CaptainOx

2 hours ago, tomsdubs said:

EFl always hated Mel after he exposed how crap their TV deal is, they were determined to relegate us even after we won the independent tribunal. We got cheated out of the Prem by multiple FFP cheats but we didn't threaten anyone with court. But that's all in the past now thankfully mostly, once we get out of the business plan we can go back to being a normal club again.

Oh definitely, it's clear there was an issue against Morris. But he didn't help himself and ultimately the club and fans were the ones to pay the price whilst he skipped off into the distance.

In the long term, in a weird way, it might be the making of your club again. Always expected Warne to be the right man, he knows what is needed to get out of this league, and his recruitment is coming together now, it was always going to take time.
At the level above? Who knows. Rotherham have continued to struggle to survive despite him going, so suggests it wasn't just him lacking in ability for the Championship.

7 minutes ago, Jimbo Ram said:

It’s the first fee we have paid for around 3 years….and was it that hefty 😊

I know it is, but that is the point I'm making. Even within restrictions and caps relating to the business plan, in comparison to what a lot of the rest of the league can pay, it is a hefty fee (happy to disagree on the definition of hefty haha!) alongside wages - which given Charlton are spending some dollar and have offered him new deals, must be a decent whack as well.

The fact you're in this league is a joke, and I know it is mostly all down to the decisions and dealings of a former owner, but it just really brings it home, how much damage that individuals can cause to football clubs who are the heartbeats of their local communities. Football should be able to be played out by results and performances on the pitch without the potential for owners to negatively impact things so much. Really hope they hurry up with this regulator and that it actually has some impact. The damage caused at so many clubs over the years has happened too many times.

CBT is a seriously impressive signing for you lot, and as if the rest of L1 needed any reminder, just shows how ridiculous it is that you're in this division.
Operating within a business plan and still able to drop a chunky fee way beyond the majority of clubs*.

Personally see the top 2 being 2 of yourselves, Bolton and Posh now. You're absolutely motoring, full of confidence and more importantly there seems to be some genuine belief in the fan base once again - that Burton moment could be talked about for years to come.
Posh by far and away the best side we've played and Bolton just seem to keep adding to a decent squad already with games in hand. Not convinced by Pompey and I think fan pressure may play a big part down there.

If you could either go up in the top 2, or collapse entirely, it would be greatly appreciated. Living in Derby, I get married the week after the play-off final to a Derby supporter from an entire family and extended family of Derby supporters. So a 2legged play-off semi, or even worse, the final against you, would not be the emotional situation required in the approach to the wedding 🤣

*We've gone out today and spent an extremely chunky fee given our history, one that has caught a lot of fans by surprise with the initial interest and reports. We'll have to see how that goes.

On 11/01/2024 at 12:41, Wolfie20 said:

Are you suggesting we 'gamble' along with the likes of Oxford? If they fail to go up having spent more than was originally budgeted for then they are going to be in even more of a straight jacket next season.

I'd be really disappointed if Clowes went down this path just to satisfy the aspirations of a few fans and don't for one minute think he will.

Just on our financial situation - I don't think we're gambling but our gradual increase to the budget each season is financed by our newish rich owners. It isn't lobbing money that doesn't exist at it, rather an increase to playing budget that is far greater than we have seen under previous ownerships as they have the ability to provide it. Wages are up, but we aren't in a position to go and throw many substantial fees around. We have historically needed a chunky sale or two every season to help with the budget but the new ownership has meant this is less imperative but every club at this level is a selling club if a sizeable offer comes in.

Current owners completed their takeover in September 2022, having been part of the board and minority shareholders prior to that. They're in a different ballpark of ownership to anything we've ever experienced which is why someone like Cam Brannagan is on the highest wage packet in the club's history as part of his new deal signed when Blackpool had triggered his previous release clause prior to the 22/23 season. They are also funding the new stadium project with planning application due in imminently.

In this window so far, we've seen 4 season long loans ended early due to recall and injury, as well as a player move on permanently. 2 half season loans have come in, so budget wise we've still got room to manoeuvre in this window. I don't believe there is any increase expected unless a player suddenly becomes available that the manager and board want to push the boat out for.

Elsewhere in the league, Charlton's new owners seem to be keen to spend some money with the JCH and Ladapo interest as well as the fees spent on Conor Coventry and Macaulay Gillesphey. Bolton seem to be able to strengthen as required, not sure on their financial situation any more whilst Peterborough always seem to work on selling a player a season to fund additions from lower down the period. 

Randomly had a Shrewsbury fan asking me if I'd heard anything from my Derby supporting colleagues about a bid for Daniel Udoh.
Absolutely nothing heard when asking around. Thought I'd just pop it on here in case others have.

Edit - don't know if it's off the back of those odds rumours about Collins going to Shrewsbury. Probably nothing in it.

59 minutes ago, DiggerB said:

If Rodriques feels Oxford is a better move for him than us I’m not sure I’m that bothered about him coming TBF! I think him choosing them over us would say far more about the player than PW. Maybe he knows his level?

There's one semi-reliable poster at our end who seems to think he's coming. But none of our media have picked up on anything yet (though they rarely do). The one "gospel" poster has yet to make any comment and the people I'd trust are yet to comment.

Would be something very ironic about Rodrigues choosing us considering he was initially identified by a certain former head of recruitment after his first full season at Notts.

Warne and Manning's default styles are quite different. Manning's certainly a closer match to Notts County's from last season. That's about the only thing I can think that might sway it at this point in time. I suppose he might be a guaranteed starter for us as well, whereas I'd expect you guys to sign enough players to have a good choice now you have the restrictions lifted.
Probably sold him the whole new stadium is coming vision as well, not that he'll be around to see it if he does well.

On 03/06/2023 at 11:30, Srg said:

Not done super in depth research but I’m pretty sure Oxford picked up a few from Ireland in the tenure of our new head of recruitment. 

Indeed

- Gavin Whyte signed from Crusaders for less than £100k.
One season then bought for £2m by Cardiff. Just been released by them.

- Mark Sykes signed from Glenavon for a 'nominal fee'.
4 seasons, then ran his contract down and signed for Bristol City on a free. Regular in the Championship last season.

- Luke McNally signed from St Pat's Athletic for a 'five-figure fee with add ons".
Sold to Burnley 18months later for circa £2m. Spent second half of this season on loan at Coventry.

Joel Cooper from Linfield also but he had personal issues so barely played and was loan out a couple of times before moving back.

Two of the current squad were some of Thomas' final signings
Ed McGinty, a keeper signed from Sligo Rovers last summer
Stephan Negru signed in January from Shelbourne

Done quite well with players signed from Scottish teams also - Chris Cadden, Alex Gorrin, Marvin Johnson.

10 hours ago, Srg said:

Not looked who has and hasn't been mentioned... but out of contracts we could go for:

Chiedozie Ogbene - 26 years old, winger/striker from Rotherham who scored a lot under Warne

Will Keane - 30 years old, striker from Wigan, scored 12 goals in the Championship, done well in League one

Ben Osborn - 28 years old... worth a suggestion as a Derby lad

Callum Connolly - 25 years old, defensive midfielder, 41 games for Blackpool this year

Ronan Curtis - 27 years old, Portsmouth left winger

Cameron Brannagan - 27 years old, Oxford central midfielder

 

 

Keane under contract till 2025 it would seem
https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/football/wigan-athletic-chief-clarifies-will-keane-contract-mystery-4098028

Blackpool have an option to extend Connolly's.

Brannagan is under contract until 2025. Signed a new deal last summer.
 

On 09/03/2023 at 22:44, Brailsford Ram said:

What's the snowfall and forecast in Oxford - you don't have undersoil heating and were called off against Barnsley in December. Do you think there's a risk of a postponement?

I'm Derby based! But from friends down south, no snow there today at all. Very differing forecasts for overnight temperatures, but supposed to be +1 by 0900 and then +5 by 1500 according to BBC. 
They'll be covers on so would hope they do the job assuming it isn't way colder than expected overnight.

21 minutes ago, Jimbo Ram said:

How many times have the ? ended a teams long losing run ?

We're also good at that. 
Cambridge hadn't won in 8 before playing us. Beat us 1-0 and have then taken 1point from 4games since.

?

We do have to win (and score) again at some point though - surely?!

Haven't a clue how this might go. 

Given recent performances and results, it could well be a rout. 

1 point from 27, 3 goals in that time, with just 1 being from open play. 

Though there were signs of green shoots at Lincoln under Craig Short as caretaker. 

Rumoured to be close to a managerial appointment in time for Saturday, whether they'll be in charge is an unknown so could be potential for a new manager bounce though if it saves itself for Morecambe and Cheltenham in the weeks following that isn't the worst thing. 

1 hour ago, Andrew3000 said:

Crucial appointment this, hope he continues his fine track record. Its a real sign of the new regime. Still no announcement on official site? Playing things more low key? Or likely tomorrow?

Anyhow,  the rebuild continues!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He's listed within the club directory on your website so appear to be the low key side of things.

Notice period worked and now confirmed at our end as having left the club for Derby

https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2023/february/mark-thomas-departs/

14 hours ago, Van der MoodHoover said:

That sounds like a very impressive hit rate at spotting players.

Lots seem to move on-is that planned as it part of funding the club, or does it suggest a lack of retention.

Previously we've needed to sell 1 or 2 every summer to basically fund the club.
Playing at a ground we don't own, paying an extortionate rent and service fee to an ex Chairman being the underlying reason.

Recent takeover (rich Asians including ex Inter Milan chairman) has made us pretty wealthy for our size, which has influenced the types of signings made, with less of the younger talent being recruited and as I mentioned previously may have had some influence on Thomas' decision to move on.

Yeah Hanson left us in the summer and doesn't even appear to have ended up anywhere on trial since.

As for Thomas, been with us since July 2014 when brought in as part of Michael Appleton's staff. Very much the right hand man to Craig Dean (head of scouting) to begin with, but when Dean left for Leeds (October 2017), Thomas became the main man for all things recruitment, analysis and scouting. A big part of our links to the Irish leagues and successes with players brought over.

Successes include:
Rob Atkinson - signed from Eastleigh Jan 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold July 2021 to Bristol City for circa £2m.
Rob Dickie - signed from Reading Jan 2018 Undisclosed fee. Sold Sept 2020 to QPR for circa £2m.
Tariq Fosu - signed from Charlton July 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold Jan 2021 to Brentford for 750k (release clause)
Marvin Johnson - signed from Motherwell August 2016 650k. Sold August 2017 to Boro for circa £2.75m.
Ryan Ledson - signed from Everton August 2016 for a compo fee. Sold May 2018 to Preston for circa £1m.
John Lundstram - signed from Everton August 2015 for a compo fee. Sold July 2017 to Sheff Utd for 750k (final year of deal)
Luke McNally - signed from St Pat's Athletic Jan 2021 for circa 60k. Sold July 2022 to Burnley for circa £2.2m.
Joe Rothwell - signed from Man Utd July 2016 for a compo fee. Sold June 2018 to Blackburn for circa 500k (pre-agreed compo fee)
Mark Sykes - signed from Glenavon Jan 2019 for circa 50k. Joined Bristol City July 2022 on a free after running contract down.
Gavin Whyte - signed from Crusaders July 2018 for circa 75k. Sold July 2019 to Cardiff for circa £1.5m.

Loans over his time including Carlton Morris (now at Luton), George Baldock (now at Sheff Utd), Jonjoe Kenny (now at Hertha Berlin), Tyler Roberts (now at Leeds), Toni Martinez (now at Porto)

Also solid signings for the relevant levels - Liam Sercombe, Chris Maguire, Curtis Nelson, Cameron Brannagan.

Naturally there have been some "failures" as well - Hanson and Thorne have to be included, although with the latter, the entire medical department advised against and Karl Robinson overruled (a reoccurring theme in recent times). A couple of Irish/Scottish recruits haven't worked and there have been the failed loans that every club sees. 

But all in all, a pretty good hit rate for both improving the team, and younger "project" types to bring in and sell on.
It's noticeable that our recruitment tactic seemingly changed in the summer with older and bigger risk players coming in - Josh Murphy, Yanic Wildschut and now Thomas is looking to move on. Suggests he may have been undermined a bit more recently.

Attended the game v Cambridge in corporate and heard a few whispers that you were taking our Head of Recruitment - Mark Thomas - as well as some noise at our end, but it seems to have been picked up by some outlets now.

Slightly surprising one, is that it is being reported as a Director of Football role.

https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-derby-county-agree-terms-with-oxford-uniteds-mark-thomas/

Our allocation increased to a touch over 3k now - 3093.
2.2k of the initial 2.3k had been sold as of this morning with general sale beginning today.

For the opening day, just over 2200 of our initial 2300 had been sold at 10:30 this morning. General sale opened today.

Edit - just been given 793 more. 

12 minutes ago, angieram said:

it's looking like we can't offer more than two year contracts, judging by signings and renewals so far. 

That's a distinct disadvantage when trying to keep hold of our young academy players, some of whom have been with us for twelve years. Two have signed on so far on two year deals.

Yeah a definite disadvantage for youth. But in a weird way perhaps an advantage for the older players. Means you can't offer them silly length deals and get stuck with them in a few years. But a 2 year deal at a slightly smaller wage, than an offer of a 1 year deal at a bigger wage in the Championship, might just have tipped the likes of Hourihane, McGoldrick etc.

Who knows! As a Derby resident, I'd find this season a very interesting one to get to a few games to see the evolution.
Just a shame we're in the same league!

51 minutes ago, jono said:

I can’t comment about other clubs wage bill but I am certain we won’t be offering silly deals. We simply won’t be allowed to according to a business plan. 

I haven't said anything about silly deals as I know there is the business plan and associated controls. Nothing will be silly (you'd hope) and I'd imagine some of the appeal of Derby in L1 for some of the more eye catching signings will be length of contract rather than pay cheque, much the way Ipswich went about it last season when convincing players to drop down to the level.

I was just making the point that even with those controls, because of the size of the fanbase and therefore the revenue streams, even the rumoured 8k a week cap, is a complete world away from at least half the division.

We allegedly had a top 8 wage budget last season, and none of our permanent players were on more than 4.5k a week, loans may have had a total wage over that, but we certainly weren't paying 100% of it.

But this is why we love football, the fact that an Accrington Stanley or a Morecambe can compete on the pitch at the same level as yourselves, Sheff Weds, Bolton, Ipswich, Charlton, Portsmouth etc.

47 minutes ago, Crewton said:

I doubt we got much of a fee for Jamie, with one year left on his contract. But it was you guys who gave him a 4 year contract, so that's on you I'm afraid. 

BTW, we're under a strict business plan monitored by the EFL. If we have a bigger wage budget than most other clubs in L1, it's because our revenue is bigger. It's that simple. And league positions aren't decided on wage budgets alone. Rosenior has got to galvanise and organise a squad, at least 50% of whom have yet to play for the club. No-one should expect us to hit the ground running. I'll be pleasantly surprised if we're in the top half after 10 games. 

You got 400k for Hanson. Genius bit of negotiation by whoever it would have been at the time.

I know you're under a business plan, that doesn't stop the players you're signing being of extremely good quality.
I know it's that simple, it wasn't a dig, it was stating a fact. And quite obviously, having been in this division for over 5 years, we know wage budgets don't decide league positions because we've continually finished above clubs with resources way bigger than ours.

My point was feeling sorry for Rosenior because of A) the types of player brought in and B) because bigger budgets means bigger pressure - granted not from the whole fanbase. 

For a bloke in his first senior managerial role coming off the back of the last 18months of chaos and disarray, any pressure against him would feel harsh, but every club has those types who just expect an unbeaten season regardless.

On 02/07/2022 at 16:13, Jimbo Ram said:

Was 5 years ago and I think he has had a major injury since then. Also under contract at Oxford so might well play against us on the opening day. Liked him though….

Bloke is made of paper - 5 league starts (44 appearances) in 2 seasons tells you all you need to know.
Same goes for Jamie Hanson - crikey you got a fantastic deal out of that one, 60 league appearances in 4 seasons.

Thankfully both left as free agents now, releasing up a good chunk of wage budget.

55 minutes ago, Rammy03 said:

 

Feel a bit sorry for Rosenior, this squad being assembled should absolutely walk the league. 5 or 6 of these players weekly wage will total up to bigger than some clubs full squad weekly wage in the league. Any thing less than a promotion push leaves him in a sticky situation.

Can apply the same to Ipswich, Sheff Weds and Barnsley.

This league is nuts this year, probably around 15-18 sides who think they have a realistic chance of mounting a top 6 push.

2 hours ago, jono said:

I know it might sound daft but I think that (or something pretty close) should be a rule anyway. You have cover in each position and if that cover is used then you have your unlimited youth set up to draw from.  You get competition and the chance to come through the ranks. 

It is a rule. This will be the third season it has existed for L1 and L2.

Fleetwood, Gillingham, Hull, Oldham, Reading, Scunthorpe, Swindon as well as Derby had to operate various forms of embargo for different periods last season.

As for the coming season, a squad cap of 22 outfield players (over 21) applies in League One.
U21s and goalkeepers do not count.
A minimum of 8 have to be "home-grown" i.e. been registered with any club affiliated to The FA or the FAW for a period, of three entire seasons, or 36 months, before his 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which he turns 21).

The classification for Under 21 players is born on or after 1 January 2001.