Kinder

Alonso is Gary Teale? 
?

Decent interview in The Athletic about Lowe. Quite honest, positive about Cocu. Still a Derby lad and holds club dear to him. Gonna be a dad in August, newborn will have a Derby shirt! 

Udders losing

Excellent translation of the text, however like many transcripts of interviews it is very limited to what it quotes.
In the interview he gives an outline of his background:
His father owned Logroñés football club when he was very young and so being around a football club is normal for him.
He moved to Indonesia when he was 16 for family business, and as he knew the trainer of the national boxing team ( his grandfather was Spanish boxing champion and the trainer also Spanish) he took up the sport to get himself fit. He went on to make 5 professional fights, winning all of them by KO and becoming champion of Indonesia. He became a father at 21 and as he felt that he couldn't give the sport 100% decided to finish.
He moved into the family business in Indonesia of real estate, mainly construction of villas in Bali after studying business.
If he were to buy a club for love it would be Logroñés, but the opportunity to buy DCFC was too interesting to pass up. If however he could buy any club in the world it would be Atlético Madrid.
He spoke to Ramon Calderon recently and they talked about the tie in the European Cup.
The interviewers then asked about the money side of the deal and although he didn't want to give out the numbers for buying the club he did leave them almost speechless with the amount of money in the English game. He is however buying the club with the help of partners he has in a holding.
When asked about the reception he had received from fans he was delighted with the response, although he would have understood if they had said "who's this youngster who has come here and bought our club? What are his intentions?" (@DarkFruitsRam7 and @Millenniumram, your tweets didn't reach him).
They then spoke about Rooney, basically saying what was said in the transcript.
"Is there a Spanish player that you would like to take to Derby County?" was then asked to which he answered Fernando Llorente. After the incredulation of the interwiewers he did say that he had not spoken to Llorente, but that as someone from his region and someone he admires very much he is "the type of player, for his experience and what he would bring" that he would like to sign, but at this moment the club doesn't have that kind of money. However he would be his dream signing.

 
That more or less is the interview. What would I say are my feelings after listening? He is a young man who has known nothing but success. He always gives 100% to whatever he does. He's not in this on his own, but although he didn't say who the other backers are (in no way did he avoid the very brief question, he just didn't elaborate)  or how much input in the day to day running they will have I got the impression that he will be the one running us. He does seem to want nothing but success and does understand how much it could cost. If he has half the success he has had up to now and his ambition would suggest then we're in for quite some ride.
My worries? He may just be too enthusiastic, and although as I said he appears to know the pitfalls, he does seem to drop things when he feels he can't give 100% (take his promising boxing career).
I haven't been to an amusement park in almost 15 years, it looks as though I'm about to go on the biggest and newest there is around.

Just had a few tips

A fair point, for sure. The polarization is on both sides.
I also could have been more nuanced on the same-sex marriage point. My take is that this is the greatest social change that has happened in my lifetime and it shouldn't be any business of the state whether people can or can't love someone of the same sex. But how quickly we forget that Cameron's government only introduced this in the UK in 2013, just 8 short years ago. Then, all of a sudden, we think we're so enlightened and are outraged that the rest of the world hasn't followed suit, so when Merkel voted against it in 2017 it can seem an outrageous thing for her to have done (especially for those who see her as the champion of European liberal values). And nowadays the British media and commentariat is all holier than though if homophobic abuse is heard at football grounds in other countries. Of course I know nothing of Alonso's views on the topic, but the way towards a more tolerant, better world isn't to immediately castigate everyone who isn't moving on the curve at exactly the same pace as us, but to show understanding and love while letting our own actions and tolerant society speak for itself. 

Just have feeling of doom about this. Not based on anything but instinct especially having just googled Matt Southall. Wouldnt it be great if something simple and lovely happened to our club for once. Really fed up with it

Oh lord... Is Clement coming back.... ?

Although I'm still processing my grief concerning the loss of the 'Abu Derby County' thread, I'm encouraged by the 'El DerbyCo' thread thus far. 
We've had far right Spanish politics, unsubstantiated Twitter rumours, smiling Indonesian businessmen, a debate on Ryan Conway's reliability and mention of Jeremy Corbyn.
The old thread was often completely random and off-topic, and this one is keeping on the tradition. Love it!

Another Beers of Europe order in
Abbaye des Rocs Triple Imperiale 75cl
Adnams Tally-Ho
Adnams Triple Knot Tripel
Ayinger Celebrator (x2)
Duvel 6.66 Blond
Fort Lapin Hoplapin
Fort Lapin Rouge
Fort Lapin Triple
La Corne du Bois des Pendus La Triple 10
Malheur 12
Mount St. Bernard Abbey Tynt Meadow (x2)
O Brother Deep Love Can
O Brother Exploded View Can
O Brother One Beating Heart Can
O Brother The Sinner IPA Can
Samuel Smiths Stingo
Schneider Weisse Tap 5 Meine Hopfenweisse (x2)
Schneider Weisse Tap 6 Unser Aventinus (x2)
Trappist Achel Extra Dark
Trappistes Rochefort 10 (x2)
Troubadour Obscura
Urthel Samaranth
Wilderen Cuvee Clarisse

I really liked Inception but I think it's one of those films that requires a little 'work' from the viewer. For me that's fine and I think the balance was right whereas with Tenet I felt it was not. I've not seen Eternal Sunshine and I've no idea why. Blade Runner I never got to see in a cinema but I remember a group of us hanging out in London one summer holiday when we were kids and renting 5 movies from Video Shuttle on the Fulham Road which was one of, if not the first video rental outlet in the UK. Along with Blade Runner, one of the others was Alien, another Ridley Scott movie and they are still very much both on my desert island list with Blade Runner being my favourite ever sci-fi by a stretch.
My home life was difficult at that time so I was staying in Wandsworth at the home of a pal whose father was a very well respected Director of Photography who worked with Ridley Scott on a couple of movies including his breakout movie, The Duellists. I think it was Ridley's first feature? A few years later I started work in a London production company and two or three years after that I became a union accredited clapper loader, or second assistant camera in modern speak. It was one of the happiest times of my life. My roundabout point, if you've not nodded off yet being that it was Blade Runner that lit the fire so to speak and I still watch it every couple of years to this day. Absolutely, spine-tinglingly wondrous and every bit as good today as it was then. 

Cheesus Christ! Are these 'dairy puns' still going ... 

Great assist, good goal and a decent hand in the third as well.....
https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/12256916/hungary-3-3-poland

Your TV schedule for the next week is:
Wednesday 24th @ 19:45
Lawrence vs Belgium (Sky Sports Main Event)
Knight vs Serbia  (Sky Sports Football)
Thursday 25th @ 19:45
Marshall vs Austria (Sky Sports Main Event)
Jozwiak vs Hungary (Sky Sports Red Button)
[England vs San Marino]
Friday 26th @ 13:00
Watson vs Wales U21
Saturday 27th @ 19:45
Knight vs Luxembourg  (Sky Sports Main Event)
Saturday 27th @ 20:00
Lawrence vs Mexico  (Sky Sports Premier League)
Sunday 28th @ 17:00
[England vs Albania]
Sunday 28th @ 19:45
Marshall vs Israel (Sky Sports Main Event)
Jozwiak vs Andorra (Sky Sports Red Button)
Tuesday 30th @ 19:45
Lawrence vs Czech Republic (Sky Sports Main Event)
Tuesday 30th @ 20:30
Knight vs Qatar  (Sky Sports Football)
Wednesday 31st @ 19:45
Marshall vs Faroe Islands (Sky Sports Main Event)
Jozwiak vs England (ITV)

I was working at ITV and met up with some mates in the bar there one Saturday night, when it turned out to be the filming of the final show of Reborn in the USA (a show where 80s bands toured America and one was thrown out every week). At the bar I was standing next to Imagination's Leee John so I told him the story of Imagination playing a gig at my college, and before Just an Illusion he threw a single rose out into the audience and I caught it and gave it to my bird. 
The rap party for the show was in some Soho club and I was invited to join the "talent" and the production team. I was chatting with Tony Hadley (!) when there was a tap on my shoulder. It was Leee. The club had just put on Just an Illusion and he wanted me to dance with him to the song! When I first saw it on Top of the Pops, I really did not expect that to ever happen!

He's a one man disaster zone. 
6'6" tall, and I'd guess close to 30st, if not beyond.
He once wrote a Jeep off, when the seat brackets gave way going around an island, and he drove head on into the metal railings on the pavement.
I heard an almighty crash from his office one day, opened the door to see what was going on, and he was stranded like a turtle on his back as his chair had collapsed. ''Fluck off'' was his reply when I asked if he needed a hand!
He once took a flight from East Mids to Aberdeen to see a customer, only for the plane to be a tiny 16 seater. Before take off, the pilot did a pre flight check, and asked him to swop with the stewardess to keep the balance of the plane correct. He spent an hour facing all the other passengers in the fold down seat with the pregnancy extension belt on, like a monkey in the zoo, he said.
My favourite though, he once went to Majorca with his then girlfriend and her family. Her 13 year old nephew was there, and wanted to go to the waterpark, so he volunteered to go with him. This ended up with him going tubing on the rapids, with predictable results. First his arse got stuck in the tube, then at some point during the ride he flipped over, and was stuck under the water unable to right himself for quite a while, in his own words his life flashed before his eyes. He had to be rescued by the lifeguards on duty, and too this day whenever he crosses the factory floor we make swimming motions and bubble sounds.
 
 

Cheers both.
I don’t think she will. Don’t think she’s keen on being tied down to two walks a day every day when it’s just her to do it.
Also, with one grandchild here and two more on the way, she’ll be kept busy.

So sorry mate, hope you and the family are bearing up ok.

Lost this one today. Sad, obviously, especially because I couldn’t say goodbye. But glad to have had her in my life since I was 9.

If I caught him in bed with my wife, I'd kick her out and take her place

Millwall fan here; signed up after we signed Mason. Bored during lockdown hence the post. 
Mason is a bang average Championship player and nothing more than a rotation option at this stage; we'd probably be stronger if we spent his wages elsewhere. Heard that he's only completed 90 minutes twice in his career which is an outstandingly shocking statistic. Can see why Derby were happy to get rid of him. 
The other two players we've taken from you;
Scott Malone - had a solid season, one of our better players this season, and very consistent. Scored some important goals and not looked out of place in any games. A decent Championship player. 
George Evans - Class, pure class. What a signing he's turning out to be. Not sure how he was rated at Derby, or why he has been let go. To be honest, I had never heard of him before we signed him. Some of his passing from the back is a joy to watch and hasn't looked out of place when it comes to the defending side either, got man of the match today all be it against a terrible Wycombe team. One of the first names on the team sheet and he's only been here for a month. 
My prediction of Derby making the play-offs didn't come true.... Maybe next season, why hasn't Sibley kicked on though? He looked like a wonderkid against us last year when you beat us 3-2. 

Here's a summary of the key points of the Podcast, including details about the clause. This is from memory (with a bit of date checking) so many not be 100% accurate.
    • Early in his career at WBA, Thorne has started to establish himself and was in negotiations for a new contract. However when he did his ACL at West Brom they took his contract offer off the table.
    • When he wants to come on loan to Derby in January 2014, WBA say they'll only sanction the move if he signs a new deal the terms of which are nowhere near those of the contract previously offered. He reluctantly signs so that he can secure the loan move to Derby and play some football.
    • At Derby on loan he has to wait until John Eustace gets suspended to get his chance of first team football. Whilst waiting for his opportunity, he's asked by McClaren (via Paul Simpson), at very short notice to play for the Under-23s to 'get him up to speed' on what was scheduled to be a weekend off for the first team.  Thorne's perspective is that he's come on loan to be part of the first team squad, not the Under-23s and anyway he  has already made firm arrangements for the weekend with some of his friends and so refuses to play. Keogh and Lee Grant both let him know that they thought he was out of order!
    • When he eventually get his chance in the first team, Thorne is, as we all remember, absolutely exceptional and keeps his place in the side. The team spirit in the squad was very strong  (elsewhere Thorne has referred to  Derby as having a 'unique dressing room' at that time) and Thorne said that by the time of the play-off final he no longer felt like a loan player due to the bond he had with the rest of the squad. After *somehow* losing the play-off final, Thorne's agent asked him what he wanted to happen over the summer. Thorne's response was emphatic and unequivocal - "just get me to Derby".
    • Thorne did everything conceivable to make the move happen, submitting transfer request after transfer request ('hundreds') to West Brom and even, on the advice of his agent, going so far as to kick balls away in training etc. Eventually a deal was agreed with WBA but unbeknown to Thorne at the time, the deal included the clause that Derby had to pay West Brom £15k every time Thorne made a first team appearance. Incidentally, Thorne says he didn't really have a full medical when he signed for Derby. He just met up with Neil Sullivan at a hotel who more or less just said "hello again George".
    • Not long after signing, Thorne ruptured his ACL again in a meaningless pre-season friendly on a poor quality pitch and faced a long spell on the side-lines. He returned to the first team towards the end of the 2014/2015 season for a handful of appearances.
    • Thorne made a direct connection between Derby's loss of from after Christmas and McClaren's failure to dismiss persistent speculation about the Newcastle job. He also states that this was the reason why McClaren was ultimately sacked by Mel Morris at the end of that season.
    • Paul Clement took over from McClaren and Thorne made 36 appearances in that season. Thorne's view was that Clement was a fantastic coach but made the mistake of trying to get Derby to play like Real Madrid despite being a Championship side. Nevertheless, when Clement was sacked after Christmas in early 2016 after a winless run of 7 games, Thorne and the rest of the players were absolutely incredulous as they were fifth in the league and still considered themselves serious contenders for automatic promotion. The players were convinced however, that Mel Morris must have a high profile replacement already lined up in order to have made such a decision and were therefore underwhelmed (to say the least) by the appointment of academy coach Darren Wassall. Thorne accepts that, because Wassall wasn't an established manager, not all the players gave him the respect he deserved but also said that Wassall compounded this by making a series of seemingly inexplicably decisions. Snatching a 3-3 draw from the jaws of victory at Rotheram by bringing on two strikers when they were 3-0 up with 15 minutes to go was highlighted as a specific example.
    • Thorne broke his leg on the last match of the season at home to Ipswich, sustaining the worst injury of his career and missed the entire 2016-2017 season. Almost everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong during Thorne's recovery from the double leg break. He was in constant pain and repeatedly told the Derby medical staff there something wasn't right during various stages of his recovery. They reassured him that the pain was to be expected and then later that his now persistent limp was 'psychological' but when Thorne was eventually referred back to the Specialist consultants on a series of occasions, they confirmed that there were serious underlying issues including, metal fittings that were the wrong size, screws that had come loose and an infection in the metal rod inside Thorne's leg, all of which required further surgery and, for the infection, 10 days in hospital on antibiotics. Thorne also felt that prescribed recovery plan during his recuperation placed too much emphasis on weight training. He was reluctant to embark on a fitness programme which would lead to him gaining additional muscle bulk as he was concerned this would impact his mobility. Thorne's view is that injury recovery programmes at football clubs should be more personally tailored to the physique and personal characteristics of the individual player rather than just simply defaulting to weight training.
    • Thorne eventually returned to the first team in 2017/2018 under Gary Rowett. Thorne credits Rowett as being the one manager who gave enough him the time to recover fully from any injuries he incurred, However after what was, by his own admission, a poor performance against Sunderland in March 2018,  Rowett never selected Thorne to play for Derby again.
    • When Rowett left for Stoke and was replaced by Frank Lampard, Thorne did everything he could to ensure he was in top physical condition when he returned for pre-season and says he weighed less than he did when he initially came to Derby on loan in and was fitter than he'd ever been. He was determined to make it impossible for the manager not to select him but after he was the only member of a 23 man squad not to get on the pitch during a pre-season friendly, Thorne went to see Lampard to ask what the problem was. According to Thorne, Lampard was evasive and made what Thorne felt were 'excuses' about him not doing extra voluntary training sessions during pre-season. This would have been on top of the 3 sessions a day they were already doing and Thorne's position was, perhaps understandably, that he was trying to ensure he didn't pick up any more injuries as he didn’t want to 'fall behind the rest of the lads'. Lampard also referenced what were just temporary (daily) fluctuations in Thorne's weight which had, in fact, already resolved themselves by the time of the conversation.
    • Thorne came to the conclusion that he wasn't going to part of Lampard's plans and therefore wanted to play football elsewhere. He was made aware that Steve McClaren, recently appointed by QPR, wanted to sign him on loan and pleaded with Derby to make the deal happen. Derby wanted more money but QPR were under serious financial constraints and stated that they couldn't afford to pay more. Thorne went to see Mel Morris and offered to make up the difference between what Derby wanted and what QPR were offering out of his own wages at a cost to him of £2k per week but Derby refused his offer, insisting they wanted more money directly from QPR. The loan deal didn't happen and Thorne remained at Derby but was excluded from the first team and was left to train with the under-23s (with Martin, Anya and Alex Pearce).
    • A similar sequence of events happened when Lampard departed for Chelsea and was replaced by Philip Cocu. Thorne arrived back for pre-season (according to him) in the best possible physical condition but it became clear to him that he wasn't part of Cocu's plans. Cocu handled the situation much more amicably than Lampard had but told Thorne it would be better for everyone if he found another club. Mel Morris asked to see Thorne at some around this time and told Thorne about the clause in the original deal with WBA which meant that Derby had to pay them £15k every time Thorne played for Derby. Morris explained that Derby could no longer afford these outgoing costs so Thorne could not therefore be part of the first team squad. Thorne was devastated and angry to discover that this was why he had been frozen out for two consecutive seasons in a row as he felt that the club had effectively wasted two years of his footballing career by not making him aware of the full facts of his situation.  
    • Thorne went on load to Luton in Jnaury 2019 and eventually ended up moving from Derby to Oxford United, first on loan in August 2019 and then on a permanent transfer in January 2020 on a short-term contract until the end of the season. He is currently without a club and semi-retired.
    • Finally, Thorne stated that the situation Derby are in now has been 'a long time coming' and that since the QPR play-off final, Morris had spent £30 million on players which he thought most Derby fans would agree had ultimately made the squad weaker rather than stronger.
Obviously this is just Thorne's side of the story and so needs to be understood in that context but the apparent failure to tell him about the clause along with the refusal to let him join up with McClaren at QPR don't, on the face of it, reflect well on the club.
The podcast really is well worth listening to. It's almost like a history of Derby County since just before the QPR play-off final as told from Thorne's personal perspective.
 

Only ever seen this one of these shirts. Incredibly rare match worn Derby County away shirt. Worn by Steve Powell 11/4/1975 in the 2nd leg fixture v Real Madrid in the last 16 of the European cup. Absolutely stunning. #dcfc #dcfcfans #derbycounty