GangwayD

Looking at whos out of contract; Rudy Gestede might be a shout.

One of the positives about this whole situation is the young talent which has recently come through our academy and it's status, which is one thing Mel could be praised for.   
Some have already been sold (Bogle, Lowe etc) and I think WR is very lucky to have so many at his disposal.  I'm old enough to remember when Alex Ferguson was about to be sacked by Man United had they not beaten Notts Forest in an FA Cup game.   He'd spent millions on dross in his early days but they won that match and went on to lift the Cup and the class of 92 matured shortly after, all at the same time from their academy and the rest is history. 
I'm not for a minute suggesting our lads are on a par with them, but can you imagine where we would be if we didn't have this young talent available.  
Of course they are all raw, make mistakes and are still learning and I think some fans forget just how young they are.  I'm not sure how much they will benefit from trying to carve a career in a struggling Championship side.  It could be a case of they will sink or swim.  It must also be a delight for the senior pro's having them around, although I accept we need a few more of those.
I do quite like the fact they are coming through together so will know each others game.  Physically they may struggle but the added joy it will bring us if they become successful together - the Derby babes !
Cheers for now
Gangway D from the terrace 
 

One of the positives about this whole situation is the young talent which has recently come through our academy and it's status, which is one thing Mel could be praised for.   
Some have already been sold (Bogle, Lowe etc) and I think WR is very lucky to have so many at his disposal.  I'm old enough to remember when Alex Ferguson was about to be sacked by Man United had they not beaten Notts Forest in an FA Cup game.   He'd spent millions on dross in his early days but they won that match and went on to lift the Cup and the class of 92 matured shortly after, all at the same time from their academy and the rest is history. 
I'm not for a minute suggesting our lads are on a par with them, but can you imagine where we would be if we didn't have this young talent available.  
Of course they are all raw, make mistakes and are still learning and I think some fans forget just how young they are.  I'm not sure how much they will benefit from trying to carve a career in a struggling Championship side.  It could be a case of they will sink or swim.  It must also be a delight for the senior pro's having them around, although I accept we need a few more of those.
I do quite like the fact they are coming through together so will know each others game.  Physically they may struggle but the added joy it will bring us if they become successful together - the Derby babes !
Cheers for now
Gangway D from the terrace 
 

One of the positives about this whole situation is the young talent which has recently come through our academy and it's status, which is one thing Mel could be praised for.   
Some have already been sold (Bogle, Lowe etc) and I think WR is very lucky to have so many at his disposal.  I'm old enough to remember when Alex Ferguson was about to be sacked by Man United had they not beaten Notts Forest in an FA Cup game.   He'd spent millions on dross in his early days but they won that match and went on to lift the Cup and the class of 92 matured shortly after, all at the same time from their academy and the rest is history. 
I'm not for a minute suggesting our lads are on a par with them, but can you imagine where we would be if we didn't have this young talent available.  
Of course they are all raw, make mistakes and are still learning and I think some fans forget just how young they are.  I'm not sure how much they will benefit from trying to carve a career in a struggling Championship side.  It could be a case of they will sink or swim.  It must also be a delight for the senior pro's having them around, although I accept we need a few more of those.
I do quite like the fact they are coming through together so will know each others game.  Physically they may struggle but the added joy it will bring us if they become successful together - the Derby babes !
Cheers for now
Gangway D from the terrace 
 

In fairness, it’s not just the fact they’re “ours”. Most of those lads were national champions at U18s level two years ago, beating an arsenal team containing Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock etc in the North v South final. 

There’s every reason to think they’re some of the best young players in the country, they’re just unlucky our first team squad is so reliant on them 

Yes it is 
Stretton isn’t a loan striker in the same way Marriott wasn’t 

I thought Bird and Shinnie were too deep, which led to Lawrence coming too deep, which left the front 4 being nowhere near each other far too often. Was that by design to keep a solid shape? If so, I can sort of see why you'd go that way to start the game, with the lack of players. But that was a game that was there to win in the second half.

Completely agree, although a striker like Baldock who runs in behind and stretches the pitch would only be useful if played in a pair up top.
We’ve not played this system so can see Baldock just getting stick if played as a loan striker and is asked to do what CKR or Gregory would do.
Don’t think we have enough goals in the side and surprised we never tried 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 in pre-season.
All the best
Gangway D from the terrace
 

Completely agree, although a striker like Baldock who runs in behind and stretches the pitch would only be useful if played in a pair up top.
We’ve not played this system so can see Baldock just getting stick if played as a loan striker and is asked to do what CKR or Gregory would do.
Don’t think we have enough goals in the side and surprised we never tried 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 in pre-season.
All the best
Gangway D from the terrace
 

Completely agree, although a striker like Baldock who runs in behind and stretches the pitch would only be useful if played in a pair up top.
We’ve not played this system so can see Baldock just getting stick if played as a loan striker and is asked to do what CKR or Gregory would do.
Don’t think we have enough goals in the side and surprised we never tried 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 in pre-season.
All the best
Gangway D from the terrace
 

But we don't need Gregory when we have CKR. We need a striker like Baldock who can run in behind. If we don't play Jozwiak opposition CBs can play past the half way line.

I don't get what it will achieve. He wants to sell but there's no buyer coming forward. 
Best thing we can do is get behind the team, support as much as we can, and maybe we can help pull together long enough for a sale to be completed. 

My hope is something like a spirit of definance takes route and against all odds we start making a real fist of it. I think that'd help a lot, especially after the end of last season where everything was pulling us down like quicksand.
Still, it's played on grass not internet forums, and, I'm quite often wrong about football.

I think he might be a little optimistic if he thinks fans aren't going to turn on him. Some will feel offended they aren't privy to this information and being told to keep the faith after everything that's happened isn't exactly reassuring to most. If we start losing games people will get angry and even if it's just a small vocal minority, they will make themselves heard. I think some fans will see this whole meeting as a fiasco again and I'd be surprised if we see the harmony Mel is seemingly hoping for.
Even more drama and interesting times ahead most probably ?

I was there right behind the goal at Maine Road. My mate turned around to me as Quinn saved and said ” We are down then”!
Thoroughly miserable season all round.

I was there and Saunders actually tried to place it rather just smacking it like he always seemed to do 

Cool as custard  1 2 3 4 Goal goal goal. 
Job done

New owners seem to know what they are doing (even if it is a pension fund) and they've got a quality manager (imo). Think they will be in with a very good chance of  automatics this year

I agree with the above.  It was mentioned in the Jack Marriott thread that we do seem to bring in players who have done well in a system which we don't actually play. Jonny Russell actually came to us as a forward but we converted him into an attacking midfielder, so it can work, but not sure why we don't scout round pegs for round holes.
Not really seen enough of Duncan to make comment, but he does seem to be the type of player that prefers to work in a pair up front.  
Kind Regards
Gangway D from the terrace 
 

what norwich did was get a player in who complimented their system.  ie their scouting department did their job. instead of the scattergun transfer policy weve implemented over the last 6 years 
what didnt help us tho was changing managers, all with  a completely  different tactical approach to each other

This doesn't mean I want to sign him, but he was a brilliant player when he was younger. In a parallel universe he'd have been one of the first names on the team sheet for England this summer.

Nailed it for me this comment.  
Whilst the player might be happy to play when brought back into the side they have to be managed.  I remember Ipswich away and Thorne was back and showed more than a few glimpses of his old self.  He wasn't battle hardened to the Championship but we continued to play him and it shouldn't have come as a surprise that his form suffered and further injuries occured.  
It could be argued it would have happened anyway, but they need to be managed carefully especially being such an important asset.
I have had an ACL myself and you are never quite the same. 
Regards
Gangway D from the terrace.  
 

Could be wrong but I think Jacob Laursen started his career here, plus he's back local coaching.  
Doubtful but did wonder if there is any connection him going here because as someone mentioned it's an odd choice.  
No real axe to grind with Duncan and wish him well.
Cheers
Gangway D from the terrace

Could be wrong but I think Jacob Laursen started his career here, plus he's back local coaching.  
Doubtful but did wonder if there is any connection him going here because as someone mentioned it's an odd choice.  
No real axe to grind with Duncan and wish him well.
Cheers
Gangway D from the terrace

Nailed it for me this comment.  
Whilst the player might be happy to play when brought back into the side they have to be managed.  I remember Ipswich away and Thorne was back and showed more than a few glimpses of his old self.  He wasn't battle hardened to the Championship but we continued to play him and it shouldn't have come as a surprise that his form suffered and further injuries occured.  
It could be argued it would have happened anyway, but they need to be managed carefully especially being such an important asset.
I have had an ACL myself and you are never quite the same. 
Regards
Gangway D from the terrace.