Indyram

The decimation of the Academy due to Administration is clear to see. Oppo fans who claim the club hasn't been punished enough will be oblivious to this, but for the next couple of seasons we're playing catch-up at all levels. We'll get there in time though because it's clear there's some quality coming through even if they're out of their depth as teams at the moment. If the coaches keep the kids focus on continuing their development without dwelling on results too much they'll get through this. 

Jackie Stewart, on BBC news about government investment in dementia because his wife has it, all the way from his tax haven in Geneva is just the sort of thing I need to boil my morning piddle. If you want to improve a country, live in it, pay your taxes and help fund those very things. If you don't, your choice but you lose the right to complain.

Mate of mine has a lad who is in the Norwich academy and so I asked him what he thought of Tony Springett. This is what he said:
"Really really nice lad and gonna be a super player. Been at Norwich since he was 11, debuted in Prem last season. Tricky, skilful winger - delivers. But what you will all love about him is his work rate. Absolutely tireless. Going to the top that kid. Really is. No airs and graces. Not a diver. Gets kicked all the time and just gets back up."
Also, will be mates with Cashin as they both play for Ireland.

Very well done today guys thoroughly deserved the win and really it was men against boys. Your physicality, nouse and experience completely undid us. To be fair we’ve been like this all season, pretty football but no cutting edge and we need a couple of old heads to lead the kids. Unfortunately Evatt is so far down his moneyball route trying to find young players to sell on he completely ignores the fact that you need some grey hairs in the team who’ve been there and done it, unlike your man who knows exactly how to do it and is doing a cracking job. There may have been a few questioning his appointment but I think he’s more than answering them now. I think you’ve every chance of making the top two now if you keep up performances like todays so best of luck for the rest of the season. ??

Or he might just feel that he wants to put right some of the wrongs of the past?
He almost single-handedly kept us running in administration. 
The Club has moved on, so should we.

He’s a qualified accountant so I don’t think he can be absolved of blame given that our accounts were flawed. 
 
That said as I said many times, EFl made a mountain out of a molehill. I don’t believe that we broke any rules other than maybe making the disclosure of the method as clear as it could have been. 

Yeah, it's been a bit messy up there too I believe, for several years now.

At the peak of our crisis the lovely EFL decided that when we played some kids for a cup game due to Covid that since they had made an appearance they then would all count as senior pros would be deducted from the very small number of players we were allowed to have. Fortunately they relented but otherwise we'd have struggled to put a team out with an average age that'd get served in a pub.

It's still a bit of a scratch team in many ways and we have no cover in some places and our players are largely young or old (nowt in between) but all things considered we were very happy with the quality of recruitment on free transfers and with an EFL approved wage cap. We are still on embargo and will be for another year after this despite new owners so Warne has very little scope to tinker with the squad. If we sell a player then we're not allowed to reinvest the money as it stands. It was a grim time and absolute oblivion was a close run thing so thankful for what we have and our legend of a new owner who 100% saved the club.

You should see how we treat each other ?

Like a few I was a bit miffed he left so cheaply, he had so much potential at a young age, move on the last 2 years and I’m starting to think that £1m we got, wasn’t such a bad figure after all.
Can see what you’re thinking with that hmmm @David but above everything, this kid is not really fulfilling his early potential and wherever he goes next, he needs regular game time as the early hype around him has somewhat evaporated. Maybe not a bad thing, since I don’t think I’m alone believing last time we saw him, he had a touch of arrogance for someone who once graced our academy.

LR takes some credit for the close knit group I think. When the players were being signed a lot was said about players who knew each other already and how existing squad members, such as Stearman, were used to ensure the right characters were being brought in. Given the limited time he had and the limited pool of players available due to the restrictions LR did a great recruitment job. And Warne is now doing a great job getting a tune out of players he didn’t sign.

I think Fozzy is better in the middle than he is at left back. Him and Cash are a good partnership, Cash goes to win the ball and Fozzy sweeps up behind him.
Fozzy's been like Beckenbauer the last few weeks.

One of my criticisms at the beginning when Warne came in is we all knew his style was direct and get the ball into the other half as fast as we can and try and win second balls and play from there. I think the team originally struggled with what that meant and how to execute it.
One of the key differences for me in this run is that Warne is allowing his defensive players to actually work the ball and pass it between us. It’s not as frequent as the LR style but it’s a definite shift from early Warne days.
We are constantly now in the 50-60% possession stat. Wildsmith gives a lot more short goal kicks and we definitely allow CF and EC more freedoms on the ball. 

I for one am really enjoying it now because it isn’t hoofball for 90 minutes. A lot of our better goals come from the passing passages of play - Hourihane header today for instance was a nice move with the EC diagonal after some passing in the defence. If you look back over the recent goals since December a lot more are worked plays. Hourihane against Accrington, McGoldrick first goal against Forest Green. All were excellent team moves.
I feel that Warne now trusts them and he’s striking the correct balance between ball retention, long balls, direct balls into Collins and playing the triangles of play to create space. There is a decent mix in there so we are not too one dimensional.
Well done Warne and his team. This is starting to get fun.

That sounds like smart business. We're learning?

I'm not sure he's bothered or and/or has that much class about him tbh, if the way he acted when playing for Man City's U23s against us is anything to go by.

Dajuane Brown for under 18s, scored another two today v Stoke. An old-fashioned centre-forward, will suit Warne.

Left on a permanent deal. Shame he didn’t kick on in the way some of his academy teammates did but I wish him all the best. 

The EFL must be gutted how we have managed to make so many good free agent signings. Who would have thought a lg1 team under our restrictions, would be able to sign the likes of McGoldrich, Hourihane and Chester? Then who would have expected NML and Wildsmith, struggling to get into another lg1 team, to be amongst our leading players. Even, the remaining free agent signings, whilst not being exceptional, have all made valuable contributions to the team.

Unlike plucky Leicester who shafted all their creditors , went up and the whole football world is up their a#rse ?

Consensus seems to be very favourable towards the lad. I’m glad, despite perhaps a less than hoped for return, popular it would appear dressing room and amongst fans. Hope he has a great career 

Up to 4th, unbeaten in 10 league games, tightest defence in the division, 4-0 victory. 

Have to say it's very sad to see Wycombe drop out of the top 6 again.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Said no Derby fan, ever! 

You’re right. I mentioned younger faster players, perhaps in error or just a knee jerk cliche when talking about the over 30’s
He isn’t as quick off the mark in acceleration terms but max speed is still the same. His fitness is remarkable. There aren’t many at his age that still have fuel in the tank after 90 mins and Fozzy always seems to have enough. Yes, he could play CB in the championship, no doubt in my mind. Cashin isn’t hugely pacy but CB’s that read the game are special. Both of them are. 

All of this, I’d add I don’t think he’s that slow either compared to some cloggers at this level.
His experience and reading of the game is more than a cut above at league 1 level; I’m genuinely intrigued to see if he could play centre half in the championship now? Actually think he could based on performances against the better teams in this league.

Is he making the best contribution of his whole career now ? What a player. My MOTM today but that stands along side a great period of consistent good form all season. He’s looked a rock at the back. Using his football nous to outwit younger faster players. Strength and height help but he anticipates such a lot and his use of the ball under pressure has been excellent. Seems to know when to put a foot through it or be a little more deft and subtle
Well played today Fozzy .. good on you Mr Ram 

Shinnie there in the Derby end? Let the rumours commence..