jono

He's the type who needs to play off a big CF and cannot play that leading role by himself. The only place he can play in a 4231 is the AM role, but he hasn't got the all round game to play that in the Championship
With the lack of options in our squad, I expected him to start challenging for a first team place. I suppose he was told Kazim, Baldock and Stretton will be the first team options this season and he didn't think he'd get a chance. Plange has already performed better than him at U23 level too. WIth Cybulski stepping up to the U23s this move works out well for both parties.

He and Ibe were definitely worth the risk. Their wages in football terms would have been low, with a possible jackpot if successful.
Cheers, Richinspain from Spain (weirdly)

Surprise of the season to be DFR turning out to be the male equivalent of Mrs Bouquet’s maiden Aunt, who’s biggest sin is a glass of Sherry at Christmas 

I look at patterns of play, new players, etc not results as such

@DarkFruitsRam7 take note...... ?

Like many of us, I have not been particularly looking forward to this season. We certainly enter 2021/22 with relegation in our mind rather than our promotion focus of the past decade or so.
However, in the end each team is just 11 players on the park, we have a couple of decent goalies so need 10 outfield players. I am fairly certain Byrne, Buchanan, Shinnie, Lawrence, Bird and Jozwiak could play the full season. So in my mind we are looking at four core first team players needed. Jagielka, Forsyth, Wisdom and Davies between them should conceivably cover the two CB positions for us. The remaining two need to be goal scorers / creative players. We can work Kazim-Richards for another season but as much as I love him, the lack of pace limits us. He needs a good alternative and/or partner for the season. I personally think Morrison looked good for our additional mid/winger, like Hughes of old, someone who just wanted the ball and could be a spark. 
I was at the game yesterday and liked the style we are building for, limited time wasted at the back, moving the ball quicker, looking for ideas. Feel much more positive. 
Remember, we have had some fantastic 'late career' players over our best seasons. In the championship a consistent, stable first 11 can really make a season until the Christmas break, when some new arrivals will always help. We will have Bielik and Knight coming back in to this team.
Our stars this year will be: Lawrence, Watson and Morrison (if he signs).

It was a good game of football. Technically skilled opponents who in the first half kept us mostly in our half and without much of the ball. That said we defended well with Jagielka looking very composed and reading positions very well. Two lovely pinged crossfield balls one Morrison and one Lawrence I think, picked out Byrne and gave us hope. Baldock mobile and clever but ultimately toothless - 1/2 a yard off it, lacking strength and a killers finish .. offside but through on goal, hit it straight at the keeper. Two brilliant saves from Roos and the woodwork kept us in the game. Aluko .. a worker but so slow in the first 2 yards it’s painful but a fast tank when he’s finally underway. Fullbacks overlapping was nice to see. Much improved 2nd half. Front foot. Bird higher up the pitch, Davis slotted in well with Jags, Sibley and Joz lively but Louie Watson ..wow !  live wire .. Will o the wisp  but despite light weight had great ball retention and even better the willing intelligent runs off the ball. Delightful pass for Birds goal .. right weight, right place. Shinnie was Shinnie. Tidy and an irritating gnashing terrier - they didn’t like him one bit. CKR made a big difference. He isn’t as polished and deft as Martin but a lot stronger and very able. Somehow he seems a better player live than on TV. No ones fool and brings a togetherness to the front line. If he could finish better he’d be a god at this level.
If we had tried to out score them we would have lost that game …but we didn’t which might just say something positive for Rooney’s game plan. 

A beautiful and thought-provoking piece @JoetheRam(love the avatar) which on reflection reminded me of that great Orwell quote, " If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—for ever.” 

Exactly last pre season we made a habit of not scoring and that basically carried into the entire campaign. Winning is winning no matter who it’s against or what competition. Yes next Saturday and from then onwards is the important stuff but another win against Notts county on Sunday will do us the world of good (especially  if we can actually sign the players contributing to it!) 

I don't go to parties.

Bet you're fun at parties.

Great summary @jono - we were at the same game.

See this is where I disagree with both of you. Carroll really moved the ball quickly, one touch and mostly forward. He was always available for a pass and even sometimes carried the ball forward, not really seen at all since Bielik. Definitely a starter for me if we can sign him.

I'd agree with all of that except I would have swapped your comment 5 about in that I thought Carroll drifted in and out of the game whereas Morrison always looked to be involved. Agree about his vision, though.
Stretton more of a Baldock type striker than a CKR hold up style, so will be interesting to see him in that role when he's fully fit. I'm hoping he will fit that bill and means we don't need Baldock, as I would rather use that precious signing slot for Morrison. After the defenders, who are the priority, of course.

My first “in the flesh” sighting last night of Derby County since we beat Blackburn 3-0 all those months ago. My thoughts:
1. Jagielka is class. In great shape. Plays with a smile on his face. 
2. Roos has improved hugely. Also bulked up. Made 2 great saves and distributed well.
3. Baldock is very average. A poor man’s Marriott. 
4. Lawrence: also bulked up. Anonymous last night and gave the ball away twice. Has the added responsibility of captaincy actually overburdened him?
5. Carroll looked useful and worth keeping. Morrison has great vision and passing but drifts out of the game especially on the left. Aluko looks ok but stifles Byrne a tad.
6. Derby looked so much better 2nd half when Bird, Watson, CKR & Jozwiak entered the field. Bird and Watson have vision to unpick defences which we lacked totally last season. CKR has obvious cutting edge but needs somebody alongside. 
7. Williams - wow! Where has he come from? Looks like he’s got potential to blossom. 
 
The trialists give us options and added depth but, Jagielka apart, they’re a motley crew of cast offs who perhaps might not live up to some of their hyperbole. I think Bird will really shine this year if played in the right way. Watson also could become first pick. 
 
But, we will struggle for goals again, unless Stretton gets a chance and suddenly catches fire. 
 
Overall team potential on last night’s showing: mid-table, having to work very hard to eke out 1-0s and 1-1s. We need more flare so lots of pressure on Lawrence & Jozwiak to produce more. 

Yeah, not sure he'd fancy being one of our trialists... 

Nabil Fekir.... France international and sure he was on the verge of signing for Liverpool a couple years ago

It was a good game of football. Technically skilled opponents who in the first half kept us mostly in our half and without much of the ball. That said we defended well with Jagielka looking very composed and reading positions very well. Two lovely pinged crossfield balls one Morrison and one Lawrence I think, picked out Byrne and gave us hope. Baldock mobile and clever but ultimately toothless - 1/2 a yard off it, lacking strength and a killers finish .. offside but through on goal, hit it straight at the keeper. Two brilliant saves from Roos and the woodwork kept us in the game. Aluko .. a worker but so slow in the first 2 yards it’s painful but a fast tank when he’s finally underway. Fullbacks overlapping was nice to see. Much improved 2nd half. Front foot. Bird higher up the pitch, Davis slotted in well with Jags, Sibley and Joz lively but Louie Watson ..wow !  live wire .. Will o the wisp  but despite light weight had great ball retention and even better the willing intelligent runs off the ball. Delightful pass for Birds goal .. right weight, right place. Shinnie was Shinnie. Tidy and an irritating gnashing terrier - they didn’t like him one bit. CKR made a big difference. He isn’t as polished and deft as Martin but a lot stronger and very able. Somehow he seems a better player live than on TV. No ones fool and brings a togetherness to the front line. If he could finish better he’d be a god at this level.
If we had tried to out score them we would have lost that game …but we didn’t which might just say something positive for Rooney’s game plan. 

It was a good game of football. Technically skilled opponents who in the first half kept us mostly in our half and without much of the ball. That said we defended well with Jagielka looking very composed and reading positions very well. Two lovely pinged crossfield balls one Morrison and one Lawrence I think, picked out Byrne and gave us hope. Baldock mobile and clever but ultimately toothless - 1/2 a yard off it, lacking strength and a killers finish .. offside but through on goal, hit it straight at the keeper. Two brilliant saves from Roos and the woodwork kept us in the game. Aluko .. a worker but so slow in the first 2 yards it’s painful but a fast tank when he’s finally underway. Fullbacks overlapping was nice to see. Much improved 2nd half. Front foot. Bird higher up the pitch, Davis slotted in well with Jags, Sibley and Joz lively but Louie Watson ..wow !  live wire .. Will o the wisp  but despite light weight had great ball retention and even better the willing intelligent runs off the ball. Delightful pass for Birds goal .. right weight, right place. Shinnie was Shinnie. Tidy and an irritating gnashing terrier - they didn’t like him one bit. CKR made a big difference. He isn’t as polished and deft as Martin but a lot stronger and very able. Somehow he seems a better player live than on TV. No ones fool and brings a togetherness to the front line. If he could finish better he’d be a god at this level.
If we had tried to out score them we would have lost that game …but we didn’t which might just say something positive for Rooney’s game plan. 

We need to get Jagielka snapped up quickly. He’s absolutely still got it, he was superb tonight. I can imagine there are a few clubs who sat up and took notice of him last night after that performance. Paul Cook will be working overtime today trying to convince him to sign for Ipswich 

It was a good game of football. Technically skilled opponents who in the first half kept us mostly in our half and without much of the ball. That said we defended well with Jagielka looking very composed and reading positions very well. Two lovely pinged crossfield balls one Morrison and one Lawrence I think, picked out Byrne and gave us hope. Baldock mobile and clever but ultimately toothless - 1/2 a yard off it, lacking strength and a killers finish .. offside but through on goal, hit it straight at the keeper. Two brilliant saves from Roos and the woodwork kept us in the game. Aluko .. a worker but so slow in the first 2 yards it’s painful but a fast tank when he’s finally underway. Fullbacks overlapping was nice to see. Much improved 2nd half. Front foot. Bird higher up the pitch, Davis slotted in well with Jags, Sibley and Joz lively but Louie Watson ..wow !  live wire .. Will o the wisp  but despite light weight had great ball retention and even better the willing intelligent runs off the ball. Delightful pass for Birds goal .. right weight, right place. Shinnie was Shinnie. Tidy and an irritating gnashing terrier - they didn’t like him one bit. CKR made a big difference. He isn’t as polished and deft as Martin but a lot stronger and very able. Somehow he seems a better player live than on TV. No ones fool and brings a togetherness to the front line. If he could finish better he’d be a god at this level.
If we had tried to out score them we would have lost that game …but we didn’t which might just say something positive for Rooney’s game plan. 

It was a good game of football. Technically skilled opponents who in the first half kept us mostly in our half and without much of the ball. That said we defended well with Jagielka looking very composed and reading positions very well. Two lovely pinged crossfield balls one Morrison and one Lawrence I think, picked out Byrne and gave us hope. Baldock mobile and clever but ultimately toothless - 1/2 a yard off it, lacking strength and a killers finish .. offside but through on goal, hit it straight at the keeper. Two brilliant saves from Roos and the woodwork kept us in the game. Aluko .. a worker but so slow in the first 2 yards it’s painful but a fast tank when he’s finally underway. Fullbacks overlapping was nice to see. Much improved 2nd half. Front foot. Bird higher up the pitch, Davis slotted in well with Jags, Sibley and Joz lively but Louie Watson ..wow !  live wire .. Will o the wisp  but despite light weight had great ball retention and even better the willing intelligent runs off the ball. Delightful pass for Birds goal .. right weight, right place. Shinnie was Shinnie. Tidy and an irritating gnashing terrier - they didn’t like him one bit. CKR made a big difference. He isn’t as polished and deft as Martin but a lot stronger and very able. Somehow he seems a better player live than on TV. No ones fool and brings a togetherness to the front line. If he could finish better he’d be a god at this level.
If we had tried to out score them we would have lost that game …but we didn’t which might just say something positive for Rooney’s game plan. 

I am not sure I agree. Yes their winger was very quick and nimble, Byrne got beaten a couple of times but he was dogged and determined, got the ball out of defence well and when he did get beaten he got back and real terrier style fighting to retrieve They didn’t like him one bit. He stood out for me. 

It was a good game of football. Technically skilled opponents who in the first half kept us mostly in our half and without much of the ball. That said we defended well with Jagielka looking very composed and reading positions very well. Two lovely pinged crossfield balls one Morrison and one Lawrence I think, picked out Byrne and gave us hope. Baldock mobile and clever but ultimately toothless - 1/2 a yard off it, lacking strength and a killers finish .. offside but through on goal, hit it straight at the keeper. Two brilliant saves from Roos and the woodwork kept us in the game. Aluko .. a worker but so slow in the first 2 yards it’s painful but a fast tank when he’s finally underway. Fullbacks overlapping was nice to see. Much improved 2nd half. Front foot. Bird higher up the pitch, Davis slotted in well with Jags, Sibley and Joz lively but Louie Watson ..wow !  live wire .. Will o the wisp  but despite light weight had great ball retention and even better the willing intelligent runs off the ball. Delightful pass for Birds goal .. right weight, right place. Shinnie was Shinnie. Tidy and an irritating gnashing terrier - they didn’t like him one bit. CKR made a big difference. He isn’t as polished and deft as Martin but a lot stronger and very able. Somehow he seems a better player live than on TV. No ones fool and brings a togetherness to the front line. If he could finish better he’d be a god at this level.
If we had tried to out score them we would have lost that game …but we didn’t which might just say something positive for Rooney’s game plan. 

I am not sure I agree. Yes their winger was very quick and nimble, Byrne got beaten a couple of times but he was dogged and determined, got the ball out of defence well and when he did get beaten he got back and real terrier style fighting to retrieve They didn’t like him one bit. He stood out for me.