BramcoteRam84

I’m hearing those who are critical complaining their opinions aren’t being valued and being chastised for being negative. Everyone has their opinion but be prepared to stand your ground and prepare to have your opinion attacked especially if you’re talking complete and utter b*******. 
 
The only reason to be negative today is the result, and results are not really important right now because we are in Game 5! There’s another 41 games to play and guess what we’re not far off where we want to be in the table which is also positive considering this is a team assembled 6 weeks ago and we’ve had at least a week less preseason than everyone else in what was already a short preseason. 
 
Remember one season under Clough (Nigel)  where we won 6 of the first 8 games against some decent opposition. But nearly all of those wins weren’t deserved, the opposition were better we rode our luck massively. The performance levels of the team weren’t good enough and as a result we followed this run with a long winless streak and went down well into the bottom half to recover and finish mid-table top half which was that teams maximum capability. That is why you cannot look purely at results and especially this early in the season. You have to look at performance.
The reason we’ve not scored goals in the past couple of years is because we’ve been too defensive in the set up (probably due to squad limitations) and we didn’t get enough players forward to support attacks, all our play was in front of teams and we barely created 1 good chance per game. Tuesday was reminiscent of last season and was not good enough, but Charlton and today we did everything but score, we dominated created lots of chances more importantly gave away very little chances, if we continue like that we will win games.
 
If we play another 10 games and we’re still not scoring and we’re dropping down the league that’s the time to be concerned. But I genuinely believe our level of performance will be sustained and when it matters we translated into results and we’ll be fighting at the sharp end of the league. It’s too simplistic to say we’re not scoring goals now that’s how it’s going to be going forward. To say that is ignoring what’s actually happening.
Another parallel, we went a Month without scoring before we smashed Forest 5-0.
 

Absolutely. In my personal opinion anyone really criticising today is ridiculously harsh or talking complete b*******, we didn’t score today that’s stating the obvious but the game plan everything was spot on. Luck played a huge part today and poor finishing from players still getting up to speed. They need longer before they’re judged.
However those same criticisms for Tuesday night and Shrewsbury, were justified. In isolation that performance wasn’t good enough and it was possession for possession for possession sake.
If im still saying in October/November when we haven’t won an away that it will come there’s nothing to worry about I’d expect to be shot down. So yes it cuts both ways. Negative views but with sound logic and concerns are valid. Blind negativity every time we dont win a game or don’t score isn’t valid IMO and should be treated with contempt it deserves or better still ignored 

I’m hearing those who are critical complaining their opinions aren’t being valued and being chastised for being negative. Everyone has their opinion but be prepared to stand your ground and prepare to have your opinion attacked especially if you’re talking complete and utter b*******. 
 
The only reason to be negative today is the result, and results are not really important right now because we are in Game 5! There’s another 41 games to play and guess what we’re not far off where we want to be in the table which is also positive considering this is a team assembled 6 weeks ago and we’ve had at least a week less preseason than everyone else in what was already a short preseason. 
 
Remember one season under Clough (Nigel)  where we won 6 of the first 8 games against some decent opposition. But nearly all of those wins weren’t deserved, the opposition were better we rode our luck massively. The performance levels of the team weren’t good enough and as a result we followed this run with a long winless streak and went down well into the bottom half to recover and finish mid-table top half which was that teams maximum capability. That is why you cannot look purely at results and especially this early in the season. You have to look at performance.
The reason we’ve not scored goals in the past couple of years is because we’ve been too defensive in the set up (probably due to squad limitations) and we didn’t get enough players forward to support attacks, all our play was in front of teams and we barely created 1 good chance per game. Tuesday was reminiscent of last season and was not good enough, but Charlton and today we did everything but score, we dominated created lots of chances more importantly gave away very little chances, if we continue like that we will win games.
 
If we play another 10 games and we’re still not scoring and we’re dropping down the league that’s the time to be concerned. But I genuinely believe our level of performance will be sustained and when it matters we translated into results and we’ll be fighting at the sharp end of the league. It’s too simplistic to say we’re not scoring goals now that’s how it’s going to be going forward. To say that is ignoring what’s actually happening.
Another parallel, we went a Month without scoring before we smashed Forest 5-0.
 

I’m hearing those who are critical complaining their opinions aren’t being valued and being chastised for being negative. Everyone has their opinion but be prepared to stand your ground and prepare to have your opinion attacked especially if you’re talking complete and utter b*******. 
 
The only reason to be negative today is the result, and results are not really important right now because we are in Game 5! There’s another 41 games to play and guess what we’re not far off where we want to be in the table which is also positive considering this is a team assembled 6 weeks ago and we’ve had at least a week less preseason than everyone else in what was already a short preseason. 
 
Remember one season under Clough (Nigel)  where we won 6 of the first 8 games against some decent opposition. But nearly all of those wins weren’t deserved, the opposition were better we rode our luck massively. The performance levels of the team weren’t good enough and as a result we followed this run with a long winless streak and went down well into the bottom half to recover and finish mid-table top half which was that teams maximum capability. That is why you cannot look purely at results and especially this early in the season. You have to look at performance.
The reason we’ve not scored goals in the past couple of years is because we’ve been too defensive in the set up (probably due to squad limitations) and we didn’t get enough players forward to support attacks, all our play was in front of teams and we barely created 1 good chance per game. Tuesday was reminiscent of last season and was not good enough, but Charlton and today we did everything but score, we dominated created lots of chances more importantly gave away very little chances, if we continue like that we will win games.
 
If we play another 10 games and we’re still not scoring and we’re dropping down the league that’s the time to be concerned. But I genuinely believe our level of performance will be sustained and when it matters we translated into results and we’ll be fighting at the sharp end of the league. It’s too simplistic to say we’re not scoring goals now that’s how it’s going to be going forward. To say that is ignoring what’s actually happening.
Another parallel, we went a Month without scoring before we smashed Forest 5-0.
 

Absolutely. In my personal opinion anyone really criticising today is ridiculously harsh or talking complete b*******, we didn’t score today that’s stating the obvious but the game plan everything was spot on. Luck played a huge part today and poor finishing from players still getting up to speed. They need longer before they’re judged.
However those same criticisms for Tuesday night and Shrewsbury, were justified. In isolation that performance wasn’t good enough and it was possession for possession for possession sake.
If im still saying in October/November when we haven’t won an away that it will come there’s nothing to worry about I’d expect to be shot down. So yes it cuts both ways. Negative views but with sound logic and concerns are valid. Blind negativity every time we dont win a game or don’t score isn’t valid IMO and should be treated with contempt it deserves or better still ignored 

I’m hearing those who are critical complaining their opinions aren’t being valued and being chastised for being negative. Everyone has their opinion but be prepared to stand your ground and prepare to have your opinion attacked especially if you’re talking complete and utter b*******. 
 
The only reason to be negative today is the result, and results are not really important right now because we are in Game 5! There’s another 41 games to play and guess what we’re not far off where we want to be in the table which is also positive considering this is a team assembled 6 weeks ago and we’ve had at least a week less preseason than everyone else in what was already a short preseason. 
 
Remember one season under Clough (Nigel)  where we won 6 of the first 8 games against some decent opposition. But nearly all of those wins weren’t deserved, the opposition were better we rode our luck massively. The performance levels of the team weren’t good enough and as a result we followed this run with a long winless streak and went down well into the bottom half to recover and finish mid-table top half which was that teams maximum capability. That is why you cannot look purely at results and especially this early in the season. You have to look at performance.
The reason we’ve not scored goals in the past couple of years is because we’ve been too defensive in the set up (probably due to squad limitations) and we didn’t get enough players forward to support attacks, all our play was in front of teams and we barely created 1 good chance per game. Tuesday was reminiscent of last season and was not good enough, but Charlton and today we did everything but score, we dominated created lots of chances more importantly gave away very little chances, if we continue like that we will win games.
 
If we play another 10 games and we’re still not scoring and we’re dropping down the league that’s the time to be concerned. But I genuinely believe our level of performance will be sustained and when it matters we translated into results and we’ll be fighting at the sharp end of the league. It’s too simplistic to say we’re not scoring goals now that’s how it’s going to be going forward. To say that is ignoring what’s actually happening.
Another parallel, we went a Month without scoring before we smashed Forest 5-0.
 

As long as that cuts both ways then absolutely.
Your highlighted statement follows closely on from your observation about those being critical complaining that their opinion isn't valued the inference being that talking balls as you put it is solely confined to this group.
As long as your thinking is applied to all factions then 100% agree with you. 

I’m hearing those who are critical complaining their opinions aren’t being valued and being chastised for being negative. Everyone has their opinion but be prepared to stand your ground and prepare to have your opinion attacked especially if you’re talking complete and utter b*******. 
 
The only reason to be negative today is the result, and results are not really important right now because we are in Game 5! There’s another 41 games to play and guess what we’re not far off where we want to be in the table which is also positive considering this is a team assembled 6 weeks ago and we’ve had at least a week less preseason than everyone else in what was already a short preseason. 
 
Remember one season under Clough (Nigel)  where we won 6 of the first 8 games against some decent opposition. But nearly all of those wins weren’t deserved, the opposition were better we rode our luck massively. The performance levels of the team weren’t good enough and as a result we followed this run with a long winless streak and went down well into the bottom half to recover and finish mid-table top half which was that teams maximum capability. That is why you cannot look purely at results and especially this early in the season. You have to look at performance.
The reason we’ve not scored goals in the past couple of years is because we’ve been too defensive in the set up (probably due to squad limitations) and we didn’t get enough players forward to support attacks, all our play was in front of teams and we barely created 1 good chance per game. Tuesday was reminiscent of last season and was not good enough, but Charlton and today we did everything but score, we dominated created lots of chances more importantly gave away very little chances, if we continue like that we will win games.
 
If we play another 10 games and we’re still not scoring and we’re dropping down the league that’s the time to be concerned. But I genuinely believe our level of performance will be sustained and when it matters we translated into results and we’ll be fighting at the sharp end of the league. It’s too simplistic to say we’re not scoring goals now that’s how it’s going to be going forward. To say that is ignoring what’s actually happening.
Another parallel, we went a Month without scoring before we smashed Forest 5-0.
 

Jim Smith would’ve been gone as well!! 

I’m hearing those who are critical complaining their opinions aren’t being valued and being chastised for being negative. Everyone has their opinion but be prepared to stand your ground and prepare to have your opinion attacked especially if you’re talking complete and utter b*******. 
 
The only reason to be negative today is the result, and results are not really important right now because we are in Game 5! There’s another 41 games to play and guess what we’re not far off where we want to be in the table which is also positive considering this is a team assembled 6 weeks ago and we’ve had at least a week less preseason than everyone else in what was already a short preseason. 
 
Remember one season under Clough (Nigel)  where we won 6 of the first 8 games against some decent opposition. But nearly all of those wins weren’t deserved, the opposition were better we rode our luck massively. The performance levels of the team weren’t good enough and as a result we followed this run with a long winless streak and went down well into the bottom half to recover and finish mid-table top half which was that teams maximum capability. That is why you cannot look purely at results and especially this early in the season. You have to look at performance.
The reason we’ve not scored goals in the past couple of years is because we’ve been too defensive in the set up (probably due to squad limitations) and we didn’t get enough players forward to support attacks, all our play was in front of teams and we barely created 1 good chance per game. Tuesday was reminiscent of last season and was not good enough, but Charlton and today we did everything but score, we dominated created lots of chances more importantly gave away very little chances, if we continue like that we will win games.
 
If we play another 10 games and we’re still not scoring and we’re dropping down the league that’s the time to be concerned. But I genuinely believe our level of performance will be sustained and when it matters we translated into results and we’ll be fighting at the sharp end of the league. It’s too simplistic to say we’re not scoring goals now that’s how it’s going to be going forward. To say that is ignoring what’s actually happening.
Another parallel, we went a Month without scoring before we smashed Forest 5-0.
 

I’m hearing those who are critical complaining their opinions aren’t being valued and being chastised for being negative. Everyone has their opinion but be prepared to stand your ground and prepare to have your opinion attacked especially if you’re talking complete and utter b*******. 
 
The only reason to be negative today is the result, and results are not really important right now because we are in Game 5! There’s another 41 games to play and guess what we’re not far off where we want to be in the table which is also positive considering this is a team assembled 6 weeks ago and we’ve had at least a week less preseason than everyone else in what was already a short preseason. 
 
Remember one season under Clough (Nigel)  where we won 6 of the first 8 games against some decent opposition. But nearly all of those wins weren’t deserved, the opposition were better we rode our luck massively. The performance levels of the team weren’t good enough and as a result we followed this run with a long winless streak and went down well into the bottom half to recover and finish mid-table top half which was that teams maximum capability. That is why you cannot look purely at results and especially this early in the season. You have to look at performance.
The reason we’ve not scored goals in the past couple of years is because we’ve been too defensive in the set up (probably due to squad limitations) and we didn’t get enough players forward to support attacks, all our play was in front of teams and we barely created 1 good chance per game. Tuesday was reminiscent of last season and was not good enough, but Charlton and today we did everything but score, we dominated created lots of chances more importantly gave away very little chances, if we continue like that we will win games.
 
If we play another 10 games and we’re still not scoring and we’re dropping down the league that’s the time to be concerned. But I genuinely believe our level of performance will be sustained and when it matters we translated into results and we’ll be fighting at the sharp end of the league. It’s too simplistic to say we’re not scoring goals now that’s how it’s going to be going forward. To say that is ignoring what’s actually happening.
Another parallel, we went a Month without scoring before we smashed Forest 5-0.
 

Probably the most infuriating few pages of this forum I've read in a while.
Despite what some of the 'just saying it how it is' Talksport types on here think, no-one at all is saying a performance or tactics are beyond criticism. But at least have the decency to apply some context to criticism  i.e. a bunch of players slung together in no time at all, a rookie manager, a late pre-season & the fact we have dominated the 3 away games these same individuals are outraged we haven't won. Just hysterical, over-entitled garbage that I didnt miss at all last season
If we'd had social media back in the day, some on here would have happily got rid of Arthur Cox in 84/85 (we finished 7th in Division 3 with a bunch of expensive signings, imagine that) & wouldn't have given Clough another season after 67/68.
Just as well David Clowes seems a sensible, measured type & won't be doing kneejerk Mel Morris reactionary cack. He'll look at the table & notice we're just outside the playoff spots...perhaps the bedwetters might like to do the same.

I’m hearing those who are critical complaining their opinions aren’t being valued and being chastised for being negative. Everyone has their opinion but be prepared to stand your ground and prepare to have your opinion attacked especially if you’re talking complete and utter b*******. 
 
The only reason to be negative today is the result, and results are not really important right now because we are in Game 5! There’s another 41 games to play and guess what we’re not far off where we want to be in the table which is also positive considering this is a team assembled 6 weeks ago and we’ve had at least a week less preseason than everyone else in what was already a short preseason. 
 
Remember one season under Clough (Nigel)  where we won 6 of the first 8 games against some decent opposition. But nearly all of those wins weren’t deserved, the opposition were better we rode our luck massively. The performance levels of the team weren’t good enough and as a result we followed this run with a long winless streak and went down well into the bottom half to recover and finish mid-table top half which was that teams maximum capability. That is why you cannot look purely at results and especially this early in the season. You have to look at performance.
The reason we’ve not scored goals in the past couple of years is because we’ve been too defensive in the set up (probably due to squad limitations) and we didn’t get enough players forward to support attacks, all our play was in front of teams and we barely created 1 good chance per game. Tuesday was reminiscent of last season and was not good enough, but Charlton and today we did everything but score, we dominated created lots of chances more importantly gave away very little chances, if we continue like that we will win games.
 
If we play another 10 games and we’re still not scoring and we’re dropping down the league that’s the time to be concerned. But I genuinely believe our level of performance will be sustained and when it matters we translated into results and we’ll be fighting at the sharp end of the league. It’s too simplistic to say we’re not scoring goals now that’s how it’s going to be going forward. To say that is ignoring what’s actually happening.
Another parallel, we went a Month without scoring before we smashed Forest 5-0.
 

I’m hearing those who are critical complaining their opinions aren’t being valued and being chastised for being negative. Everyone has their opinion but be prepared to stand your ground and prepare to have your opinion attacked especially if you’re talking complete and utter b*******. 
 
The only reason to be negative today is the result, and results are not really important right now because we are in Game 5! There’s another 41 games to play and guess what we’re not far off where we want to be in the table which is also positive considering this is a team assembled 6 weeks ago and we’ve had at least a week less preseason than everyone else in what was already a short preseason. 
 
Remember one season under Clough (Nigel)  where we won 6 of the first 8 games against some decent opposition. But nearly all of those wins weren’t deserved, the opposition were better we rode our luck massively. The performance levels of the team weren’t good enough and as a result we followed this run with a long winless streak and went down well into the bottom half to recover and finish mid-table top half which was that teams maximum capability. That is why you cannot look purely at results and especially this early in the season. You have to look at performance.
The reason we’ve not scored goals in the past couple of years is because we’ve been too defensive in the set up (probably due to squad limitations) and we didn’t get enough players forward to support attacks, all our play was in front of teams and we barely created 1 good chance per game. Tuesday was reminiscent of last season and was not good enough, but Charlton and today we did everything but score, we dominated created lots of chances more importantly gave away very little chances, if we continue like that we will win games.
 
If we play another 10 games and we’re still not scoring and we’re dropping down the league that’s the time to be concerned. But I genuinely believe our level of performance will be sustained and when it matters we translated into results and we’ll be fighting at the sharp end of the league. It’s too simplistic to say we’re not scoring goals now that’s how it’s going to be going forward. To say that is ignoring what’s actually happening.
Another parallel, we went a Month without scoring before we smashed Forest 5-0.
 

... and not conceding them. 

Just seen the brief highlights on the Sky report, it seems to show that this game was more down to bad luck and heroic defending than poor finishing. Their keeper and defenders made some great saves/blocks, just one of those could have easily finished up in the back of the net.

His corners were excellent and with variety!

Thought we looked good to be honest, never phased and controlled it.
I think the problem is we have a lot of orthodox players, players who have come up through academies and learnt to play the right way. It means we control the game, and you can’t dispute that I’ve not seen us control games like this in a long time, also we are playing good football. The problem is it’s probably too good and we are trying to score a near perfect goal with the perfect amount of space to get off a lovely drive low into a corner. I think we are missing a player who’s a bit unorthodox, who’s learnt their trade in the lower leagues and gonna rattle the opposition a bit. Someone who’s gonna take a bit more of a gamble or have a ‘by any means necessary’ approach. Problem is someone like that may cost money. 
We look ok, I’m not concerned at all but that’s my takeaway from today

Seen enough Derby sides by now to not be unduly troubled.
Yes, there's work to be done.
Yes, we're all frustrated.
 

So I'm putting this post together because since the start of the season there have been question marks on Knight starting at RB which have ranged from mildly questioning to outright ridiculing. 
But very frequently what gets missed is why Knight is starting there, why he's good at it and why it actually relies on his skillset. So I'm going to play devil's advocate and argue for Knight should start there.
Tactics
I think that Rosenior identified that a few things going into the season; we have talent in midfield, we likely have technical superiority and teams are likely going to sit back and try to counter or press and try to counter. And so he's built tactically from that point.You can see this in how our flanks are set up.
Wingers play high and wide and are both fast, phsyical and good 1v1. A compact opposition has to stretch or leave a man free. A team that presses always has to be wary of that threat in behind if they overcommit. Also it helps provide space in the centre for our midfield to take advantage of.
Meanwhile our fullbacks essentially play as midfielders when we have the ball. They tuck right into the middle operating from a much more central postion and given the responsibilities of a deep midfielder in getting the play going and supporting the play. This provides extra functional bodies in the build up play making it theoretically easier to pass through a press and it allows other midfielders to go take up dangerous positions further up field as they don't have to worry so much about the build up. Same applies to the wingers who can play high and wide because the fullbacks are functionally midfielders.
This isn't something revolutionary that Rosenior has done. In fact it's almost identical to what Guardiola has done in the past (who often would play midfielders like Delph at fullback).
Inverted fullback
The demands on this role are different that was is typically called for. They need to very comfortable on the ball in central areas, their passing needs to be good, they need to know what to do positionally when they are in midfield and they need that high energy to cover ground, support the attack and quickly get back into position. Functionally it operates a lot more like a wide midfield role on the ball.
Why Knight ? 
Simply put he excels at all of the above qualities is the primary reason whilst being sound defensively. There is a good reason why most our success in attacking has happened down the right. Playing him there essentially allows us to cheat and play another midfielder
The second reason is with a decent number of midfielders going into pre-season but no right back in sight with restricted dealings in the window. It made sense to coach someone into the role and Knight ticked the most boxes.
Why not X instead of Knight ? 
Odurah - Seems a decent prospect but looked a touch raw and shaky in pre-season. Likely isn't ready just yet.
Smith - This could work but Knight has more energy and crucially Smith hasn't had the same coaching time to coach him into the role.
Thompson - isn't as phsyical as Knight which could get exposed defensively and would need coaching into the role.
Stearman - This is a joke right ? He looks too awkward at CB on the ball never mind in midfield areas and would get exposed for pace.
Roberts - The role benefits from someone playing on their stronger side so they can open their body easier. Also needed at LB as Fozzy can't really play that role reliably.
New Right Back - Well yeah... but that's increasingly unlikely to happen but it won't be for a lack of trying.
Should he play midfield anyway ? 
Now that's a tricky question. Because we have a balance problem in midfield (at least some of the time) that you can point to Knight as a fix. And Id agree with that to a large degree that Knight as one of the three would help. The two counterarguments I might make are that problem might be better solved by playing either Sibley or a fit McGoldrick and by moving Knight from there you might be just shifting a problem rather than fixing it overall.
TLDR; The way we play calls for someone comfortable in midfield at right back. And Knight is likely the best at it we have.
(PS you may be able to tell I'm bored because I'm ill at home) 

They’re over £160m now. With Maupay and that french dude to follow plus they’re sniffing around bakayoko from Chelsea could be close to £200m by the time they’re done!! Wow!! Just wow! Don’t think anyone expected them to spend that much, could end up being highest spenders in the league. 
 
This “should” set them up to finish mid table and secure them possibly for the next couple of years, or it could end up an unmitigated disaster and lead them to significant FFP breaches and financial problems if relegated. How maranakis runs the club will determine which way it goes. If he sticks by Cooper no matter what they may be ok and possibly establish themselves as a mid-lower premier league club, if he goes by his usual MO demands instant results on his investment and gets the trigger finger out it will blow up spectacularly.
Because they’re our rivals I hope it blows up spectacularly for them but I’m more bothered about us and our focus should just be on getting up there with them and the amazing journey we could go on to get there.

To be honest I just think you have a few players who aren’t quite 100% in their sharpness so it isn’t quite clicking. Hourihane, for example, is starting the season how Bryson always started seasons where he’d be a yard off and chasing shadows. You’d be looking at 8 games before it all started to click and I think that is what is happening now after not having the best of pre-seasons.
I see a side who are getting in the right positions and something not quite coming off, be it an off pass or not reacting quick enough to another players run. I’d rather have that than having a feeling that no one knows what they are meant to be doing.
So yeah, how much is tactical and how much is it down to players not being quite there yet? Bit of patience is probably needed rather than everyone picking pro/anti Rosenior sides 4 games into a season.

They have to stay up or they’re f*****.
If they stay up they’re gonna have to hope this group is good enough to sustain them for a few years and will gain value not lose value, they won’t be able to spend £200m next summer, they’ll get to the position where they have to sell to buy. 
Look at Leicester now, they can’t bring anyone in because they need to shift people on. 

I actually this is the wrong way to think. 
If we embed the philosophy now at this point in the season then it will be the bedrock of success later in the season and going into the championship.
If we focus on results at all cost now we will end up a tactical mess of a team and probably looking back at a middling to average season and nothing to build on.
We have to look beyond short-termism right now, it's what lead to us being in league 1.

Just think of the energy bills they must have, laundering for Maranakis.
One shirt, one pair of keks and his trousers is a full load.