GangwayD

Curtis rightly took all the plaudits and emotion when we learned the curtain has finally came down on a brilliant Rams career.
So much so, Richard Stearman's (and James Chester) exit almost went by unnoticed.  
The Steargoat, as he got christened by someone, always gave it us all when representing us, he never complained about not being in the team or squad, plus was a excellent role model for the younger lads.  I'll never forgot when he was interviewed live on TV and stated just "how proud he was to represent this great football club and how much he loved pulling on the shirt".   He almost had the unsung Mark Lillis like cult hero status about him, for those who can remember Ooooh Mark Lillis. 
Wish him the best in whatever his career brings next.  
Good luck to the Steargoat !
Cheers, GDFTT

Curtis rightly took all the plaudits and emotion when we learned the curtain has finally came down on a brilliant Rams career.
So much so, Richard Stearman's (and James Chester) exit almost went by unnoticed.  
The Steargoat, as he got christened by someone, always gave it us all when representing us, he never complained about not being in the team or squad, plus was a excellent role model for the younger lads.  I'll never forgot when he was interviewed live on TV and stated just "how proud he was to represent this great football club and how much he loved pulling on the shirt".   He almost had the unsung Mark Lillis like cult hero status about him, for those who can remember Ooooh Mark Lillis. 
Wish him the best in whatever his career brings next.  
Good luck to the Steargoat !
Cheers, GDFTT

Curtis rightly took all the plaudits and emotion when we learned the curtain has finally came down on a brilliant Rams career.
So much so, Richard Stearman's (and James Chester) exit almost went by unnoticed.  
The Steargoat, as he got christened by someone, always gave it us all when representing us, he never complained about not being in the team or squad, plus was a excellent role model for the younger lads.  I'll never forgot when he was interviewed live on TV and stated just "how proud he was to represent this great football club and how much he loved pulling on the shirt".   He almost had the unsung Mark Lillis like cult hero status about him, for those who can remember Ooooh Mark Lillis. 
Wish him the best in whatever his career brings next.  
Good luck to the Steargoat !
Cheers, GDFTT

Curtis rightly took all the plaudits and emotion when we learned the curtain has finally came down on a brilliant Rams career.
So much so, Richard Stearman's (and James Chester) exit almost went by unnoticed.  
The Steargoat, as he got christened by someone, always gave it us all when representing us, he never complained about not being in the team or squad, plus was a excellent role model for the younger lads.  I'll never forgot when he was interviewed live on TV and stated just "how proud he was to represent this great football club and how much he loved pulling on the shirt".   He almost had the unsung Mark Lillis like cult hero status about him, for those who can remember Ooooh Mark Lillis. 
Wish him the best in whatever his career brings next.  
Good luck to the Steargoat !
Cheers, GDFTT

Quite the opposite, he's a midfielder at heart but has said in the past that he feels he is 'better' at CB, not that he prefers it.
It's one of those comments that's been misinterpreted when listening to an interview with him, and then the misinterpretation stated as fact.

I was on the Football special that day too - it certainly was an eventful mid-eighties kind of away day.
Kicked off in and around Newport all day.  Fighting with the Coppers in the Away end and remember one losing his helmet.  DLF in the home end and a great win, all singing 'We're going up next year' (and we did).   
Ironically the Football special train stopped near St Andrews on the way back and Leeds had played Birmingham.  Some wag on the train, shouted, 'Let us off, we'll sort the Leeds out'
I doubt they knew, there had been a huge amount of trouble that day with Blues and Leeds and a wall had collapsed killing a young fan.  This seems to get overlooked. 
We got back to learn of the horrific scenes at Bradford.  I didn't do that pre-season friendly Shipley Ram but big respect that we sang that.
Cheers
Gangway D from the terrace
 

I share this concern OB. 
Should we make the play-offs then many free agents will have already agreed terms or be a long way down that road, before we throw our hat in the ring and with the 23-30 age range we need then the pool of what's available could leave slim pickings for players who PW genuinely feels will improve us - as you said, we can all see it and its completely understandable. 
With many of our squad out of contract, returning loans, or probably not having a future with us then we have another big re-build for next season, meaning the new squad will need 'time to gel' or 'no proper preseason behind them' will be used if we don't hit the ground running.  
I don't think fans will be as patient as we have. I suspect it will mean another season of several loan players. 
We don't have any youngsters showing enough and I don't think we even have a pathway available now to the first team if we did. Those we had have left to find the grass is certainly not greener.
I enjoy the debates, opinions and rumours created from the free agent lists but will be pleased when the club can finally work properly again in the transfer market 
Gangway D from the terrace.
 
 
 
 
 

Get the Dobster back in on loan 😉

Miss them days.  Bank holiday Monday down Sadlergate was packed from 11 o'clock.  

Sam Smith at Cambridge would be a good shout.  Seems to be blossoming later in his career as at 25 he's only really scored goals this last few seasons, but I'm sure we'd create more chances than Cambridge.
Very impressed with Exeter's Josh Key on Tuesday but with Championship clubs sniffing then doubt we'd get him.
It's going to be an interesting Summer as the re-build starts again. 
Cheers
Gangway D from the terrace 

Personally I think one of the big priorities this summer is to pick up as many talented/Semi-talented youngsters as we can that have ben released from other academies to re-stock and retain our Tier 1 status.
We had a purple patch of picking up players like Ebiowei and Plange who were released from other academies that not only improved our academy but quite quickly progressed on to the first team and I believe players like Sonny Blu Lo-Everton have impressed since they have come in although understandably the focus has been on the first team until now.
Obviously with restrictions still in place we will probably maintain a small squad again next year so having quality youngsters pushing to get in to the first team will strengthen our bench & depth.

Deeney will be 35 in June. No thanks. Ash Barnes might be a good shout but his wages might be prohibitive.
Whoever we get in, we have to get them in for the right reasons. Namely, they can do a job we want doing and we play to their strengths. No more buying a Centre Forward and then play him on the left wing or buying a player who score rucks of goals from knockdowns and flicks on from his strike partner and using pace to latch on to through balls and then play him as a target man. That's what we did with Hales. Zak would not be the hero is today if we'd got him to play the O'Hare role. Horses for courses please, not more square pegs in round holes.

For sure. Warne seemed to be cooking up a lovely stew for a while, then he ran out of the chicken (Bird) and it became a bit of an Irish Stew with Knight, Hourihane, Collins and McGoldrick in there….I’ve lost the analogy I was building on top of yours, sorry! 😆 
I share the frustrations with how Warne has utilised the squad at times, I’m just a bit more objective in how it makes me feel overall I guess. I can see what he’s trying to do at times, and I’m baffled by what he’s doing at others. There are points this season when he’s got it right, there are times he’s got it very very wrong. I’m sort of sat on the fence a bit about the whole thing, still Warne in and want him to have time, but growing concerns about his tactical stubbornness/limitations. 

I think that a lack of urgency was created for the January transfer window, by our results at the time. Warne made it clear that he wouldn't be forced into signing players that didn't improve the squad that he had then. A number of those squad players have had a dip in form since and if Warne was given the opportunity to add to the squad now, I think that he would be prepared to set his sights a little lower.

This might be my biggest opposing view to a number of posters. I absolutely see and understand the concerns with how Warne is utilising the squad (or not as it comes to certain players/rotations/substitutions) and also with how poor performances have been of late. 
But I just really can’t get on board with the idea that whatever formation/coaching were implemented by any manager, that it would get us much further up the league table than where we are with the current squad, other than perhaps one of those top top level ones such as a Pep/Klopp/Mourinho/Ancelotti if I stepped into fantasy for a minute. 
 
I don’t think we have the right balance or blend of players in the squad. We do have a solid goalkeeping department. We have a capable enough defensive unit which is lacking specialised right backs and, I feel,  players in the right age profile, there’s also a lack of physicality and athleticism at times. Whether we play 4 or 3 at the back there are opportunities to improve that area with time and recruitment. We do have talented central midfielders, all of whom are similar in size, build, style of play and I think we would benefit from a different presence in the middle of the park to complement one or two of Bird/Knight/Sibley/Hourihane. I don’t feel the combination of those players alone allows us to mix it up against different styles of opponent. A player we own out on loan is the sort I mean, Bielik sitting in midfield with Knight to do the box to box role and a Hourihane/Bird/Sibley as the playmaker would be a much better balance for a 3 man midfield.
Forward options are good, NML and McGoldrick on their day are unplayable. Barkhuizen is a solid option at this level and championship. Dobbin offers raw pace and dribbling ability but lacks composure at times. Collins is Collins, an honest enough pro with determination in abundance but limited in other ways. 
 
I think we have a good squad, capable of pushing for the play off positions but lacking the blend of player type/positions/age and depth to really push on and dominate the league. Which is how it’s played out. Performances definitely could have been better, but the make up of the squad has been the hindrance all season. Under Rosenior we missed a couple of winnable games which if McGoldrick was available we would probably have won. Under Warne we went on a great run, then the wheels came off. At times the squad has worked really well, at others the limitations have been a big problem. 
I do think Warne could have been using the players he does have better to rest and rotate, he does have limited or stubborn tactical views it seems, but I don’t think we’d be much higher up the league than where we are due to the squad’s strengths and limitations. All too aware that’s my opinion and others don’t necessarily share it. 

i dont think its unreasonable of a manager to want his players to leave everything out on the pitch, should be a minimum requirement in fact

Another opinion being masqueraded as fact. In your opinion Clowes got the appointment of Warne wrong. What is the evidence that backs this up? Clowes himself says he has a longer term expectation of rebuilding the club, this short-termism you seem keen on hasn’t at any point entered into the publicised discussion of the owner. He has appointed Warne based on his track record at this level, given him a contract with time to build and set expectations of the club being established in the championship within 5 years. The only expectations not being met currently are those of yourself and some other fans.
What are the key attributes of this squad that make it so obviously promotion capable as you’ve stated? I’d argue the lack of striking depth, no recognised right backs, aging and inexperienced centre backs, and a general lack of depth throughout the club contradict your view, capable of promotion? Possibly, but not comparable to the balanced squads of Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth.

Also, when does the season end? Mathematically the play offs are still possible (though maybe less probable) which in turn means promotion is too.

Was great last year everyone sticking together, get those that say you can’t always say “least we’ve got a club” yeah I get that but people have to understand the effect it’s had on the club, building from the very start again, we’ve got a good core squad but they’re all either kids or OAPs Warne needs time and his own players that are actually in there prime. 

Adored the man when he was in his pomp, smashing goals and much bigger defenders around the park.  I always got the feeling him and Arthur had a strained relationship.  Bobby absolutely loved the the fans when he was here, but maybe his eventual departures tainted his view of the club - I hope not.  After seeing the club on the brink and slipping into the old third division, these were my favourite days growing up, going home and away every week.  Football Specials, Cards, Pubs, Pork Pie, and always plenty of Beer - We seemed to have thousands of like minded lads who all came together.   Memories we cherish forever. 
Bobby has been a pundit on Radio Derby a few times in the past, but I felt he was somewhat over critical - sad to learn he is a baggage handler.  He was a pro-footballer at the wrong time. 
"So here's to you Bobby Davison, Derby loves you more than you will know !" - Great line and exactly how I feel.
Whooa Bobby Bobby ...
Cheers
Gangway D from the terrace
 

Adored the man when he was in his pomp, smashing goals and much bigger defenders around the park.  I always got the feeling him and Arthur had a strained relationship.  Bobby absolutely loved the the fans when he was here, but maybe his eventual departures tainted his view of the club - I hope not.  After seeing the club on the brink and slipping into the old third division, these were my favourite days growing up, going home and away every week.  Football Specials, Cards, Pubs, Pork Pie, and always plenty of Beer - We seemed to have thousands of like minded lads who all came together.   Memories we cherish forever. 
Bobby has been a pundit on Radio Derby a few times in the past, but I felt he was somewhat over critical - sad to learn he is a baggage handler.  He was a pro-footballer at the wrong time. 
"So here's to you Bobby Davison, Derby loves you more than you will know !" - Great line and exactly how I feel.
Whooa Bobby Bobby ...
Cheers
Gangway D from the terrace
 

Adored the man when he was in his pomp, smashing goals and much bigger defenders around the park.  I always got the feeling him and Arthur had a strained relationship.  Bobby absolutely loved the the fans when he was here, but maybe his eventual departures tainted his view of the club - I hope not.  After seeing the club on the brink and slipping into the old third division, these were my favourite days growing up, going home and away every week.  Football Specials, Cards, Pubs, Pork Pie, and always plenty of Beer - We seemed to have thousands of like minded lads who all came together.   Memories we cherish forever. 
Bobby has been a pundit on Radio Derby a few times in the past, but I felt he was somewhat over critical - sad to learn he is a baggage handler.  He was a pro-footballer at the wrong time. 
"So here's to you Bobby Davison, Derby loves you more than you will know !" - Great line and exactly how I feel.
Whooa Bobby Bobby ...
Cheers
Gangway D from the terrace
 

Adored the man when he was in his pomp, smashing goals and much bigger defenders around the park.  I always got the feeling him and Arthur had a strained relationship.  Bobby absolutely loved the the fans when he was here, but maybe his eventual departures tainted his view of the club - I hope not.  After seeing the club on the brink and slipping into the old third division, these were my favourite days growing up, going home and away every week.  Football Specials, Cards, Pubs, Pork Pie, and always plenty of Beer - We seemed to have thousands of like minded lads who all came together.   Memories we cherish forever. 
Bobby has been a pundit on Radio Derby a few times in the past, but I felt he was somewhat over critical - sad to learn he is a baggage handler.  He was a pro-footballer at the wrong time. 
"So here's to you Bobby Davison, Derby loves you more than you will know !" - Great line and exactly how I feel.
Whooa Bobby Bobby ...
Cheers
Gangway D from the terrace
 

Adored the man when he was in his pomp, smashing goals and much bigger defenders around the park.  I always got the feeling him and Arthur had a strained relationship.  Bobby absolutely loved the the fans when he was here, but maybe his eventual departures tainted his view of the club - I hope not.  After seeing the club on the brink and slipping into the old third division, these were my favourite days growing up, going home and away every week.  Football Specials, Cards, Pubs, Pork Pie, and always plenty of Beer - We seemed to have thousands of like minded lads who all came together.   Memories we cherish forever. 
Bobby has been a pundit on Radio Derby a few times in the past, but I felt he was somewhat over critical - sad to learn he is a baggage handler.  He was a pro-footballer at the wrong time. 
"So here's to you Bobby Davison, Derby loves you more than you will know !" - Great line and exactly how I feel.
Whooa Bobby Bobby ...
Cheers
Gangway D from the terrace
 

I’m not sure what provoked us to be so noisy that day, but it was through half time and even in the Gents lads we’re still singing - it was mental - none stop 90 minutes. Maybe it was because it was the last time on a terrace, at-least at that time we certainly thought it was.  
Yeh I remember our ‘rotund’ shirtless cheer leader - think he’s featured on a you tube clip at the game - but it wasn’t me TR !!
Let’s hope we can be just as noisy on Saturday whatever the result, more like Port Vale away than Wycombe. 
We’re all Derby aren’t we !
Cheers 
Gangway D from the terrace 

No apology necessary.  I have mentioned on this thread and on numerous occasions, they were the best times, in my teens, early twenties, watching the Rams and following them all over the country.  Like in this last season or so, our fan base came together, and we took over towns wherever we went, with Arthurs side fully committed and playing some of the best football of its time.
He always did shun the limelight but Arthur does deserve honouring and I would love nothing more than to see him at Pride Park, rather than something when he's gone.  I still feel a statue would be a fantastic tribute, maybe a Cox and McFarland one.
Cheers
Gangway D from the Terrace.