a player, but I hope Brum get absolutely spanked every week, hateful football team. Having had to work in Birmingham frequently over the last 9 years I can honestly say that off all the clubs supporters I've had to endure (from that area) they are by far the worst.
More importantly it's imperative that we only have players in that dressing room that want to pull on a Rams shirt and commit, so all the dissenters and malcontents need to be gone. This is the big reset the clubs needed for a few years.
 

Buchanan money + Bielik wages saved, not a bad day for us financially

Buchanan money + Bielik wages saved, not a bad day for us financially

Buchanan money + Bielik wages saved, not a bad day for us financially

Buchanan money + Bielik wages saved, not a bad day for us financially

Buchanan money + Bielik wages saved, not a bad day for us financially

Buchanan money + Bielik wages saved, not a bad day for us financially

He's our most talented player, but obviously his injuries are holding his career back. You'd expect a player like Bielik to attract much better sides than Birmingham, I'd guess not many others were willing to cover his wages for the higher risk of having him unavailable.
I think this works out pretty well, as long as the 4 new players that Rosenior alluded to are now possible without Bielik's wages on the books. Our squad still lacks depth, 4 players for the same cost as one luxury player is a no-brainer for a club in our current position. There's no guarantee the quality of the team will be any better, but I'd bet that we'll have a far stronger squad than if we just kept Bielik.

As long as a sponsor fits with the colour scheme I'm usually alright with it. Bombardier was a good one, simple black text. Just Eat was a bad one, a big red square slapped in the middle of the shirt? Nah, not for me.

3rd choice CDM, he will start CAM imo then if 1 CDM gets injured he drops back so 3rd choice ahead of Thompson n McDonald (if he signs)

I'm pretty sure people were disappointed when Matt Oakley and John Eustace came in, and they ended up being key parts of very decent teams...

Imo i would get rid of Knight for the right price, even more so if he doesnt renew his contract. He is jack of all trades but a master of none type of player. Has alot of energy but little end product. If he is played out wide he rarely beats his man, and if he does he tends to smash it low & hard or over hits his cross. Not good enough on the ball to play CDM, not creative enough to play CAM so unless we play a 433 so he can play his best position which is an energetic box to box midfielder I dont see where he fits in to the current formations. In a 4231 he will do a job wherever but not as well as someone who plays there regularly.

Imo i would get rid of Knight for the right price, even more so if he doesnt renew his contract. He is jack of all trades but a master of none type of player. Has alot of energy but little end product. If he is played out wide he rarely beats his man, and if he does he tends to smash it low & hard or over hits his cross. Not good enough on the ball to play CDM, not creative enough to play CAM so unless we play a 433 so he can play his best position which is an energetic box to box midfielder I dont see where he fits in to the current formations. In a 4231 he will do a job wherever but not as well as someone who plays there regularly.

Love him as a player but the above is fair comment.

Imo i would get rid of Knight for the right price, even more so if he doesnt renew his contract. He is jack of all trades but a master of none type of player. Has alot of energy but little end product. If he is played out wide he rarely beats his man, and if he does he tends to smash it low & hard or over hits his cross. Not good enough on the ball to play CDM, not creative enough to play CAM so unless we play a 433 so he can play his best position which is an energetic box to box midfielder I dont see where he fits in to the current formations. In a 4231 he will do a job wherever but not as well as someone who plays there regularly.

Would gladly take him on loan, Alex Mighten too although I would think he will be around their 1st team

Until there is, let's go the Barcelona/UNICEF route and use the space to advertise the "Family Fund", a local foodbank or some other noteworthy cause.