Donkey Derby

Swopping one crock for another sounds like Derby Way

Swopping one crock for another sounds like Derby Way

I doubt Roofe ends up at either club I'd expect some suitors in the league above

If he is on £25k per week, and our max is £8k, there will be plenty in the championship who'll contribute more 
Looks like his agent is letting clubs know he's available
 

If he is on £25k per week, and our max is £8k, there will be plenty in the championship who'll contribute more 
Looks like his agent is letting clubs know he's available
 

If he is on £25k per week, and our max is £8k, there will be plenty in the championship who'll contribute more 
Looks like his agent is letting clubs know he's available
 

a poacher who can also hold up play - what's not to like

Rooney has had multiple interviews now, where he has been asked the question about walking away. He consistently says no. We have been crying out for stability and loyalty from a manager since Nigel Clough. He arguably has the toughest job of any manager for as long as I can remember supporting Derby (22 years) and despite having a bare minimum squad and having all the problems above him, he continues to show that he cares and wants to do well. 
We are starting to see a style of play which is exciting and attacking with the handful players he has. 
I think it's about time everyone starts to show respect to him instead of wanting him out. Any other manger would have left us in this mess. 
 
He's sticking with us, we need to stick with him !!

I just want to apologise for the delay, my absence, my handling of the situation and try to explain what has happened.
The meeting on Wednesday was scheduled to end at 8.45pm, my last train home was 9.33pm, I slipped out just after 9pm as I didn’t have clothes, medication, toiletries with me as I wasn’t planning on staying overnight.
When the meeting had finished, an agreement was made where one statement would be written and signed off by all groups, this is the first time anything like this had been agreed, I was under the impression we would be allowed to report back as normal.
Being completely unaware of this, whilst waiting for my train I saw a conversation take place on my Twitter timeline discussing the meeting minutes, when would they be out.
I replied, that the meeting minutes were not taken and we would be sharing the information ourselves, which as I say I was under the impression would be allowed, why else attend? I thought I was being helpful.
Now I can see on reflection I was clearly naive in not appreciating the number of fans waiting online for what was said at the meeting, would see the tweet whilst was part of a conversation, which was also public and could be seen and shared by others. The tweet blew up online having been retweeted, I’m not exaggerating when I say maybe hundred or more replies, some abusive to the point where I had to turn notifications off as my phone was freezing with as I came back into an area with phone signal.
On the forum I did pre warn members not to expect anything Wednesday evening, the minutes can sometimes take a few days to a couple of weeks before being released. I was going with the intention of asking the club if the minutes could be released within 24 hours or that we could release the information immediately. Obviously once we was told the minutes would not be taken all that went out the window and believed we was free to report back immediately, and that was the plan.
Again, I was clearly naive to the fact fans on Twitter would not be aware of this, so when I wasn’t replying to all the tweets with thumbs up or down if it’s good news, or are we going to have a club next week the levels of abuse increased, despite my plea for being understanding I wasn’t in the position to do so.
With my write up, I had no intention of adding any personal opinion, it would be just what was said and allow you all to read and take it as you will.
As you will be well aware, all fans see things differently and I didn’t want to raise any expectations or disappoint fans, then receive more abuse as it wasn’t what they were expecting.
I put myself in this situation through naivety, but I don’t accept that the abuse was warranted at all, I have removed the twitter account from my devices and will no longer be active on that account, opting now for a private account as I have no interest in twitter fame.
I would seriously urge anyone that did send me abusive tweets to have a think how they talk to people online and their demands, if this is this what celebrities have to deal with on a daily basis, I’m glad I’m just a nobody!
Punjabi Rams, who I honestly can’t thank enough stepped in and put some tweets out from their account to give some information in my defence. You guys are awesome, didn’t need to do that but again, I honestly can’t thank you enough. Quick plug www.punjabirams.co.uk, @PunjabiRams on Twitter, go give them a follow if you are on there.
On the train home I started to do the write up on my notes app, realising I need to get this out asap, first thing to defuse the situation I felt I had created.
Thursday morning, as I was consulting my notes and finishing off the write up, there was a few things I wanted to fact check with the club were totally accurate, there has been times where things have been misheard in the past (Boycie ahem) and needed correcting, I didn’t want this to happen. We’re human, mistakes can happen, I believed I had time to ensure there were none.
I decided, and this was not requested by the club but to send my write up to them, asking if they could read it over and everything I had written was totally accurate, leaving ??? <—— fact checks where I was a little cautious over.
They agreed and I again naively yet again assumed that this would be back with me in a few hours……despite the previous night listening to just how busy they have been.
Now whilst I understand and totally agree that this meeting is important, the club staff are as I’m sure you can imagine really busy, now I need to really stress here that this is in no way the fault of the club, this is on me 100%.
No tweet, no forum post, none of this situation exists.
Meanwhile The Supporters Charter Group are scratching their heads as to why I’ve gone it alone, I can only apologise to them also, as I say I was under the impression that we would all be reporting back ourselves which I have explained privately with them.
A single statement isn’t something I would have been personally happy with but that is what was agreed in my absence.
I haven’t felt comfortable coming back on the forum if I'm honest, ignoring the fact I insinuated what was said at the meeting would be out Thursday on the forum, I feel like I have let you all down and for that I’m sorry.
Just to add, this apology wasn’t asked for, it's something I feel is owed to you all.
Should someone have gone that could have stayed all evening? Ideally yes, although Paul (Boycie) was unavailable to attend. Since the formation of 2017 it has only been either myself or Paul that has attended, I didn’t feel it would be right to send someone new which in hindsight was the correct call, they may have also not been able to attend until the end of what I’m led to believe turned out to be almost a 4 hour long meeting, putting themselves unwittingly into a similar situation I have.
I know you are all frustrated, the accusations of attention seeking, sitting on information, teasing, trying to get more views, followers etc. and even censorship on the forum are simply not true, they come from people that do not know me or how the forum is run at all, which is disappointing hearing it said by members that have been on the forum for a number of years now.
Finally, I do want to say thank you to those who have sent supportive texts, PM’s, DM’s, tweets you name it over the last few days, despite asking to be given time, it’s you who I put the hours in for, I will learn from this and work on handling things better in the future.
I would also like to thank the moderators who have been trying their best to keep on top of the situation, without them this forum would have crashed and burned over the last few days so please be respectful to them, even if at times you do not agree with decisions they have made. 
David
 

Don’t blame him for taking a break… I’d stay away longer if I were him.
take a look in the depression thread… he’s got a lot more important things on his plate than trying to appease randomers on the internet.

This is the first post I have seen since opening the thread, and the perfect one to say I'm sorry if you have messaged/mentioned me and I have ignored you, this morning has been chaos in all honesty, I'm not being lazy, haven't stopped since 8am.
I am now just finalising things by getting a couple of points fact checked to ensure that what I put out is completely accurate and not spend the day/evening correcting myself. 
Feel like I'm apologising a lot lately, it's just I want to you to know I'm not trying my best here, not looking to tease this out, get more views, likes, attention, nothing of the sort.
I'm being sent screenshots of abuse, tweets and posts asking to verify all morning across different platforms, I'm asking you to please stop, in fact please don't even react to this thread as it will only add further to my notifications I have to work through. Never had to deal with anything on this scale before and in all honesty, I'm struggling as I don't want to ignore any of you.
Thanks again to the many for understanding on the forum, love you all and the positive support from last night makes me proud of what we have all created, I just need a bit more time. ??
 

Absolutely this!!! 
????????

Thanks buddy. Yes I’m still here, currently shriveled up under an AC with the heat outside unbearable.
I’m glad to be back on. It was an all-or-nothing really as the price increase for RamsTV subscription admittedly tested my support for the year considering we’re almost certainly in for a struggle. 
But regardless of my opinion on the manager and those in charge, the club needs all the support it can get right now!

I can see why Sibley would be told he can leave by Rooney, you can clearly see Rooney doesnt trust him. He has barely featured in preseason and when he has his temperant has let him down in both games.
I disagree with this being like Rowett & Hughes, Hughes was much more established within the first team and also a much better player.
Sibley has undoubted potential, if Rooney doesnt fancy him then thats upto him but id rather he went on loan than be sold.

Whilst appreciate everyone is entitled to an opinion on a forum, but there seems to be a smug group of fans on here that seem to be wanting the team and manager to fail, as that will prove them to have been right all along.
Whilst Rooney wasn't my choice of manager he is the man in charge and did keep us up when most including myself thought we were going down last season.
He's also been in charge of us during what is probably some of the most difficult circumstances any manager of Derby, and most other clubs for that matter has had to face.
Let's not kid ourselves, it would be a hell of an achievement for any  manager, especially a novice with just over 1/2 a seasons experience to turn things around.
With a poor bare bones squad, no sign of players coming in due to Embargo Plus, and want away Chairman,  not to mention the potential future points penalty, the fact he hasn't yet walked away from the job when alot would have is to Rooney's credit in my opinion.
But these are the cards we've been dealt. So as the season approaches isn't it time for the fans to begin to get behind the team and manager and show some unity at a time when almost everyone is against us.
If that beyond some posters at least try and be constructive with your criticism.
UTR

Whilst appreciate everyone is entitled to an opinion on a forum, but there seems to be a smug group of fans on here that seem to be wanting the team and manager to fail, as that will prove them to have been right all along.
Whilst Rooney wasn't my choice of manager he is the man in charge and did keep us up when most including myself thought we were going down last season.
He's also been in charge of us during what is probably some of the most difficult circumstances any manager of Derby, and most other clubs for that matter has had to face.
Let's not kid ourselves, it would be a hell of an achievement for any  manager, especially a novice with just over 1/2 a seasons experience to turn things around.
With a poor bare bones squad, no sign of players coming in due to Embargo Plus, and want away Chairman,  not to mention the potential future points penalty, the fact he hasn't yet walked away from the job when alot would have is to Rooney's credit in my opinion.
But these are the cards we've been dealt. So as the season approaches isn't it time for the fans to begin to get behind the team and manager and show some unity at a time when almost everyone is against us.
If that beyond some posters at least try and be constructive with your criticism.
UTR

Whilst appreciate everyone is entitled to an opinion on a forum, but there seems to be a smug group of fans on here that seem to be wanting the team and manager to fail, as that will prove them to have been right all along.
Whilst Rooney wasn't my choice of manager he is the man in charge and did keep us up when most including myself thought we were going down last season.
He's also been in charge of us during what is probably some of the most difficult circumstances any manager of Derby, and most other clubs for that matter has had to face.
Let's not kid ourselves, it would be a hell of an achievement for any  manager, especially a novice with just over 1/2 a seasons experience to turn things around.
With a poor bare bones squad, no sign of players coming in due to Embargo Plus, and want away Chairman,  not to mention the potential future points penalty, the fact he hasn't yet walked away from the job when alot would have is to Rooney's credit in my opinion.
But these are the cards we've been dealt. So as the season approaches isn't it time for the fans to begin to get behind the team and manager and show some unity at a time when almost everyone is against us.
If that beyond some posters at least try and be constructive with your criticism.
UTR

Whilst appreciate everyone is entitled to an opinion on a forum, but there seems to be a smug group of fans on here that seem to be wanting the team and manager to fail, as that will prove them to have been right all along.
Whilst Rooney wasn't my choice of manager he is the man in charge and did keep us up when most including myself thought we were going down last season.
He's also been in charge of us during what is probably some of the most difficult circumstances any manager of Derby, and most other clubs for that matter has had to face.
Let's not kid ourselves, it would be a hell of an achievement for any  manager, especially a novice with just over 1/2 a seasons experience to turn things around.
With a poor bare bones squad, no sign of players coming in due to Embargo Plus, and want away Chairman,  not to mention the potential future points penalty, the fact he hasn't yet walked away from the job when alot would have is to Rooney's credit in my opinion.
But these are the cards we've been dealt. So as the season approaches isn't it time for the fans to begin to get behind the team and manager and show some unity at a time when almost everyone is against us.
If that beyond some posters at least try and be constructive with your criticism.
UTR

Whilst appreciate everyone is entitled to an opinion on a forum, but there seems to be a smug group of fans on here that seem to be wanting the team and manager to fail, as that will prove them to have been right all along.
Whilst Rooney wasn't my choice of manager he is the man in charge and did keep us up when most including myself thought we were going down last season.
He's also been in charge of us during what is probably some of the most difficult circumstances any manager of Derby, and most other clubs for that matter has had to face.
Let's not kid ourselves, it would be a hell of an achievement for any  manager, especially a novice with just over 1/2 a seasons experience to turn things around.
With a poor bare bones squad, no sign of players coming in due to Embargo Plus, and want away Chairman,  not to mention the potential future points penalty, the fact he hasn't yet walked away from the job when alot would have is to Rooney's credit in my opinion.
But these are the cards we've been dealt. So as the season approaches isn't it time for the fans to begin to get behind the team and manager and show some unity at a time when almost everyone is against us.
If that beyond some posters at least try and be constructive with your criticism.
UTR

Whilst appreciate everyone is entitled to an opinion on a forum, but there seems to be a smug group of fans on here that seem to be wanting the team and manager to fail, as that will prove them to have been right all along.
Whilst Rooney wasn't my choice of manager he is the man in charge and did keep us up when most including myself thought we were going down last season.
He's also been in charge of us during what is probably some of the most difficult circumstances any manager of Derby, and most other clubs for that matter has had to face.
Let's not kid ourselves, it would be a hell of an achievement for any  manager, especially a novice with just over 1/2 a seasons experience to turn things around.
With a poor bare bones squad, no sign of players coming in due to Embargo Plus, and want away Chairman,  not to mention the potential future points penalty, the fact he hasn't yet walked away from the job when alot would have is to Rooney's credit in my opinion.
But these are the cards we've been dealt. So as the season approaches isn't it time for the fans to begin to get behind the team and manager and show some unity at a time when almost everyone is against us.
If that beyond some posters at least try and be constructive with your criticism.
UTR

Whilst appreciate everyone is entitled to an opinion on a forum, but there seems to be a smug group of fans on here that seem to be wanting the team and manager to fail, as that will prove them to have been right all along.
Whilst Rooney wasn't my choice of manager he is the man in charge and did keep us up when most including myself thought we were going down last season.
He's also been in charge of us during what is probably some of the most difficult circumstances any manager of Derby, and most other clubs for that matter has had to face.
Let's not kid ourselves, it would be a hell of an achievement for any  manager, especially a novice with just over 1/2 a seasons experience to turn things around.
With a poor bare bones squad, no sign of players coming in due to Embargo Plus, and want away Chairman,  not to mention the potential future points penalty, the fact he hasn't yet walked away from the job when alot would have is to Rooney's credit in my opinion.
But these are the cards we've been dealt. So as the season approaches isn't it time for the fans to begin to get behind the team and manager and show some unity at a time when almost everyone is against us.
If that beyond some posters at least try and be constructive with your criticism.
UTR

Whilst appreciate everyone is entitled to an opinion on a forum, but there seems to be a smug group of fans on here that seem to be wanting the team and manager to fail, as that will prove them to have been right all along.
Whilst Rooney wasn't my choice of manager he is the man in charge and did keep us up when most including myself thought we were going down last season.
He's also been in charge of us during what is probably some of the most difficult circumstances any manager of Derby, and most other clubs for that matter has had to face.
Let's not kid ourselves, it would be a hell of an achievement for any  manager, especially a novice with just over 1/2 a seasons experience to turn things around.
With a poor bare bones squad, no sign of players coming in due to Embargo Plus, and want away Chairman,  not to mention the potential future points penalty, the fact he hasn't yet walked away from the job when alot would have is to Rooney's credit in my opinion.
But these are the cards we've been dealt. So as the season approaches isn't it time for the fans to begin to get behind the team and manager and show some unity at a time when almost everyone is against us.
If that beyond some posters at least try and be constructive with your criticism.
UTR

I know a few on here have a blinkered view of Rooney. Some didn't want him here in the first place, some didn't want him as manager which is fair enough, we're all not going to like/want the same players managers. 
This is only my opinion.
When Rooney first took over fully we were playing better stuff than under Cocu and we pulled away from the relegation zone.
Then we were hit with injuries to key players which basically ripped the spine out of our team.
Then CKR started carrying an injury but had to play still and we could see he wasn't 100% but we had nothing else.
The results/confidence started to decline and the squad we had after the injuries, any manager would struggle with. Our bench was full of kids.
In my opinion we can't berate Rooney for his final 15 matches when McLaren had the same problem in the season we failed to reach the playoffs, with a far superior squad and everyone was blaming the injuries to our key players in the run in. You can't have it both ways.
If Mac was manager last season he'd have had far far more slack from certain posters than Rooney has had.
Luckily this forum is a tiny percentage of our fan base and those who just don't like Rooney is even less.
I'm not happy with how thing went last season, not by a long shot, but i'm a realist and I could see what shape the club is in.
To put ALL the blame on Rooney is ridiculous imo.
He now has a good pre season to install his playing style on the squad. He also needs to get his players in.
THEN, if after all this we are still close to relegation, i believe he'll walk.
 

Can we close this thread please. It’s ridiculous some people think Clarke was a realistic transfer target. Good luck to him but let’s move on.

We need to be realistic as this is now where we are at. The embargo means we are unlikely to be able to compete in terms of wages with most clubs in the championship and some in league 1. We therefore need to look at players with question marks over them like CKR.
Both players mentioned will be better than what we currently have in the squad today.
Jagielka has always been seen as a good leader and pro, and can play centre half or defensive midfield. Whilst unlikely to have the legs he will offer back up and vital experience to what is likely to be a young squad.
Stearman will be the same. Having played over 70 games in the premier League and won  promotion 3 times, twice out of championship and been signed by managers like McCarthy and Wilder would question some of the comments on here about his ability.