ram59

45 minutes ago, Tamworthram said:

I understand your point and  agree. However, to say they’re going to strictly enforce it for certain rows but not others takes it to another level.

If I had my way, clubs that can afford it (so that excludes us ?) should be allowed to install safe standing areas and sell equally priced seated and standing tickets for home and away supporters. Sitting in seated areas would strictly enforced. I’m no health and safety expert but I’m convinced that safe standing systems are far safer than allowing standing in a seated area.

 

By strictly enforcing sitting in the front few rows, you can solve a problem immediately and at no cost. I'm sure that someone can come up with the adequate formal description of this area, so as not to appear to condone standing elsewhere. Maybe they could label them like the  'singing' South stand, normal seating at the front and singing seats behind, would that do?

I'm sure, that a few of us in the normal seats might break the rules and join in with the singing, though.?

Surely, the principle behind yoyo clubs is that they spend a little bit of their cash bonanza each time they get into the Premier, making themselves that little bit stronger, until they get to the stage whereby they are capable of consolidating their promotion one season, without having to break the bank. I would have thought that by now the likes of Norwich, Fulham and WBA should be close to this position.

I was at the game also and after standing the whole game, my hip has been agony today. I used to love to stand on the Popside and at away games, but now it can be a struggle. My heart goes out to those with small children or who are infirm.

One possible solution the club could come up with, is to designate the first few rows of away tickets as strictly 'sitting only'. I know that these aren't the best seats to have and that the view isn't great, but it would give those people who are suffering at the moment, a choice of continuing to suffer or to sit down, even with the compromises. You could try having a seating block, but I don't that would work, as you would get a border between the 2 sections where those sitting down would have their view blocked to the side.

The more boisterous element won't want these lower seats, so there shouldn't be an issue there.

I don't know why, but Morrison seems reluctant to pass the ball wide right. Several times yesterday either Festy or Byrne were in space and didn't receive the ball.

The stats show that Byrne is a key player regarding assists and should be used more. CKR showed the way, by holding the ball and then playing in Byrne, to cross to Shinnie for the goal. A special mention to Byrne, who absolutely bust a gut to sprint from the half way line, to get involved.

16 minutes ago, The Scarlet Pimpernel said:

Could we still sue those clubs or is there a time limit? Any idea? 

Good point, especially with QPR, when we finished 3rd and were well within FFP ourselves and QPR admitted their guilt by paying the EFL 'fine'.

On 20/10/2021 at 17:57, SirBrian said:

Below are a couple of emails I have sent and received between Pauline Latham OBE MP and myself. I think it is important to highlight the concerns noted below to your local MPs and particularly anybody in Mrs Latham’s constituency as from her email, she is following the situation of Derby and the EFL very closely and has noted the points I have made.

Email sent to Pauline Latham OBE MP – Mid-Derbyshire constituency:

Part of the email received from Mrs Latham:

I’ve been reading this forum for years, finally decided to create an account as I am a passionate Rams fans. The EFL stand on their alleged morals of being fit and proper, how can Peter Risdale be fit and proper to hold a position on the board of the EFL???

As much as I detest the EFL, the blame here lies solely with  the 19 out of 24 championship clubs who voted him on to the board. In fact, out of the 3 new members, he received the most votes.

How anyone could vote him on to the board, beggars belief, but what does that say about those 19 clubs, one of which may be Derby?

They have to show optimism, they're trying to sell the club and keep it in business. It's common sense to big up your product and say that you've got others interested. Even if only one of the interested parties are going to put an offer in, if they think that several other parties are also considering an offer, then they'll put in a better offer than if they knew that they were the only ones.

From a practical point of view regarding the value of the club, there are many positives;

1, little or no capital investment is required on the stadium or training ground, which are both premier league standard, unlike many other clubs

2, Fan base can't be bought, but is already there and a high position in the championship, nevermind premier league, will guarantee 30,000+ crowds, unlike many other clubs.

3, Looking at what's left of the playing squad, I believe that there can only be a few high earners left on the books, with sensible player purchases, the club should be able to break even once the incomes return to pre-covid levels.

The price to pay for the club is dependent on the debts, if MM is prepared to write off his debts and the other debts can be negotiated to reasonable levels, then the price should be affordable. Figures of around £50m have been mentioned and don't think that this would be unreasonable for someone to pay MM for the club, if it was debt free. It's just a pity that he wasn't able to negotiate a similar price with a buyer and for him to use the money to clear the debts and save us the 12 point penalty for administration.

Looking at the foul and yellow count, Derby are the stand out team in the stats. We're towards the bottom of the foul count and 3rd in the yellow card count. Most of the league commit 6-8 fouls per yellow, Derby are way out on their own at only 4.3 fouls per yellow card. 

Last night, there was a typical incident, Lawrence had beaten his man and was charging into space about 30 yards from goal, he was blatantly pulled back by the defender who then after the free kick was given, kicked the ball away, both nailed on yellow card offences. The ref didn't even have a word with him.

In the matches that I've seen this season, I believe that the cards given to Derby players have been warranted, the problem is that the opposition players seem to get away with murder. This then restricts the Derby players' actions for the rest of the game whereas the opposition just carry on fouling at will.

14 minutes ago, Kernow said:

So frustrating. Obviously we won’t win them all, and you could point at any game and say “if only this happened…”

But it’s completely feasible that we could have turned our last three results from draws to wins, it would hardly have been undeserved.

In 3 games that nearly wipes out the potential additional 9 point deduction we face. The margins are so fine, but right now we’re falling short of them.

We've lost 9 points from winning positions and gained zero from losing positions, resulting in minus 9 points. Those 9 points would have lifted us out of the drop zone, even with the 12 points penalty. Ignoring the 12 point penalty it would be enough for us to be in the play off positions and if my auntie had.................

We've got one of the best defensive records in the division at the moment, but a majority of those have been very poor goals to concede. Out of the 10, 2 each against Peterborough, B'ham and Luton, together with the goals against Stoke and Sheff utd, have been entirely preventable. In fact, I'm struggling to think of one decently created goal against us this season.

According to Lascelles, Ashley has made them play the wrong way for the last 6 years, I thought that was down to the manager. He's glad that the new owners have come in, I wonder if he'll still feel that way, when a new player gets his place in January?

2 hours ago, Crewton said:

The fact that Ridsdale was elected to the EFL Board says all you need to know about the EFL - it's like putting Ronnie Biggs in charge of a Mail Train.

Unfortunately, it was the other championship clubs who voted him on to the board, 19 of them, I believe. We get the EFL, we deserve, if that's the case. I can't believe that someone with his history could still be so popular with the other clubs.

39 minutes ago, Tamworthram said:

Surely you can in a very broad sense. No one expect their house to burn down but we all (or should) insure against it.

But, there is a history of houses burning down, being flooded or getting struck by lightning, I've suffered the last one myself.

However, never in the history of football have fans not been able to go to the grounds. It's like saying that we should insure the ground for being destroyed by aliens.

You can have a 'rainy day fund' for unforeseen events, but nobody could have foreseen an event, causing as much disruption as covid has.

I think that the EFL are worrying that if we're successful in our appeal against the 12 points, then a number of other clubs will also go into administration, as a means of clearing their debts.

Maybe the administrators will come to an agreement by which they withdraw the appeal in exchange for no further penalties.

On 13/10/2021 at 14:01, Foreveram said:

It doesn’t seem so long ago since Charlton fans wanted Curbishley out because it was time for them to  “ move to the next level “ .

Add to that Bolton with big Sam.

7 hours ago, Ghost of Clough said:

Like the consistency of 3 clubs being charged with failing P&S for the 3 years to 2018.

Birmingham penalised in 19/20
Sheff Weds penalised in 20/21
Derby almost certainly penalised in 21/22

There does need to be a consistency in the application of penalties, not just the level of penalty but also the timing.

Birmingham 'suffered' a 9 point penalty towards the end of the 18/19 season, which blues fans continually moan about to me, but this was given towards the end of March when they were 12 points above the relegation zone and only an outside bet for the play offs. Although it dropped them close to the relegation places, their mid table form was sufficient to keep them up. This penalty didn't relegate them or prevent them getting into the play offs.

Sheff Weds were given their penalty at the start of the season and although it ultimately resulted in their relegation, they at least had all season to do something about it.

The scandal of Derby last season was that the EFL were trying to punish us post season and not give us any chance of avoiding relegation.

Punishments must be consistant and must be issued by a certain date or passed over to the following season.

45 minutes ago, i-Ram said:

I bet your solicitor wouldn't say stop paying the mortgage and other household bills though

.

I wouldn't be paying the new householders bills for him, like the council tax paid in advance, would you?

1 hour ago, atherstoneram said:

 

The players were not paid on time one month,MM's fault whether he was expecting the Fake Sheikh to pay them or not,until the deal is signed and ratified by the EFL it's still the owners responsibility,the EFL will have a far greater knowledge whether a deal was close or not.

 

According to MM, contracts were signed and exchanged and to all intents and purposes the club had new owners, except for the fact that the money wasn't transferred. I would imagine that MM would have a case for breach of contract and would have proceeded against a British based businessman. Remember, the EFL gave this fake sheik the all clear, but don't seem to shoulder any responsibility just like in the Bury situation.

When you buy a new house, your solicitor will advise that you insure it from the day you exchange contracts, as that is the day that you become responsible for it.

According to Toon fans, he has not invested in the club and seems have run it into the ground.

He's done well to sell it for about £400M then.

He might not be everyone's cup of tea, but he has a lot of experience running an English football club on a sound financial footing and keeping it at a level most of us would be happy with. When I hear of potential foreign investors with no experience of English football, it fills me with dread. Some have worked out, but some have been a disaster, I feel that an Ashley type person will be a more safer middle of the road option.

35 minutes ago, Foreveram said:

That’s what you get when you pay for the cheap seats ?

Cheap seats and Wembley, never appear in the same sentence. ?

Maybe we could strike a deal with HMRC and call it the Pay Your Tax On Time Ground?

It would save them money on TV adverts.

14 minutes ago, ToonTom said:

I've signed-up to this Chat to add my two-pennys worth on My Cashley.

So I'm a Barcode and proud and have been since my first game in 1971 - a drab 0-0 at home to Man City, pretty much a portent of the next half century to come. I loved seeing SuperMac and Tudor and the likes. Signing Shearer was amazing, as was coming with one game (March 4, 1996) of winning the Premiership. What Keegan showed Newcastle fans was what was possible. Just like Cloughie showed Derby and Forest fans what was possible. So it's inevitable that you hark back to those days and wish they would return. And then you get accused of having unrealistic expectations and you realise you just should have kept your mouth shut 'cos you can't win that 'argument'. Newcastle fans do not feel 'entitled' - any more than Derby or Forest fans feel 'entitled' - they just have memories of past glory days and wish they could come back. The hysteria on Barrack Road on Thursday evening was a combination of profound relief at getting rid of Cashley and also the return of hope that we might enjoy the glory days of The Entertainers back (even if no trophies came our way again like the last time - it was still fantastic to be a part of).

Anyway, to Cashley. Derby right now is a good fit for him. It's 'local' (to SDHQ) so that makes sense investing in the community, and he absolutely will run the club's finances tightly and profitably. Initially and for a few years you might feel relieved, but as the years go by you'll start to notice that there's no real investment going into the club so everything starts to deteriorate - the ground, the training faciltiies, the academy, and very soon the football. If you are in the Premiership (where you should be), you'll have season after season of worrying every day about relegation so never actually enjoying the football and - if he installs a Steve Bruce as manager one day - you'll have to watch lifeless, unattacking football at its very worst. So no expectations of any kind whilst your club falls apart from the paint downwards.

I've been in Derbyshire for just over a decade now. Pride Park is an outstanding ground and the club deserves to be in the Premiership. Cashley can secure your Championship place and the long-term future of the club, but sadly that level of security potentially comes with a massive price in the case of Cashley. Ironically, we might suffer the same consequences at St. James' but that's a wholly different debate, I suspect.

Simple question, would swap the last 20 years you've had at Newcastle for the last 20 years that we've had at Derby?

13 minutes ago, atherstoneram said:

Then why is it only just Derby and not other clubs,no agenda against Morris just more worms coming out of the can as things go on.

It's all about the timing of covid, it happened at the time when Derby were least able to cope with it.

Maybe, if it had happened 5 years ago, another club or clubs, may not have been in a position to cope with it and we'd have been alright?

MM has thrown the dice and he/we have lost. But, you can't deny that we've had a lot of miss fortune along the way, all little things contributing to the situation that we're in now.

 Financial cheating QPR beating us in the most one sided play off final ever.

SM, Rowett and Lampard all having their heads turned and leading to unnecessary management and direction changes.

Hughes and Bryson getting long term injuries right at the end of the transfer window, leading to panic buying and ultimately financial indiscipline by the club.

Key injuries to key players, we always seem to be waiting for our talisman to come back from injury.

The debacle of the Joiners Arms, how the club wish they didn't have that team bonding night, which only caused division.

A potential sale of the club ruined by the EFL questioning the sale of the ground, now proven to be legitimate.

The final nail in the coffin being covid.

How MM must wish he could turn the clock back and so do we.

On 05/10/2021 at 10:35, angieram said:

No, it's a newly formed group on Twitter formed by fourteen people. Their aim is to bring all the other supporters groups together. So far their activity and reporting has mainly been through Twitter. It's been very quick but you'd have to be on Twitter to follow them, I think.

Rams Trust is the formally constituted "supporter trust" recognised by the Football Supporters Association and has over 1,000 members. That's still a tiny amount of the DCFC fanbase and there are lots of other groups out there with varying degrees of membership and accountability. Rams Trust are trying hard to improve both their membership base and their social media presence, with some recent success I feel. I've joined them and hoping to get more involved.

Punjabi Rams have a big membership and are very active on Twitter and with campaigns, fundraising etc.

They are the groups I am involved with, but there is also the local supporters club network, who are represented, plus Nick Flagman and a few others.

I think all the different groups are working hard to get information out and keep supporters informed. There's a place for them all. 

Thanks for information angieram, I think that it would help if there were less groups involved. It must difficult enough as it is, for the administrators, without having to deal with groups consisting of relatively small numbers and potentially personal agendas.

Personally, I would have liked to see Nigel work in partnership with SM, but in the 'Peter Taylor' role. 

SM was better with the media and didn't seem to fall out with players, as Nigel did and his style of play was more progressive. On the other hand,  SM didn't seem to be able to find players as did Nigel. But, both had similar thoughts on the type of player they wanted.

Back on the subject of Fozzy, I thought that he didn't play that well, while at lb on Saturday, but improved greatly when forced to change position.