plymouthram

Agreed Mel...
In all seriousness he has a point, it just depends what your ambitions are. I think we can survive this season, whilst developing the young players so they'll either be even better next season / we can sell on for a sizeable profit - that's the academy model. Not having these players, but then never giving them a chance and them all leaving on a free, whilst simultaneously splashing cash on players with little expected return for a perceived short term gain. 
If we'd stuck with the academy model for the last 5 years or so, we wouldn't be in the mess we are now.

So when we get the transfer embargo lifted and sign some players (even in the Jan transfer window). Knight and Bielik are back fit, we start having some luck with poor ref decisions, we close games out when winning, etc, etc
Its Promotion all the way then.

So when we get the transfer embargo lifted and sign some players (even in the Jan transfer window). Knight and Bielik are back fit, we start having some luck with poor ref decisions, we close games out when winning, etc, etc
Its Promotion all the way then.

So when we get the transfer embargo lifted and sign some players (even in the Jan transfer window). Knight and Bielik are back fit, we start having some luck with poor ref decisions, we close games out when winning, etc, etc
Its Promotion all the way then.

Judge him at the end of season, Manchester utd gave Ferguson 4 seasons before he brought some trophy to the table and he had previous success at Aberdeen

The bookies tipped Barnsley for the drop last season and they made the play-offs. Its too early to predict if they were good or bad points.

Judge him at the end of season, Manchester utd gave Ferguson 4 seasons before he brought some trophy to the table and he had previous success at Aberdeen

For what it's worth, I'm extremely happy with Rooney. Positives: attitude (he's a natural born winner); contacts (no Rooney, no Morrison, for instance); real-life experience (he knows the difference between good and exceptional, he lived on that fine margin and played with others who did the same). I'd also argue his interviews show he's someone with a much deeper understanding of tactics and man-management than I would have given him credit for. Another massive positive: attitude. He's stuck around at Derby despite all the chaos, bit his tongue, bided his time. You can say 'ah well but he has no choice!' but I don't believe that. He's Wayne Rooney and frankly he'd could get a better paid gig with better prospects somewhere else. Bottom line is he's done better than Cocu - a far more experienced manager, someone more obviously suited to running a club. 
We have many, many problems but Rooney isn't one of them. I'm incredibly grateful he stuck around.
Edit: there's this assumption with people like Rooney (or Beckham) that they are simply lucky, 'naturally gifted' kids who no nothing about football or graft etc etc. It's nonsense. The two things all top players have are a) supreme dedication and focus and b) a will to be the absolute best. That doesn't guarantee they will be great managers but it's a damn good place to start.) 

Derby 5 Muddlesboro 1
Morrison scores 1st goal, at the final whistle Gibson is seen crying in the stands and on the Monday puts a complaint into the EFL stating "Its not fair Derby have more than 23 players in their squad and I want the match replayed or have the 3pts taking off those cheating Rams"

Derby 5 Muddlesboro 1
Morrison scores 1st goal, at the final whistle Gibson is seen crying in the stands and on the Monday puts a complaint into the EFL stating "Its not fair Derby have more than 23 players in their squad and I want the match replayed or have the 3pts taking off those cheating Rams"

It’s such a strange thing, the whole sense of being a fan. Why do we do it.
I’ve told this tale before but it’s worth telling because this post makes a good point.
I never much liked Football as a kid, sure I knocked a ball in the garden but I liked cars, engines and motor sport … because that was what my Dad was in to.
My Grandad was a football man. He took my younger brother to Old Trafford every week.. then one day when I was about 15-16 my brother was ill .. I went instead. I was sold and in love way before kickoff, 2nd division  .. but that noise, the passion, the songs .. Then I lived through a time for the next 5 or 6 years when going to home games .. the win rate was like 70% . God I was on a role .. this was fun. Granddad got older, season tickets got expensive, girlfriends came along and I lost football ( Then 20 years on I moved to Derby.. sure I checked the papers, watched the TV, loved the treble season but it was as a plastic half fan. Not a glory hunter, I was a long time fan after all wasn’t I ? 
Odd game at pride park over the next 15 years and then Season ticket on a whim in 2014 .. Talk about born again. What had I been missing ! .. This was what I remembered football was all about. Thanks Mac ! 
Thing is I always made a once a year visit back to OT .. but it got worse and worse every time I went. Didn’t know the players, didn’t “feel” it. It was like an expensive Macdonalds .. so artificial, “match day experience” portion controlled, branded. 
 
I never understood what “triumph and disaster” meant until DCFC came a long .. god I love you, thank you Derby, now I really know ? .. league 1 league 2 .. whatever .. don’t care. It’s magic and exactly what I felt 50+ years ago. I see the same faces every game, they don’t know me, I don’t know them, but we know each other and we want the same thing. We wake up on Sunday after a win with a little smirk on our face, we get a little flutter when we set off for the ground on Saturday, you nod at the guys sitting near you even though you don’t know their names, only have that one thing in common. you laugh cry  banter and it means something .You can’t do that in the higher reaches of the prem .. it’s an artificial  money machine with football as the wall paper using our PIN numbers to make it work. Fans of the big clubs are a product to be milked. Fans of clubs like Derby are football and what it was always meant to be. It won’t die .. it will simply move down the leagues while the premier league becomes an investment commodity  like pork bellies or soya bean futures..good luck to them, I am not buying.
 
 

Here here, could'nt agree more. This is not a sensible topic, "Sack them Now". The club can't afford to sack anyone, the club can't afford to take on someone else. The club would not attract anybody. Lets all stop bitching and get behind the team. Could be worse, we could have no points like Forest after 2 games.

You know I've been on this forum for donkeys, and it never changes, same protagonists (mainly, some new ones ) same sack this, same change that, it's all boll@cks, whatever we say will have no impact, except on each other. Mel is the only one able to change thing's, and to my knowledge he doesn't read this. WR doesn't either, so nowt's gonna change cos we say so, and all this in fighting *yawn* 
This is to me was a fun place, where we used to discuss stuff positively years ago, but now, like the rest of social media it's just getting toxic, and I'm more and more inclined to not post lest I get savaged. So hey ho, I've posted, and it will be taken up, don't expect a response, unless its worthy.
We as a club have been in a mess since MM decided to sell, having invested/gambled a fortune (one would like to think the benefit of the club, and himself.) it failed, and now like a failed gambler he is clutching at straws. It's a sad spectacle, but one we are only able to observe and not influence. Wayne, he's highly paid in this division,  and would be unlikely to earn that elsewhere (as what?) So why would he walk ?
With the EFL seemingly intent on our demise, we are collectively buggered. Enjoy the ride (this season) it's going to be interesting/painful,  and because it's likely to be painful, please stop bitching at each other for the sake of being (technically) on the same side. Let's try to play nicely. 
Motto for this season 'Dont feed Trolls, it serves no good' .

Promotion it is then

Promotion it is then

Promotion it is then

I would like to know where those who are calling for a more "experienced" manager expect us to be if we actually did sack Rooney for one of these managers?.
With a squad full of kids and freebies on 4k a week and a 35 year old striker who isn't actually that good. Where do we actually think we could finish?. 
Most of these so called experienced managers would make having this squad as an excuse for not winning, moaning about how he can't bring in players.
Rooney has, in my opinion, been dealing with this superbly, not once making excuses, but telling us what the situation is and going on to say that he's a fighter and will do everything he can for this club while he's here.
Were not going get top half, hell we'll be lucky to survive but you cannot be calling for his head yet as he still hasn't had the players he wants.
Let's not forget what we achieved WITH Rooney when he had a fully fit squad last season, we pulled away for BOTTOM, didn't concede in 5 games. Then we lost important players to injury.
Like what happened that season with Mac when we had injuries to important players and missed out on the playoffs, did we call his managerial credentials into question when we failed to gain promotion with an ex England manager in charge? No, so why isn't Rooney afforded the same?.
 

In today's Daily Mirror, they've done a run down on all the championship teams and where they think each team will finish. They have Hull in 22nd, Blackpool 23rd and Peterborough finishing bottom. They have the Rams finishing 21st, Fulham champions and Sheffield Utd taking 2nd. Play off places going to Westbrom, Bournemouth, Swansea and Middlesboro. 
There's always a surprise in a team that struggles and a team that's not expected to do well. I'm going for Reading to struggle having finished last season in 7th spot. The surprise team to finish in the top 6 could be QPR or even the Rams (depending on more signings and a club takeover being done).
Looking at the lack of transfers taking place in the Championship, due to most teams lack of funds, it's a very hard Division to predict where any team will finish. It's wide open for most of the teams to finish in the top 6. I think we should revisit this topic once the transfer window is shut, to get a better idea on who will triumph and who will fall. 

Are the band still playing
 

Would have to credit Rooney with an improved style of football all pre-season. Looked to play out from the back in all 4 games against different types of opponents, patient with purpose but good to watch. Want us to continue in this vein & aim to get better at it.
The kids will be key to this new style taking hold given how well they know each other & you could see it today with how confident they were knocking it about. I dont expect us to be a high scoring side & the style will be put under severe scrutiny in the Championship but if you can look to control the ball, you stand half a chance of winning games. Its also much more suited to a 'team dynamic' where we'd be less reliant on individual flashes of brilliance, necessary given our financial state & inability to buy in.
On the subject of youth, really pleased to see Max Bird getting back to his best...hopefully that continues into the league campaign as we need him to kick on. Also liked how much involvement the likes of Hutchinson, Williams, Ebosele & Thompson have had & how good they've looked. Also think Cashin & Stretton are going to be important for us this season. My main concern is for Sibley...I hope Rooney sees him as a long term option & is trying to coax the best out of him because it'd be a shocking waste of talent for him to have a repeat of last season or to leave.

I was born in Holbrook, in the Maternity Hospital (now known as Brook House). Left Derby in 1972 to join the Royal Navy and have been living in Plymouth since the early 80's when I married a Devon beauty. Still have sisters, a brother, cousins and an Aunt in Derby. Go up regular for visits of family and matches.

I was born in Holbrook, in the Maternity Hospital (now known as Brook House). Left Derby in 1972 to join the Royal Navy and have been living in Plymouth since the early 80's when I married a Devon beauty. Still have sisters, a brother, cousins and an Aunt in Derby. Go up regular for visits of family and matches.

I was born in Holbrook, in the Maternity Hospital (now known as Brook House). Left Derby in 1972 to join the Royal Navy and have been living in Plymouth since the early 80's when I married a Devon beauty. Still have sisters, a brother, cousins and an Aunt in Derby. Go up regular for visits of family and matches.

If it was a 5-0 defeat at the Dell, I was at that match. A midweek League cup game, did'nt enjoy the trip back to Plymouth with two of my Navy mates who took the micky.

I was born in Holbrook, in the Maternity Hospital (now known as Brook House). Left Derby in 1972 to join the Royal Navy and have been living in Plymouth since the early 80's when I married a Devon beauty. Still have sisters, a brother, cousins and an Aunt in Derby. Go up regular for visits of family and matches.