BramcoteRam84

I don’t think the issues we’ve had are particularly to do with forward planning. 
Part of the reason we lost so many young players very recently is because we simply couldn’t hand out contracts whilst in administration. That problem was of course temporary, and I hope never poses an issue again.
The main difficultly though is persuading players to stay here. Until a player is a professional, we have no control over whether they stay with us or move elsewhere. We’ve seen a lot of players turn down pro deals here to sign at big clubs like Man City and Liverpool instead. That shows that our academy status is not enough alone to keep players here.
Is there actually anything more we can do though, or is this just an issue built into the academy system? I fear it will always be this way, takeover or no takeover. We already clearly offer more first team football for youngsters than any other team practically, so I don’t know what else we can do.

You’ll see some deals agreed soon with younger players. Jack Thompson will be one that agrees a deal with someone this summer 

Not often I’ve had a player name on the back of my shirt, only other time was Rob Hulse when he signed and I was convinced we’d bounce back to the premier league at first time of asking.
Kazim it was during lockdown, he was an inspiration in a dark time. He got that injury against Peterborough early season and I thought that was it I’d never watch him live in a Rams shirt but he bounced back and got to see him score against the Baggies at Christmas. 
 
He symbolised and epitomised last season, the fight to the end. When he was fit he led the charge. What a man!! Really sad he’s gone but he will forever be a cult hero and glad I have his name on my shirt to remember for years to come.
So long King Kazim!! ?

Not often I’ve had a player name on the back of my shirt, only other time was Rob Hulse when he signed and I was convinced we’d bounce back to the premier league at first time of asking.
Kazim it was during lockdown, he was an inspiration in a dark time. He got that injury against Peterborough early season and I thought that was it I’d never watch him live in a Rams shirt but he bounced back and got to see him score against the Baggies at Christmas. 
 
He symbolised and epitomised last season, the fight to the end. When he was fit he led the charge. What a man!! Really sad he’s gone but he will forever be a cult hero and glad I have his name on my shirt to remember for years to come.
So long King Kazim!! ?

Not often I’ve had a player name on the back of my shirt, only other time was Rob Hulse when he signed and I was convinced we’d bounce back to the premier league at first time of asking.
Kazim it was during lockdown, he was an inspiration in a dark time. He got that injury against Peterborough early season and I thought that was it I’d never watch him live in a Rams shirt but he bounced back and got to see him score against the Baggies at Christmas. 
 
He symbolised and epitomised last season, the fight to the end. When he was fit he led the charge. What a man!! Really sad he’s gone but he will forever be a cult hero and glad I have his name on my shirt to remember for years to come.
So long King Kazim!! ?

But it will be top 6 wage budget definitely. Hourihane, Smith and McGoldrick could’ve signed for championship clubs for more money. Barkhuizen, Mendez-Laing, Collins are proven at this level and above. We will hopefully keep at least one of Bird Knight and Bielik, Thompson and Cashin are great talents. We’re a right back away from from having the best back 4 in the league. 
 
Yes we should be disappointed not finishing top 2, there are other clubs who can compete with us but top 6 should be our minimum aim, particularly when you realise that 6th place would be the second lowest league finish in our history.
No one is getting carried away but we have good reason to be confident.

Think that Villa fan nails it. It’s exactly the position they were in coming down from premier league and they struggled despite signing literally everyone. On paper we’re good enough but how will they handle being the scalp, especially away from home and it’s our away form that will dictate if we’re top 2 or struggling to make the playoffs, I’m expecting our home form to be strong given it was top 8 championship last season.
What gives me confidence is the continuity from last season with Liam, a clear identity of how we want to play that hasn’t changed and recruitment that seems to be fitting into that plan. ??????

Would love him to stay and get a testimonial. Great servant. When hes only had one poor season which was under Rowett after his second injury when he was clearly thinking about his knee when playing, I honestly thought he was finished at the point. But he’s come back and proven us wrong time and time again. Would be one of the best full backs in league 1

That’s what i was thinking. The sheer size of this club in league one terms and the difference in revenue means even with a break even budget we would still be competitive at this level. We can’t pay transfer fees but not many do at this level. Let’s say we get the job done this season, next season would be tough to have a competitive budget and the business plan would affect us more greatly although still be less restrictive than what we’ve had for the past 2 years.

Think that Villa fan nails it. It’s exactly the position they were in coming down from premier league and they struggled despite signing literally everyone. On paper we’re good enough but how will they handle being the scalp, especially away from home and it’s our away form that will dictate if we’re top 2 or struggling to make the playoffs, I’m expecting our home form to be strong given it was top 8 championship last season.
What gives me confidence is the continuity from last season with Liam, a clear identity of how we want to play that hasn’t changed and recruitment that seems to be fitting into that plan. ??????

Think that Villa fan nails it. It’s exactly the position they were in coming down from premier league and they struggled despite signing literally everyone. On paper we’re good enough but how will they handle being the scalp, especially away from home and it’s our away form that will dictate if we’re top 2 or struggling to make the playoffs, I’m expecting our home form to be strong given it was top 8 championship last season.
What gives me confidence is the continuity from last season with Liam, a clear identity of how we want to play that hasn’t changed and recruitment that seems to be fitting into that plan. ??????

Think that Villa fan nails it. It’s exactly the position they were in coming down from premier league and they struggled despite signing literally everyone. On paper we’re good enough but how will they handle being the scalp, especially away from home and it’s our away form that will dictate if we’re top 2 or struggling to make the playoffs, I’m expecting our home form to be strong given it was top 8 championship last season.
What gives me confidence is the continuity from last season with Liam, a clear identity of how we want to play that hasn’t changed and recruitment that seems to be fitting into that plan. ??????

Think that Villa fan nails it. It’s exactly the position they were in coming down from premier league and they struggled despite signing literally everyone. On paper we’re good enough but how will they handle being the scalp, especially away from home and it’s our away form that will dictate if we’re top 2 or struggling to make the playoffs, I’m expecting our home form to be strong given it was top 8 championship last season.
What gives me confidence is the continuity from last season with Liam, a clear identity of how we want to play that hasn’t changed and recruitment that seems to be fitting into that plan. ??????

One step at a time ?

If we can keep Knight and Bird, genuinely think back to back promotions is on

If we can keep Knight and Bird, genuinely think back to back promotions is on

If we can keep Knight and Bird, genuinely think back to back promotions is on

If we can keep Knight and Bird, genuinely think back to back promotions is on

But it will be top 6 wage budget definitely. Hourihane, Smith and McGoldrick could’ve signed for championship clubs for more money. Barkhuizen, Mendez-Laing, Collins are proven at this level and above. We will hopefully keep at least one of Bird Knight and Bielik, Thompson and Cashin are great talents. We’re a right back away from from having the best back 4 in the league. 
 
Yes we should be disappointed not finishing top 2, there are other clubs who can compete with us but top 6 should be our minimum aim, particularly when you realise that 6th place would be the second lowest league finish in our history.
No one is getting carried away but we have good reason to be confident.

But it will be top 6 wage budget definitely. Hourihane, Smith and McGoldrick could’ve signed for championship clubs for more money. Barkhuizen, Mendez-Laing, Collins are proven at this level and above. We will hopefully keep at least one of Bird Knight and Bielik, Thompson and Cashin are great talents. We’re a right back away from from having the best back 4 in the league. 
 
Yes we should be disappointed not finishing top 2, there are other clubs who can compete with us but top 6 should be our minimum aim, particularly when you realise that 6th place would be the second lowest league finish in our history.
No one is getting carried away but we have good reason to be confident.

Spot on. We can play with a 2 but smith will destroy and enable bird to support the 3 and 1. This will give us great balance, Tommo as back up. Bielik is going (hopefully on loan), need to push for a good deal for Knight, keep Bird at all costs 

Would love him to stay and get a testimonial. Great servant. When hes only had one poor season which was under Rowett after his second injury when he was clearly thinking about his knee when playing, I honestly thought he was finished at the point. But he’s come back and proven us wrong time and time again. Would be one of the best full backs in league 1

He’s a destroyer. Breaks up play sets moves going, high energy good on the ball. Just what we need assuming Bielik and/or Knight are going. Fact Swansea had him means he’s a good footballer. They don’t take lumps 

I think whoever plays full back I trust Liam to get it right. After all he played his entire career at full back (mostly right but covered both flanks) so I think he knows the position. Also in his year as a sky sports pundit was often the one to highlight our failings in this area under Lampard particularly number of goals conceded through not stopping crosses for which I think we led the way that season in the championship, though that was in part to how Lampard set up.

You know a good player when you see one. He’s a natural, personally think he’ll end up in league one team of the season. Reminds me of when we first saw Chris Riggott in a rams shirt, everyone knew straight away he was class. We’re lucky to have him, has to start and will be extremely disappointed if he doesn’t.