dilkie

So you believe Waghorn to be sane? 😲

ATG  
1Wildsmith- 6.5. Couple of crucial saves. Decent performance.
35Nelson-6. Best game so far. Still doesn’t look like a ball playing CB but the basics of kicking and heading were on display. Looked better in a back 4.
5Bradley-6. Cameo. Adds a threat to set pieces. 
34Rooney-7. Excellent performance. Did all that was expected and more. Hopefully a run in the team will further develop him and he should be a natural Cashin replacement.
14Washington-6.5. Got around the pitch well, seems to be on sane wavelength as Waggy. Ran out of gas and rightfully replaced. 
6Cashin-6.5. More like the Cashin we know. Another who looked happier in a 4. Possibility of this being his last home game for us.
12Smith-5. Just not working for him atm in our midfield. Energy is great but product is below expected levels. 
23Waghorn-7.5. Loved seeing Waggy charging around and driving forward. An absolute steal of a signing, 2 goals and an assist so far. Should have had a penalty too. 
4Hourihane-6. Great tackle to start the move for the goal. Still feel he plods around waiting for the next free kick or corner for him to take. Expect more from a Derby captain. 
3Forsyth-6.5. The usual steady and dependable performance from Fozzy. Never gets flustered and is a calming influence. 
11Méndez-Laing-6.5. Outstanding first half, quieter second. Think everyone could see how happy he was back out wide. Another who ran out of steam but a much improved performance.
20Elder-6. Come on, was steady.
9Collins-6. Fresh legs up top. Helped see game out. May have to get used to the bench life if Wash and Waggy continue their broship.
16Thompson-8. MOTM. Never thought I’d write that. Excellent performance and without doubt his best in a Rams shirt. Not sure what he’s changed this preseason but is my first name in Saturdays team sheet. 
17Sibley-6. Great to see Sibs back out there. Feels like this season is make or break for him. Like to see him in the Didzy role moving forward. Didn’t even pick up the standard Louie Sibley yellow card. 
 
Warne-7. Listened to the fans and changed the formation. Everyone in the stadium seemed to be happy with this. Subs were timed well abs we managed the game out well. Needs to use this and take it into Peterborough on Saturday. I will be making my first trip there since 93’, a losing effort thanks to a Ken Charlery goal. 😩

4-2-3-1. 
 
Wildsmith. 
 
Smith (RB)
Fozzy (LB)
Bradley (CB)
Cashin (CB)

Hourihane (DM)
Tommo (DM)
 
NML (LW)
Waggy (RW)
Wash (CAM)
 
Collins (S)
 
Attack!!!!!!
 
⚽️🐏🙌🏻

ATG. 
 
1Wildsmith- 6.  Distribution still
slow, should have done better with their first.  Couple of decent stops at 0-1  
35Nelson- 4. Feels like Claude Davis has returned to haunt me. Looks uncomfortable on the ball and cannot pass to save his life. Looks like a football fraud to me  
5Bradley-5. Shaky but looked much better than Nelson. Having our defensive saviour subbed early again does not bode well. 
14Washington-6. Worked hard and posed a threat. Unlucky at the death not to score. Deserves a starting chance on Saturday. 
6Cashin-5. Looks out of place in a three. Should have been sent off for a second yellow. Needs to stop attempting 40 yard passes, not in his capabilities.   
23Ward-5. Off at 25 minutes with injury. Disappointing for him.
2Wilson-6. Wanted to attack and get forward. Decent shift from him.
12Smith-5. Added nothing to a slow and lightweight midfield. Rightly subbed.
23Waghorn-7. Second excellent cameo in under a week. Has 1 assist and 1 goal in that time. Simply has to start on Saturday.
8Bird-5. Not sure if the Burton black eye affected his vision but a lacklustre showing. This midfield 3 DO NOT work well together.
4Hourihane-5. Slow and plodding. No inspiration from our captain. 
3Forsyth-6.5. Continues to give his all and players where he is shuffled to. 
11Méndez-Laing-5. Not a striker. Not a striker. NOT A STRIKER. Play him wide right. Another wasted night for NML.
20Elder-5. The fact Tommo was drafted on before him in his favoured position baffled me. 
9Collins-4. Wins 1 in 6 aerial battles. Can’t hold up play. Should have seen red for the elbow. Collins is like buying Chris Martin from Wish.com. 
16Thompson-7. Great energy and enthusiasm shown. Wanted to attack and showed we do have a midfielder who is able to get around the pitch. Deserves to start in midfield on Saturday. 
 
Warne-2. Outwitted at home again. Said in post match interview he considered moving to a back 4 but didn’t. Even at 0-2 we continued with this ill fitting and unwanted formation. Took his marque defensive signing off again, didn’t bring the LWB in he signed, no changes at HT despite us not being in the game at all. Continues to play NML through the middle. Baffling sub choices. 
 
Darren Moore seen in the stands….
If Warne perseveres with 3 at the back on Saturday and the result is negative again, not sure where we go from there. Match day 4 has become massive for us.

He's another who would look better in a back four. He's an old-style centre half. He does not want to be coming out of defence with the ball and he's not got the pace to play a high line. Stand him at the back and let him kick it and head it! Although he missed another good chance from a corner, he doesn't seem 'aggressive' enough.
You remember players wanting the ball, wanting to score (Curtis!), well that's not Bradley. 

Long term, I'd go back to 4-2-3-1
Wildsmith
Wilson   Nelson   Cashin   Elder
Bird   Hourihane
Ward   Sibley   Mendez-Laing
Waghorn
Subs: Vickers, Forsyth, Bradley, Smith, Barkhuizen, Washington, Collins

Gives me 88’ vibes. Love it. 🥶🥶

Gives me 88’ vibes. Love it. 🥶🥶

Anyone know which pub we use? Wanting to watch the Florest get smashed before the game. 🤪🤣😂🐏⚽️

Suspect we get a better version of Waggy than Coventry or Huddersfield did.
I understand why people have reservations about him signing, but I'd rate this one higher than I would Rhodes/Sharp signing.

from what i can see, doubt the sponsor will be one colour either

Was expecting a misspelt rant about the length of our injury list tbh.

He will not let us down if he signs. Rather him than Rhodes whose salary is much higher .

With a few exceptions, I never want a football shirts with collar. This is one of the exceptions.
Both this and the home shirt that season were awesome.

Yep, some nice kits on that site - this one is based on the Chapecoense 2023 Umbro Away Kit - I thought magenta for the away kit!

A return to this classic would be great. 🐏⚽️

A return to this classic would be great. 🐏⚽️

A return to this classic would be great. 🐏⚽️

A return to this classic would be great. 🐏⚽️

A return to this classic would be great. 🐏⚽️

A return to this classic would be great. 🐏⚽️

A return to this classic would be great. 🐏⚽️

A return to this classic would be great. 🐏⚽️