jono

And Fornah ? I think he’s got something; but injuries and team balance haven’t seen him given much chance to show it. 
 

There are troops we haven’t seen the best of. That fleeting glimpse of CBT powering through the middle away from home ? There’s a championship player there. Just making it come out often enough.  That’s the trick 

31 minutes ago, Red_ram said:

I know it’s sentiment driven and his wages currently would be mental, but anyone think there’s a slither of hope of a return of Mr Will Hughes? On paper it’s not gonna happen, but watching bird yesterday, we need a technician around the athleticism to unlock things and bird would have been perfect in the champ and sorely missed. He was feisty and a trier and is it too ambitious to hope he’d want a homecoming with charitably low wages?

I don’t think so but I love your dreams. If he did it would be a wonderful day when he set foot on the pitch again. I remember way back a cup game against Leicester. I got a ticket for my fox brother. We had a beer at half time and he said “who the HELL is that lad ?” Will had been showboating, did one of those FiFA twirly 360 things in the middle of the park. He was on fire, you could see the joy. We need a maestro 

36 minutes ago, deanoakaram4life said:

He’s simply not the standard of player Derby County should be keeping hold of this summer! 
 

It’s a great opportunity this window to lower the age profile of the squad as we have a large amount of “senior” players in their last year. Let’s build something that will take us up the championship and not hand out contracts to older players because they made it over the line. 
 

A Championship offence with Collins and Washington won’t stay in the championship for long that’s for sure! 

I don’t think anyone is suggesting that. I think you are polarising Rather than reading intent and understanding reasoning. @Comrade 86 and @Caerphilly Ram and me are saying they have something to offer. They might not be first choice but you need a squad and money isn’t limitless.  From my point of view we will need more quality and youth up front but with finances being an integral part of the game it might make very good sense to have Collo and / or  Wash on the bench and as back ups when the usual injury issues crop up as we know only too well this season. 

2 minutes ago, Caerphilly Ram said:

Ok, forget sentiment for a minute, how about room for a robust and industrious option who looks after himself physically, sets and maintains standards, and showed this season by scoring 19 goals (14 in the league) and 3 assists (2 in the league) that he’s still a good finisher from open play, set pieces and the penalty spot. His game has never been about pace, but he’s shown this season how hard working he is for the team, I think he’d be a good option for one more season.

Collins and Washington as options 3 and 4 up front alongside two new younger options makes a lot of sense to me. 

Wash, what little we have seen of him, is one of those bustling forward players that unsettle defences struggling to maintain shape. Assuming he can be fit and strong you wouldn’t want to be harried by him in the last 15 minutes of a game.

4 minutes ago, deanoakaram4life said:

Not at 34 and a division above. No time for sentiment this summer. 

This is the thing ! It’s tough choices and pragmatism. We will need a new striker with real teeth, pace or some special ability but maybe Collo has another season in him as a back up ? He’s been a stalwart trooper and delivered in spades. He doesn’t frighten opponents, can’t beat a man, but he has a deftness that some don’t see, excellent positional sense and knows where the posts are. So tough for the recruitment and contract people and for the players themselves. 

34 minutes ago, Norman said:

No, no, no, no, no.

I don't like Warne's football, but I do like how he goes about his transfers. And I'd like to think all those ageing players on expensive wages, and no motivation to play for Derby, aren't on any list we compile. Obviously there is the exceptions in that list, like Burrows etc.

Sign Ebou, extend Sibley and Thompsons deals and then start targetting hungry players on low wages.

It’s finding gems like Wilson. I am happy for us to keep some old stagers, Barks still has some pace, Collo may end up being a back up striker and Fozzy can stand in anywhere for another season. That said we need legs, skill, hunger, youth but importantly it’s the character that PW so rightly wants. 

I wonder how it will pan out, can we get another great loanee ? So much is possible now, Derby has to be a draw with scenes like yesterday. 🐏 I am going to enjoy the transfer gossip over the next few weeks. It’s an adventure now, rather than the desperation it has seemed like for the last I don’t know how long 

1 hour ago, DarkFruitsRam7 said:

Fair enough. At the time, it just felt like we weren’t going to ever put together a consistent enough run of results to get us up. 

I’ve never been so delighted to be wrong.

I think you’ve been incredibly straight in saying so. None of us have a monopoly on “the right call”  I wanted Tommo to start yesterday as I felt he’d deserved it, then maybe give Max the last 20 to say good bye. Rather glad the manager didn’t agree ! 

3 minutes ago, DarkFruitsRam7 said:

The criticism at the time wasn’t unreasonable. We were crap and looked like we were going nowhere.

Fair play to the ones who backed him to turn it around. 

He’s our manager, a good man, and he’s written himself into Derby County history. 

Up the Rams.

I don’t want to start a squabble at such a happy time but “crap and going nowhere” illustrates this misplaced demand for instant success. It’s something that rarely happens. I’d say, that at that time we looked lacklustre, disjointed, not working in harmony or being better than the sum of our parts (which is what a team game needs) Warne was new at the time, had inherited players and little room to buy. He needed time to build that group in to team. He needed to Instill his culture and methods. That took time.  He succeeded.
That is why I get so narky when the knives come out after a couple of bad results. I am going to say the same next season when we are 15th in the table  just had a bore draw at home against a lower ranked side. Patience. 

2 hours ago, Anag Ram said:

Not sure if this has been covered already but could I also give a shout out to the Carlisle fans who stuck by their side throughout and were magnanimous about our promotion?

Spoke to several of them afterwards and they seemed a good bunch, saying what a great club we were and wishing us all the best.

Hope they bounce back under Simmo.

I’ll second that. Could hear “Untited United” way into the second half. They also didn’t look like a bottom side, they played some neat football. I hope they bounce back. 

3 hours ago, oodledoodle said:

They said "please wait for the final whistle before going on the pitch". In my mind that's permission.

 

Exactly. The illuminated signage and warnings were presumably something to satisfy the league / authorities. Fascinating to see stewards posing for photos with fans . Not sure there will be the threatened  “bans” and police action 🤣🤣🤣🤣. 

On 04/02/2024 at 15:09, MadAmster said:

Sibley has been stunted in his development through playing just about every position but his preferred one. 

I think Sibs has developed tremendously over the last half of this season. 

I trust his abilities. We may not be play off contenders next season but given half decent recruiting we won’t be struggling.
 

PW and his team know what they are doing.  A small upgrade in first touch/natural ball skills, signing Ebou and a scary striker and we won’t be pushovers. 

I don’t agree with the criticism of his football style. It was designed and shaped by the necessity to get out of this league. This league isn’t pretty, the football often isn’t perfect either. We are somewhere else now. I am looking forward to the next chapter.?

In regards to the thread title.

I would like to add at this juncture that I am not really that bothered 🤪

I love this team. A mix of our own boys who first kicked a ball with us when they really were just boys. Then through adversity and effort became men. Then the old stagers in the sunset of careers, along with a charging bull who said our field was his home, Then a loan player with infectious grit, humour and energy. An aging, bloody minded unfashionable striker who did what he was supposed to do silencing his critics. They became a team over 18 months with reserves of fortitude reinforced by a manager who understands character and what makes good people.

Well that was alright wasn’t it ! Thank you Max, wonderful parting gift (pssst you can change your mind if you want )

Did you see Collo in the first half asking the east stand what the Bolton score was ? 
Sibs played a blinder, NML’s touch is pretty ropey sometimes but Inam so glad he’s one of ours. Bradley came good with that knock down. Ebou ! What can you say ? Engine room, guts, effectiveness - sign him up. Wilson with a haircut like a 1950’s schoolboy had their RB on toast, with sprinkles and Worcester sauce. When are we building Nelson a new column ? 
 

Oh and why did we let their No 33 own the edge of the box on every corner ? Meh … who cares right now ! 
 

What a lovely day COYR … see you all in the transfer thread then  🤣

47 minutes ago, Mucker1884 said:

I've asked Muckerette to inflate my ballions on Friday night.

 

That sounds jolly helpful what a splendid lady. Does she do that often one wonders. Just hope she knows how to tie the knot without popping them. 

Mrs Jono has promised me bacon and sausages for breakfast on Saturday morning. 

(and fried egg, toast, tomatoes and mushrooms ) AND says I don’t have to clean the grill pan before I leave for the match 

We need Ballions .. lots of Ballions 🐏

And Cashin is worth 30 million at least 

And Collions will get a hat trick 

And Will Hughes is coming back 

And DC is a hero who needs a Statchoo next to Cluff 

COYR 

B More B4 ❤️

3 minutes ago, Mucker1884 said:

Beat me to it 🤣 I was just scrolling down ready to post 2 more nah nights 

I’ll settle for this picture of Cashin heading in our 3rd

Love me or leave me

Make your choice but believe me

We love you

Ebou Ebou Ebouuuuuu

Dont you see can’t you feel it ?

we love you 

Ebou Ebou Ebouuuuu 

By that band with those girls in funny trousers, what were they called ? A Baaaa or something

36 minutes ago, Premier ram said:

Give it one of them Saturday Warney

That is such a brilliant teal talk. I hadn’t realised he had that side to his character. We are going to do this AND carry it forward to next season. I think it kind of explains how, after poor performances, we have bounced back so often and so well, rather than withered as so many “form” teams do. 

can’t wait for Saturday 🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏🐏😎

9 hours ago, DavesaRam said:

A pretty good analysis, Jono, although Warne was obsessing about getting lots of crosses in before our midfield deficiencies became apparent. And in many ways our midfield deficiencies was largely because he kept playing a 2-man midfield, but without a ball-winner in there. Oh, and by-passing it whenever possible.

Thanks, and Aye, but what I am saying is we didn’t really have the natural  ball winner and the 2 weren’t really suited to rough a tumble league 1. So what was he to do ? Then add in that his mission is to get us out of this league, he had a proven system.
I think he was a touch obsessive early season, was desperately wanting to make wingers in to wing backs and play 3 at the back. The new players that could do that got injured, the remaining flank players were somewhat aging in the leg department or not very adept in the defensive component of their game. At that point he’d barely been in the job for a year.
When we had that good run mid season it was when he switched to 4 at the back because of the players he had left. It  showed me he could change his spots .. he still hankered after his preferred system, true ! but was pragmatic enough to accept he couldn’t have it. …. The ball winner you mentioned, arrived in the form of Adams. At least that’s how I see it 

I suppose it’s easy after the event to be sage and analytical. Just hope we can have a party on Saturday and for me he has a clear run without threat for at least half a season, as long as we are mid table”ish” on an improving curve; I am saying what I said 7 or 8 months ago. Patience before pitchforks 

6 hours ago, Carl Sagan said:

 

I agree with Bris and Tyler's logical assessment of Bris's comments. Indeed Warne only got us into this position because he has the best players at his disposal. Before the season began, like many (most?) on the forum I thought we should finish 1st or 2nd given the players we had. Let's hope we finish 2nd.

Has he used the players to get the best out of them? I think we've got decent midfielders, but Warne's tactic is not to use them, and to get the ball wide as quickly as possible and then bang in an early cross. It only works at all because we have better players - otherwise it would have been too easy to defend against. But Warne identified it as a way to win matches and we have won a lot of matches. Was it the best way of playing? Is the proof of the pudding always in the eating? Does the end justify the means? Maybe - it has been vital to get up this season, so let's hope it was worth it and we do.

I am not sure I agree with this angle. We certainly have better players than many; but the best ? I think that is debatable. Look at the midfield. The arrival of Adams has made a huge difference but prior to that I reckon or midfield was average. Bird is wonderfully talented but in this league often got out muscled and his skill wasn’t always enough for him to win those battles … so better or just good  ? Hourihan 6 years ago, yes a better player, but our Hourihan ? The one who gets caught napping against athletic sides ? A good player but “better” than the rest ?
The only areas where I think we had demonstrably better players was defence and out wide. We Haven’t got the better strikers and we hadn’t (until Adams) got the best midfield. 
 

Warne had “better” wide players and made best use of them to support our  lack, for much of the season, of a dynamic striker. This leads to a form of football that by necessity involves getting the ball in to danger areas via the wings and making good use of set pieces. All to create the greater number of chances to address those areas where we didn’t have “the best” players.
 

Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see one touch midfield interchanges crafting chances with slick passing ; but too many of our players didn’t demonstrate enough of those skills either due to ability, age, or the type of opponent / type of football played in this league. 

20 hours ago, BaianoPOTY98 said:

Paul Warne barring a complete disaster has done his job, fair play to him and Clowes got it bang right 👌 but this is not the football I wanna watch week in week out, great that Warne has done his job and taken us up but sorry that’s not for me next year 😢

That’s fine and a valid opinion but pray tell, how do you suggest that gets changed ? It certainly won’t be by appointing a”young dynamic manager” who will change our whole culture; such is his or her genius … psst .. you have to find said applicant ? There isn’t a shop that sells them. Then there’s zero guarantee your choice will actually work. 3 losses and the faithful will be calling for his head, especially if we are playing sidey backwards and urrrrm not scoring goals.

It’s money .. we haven’t got cash to splash, few outside the PL have so like Warne or not we have to develop in stages in a methodical way. It certainly won’t happen next year or with your next Amazon purchase including free delivery and returns. So I wonder what you are going to do ? 

1 hour ago, Bris Vegas said:

Paul Warne deserves credit for getting us promoted. Doesn’t really matter how, his goal was to get us promoted and he has achieved.

But he will need help this summer. This current side under Warne finishes bottom three next season.

If we stick with Warne, he will need seven or eight new signings to give us a chance.

It might surprise you to know that most of us know we have certain aging players in the autumn of their careers. You don’t need to be a genius to realise that going up a league will mean we need reinforcements and replacements. Are you after another medal for stating the obvious. ?

Your posts seem to have particular themes .. this is one of them : State the obvious like it is some revelation that the rest of us have never even considered. So condescending. Pssst quite a few of us have been around a while, played the game and watched it at many levels over a lifetime

Alex Ferguson once said .. The first rule of intelligence is to remember the other guy isn’t stupid. 

26 minutes ago, Chester40 said:

Is there a Warne-confessional thread where the more vitriolic anti-Warne posters can bare their souls, recant their heretic views and thereby claim absolution and become a true believer with immunity from any 'I told you so' comments? 

Then we can all walk hand-in-hand into a better world, where grounds are like small cities, where the players have names you have heard of and it doesn't feel like a really weird coincidence if you happen to know someone who supports the opposition?

Love this post 🤣😊. Brilliant

BUT .. They will never recant. The first loss and it will be “I told you so” and the usual list of PW’s failings along with their reminder to all of us that they said it last season. 2 losses on the bounce and they will be wetting themselves with glee 😢

15 minutes ago, eccles the ram said:

Slightly worried,only slightly, about which Rams team will turn up. Go 1 nil up and then defend the lead for 50 minutes, or gung ho and score 3 or 4. Would like to think the latter but I believe it will be squeaky bum time for all the second half. Gary Monk has a HABIT of picking good sides against us.Safe travels to all who are travelling today. B4 will get us over the line either today or next Sat.UTR!

It’ll be nun of those ! It’ll be an alter nating game with a lot of crosses, we might even go behind until our prayers are answered and there is a resurrection 

I’ll get my coat