Macintosh

Shaun Lowry summed this up best when talking about the abuse his wife received at the Ryder Cup last weekend:
"Nobody turns into a genius with drinking and taking drugs."

I was chatting to my friend who works for Brighton, and they have a novel way of bringing through their youngsters by having a mentor, a wise head that plays in the games and has experience to pass on. The Brighton academy is seen as one of the best in the world right now, Ben White, Jayson Molumby, Aaron Connolly, Robert Sanchez, Max Sanders, Steven Alzate, and Christian Walton, along with Lewis Dunk and Solly March.
Imagine if Curtis Davies, Craig Forsyth or Tom Huddlestone was that player, or if a Darren Bent had passed on his goalscoring knowledge to the younger lads coming through instead of donning a suit to become a TV pundit for Sky? No one will have heard of Andrew Crofts, but he is one of three over-age outfield players they employ. It seems to be working and maybe we should take note?

Under that detailed analysis Derby did not develop Will Hughes, that was Mickleover Jubilee and Notts Forest. Similar with Tom Huddlestone. Bogle's rise and departure is down to Swindon Town, Ebosele is thanks to Bray Wanderers, Lowe's loan to Aberdeen and Shrewsbury, Knight because of Cabinteely!
Brighton have a two-year cycle with the academy, if they don't progress to the next age group they are released. 

I was chatting to my friend who works for Brighton, and they have a novel way of bringing through their youngsters by having a mentor, a wise head that plays in the games and has experience to pass on. The Brighton academy is seen as one of the best in the world right now, Ben White, Jayson Molumby, Aaron Connolly, Robert Sanchez, Max Sanders, Steven Alzate, and Christian Walton, along with Lewis Dunk and Solly March.
Imagine if Curtis Davies, Craig Forsyth or Tom Huddlestone was that player, or if a Darren Bent had passed on his goalscoring knowledge to the younger lads coming through instead of donning a suit to become a TV pundit for Sky? No one will have heard of Andrew Crofts, but he is one of three over-age outfield players they employ. It seems to be working and maybe we should take note?

I think Fozzy, who has taken a lot of stick the past few seasons has really stepped up to the plate in the last few games. Showing how much he cares. Deserves recognition for showing the young uns a real example. Showed his worth today when replacing Stearman.

Shaun Lowry summed this up best when talking about the abuse his wife received at the Ryder Cup last weekend:
"Nobody turns into a genius with drinking and taking drugs."

Shaun Lowry summed this up best when talking about the abuse his wife received at the Ryder Cup last weekend:
"Nobody turns into a genius with drinking and taking drugs."

Shaun Lowry summed this up best when talking about the abuse his wife received at the Ryder Cup last weekend:
"Nobody turns into a genius with drinking and taking drugs."

Shaun Lowry summed this up best when talking about the abuse his wife received at the Ryder Cup last weekend:
"Nobody turns into a genius with drinking and taking drugs."

Hope you reach the station in thyme.  

I wonder how many people have stopped attending because they no longer feel comfortable with the behaviour of some of our 'fans'.

I got the impression the Rams Trust were desperate for places on the board, just so they could get free tickets to watch the games in the best seats and not have to queue for the loo. Their latest demand letter worked wonders … a week later we entered administration.

Having been on the receiving end of companies going bust quite a few times, and wasting time attending a creditors' meeting, the one thing that is heartbreaking is seeing the administrator's bill on their statement. Their's is covered similar to HMRC and secured loans. If a deal can be done straight after they are appointed, someone is ready to step in, the difference that makes is incredible to the future of the club. I hope that is what is going on right now. If it drags on selling most of the squad only covers their costs.

We only bought Johnson and Buttercup because Hughes and Bryson got injured in the opening fixture. Clement wanted replacements, Mel said OK and Rush went off and did two of the worst deals in our history. If we'd gone for loans, we'd have saved something like £20M. Shocking decision resulting from shocking bad luck. 

I'd pitch in with that. Even the mayor said Mel is being kept on as his role as Derby's ambassador for business.
Me, I loved it when I got my free flag to wave, when we kept getting to the play-offs, when we were in for the best players available. Every manager sacked I agreed with, most players bought I cheered – even Blackman.

Not wasting an hours time listening to Mel make excuses for himself! Anything of vague interest will no doubt be repeated.

If I had already lost £200 million, I would not be prepared to continue to lose £1.5 million a month with no chance of stopping that process. It had to crash at some point. Today is that day. What must we do now to avoid liquidation. Do all our players become free agents very soon. Fire sale about to start maybe. How long will Wayne stay now. I wonder how much warning he got.

Perhaps this?
 

Forty matches left, 95 minutes a game = 63 hours spread over the next 8.5 months. Sure, there are travelling hours to add in, but 63 hours of activity is going to be too much for two fit footballers, who've probably trained at the highest level for 30 years?

Travelling time to games is still work, getting up, packing for a bus or plane, hotels, game tactivcs, etc, it is huge part of their career and it does take it out of you (I presume). I know Jagielka suffered a cruciate ligament injury around a decade ago, but until his transfer to Sheffield United, he played nearly every game and that transfer was only two season ago, when he was 37.
 
That same logic can also be applied to a kid, which seems to be around 16-22, that they are too young and need six seasons' experience before they are ready for first-team regularity. 
 
Pirlo, Chiellini are just two examples that managed to play a couple of games a week and lived through the experience.

What do you suggest he do?
Forget, for a moment, how we got here. How do we move forwards?
Cannot sell a club that nobody wants to buy.
Do we take the EFL points deduction to get them off our backs? Will likely mean relegation.
Go into administration? Calamatous.
Open a honest communication with the fans in which he declares: "we're in the poo poo". That'll attract season ticket sales and potential buyers.
So it's all very good demanding action from Mel .... But what exactly?

Forty matches left, 95 minutes a game = 63 hours spread over the next 8.5 months. Sure, there are travelling hours to add in, but 63 hours of activity is going to be too much for two fit footballers, who've probably trained at the highest level for 30 years?