i-Ram

The two aren't entirely unrelated, however; our troubles and the point you're making. The only way we could hope to compete with much smaller clubs than us was to push FFP rules to the very limit, so much so that there is a debate whether we broke them.
We wouldn't have done any of it if the playing field was level. It's ridiculous that a club of our size can't compete with a team like Bournemouth, for instance.
Absolutely no grievance with Bournemouth finishing above us totally on merit, and I don't believe we have any sort of divine right to be in any league. But at the same time, we are a one-club city, with a loyal and passionate fanbase, and that counts for so little that a seaside town with a smaller stadium than we have season ticket holders can blow us out of the water in the transfer market. Why? Because for half a decade, they were the opposition to the big clubs that people watch the world over, and they received hundreds of millions of pounds as a thank you for giving Man United someone to play against.
The terrible thing about the ESL debacle is that it's set the bar so low for what equality means in the game. The debate should be about how non-parachute Championship clubs shouldn't be at such a ridiculous disadvantage for the crime of not being Man City's cannon fodder. It should be about how the only reason why the world cares about the big English clubs is because of our rich culture, infrastructure and tradition in the game that's been in the making across three centuries, and in return for the absurd money the Premier League clubs be acknowledging their good fortune by ensuring clubs throughout the ladder can afford to pay their staff and put out a team at the weekend. 
But that's not where the debate is now. It's just about the very biggest clubs not having even more. Everybody knows they're supposed to be angry with Chelsea, Liverpool, United, City, Spurs and Arsenal. But ickle wickle innocent Everton, Villa, West Ham et al have been every bit as complicit in this greed culture since the early 90s. Nobody is talking about that anymore.
TL;DR? Greed is everywhere in the game and this isn't going to be solved any time soon.

It’s an improvement on Paul Inces missus.

I think Harry Croft is actually Mel's step son. 

Easy when the manager gets his minions into the opposition training ground bushes to spy on their tactics.
Never took that into account.
Waiting for the day Bielsa leaves so they can follow the Sunderland path.

I hear you Brother, and I am behind you all the way. But don't rely on either the EPL, the EFL, or the FA, to join in and be supportive. The Football Industry needs Governmental scrutiny and non-Premier League fans all over the Country should be getting a petition going for this to be debated in the House of Commons.

Still missing the point then.
To be clear I have no real interest in Harry Croft and his personal successes. As for what players have come in during his 5 year tenure what does that matter? Wouldn't we have got any players without Harry's input? @Ghost of Cloughno need for your input thanks ?
My point was, and still is, that Jono was stating that Mel has had a bad rub of the green (or been unlucky) with some of the people he has entrusted player recruitment and contracts with, and I am simply pointing out that if selecting a totally inexperienced recruiter (it would seem purely on the basis of nepotism given his CV) is symptomatic of his appointment strategy then no wonder he has got our club in a total mess on and off the field.

Ah, you miss the point. Nothing to do with young Harry. Good luck to him. Right place, right time and all that.
Jono suggested a little higher that Mel was let down by others in player recruitment, contracts, etc. I am just pointing out that Mel brought most of his problems upon himself by appointing the wrong people.  Harry Croft may well prove to be the best recruiter Derby have ever had, but he didn't seem to do much to justify his appointment, other than share a regular convivial muesli and orange juice breakfast with his father-in-law.

Yeah. I was just pointing out to those suggesting that he was unqualified, that 1) he seemed to have qualifications in technical areas and 2) the area he worked in here benefitted - or looks to have?

@G STAR RAM details below. Harry got some kind of Diploma in 2014 after studying Business Management for 3 years at Nottingham University. He wasn’t apparently particularly sought after between May 2014 and Mar 2016 ?
Experience
Derby County Football Club
5 years 3 months
Head of Technical Scouting
Sep 2020 - Present 9 months
Derby, England, United Kingdom
Head of Emerging Talent Recruitment
Mar 2016 - Sep 2020 4 years 7 months
Derby, United Kingdom
In Emerging Talent we are looking to recruit elite players primarily from the UK, but we also target from all over Europe. This department specifically targets players between the age range of 16 & 21 to either come into Derby County's U23 or U18 squads, with the overall objective of being able to progress through to the first team as quickly as possible.
Intern
Restoration Partners
Jun 2013 - Jul 2013 2 months
London, United Kingdom
I returned to Restoration Partners in 2013 because my experience the previous year significantly helped me to learn and excel in certain fields. I managed to learn even more in this period. Working with such knowledgeable and welcoming colleagues has such a substantial impact on my ability to listen and learn from experienced personnel. Restoration Partners is a superb business with clear targets and aspirations, and one I know will succeed in its endeavours.
Intern
Restoration Partners
Jul 2012 - Aug 2012 2 months
London, United Kingdom
Restoration Partners is a boutique technology Merchant Bank located in the centre of London. During my time at Restoration Partners I learnt a vast range of skills and expertise regarding banking and investment opportunities. The experienced employees already established there significantly helped me along and allowed me to develop my entrepreneurial skill set, and crucially opened my thinking in the way in which to analyse certain business prospects. Restoration Partners focuses on the…
 
 

The theory that they would tire and collapse towards the end of the season was complete nonsense then.  The most intense and tiring Premier league season ever, but Leeds only lost one of their last ten matches.   I don't begrudge them it to be honest, not at the moment at least, as they play attractive and entertaining football. 

The total shame of it all.
 
@Coconut, @HuddersRam, @Alpha, @Van der MoodHoover, @Cisse, @Wolfie, @dog, @TigerTedd, @RoyMac5, @Tamworthram, @r4derby, @Pearl Ram, @Andicis, @Grimbeard, @Boycie, @EtoileSportiveDeDerby, @Mucker1884, @WharfedaleRam, @Gee SCREAMER !! you really should consider how your lives are turning out. @ramithas some excuse as the only other option was to fish in an ice hole (not a euphemism). @Anag Ramand his ‘I only watched it as my son had it on telly’ story shows him only to be in complete denial of his love of long haired men and Lycra.

That's a bit harsh. 
His son-in-law started off volunteering for the short lived Own the Region project a few years ago, so had loads of experience, and is massively respected in his own rights, not just because of who his father in law is.
Apparently.

The total shame of it all.
 
@Coconut, @HuddersRam, @Alpha, @Van der MoodHoover, @Cisse, @Wolfie, @dog, @TigerTedd, @RoyMac5, @Tamworthram, @r4derby, @Pearl Ram, @Andicis, @Grimbeard, @Boycie, @EtoileSportiveDeDerby, @Mucker1884, @WharfedaleRam, @Gee SCREAMER !! you really should consider how your lives are turning out. @ramithas some excuse as the only other option was to fish in an ice hole (not a euphemism). @Anag Ramand his ‘I only watched it as my son had it on telly’ story shows him only to be in complete denial of his love of long haired men and Lycra.

The total shame of it all.
 
@Coconut, @HuddersRam, @Alpha, @Van der MoodHoover, @Cisse, @Wolfie, @dog, @TigerTedd, @RoyMac5, @Tamworthram, @r4derby, @Pearl Ram, @Andicis, @Grimbeard, @Boycie, @EtoileSportiveDeDerby, @Mucker1884, @WharfedaleRam, @Gee SCREAMER !! you really should consider how your lives are turning out. @ramithas some excuse as the only other option was to fish in an ice hole (not a euphemism). @Anag Ramand his ‘I only watched it as my son had it on telly’ story shows him only to be in complete denial of his love of long haired men and Lycra.

The total shame of it all.
 
@Coconut, @HuddersRam, @Alpha, @Van der MoodHoover, @Cisse, @Wolfie, @dog, @TigerTedd, @RoyMac5, @Tamworthram, @r4derby, @Pearl Ram, @Andicis, @Grimbeard, @Boycie, @EtoileSportiveDeDerby, @Mucker1884, @WharfedaleRam, @Gee SCREAMER !! you really should consider how your lives are turning out. @ramithas some excuse as the only other option was to fish in an ice hole (not a euphemism). @Anag Ramand his ‘I only watched it as my son had it on telly’ story shows him only to be in complete denial of his love of long haired men and Lycra.

Side effects of getting the Yorkshire variant are said to include an immediate reluctance to spend money, talking in an annoying and grating whiny accent, and having an overwhelming feeling of self-importance.  Long COVID has actually been endemic in Leeds and Sheffield for over 50 years based on my contact experiences.

You been ‘studying’ them again from the car park. Is that allowed under the terms of the Restraining Order?

...says the man with the bromance with one of the most handsome men on the planet (say hello to George for me!)
?

Did you miss seeing it then?! ? 

Next time you feel like this buddy, imagine your Mate up in the sky saying “For ducks sake Mostyn, it’s crowded enough up here without you and your fat arse taking up valuable seating space”.  Stay strong Sunshine. Kiss ?for your Mum.

Next time you feel like this buddy, imagine your Mate up in the sky saying “For ducks sake Mostyn, it’s crowded enough up here without you and your fat arse taking up valuable seating space”.  Stay strong Sunshine. Kiss ?for your Mum.

The total shame of it all.
 
@Coconut, @HuddersRam, @Alpha, @Van der MoodHoover, @Cisse, @Wolfie, @dog, @TigerTedd, @RoyMac5, @Tamworthram, @r4derby, @Pearl Ram, @Andicis, @Grimbeard, @Boycie, @EtoileSportiveDeDerby, @Mucker1884, @WharfedaleRam, @Gee SCREAMER !! you really should consider how your lives are turning out. @ramithas some excuse as the only other option was to fish in an ice hole (not a euphemism). @Anag Ramand his ‘I only watched it as my son had it on telly’ story shows him only to be in complete denial of his love of long haired men and Lycra.

This isn’t the Brexit I voted for!