Andrew3000

I am told that his foot is only swollen and sore, there is nothing broken. 

So his foot and his nuts are both okay?
 

I'd be really interested to understand why those 'in the know' about the Academy on this board, like @Ghost of Clough, don't feel Weston has what it takes to be part of the first team squad at Derby? Every time I see him I'm impressed by his skill and finishing ability, are there other factors that are holding him back - maybe his size/physicality?

Evening Rams, first time poster on here and a Charlton fan with a bit of a soft spot for Derby. 
I just wanted to share my thoughts, vlog, and get some ideas for the fast approaching away tie (first visit). Unfortunately, I lived in Nottingham for 3 years and never quite ventured to Derby, only for a solo house viewing once. What's some good spots for away fans and what are the good touristy things that represent your city in a good light, I like to try and capture the place I visit on my vlogs if I can.
Congrats on the win, I didn't think there was much in it, and thought it was a classic away performance, you slowed the game, frustrated us and had a moment of quality on a mistake to seal the 3 points. My thoughts on Warne are, I believe he will get you promoted, whether it's this season or the next, but I think he'd have yous struggling in the championship. I think back to how good yous were in the early 2010s, and it's night and day. I remember a game at the Valley where we won 3-2 but you played liquid football at times, I've seen a few of your fans say the football is negative and hard to get behind, I'm always stuck in two minds if results matter more though overall.
Anyway here's my vlog: 
 
My uncle Antnony features on here and he's a life long Ram, not sure if he'd be a familiar face. 
 
Always had a soft spot for yous for two reasons, the first being we shared an FA cup final (way before my time of course) and that I actually donned one of your kits when I was younger. It was the away strip from the late 90s, my uncle was trying to convince me to be a Derby fan and bought me it. Funny story is, I ate too much pizza one night and threw up all over it, resulting in it having to be thrown away, a week later I attended the Valley and the rest is history! I was probably one bad pizza party and a trip away from Derby to being a full time Ram haha.
 
All the best for the season, I hope to see some of yous at Pride Park and look forward to my visit. Good luck in the hunt for promotion, hope yous can do it 👍🏻

I do hope he finds his way somehow.
Whilst as fans we might discus wasted talent unfulfilled or just we didn't get much out of him second time, and, with hindsight, how much we all think his recall for liverpool was a mistake for all involved. But just on a human level, he clearly had problems and I hope he's got/getting over them and can just play and live as happy person.

Having met him with family when he was a young boy, all I can say is that James is a lovely lad. He's a huge Derby supporter along with his family. He's put a lot of effort and sacrifice into making forging his career in football so far, and to get what would be a dream job is great to see. Sure he's joined from Rotherham but don't let that discredit his talents in the role. He's now back home with his club.

Hopefully James sticks around longer than his predecessor who only joined last January from Rotherham. Carl Edwards has now packed his bags and left for New Zealand. https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/12/08/top-analyst-to-return-to-new-zealand-for-director-of-football-role-at-papamoa/ 
 

Great idea for a thread.  I'm not salty. Not at all.

Love that you’ve picked up on this. I suspect it contains:
1. A signed photo of Delia Smith.
2. A copy of Charles Hughes’ “Hoofball for Dummies”. 
3. A discarded list of current football league “Available Strikers” with addresses & phone numbers sent to Warney last September that Warney keeps meaning to get around to looking at but has put off up to now, in favour of watching cartoons on YouTube. 

Manager of the month trophy.
He’s seen fans trying to take Collins goals away from him and I’m guessing his thinking is, you can’t take this away from me.

A best quotes from Disney movies book and a picture of Michael Smith in a frame. 

But what has he got in that enormous rucksack ( apart from 3 massive points)?

Cotton wool for Collins.

Always enjoy your reviews, but this is a cracker!

31Vickers: 7 Doesn’t have the on-pitch personality of JW but every bit as good of a keeper. A critical punched clearance and 3 regulation saves. 2 poor kicks straight into touch. 
35Nelson: 8 I’d want this man alongside me in the trenches. He’s my captain.,
5Bradley: 7.5 His rehab is almost complete and we’re all erasing his jelly-legs early days. Epitomised the spirit of the day with a British Bulldog showing. 
6Cashin: 8 Tenacity, guile & perpetual motion. Never stops working because he has no off switch. 
23Ward: 6.5 3 or 4 pretty crosses but has to make more of a contribution for me.
24Nyambe: 6.0 Late legs but filled me with relief & reassurance in the nervous nineties. 
32Adams: 8 His name is Ebrima "Ebou" Adams; such was his impact that already the “Ebouuuuuuuuu” a la “Poooooooom” spontaneously rang up as the travelling Rams acknowledged an impressive debut wherein the Smiling Assassin blocked, tackled and recycled possessions with a graceful menace. Went off with cramp but an exceptional addition who brings stonewall solidity. 
16Thompson :  6 Wasp-like late legs. 
8Bird 🦅 : 8 I’m gutted that he’s leaving. His press & pass through the eye of a needle was a moment of high quality. Should have scored when he danced a jig past the Charlton back line only to stroke it wide. 
4Hourihane: 6 Flappy, floppy paddle. 
17Sibley: 7.5 Presence and determination & started several raids out left. 
20Elder: 6.5 Telling interceptions and long-ranging clearances in the nervous nineties but always seems a bit flat-footed to me.
11Méndez-Laing: 7.5 Won the match in 31 minutes. Warne better pray hard for NML’s quick recovery. 
7Barkhuizen: 6.5 Insufficient impact & sideways running 🏃 
2Wilson 6 Late legs. 
9Collins 6.5 I love Collo’s heart and work rate but quite often he looks like he’s some random chap in his own private running race that just happens to be on a football pitch where a game is simultaneously taking place. I hold Warne responsible for this not Collo. Can’t really recall Collo with the ball under control the entire 90. 
An ugly win and spot-on tactics because Charlton are a bunch of bone-splitters. We effectively showed a moment of class then brought the shutters down and for that Warne & his staff take credit. The mutual love in the camp is great but the staff’s job is also to instil some craft and skill and a degree of eye-pleasing product and that is not so much in evidence and it’s no use saying wait until we get up for that because it’ll be too late. 
The attached picture epitomises the game yesterday in microcosm. I’m pleased for Sonney Bradley who had his best game in a Ram’s shirt.

'It had to Ebou
It had to be Ebou
I wandered around, and I finally found
The somebody who
Could make me be true'
 

31Vickers - 6.5 Don't know why, but he makes me nervous. Did nothing wrong today, mind.
35Nelson - 7.5 Back to his imperious best, a really solid outing.
5Bradley - 8.0 You know some folk did say he'd come good! An excellent outing, but he'll need to back it up now. I think he will.
6Cashin - 7.5 Like the rest of our defence, he looked way more comfortable than of late. 
23Ward - 7.0 Another who has been written off but the lad's a decent player and will be finding his legs when others are wilting.
24Nyambe - 7.0 Gets a 7 just for coming home.
32Adams - 8.5 Holy fook, what an entrance! Well he told us what he'd bring and boy did he bring it. Needs games, but this lad looks a find and I'd be contemplating things beyond end of season on that showing. 
16Thompson - 6.5 Bit quieter than of late, but put in a shift, as always.
8Bird  - 8.5 MOTM - A captain's performance and whatever some think, I'm gutted he's leaving. Best player on the park IMO.
4Hourihane - 6.5 Better than of late, but still ran out of steam quite early in the game. If ever there was a time to rest him up, this is it. 
17Sibley - 7.0 Disciplined and effective from Louie, this was a bright performance.  
20Elder - 7.0 Yet another dismissed by some on here but he's improving all the while.
11Méndez-Laing - 7.5 He shoots, he scores. Love him to bits. 
7Barkhuizen - 6.5 A quieter performance after showing better form recently.
2Wilson - 6.5 Did what he was needed to well enough.
9Collins - 6.5 Man's an absolute Trojan, but this was just an average showing by his standards.
WarneWatch: Decent from the gaffer today. Got most things spot on and the re-jigged defence looked very solid which will please him and the coaches as much as anything. Fair one Warney, just need to keep us here now! 😋

Just listened to the Gaffers post match interview. Really honest and thoughtful. He clearly cares for his players and loves the Club. Well done Paul and thanks for all you are doing to get promotion despite the wrist slashers constant carping and sniping, mainly from Sunday league arm chair experts. 

Why not celebrate with a nice hot bath......
 
 
.....with your cat.😀

João would suit Warne style of football I think. Big strong bloke lots of headers. Remember him scoring several against us. At least talk to him see what he wants. 

Ruthless! NML needs to be a CF.

Mendez-Laing patched up and back on with odd boots….scores the opener!!!
Max Bird wins it high up the pitch and plays him in, Nat takes a touch and finishes across the keeper from just inside the area

Tough game ahead I think. Hopeful of a good result, more than confident after the recent dip in performance and energy levels. With Charlton having recruited heavily during this window and playing in their own back yard, I doubt they'll be a pushover.
Ryan Nyambe returns and not before time. I hope he's fit as it was suggested he may have had a niggle. I'm hoping those reports prove untrue. I'm hoping to see CBT start and put in a strong performance. He looks a good signing and a player who could develop further yet, but will he be given time if he doesn't land running?
Also really interested to see how we set up today. Very divided forum these days, but I think most agree that we needed to bolster midfield and in Ebou Adams we seem to have a man tailor made for the job. Will he start? If so, will he screen the back 4 or be the legs slightly higher up the field?
Perhaps the most contentious question, will Max be trusted by the gaffer to put a performance in? I'd assume yes, otherwise why the loan back, but the deluge of criticism may have changed that landscape with a few fans openly threatening to give Max a bit of grief. It's a shame as a midfield 3 of Max, Thommo and Ebou might prove pretty tasty.
And will a weary looking Hourihane be rested, or will PW stick to his guns? So many questions and a lot of moving parts. Who'd be an owner / manager? 

Just not sure there’s anyone worth it. 99% are not going to be close to fit, and by the time they are, we should in theory have Washington and Waghorn back. 

We’re on our way, we’re on our wayyyy, who needs a striker, the style we playyyyy? 
“No-no, no-no-no-no, no-no-no-no, no-no, we’ve got wingers”
 

Love this song. You've struck on the way for us to deal with the situation!  Let's have loads of songs about this. How about another to the tune of "we don't need another hero"?