Red_ram

Isn’t it mental that when we actually try and play football, the likes of jozwiak and bird actually look like footballers. Good footballers. Thought I was gonna regret paying a tenner to watch but a good solid performance that and the best attacking display in a long time. Could have made it easier for ourselves with those great chances. I agree that shinnie looks a bit lost in this formation a bit but he came good last 10 mins when it was more his cup of tea. And as someone said, swap Bielik for him and suddenly that looks pretty tasty. Bird MoM for me. Did everything going forward and backwards very well.

I can forgive the Rooney PR inclusion but I can’t forgive the fact they couldn’t make them all the same black and white tone. Amateurs.

Come on guys, it’s obvious what’s going on here; Rooney rates knighty, so he’s crocked him so no-one will want to buy him this transfer window. Genius. Buchanan and Byrne are next, probably.

I daren't feel any positivity or hope in any way, shape or form, but the fact that all the trialists are still here and (less so) playing in the friendlies didn't sit right with me that there wasn't some strong confidence behind the scenes they were going to be able to sign. Especially being a free agent you'd be very inclined to look elsewhere sharpish if you looked to be messed about. The thread makes that feel doable and not toooo far off now.

Either that or we're all so messed up behind the scenes we were blissfully ignorantly all going along with it and were gonna wing the starting XI first game of the season with a team that's never played together. The latter was looking more and more likely though in this clusterflock of a situation.

Not the obvious choice, but I get the rationale. With his contract length too it’s his time to step up to the plate or be another expensive signing that disappoints and leaves on a free.

On a side note, Rooney’s rousing speech; wow. I feel like I was more engaging and  inspiring as a Sunday league manager, and weren't strangers to losing by cricket scores. 

Slight tangent whilst mentioning parachute payments; if clubs were organised enough to include relegation clauses in contracts, or them being a standard, surely parachute payments wouldn’t even need to be a thing.

Do friendlies count towards your record biggest defeat? asking for a friend.

Playing devil's advocate; think of where we'd be right now without the academy. I don't know specifics of how much the academy cost vs made, but if we hadn't sold the trio last season we really would have been in serious trouble financially (as apposed to pretty serious currently lol) and if we hadn't got the academy we wouldn't have had replacements for Lowe in the shape of Buchanan etc. Yes we lurched over the safety line at the last minute, but fear without the youngsters we'd have been way off. 

IMO I think the balance is about right at the moment, it's just the finances mean the youngsters have been relied on instead of given chances at convenience, and not having the kind of dependable experience they need to be playing alongside. They all looked better players in the on the up cocu team.

And whilst the younger age group stars being picked off before the first team is frustrating, it's always going to happen unless we become a big 4, and largely pays for the academy I guess, so means any other players through are almost 'free' and pure profit if sold on.

I've still got very high hopes for our kids, especially Sibley. Just hope we can build a team that they can flourish in, instead of being mismanaged and collectively drowning under pressure.

I’m suffering from double hindsight, but hoping for treble though. Wasn't keen on manager Rooney at all, but on this forum somewhere there’s a post at the summit of our purple patch admitting I was wrong, that I was impressed with his adaptability (lol). In hindsight, that was also wrong, but for Derby’s sake hope I’m wrong again. Hindsight inception, if you will.

“Once a ram, always a ram” feels like a recent slogan of the social media generation. Also a bit of a way to live off glories of those gone on to do better (mount, tomori etc). Though the lampard crop especially seemed to have a good team spirit and stepping stone for young players that means there’s a bit of genuine affinity there. But some players leave on good terms, some on bad, some of indifferent. Always has been the way and always will be.

The Whittaker stuff is embarrassing though. A young lad who got chopped and changed a lot (with a lot of flak along the way), gets sold, scores first league goal for new club and celebrates with not especially controversial fingers to ears celebration. Derby fans lose their mind. Probably mainly as at the time it could have been fatal to our status, but a goal made out of our own incompetence. Petty and embarrassing. I’d have gloated more if I was him frankly.  

I’ve watched a lot of the televised lionesses games over the last 10 years or so and the quality has massively improved, though is still a bit of a distance off the men’s game. Goalkeeping seems to be one of the big areas of difference; a lot of errors and not getting the fundamentals right as often.

I don’t have a problem with more female commentators or pundits, as long as they’re good at what they do. Alex Scott is lauded as the shining example and its cos she’s actually good.

I remember when MOTD brought in a female commentator in jacqui oatley I think it was and there was scoffing and a bit of backlash. Personally it’s not because she’s a woman that she grated, I think she just comes across unnatural. Have heard other female commentators that I think do a good job.

And back to pundits. I guess there is a difference in career experience of top females to males currently, so whether their experiences reflect and give as good insight on the men’s game is up for debate, but the fundamentals of football at a high level should be similar.

The beeb having the stories of ladies football near the headlines (over championship in a fair few cases) does feel a bit forced and grates at our expense, but I get why. A big thing is visibility so the next generation of girls know it’s a career option and something to get involved in.

Tbh I’ve never really looked into Derby ladies team, it does feel a very different entity compared to a lot of clubs.

10 hours ago, Ramfan1958 said:

I wish he was 24 years old he would be worth a lot of money. 

He's a  top top person,top top  player , everything about him I like proper No 9 !!!!

Reading up on him the last few days, the 24 year old Colin doesn’t seem half the man or player we have on our hands now. From spats and homophobic controversies and being a bit part player, he seems to have really matured to be a fantastic influence on and off the pitch. So all in all, I think we’re actually getting his prime, just a late one. I get the sentiment of longevity, but hopefully a lot to offer still on the next 18 months.