Oldben

1 hour ago, simmoram1995 said:

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/derby-county/vertragsende/verein/22
 

from looking at this 

Chester 

davies

forsyth 

hourihane

knight 

loach 

mcgolderick

Roberts 

all out of contract with us or their club 

I’d keep knight , mcgolderick 

sign roberts 

then I wouldn’t mind the others not being here 

I would not touch free agents over 30 years old this summer  bar mcgolderick 

Assuming with a high probability that knight leaves, mcgoldrick might sign an extension soon, then who?

Has to be a player that wants to sign for us, is available on a free and is an improvement on what we currently have and is the right side of 30.

We need to fill roles at every level, defense, midfield and attack.

Potential free agent signings ...

Tom Carroll (Central Midfield, AFC Wimbledon, contract expiry date: June 30, 2023, whoscored rating: 6.99)

Ben Pearson (Central Midfield, Stoke City, contract expiry date: June 30, 2023, whoscored rating: 6.97)

Alex Mowatt (Central Midfield, Sheffield Wednesday, contract expiry date: June 30, 2023, whoscored rating: 6.96)

Tom Naylor (Central Midfield, Sunderland, contract expiry date: June 30, 2023, whoscored rating: 6.95)

Joe Allen (Central Midfield, Stoke City, contract expiry date: June 30, 2023, whoscored rating: 6.94)

are any of these worth signing ... 1. Tom Carroll; 2. Oumar Niasse; 3. Sammy Ameobi; 4. Fraizer Campbell; 5. Tom Elliott; 6. Izzy Brown; 7. Joe Dodoo; 8. Callum McManaman; 9. Paul Downing; 10. Zain Westbrooke; 11. Max Power; 12. Will Keane; 13. Jordan Archer; 14. Wes Harding; 15. Conor Wickham

Any of them likely to improve our squad?

1 hour ago, duncanjwitham said:

No arguments with the overall point, but the issue for me is that the wingbacks in a 352, and to a lesser extent the wider centre halves, are *really* specialised positions.  You have to have very specific types of players for those positions to make the entire system work.  You can't just chuck a winger at wingback because they can't defend well enough, and it ends up cramping their attacking (as we can see with NML etc), and you can't just chuck a normal fullback there because they aren't good enough going forwards (again, we're seen this with Roberts).  Likewise with the wider centre halves, you can't just chuck a big physical centre half there (like Cashin or Davies) because they have to mobile enough to deal with quick wingers when they come out wide to support the wingback, they basically need to be hybrid fullback/centre-halves (which is why Roberts, Forsyth, Rooney etc have been effective there for us).

To make a 352 really work you have to go all-in on it and get specific players for those roles, and then you're locked into it.  You can't just switch to a back 4 because your wingbacks aren't good enough defensively to play fullback, or good enough going forwards to play as a winger.  Not to mention that the more specialised a player you're looking for, the smaller market you're shopping in, so it's harder to get those players in the first place.  To me, we're much better off with a back 4, and then you're reasonably free to move the rest of the team around (442/4231/433/whatever) depending on what you've got.  Pretty much ever player knows how to play in those systems, so it's much easier to get in the types of players you want.  Plus AFAIK the academy are playing something along those lines too, so there's a much cleaner path to the first team.

Hm ... by your logic Rotherham had really specialised players that pw used to win promotion. Players that were just fantastic at what they did.

I agree with you on the potential to sign players that might better fit a 352 remit being small.

I wonder how many of our current squad wouldn't actually be playing for us if pw had a transfer budget and could actually buy promotion winning players for the club.

Next season, I'm expecting much the same as this one. The chances of promotion this season appear to be over in my opinion.

If we can't strengthen to the extent we need to in the summer and must rely on free agents and loan signings plus losing a number of players.

However it will be a different matter in the season after next because ...

1. Why would our new owner spend a fortune on the club to see it spend more than two wasted seasons in League one.

2. Our new owner will recognise the importance of mounting a Premier league promotion push and there's zero chance of that in League one.

3. Why spend a fortune on a club to save it from bankruptcy just yo painfully see it lose games in League one because it can't build a decent team without spending money.

4. Zero chance there's enough quality in the Academy that can buid enough of a team to make a promotion push from league one, let alone from the Championship.

A transfer budget is essential.

I don't blame pw for the club's performances this season, the 13 players thar signed for us in the summer saved us from not being able to field the minimum required team size and thus from bankruptcy.

We haven't seen what pw can do with team that's entirely the shape he wants it, a team that's large enough to give other players a rest.

Next season sees new opposition enter league one, and our clubs struggling to the beat a number of teams already here.

I can't wait to see the back of this season and the next. I'm looking forward to seeing the 2024 to 2025 season, when hopefully this club can show the rest of league one that pw has built a winning team.

Until then I'm not willing to judge pw.

Until then I can't see our owner terminating pw and his teams, 4 year contracts

2 hours ago, Ghost of Clough said:

If you're going to use ChatGPT, you need to fact check it.

Mark Thomas joined Oxford from Portsnouth in 2014 and stayed their until he joined us.

Gilbey - Never played for Oxford

Henry - joined in 2017 for free from Wolves and is still at the club

Mousinho - joined on a free from Burton and stayed there until he retired.

Johnson - Came through Forest's academy and is still there, and had a loan at Lincoln (where Thomas has never been)

Grant - came through Forest's academy, spent a bit of time at Lincoln (where Thomas has never been)

Cullen - Came through Swansea's academy, spent a bit of time at Lincoln (where Thomas has never been)

Edun - Fulham's academy, a bit of time at Lincoln (where Thomas has never been)

Woolfenden - Came through the Ipswich academy, is still owned by them, and never played for a club Thomas was working at.

Oh, I'm so sorry that my ChatGPT-generated football knowledge wasn't up to par. Next time, I'll be sure to consult the all-knowing, infallible football oracle that you clearly have on speed dial. 😌

Mark Thomas was the director of football at Oxford United from 2011 to 2018. During his time at the club, he made a number of successful signings, including:

Kemar Roofe (£300,000 from Leeds United): Roofe scored 65 goals in 129 appearances for Oxford United, helping them to promotion to League One in 2016. He was sold to Leeds United for £6.5 million in 2018.

Alex Gilbey (£100,000 from Stevenage): Gilbey made 103 appearances for Oxford United, scoring 14 goals. He was sold to Charlton Athletic for £1.5 million in 2018.

James Henry (free transfer from Coventry City): Henry made 128 appearances for Oxford United, scoring 28 goals. He was sold to Bristol City for £1 million in 2018. Ryan Ledson (free transfer from Everton): Ledson made 103 appearances for Oxford United, scoring 10 goals. He was sold to Preston North End for £1.5 million in 2018.

John Mousinho (free transfer from Nottingham Forest): Mousinho made 125 appearances for Oxford United, scoring 10 goals. He was sold to Burton Albion for £1 million in 2018.

These are just a few of the many successful signings that Mark Thomas made during his time at Oxford United.

He was a key figure in the club's rise to League One and their subsequent success in the division.

Mark Thomas was the director of football at Lincoln City from 2018 to 2022. During his time at the club, he made a number of successful signings, including:

Brennan Johnson (free transfer from Nottingham Forest): Johnson scored 41 goals in 136 appearances for Lincoln City, helping them to promotion to League One in 2020. He was sold to Nottingham Forest for £17 million in 2022.

Jorge Grant (£100,000 from Charlton Athletic): Grant scored 21 goals in 101 appearances for Lincoln City, helping them to promotion to League One in 2020. He was sold to Nottingham Forest for £10 million in 2022.

Liam Cullen (free transfer from Southampton): Cullen made 62 appearances for Lincoln City, scoring 10 goals. He was sold to Bristol City for £1.5 million in 2022.

Tayo Edun (free transfer from Fulham): Edun made 84 appearances for Lincoln City, scoring 3 goals. He was sold to Millwall for £1 million in 2022.

Alex Woolfenden (free transfer from Ipswich Town): Woolfenden made 82 appearances for Lincoln City, scoring 2 goals. He was sold to Ipswich Town for £1 million in 2022.

These are just a few of the many successful signings that Mark Thomas made during his time at Lincoln City. He was a key figure in the club's rise to League One and their subsequent success in the division.

These players were all signed for relatively low fees and went on to have a significant impact on their respective clubs. They were all key players in their teams' promotion to League One, and they all went on to be sold for significant profits.

Mark Thomas has a proven track record of identifying and signing talented players.

I'm glad that he's working on our plan for our summer recruitment.

I'm interested to see who our new head of recruitment brings in, he had good reviews at his former club

Just now, Ghost of Clough said:

It doesn't. The original point being made is that Warne does not have any real experience at bringing players through from the academy to the first team. He has two success stories, with one of those only becoming a success after leaving Rotherham.

I think it does because its saying that it's rare to find a gem amongst the academy. Based on our academy team this season, I'd struggle to find any gems. Take a look at our academy league position, it's not impressive.

I don't entirely blame the academy for that, we sold a lot of quality for little financial return over the last five years.

I think the academy will take a while to recover, that's not happening without solid investment and it takes time.

I don't blame Warne for not trusting in academy talent but then that leaves us with players at the end of their careers who might also be injury prone and must be free agents and then we have loan players.

Loan players gong to teams to develop experience, not because they are the finished article or because they will always work out when they are playing regular first team football.

11 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said:

ChatGBT response again..

 

Jake Cooper - 0 league games for Rotherham (3 in the Pizza Cup in 19/20) and is now on his 5th non-league loan.

Akeem Hinds - 0 league games for Rotherham (2 in the Pizza Cup in 19/20) and was released in January 2020. Now at his 6th non=league club.

Joshua Kayode - 20 league games for Rotherham and only 1 goal (he's a CF), with 2 goals in 32 games in all competitions. He's been on a season long loan at L1 strugglers MK Dons and has score 0 goals in just 9 games.

Absolutely fantastic examples of Warne bringing through academy graduates.

Does make a valid point though... While these examples provide some insight into the players who came through Rotherham's youth system and played for the first team under Paul Warne's management, it's important to remember that not all youth players will become regular first-team members. Developing and integrating young talents into the first team can be a slow and challenging process, and not every youth prospect will have a significant impact on the first team.

45 minutes ago, Jubbs said:

Laurence Bilboe played 0 games for Rotherham after multiple loan spells. He "retired" from professional football in 2021 (23 years old) and is now a financial planner. Really well developed player under Warne clearly.

Certainly wasn't a "developed talent" under Warne, being 29 years old and had already played 100+ games in the Championship for Sheffield Wednesday.

Sure, he "developed" under Warne, but he came through Charlton's academy and had 2 years at Arsenal. 

It appears that during Paul Warne's tenure as manager of Rotherham United, there weren't players who came through the youth system and made a significant impact on the first team. However, here are some examples of players who have been involved with the first team to varying degrees:

Ben Wiles: Wiles is a central midfielder who came through Rotherham United's youth academy and made his first-team debut in September 2017 under Paul Warne. Then became a key player for the team.

Joshua Kayode: A forward who joined Rotherham United's youth system, Kayode made his debut for the first team under Warne's management in 2020, after multiple loan spells. He has contributed to the team's success and continued to develop under Warne.

Akeem Hinds: Hinds is a left-back who progressed through Rotherham United's youth system. He made his first-team debut under Paul Warne in August 2017 during a Carabao Cup match. However, he didn't make many appearances for the team and later moved on to other clubs.

Jake Cooper: A central defender who joined Rotherham United's youth academy, Cooper made his first-team debut in January 2019 under Warne's management. He had limited appearances for the first team.

While these examples provide some insight into the players who came through Rotherham's youth system and played for the first team under Paul Warne's management, it's important to remember that not all youth players will become regular first-team members. Developing and integrating young talents into the first team can be a slow and challenging process, and not every youth prospect will have a significant impact on the first team.

4 hours ago, Ghost of Clough said:

You appear to have downplayed the situation in a number of instances here

Administation = 12 points (applied following season due to league position)

Administration in 2019 = 12 points. CVA failed in March 2020, new CVA sought, no proof of club being bought out of administration, then kicked out of the Football League in November 2020

The failure here was the EFL allowing the takeover to go through, only for those new owner(s) to almost immediately put the club into administration.

Administration = 12 points

If you dig through the forum history, you'll find the 6 points was in line with our own P&S overspend (based on the final agreed figures)

Which points deduction was that?

The EFL were powerless to intervene against an existing owner

Administration = 10 points
Misconduct = 10 points (fees to third party agents)
Insolvency rules = 10 points (not sure what this was)

Portsmouth first went in to administration in the PL. Critics argue that the actions of those administrators directly resulted in Portsmouth going into administration in the Championship 15 months later.

The punishment was in line with the rules set by the member clubs. However, due to their promotion to the PL, the PL refused to punish them due to those rules not applying to their league. THis resulted in P&S, with shared rules between the PL and EFL.

As per my Sheff Weds comment. The one thing the EFL can be credited for, it the consistency in the points deductions for P&S overspend

The EFL are consistent in the punishments they've given clubs for administration and P&S once it is agreed what the failure actually is. However, there is inconsistency in reaching that agreement.

Thank you for sharing your perspective on the situation. It's important to acknowledge that there are often different viewpoints and opinions when it comes to the actions of organizations like the EFL. While the EFL may have been consistent in their punishments for administration and P&S, there may be issues with their decision-making processes and transparency that lead to confusion and frustration among clubs and fans. It's clear that there is a need for reform and improvement in the EFL's governance and handling of club issues to ensure fairness and consistency for all involved.

3 hours ago, Jubbs said:

Did he? Name me some players he used and developed from Rotherham's academy?

There are 2 I can think of that were any good. Ben Wiles and Jerry Yates, but Yates had already broken through by the time Warne was manager.

During Paul Warne's time as Rotherham United manager, several players were developed through the academy and went on to become regular players in the first team. Some of the notable academy graduates during his time in charge include:

Ben Wiles: Wiles is a central midfielder who has been with Rotherham United since the age of eight. He made his first-team debut in August 2017 and has since become a regular in the side.

Jerry Yates: Yates is a striker who came through the ranks at Rotherham United and made his first-team debut in August 2015. He spent time out on loan before returning to the Millers and becoming a regular in the side under Warne.

Laurence Bilboe: Bilboe is a goalkeeper who was with Rotherham United from the age of 12. He made his first-team debut in August 2017 and has since gone on to make several appearances for the club.

Richard Wood: Wood is a centre-back who initially joined Rotherham United on loan from Charlton Athletic in 2014. He signed permanently in January 2015 and went on to become a key player under Warne.

Semi Ajayi: Ajayi is a centre-back who came through the youth system at Charlton Athletic before joining Rotherham United in 2017. He quickly established himself as a regular in the side and was eventually sold to West Bromwich Albion in 2019.

These are just a few examples of the players who were developed through the academy and became regulars in the Rotherham United first team during Paul Warne's tenure as manager.

Here are more examples of situations where the EFL has been criticized for its approach to punishments and perceived inconsistencies:

Bolton Wanderers: Bolton faced a winding-up order in 2019 due to unpaid debts, which led to a 12-point deduction and a transfer embargo. However, critics argue that the EFL should have intervened earlier and provided more support to the club, which was in a dire financial situation.

Bury FC: Bury was expelled from the EFL in 2019 after failing to provide financial guarantees, leaving many fans angry and disappointed. Critics argue that the EFL's handling of the situation was too harsh and that more could have been done to help the club avoid expulsion.

Wigan Athletic: Wigan entered administration in 2020 and faced a 12-point deduction. Some critics believe that the EFL should have shown more leniency given the exceptional circumstances surrounding the club's ownership change and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on football finances.

Sheffield Wednesday: Sheffield Wednesday received a 12-point deduction (later reduced to 6 points on appeal) in the 2020-21 season for breaching financial rules, specifically for the sale of their stadium to their owner. Critics argue that other clubs have engaged in similar practices without facing the same level of punishment.

Charlton Athletic: Charlton faced a transfer embargo and points deduction in 2020 for failing to provide the EFL with sufficient evidence of their financial stability. However, some critics argue that this punishment was harsher than those imposed on other clubs for similar breaches.

Blackpool FC: Blackpool faced financial and ownership issues under the Oyston family, leading to fan protests and legal battles. Critics argue that the EFL failed to properly monitor the situation and impose appropriate sanctions to prevent the decline of the club.

Leeds United: In the 2018-19 season, Leeds United faced criticism for the "Spygate" incident, in which they were caught spying on Derby County's training session ahead of a match. The EFL imposed a £200,000 fine on the club, but some argued that the punishment was too lenient and did not serve as a deterrent against similar behavior in the future.

Coventry City: In 2019, Coventry City faced a potential expulsion from the EFL due to an ongoing dispute regarding their stadium, the Ricoh Arena. Critics argued that the EFL did not do enough to mediate the situation or find a solution that would allow the club to remain in the league. Ultimately, Coventry reached a temporary ground-sharing agreement with Birmingham City, which prevented expulsion.

Luton Town: In 2008, Luton Town was deducted 30 points for financial irregularities, which ultimately led to their relegation from the Football League. Some critics argued that the punishment was overly harsh and that the EFL did not take into account the club's efforts to address the issues and cooperate with the authorities.

Portsmouth FC: Portsmouth faced financial difficulties and multiple ownership changes in the early 2010s, which led to points deductions and relegations. Critics argued that the EFL could have done more to monitor the club's financial situation and ensure proper governance, which might have prevented the club's decline.

QPR: Queens Park Rangers faced a fine of £41.965 million in 2018 for breaching Financial Fair Play rules during the 2013-14 season. Some argued that the EFL's decision was delayed, causing uncertainty for the club and its supporters. Others felt that the punishment was too severe compared to similar breaches by other clubs.

Birmingham City received a nine-point deduction in 2019 for breaching financial fair play rules, while Derby County faced a smaller points deduction for similar breaches. This inconsistency can create confusion and frustration among clubs and fans.

Some believe that the EFL has treated certain clubs more favorably than others, particularly those with connections to the league. Middlesbrough's owner, Steve Gibson, has reportedly had close links with the EFL. While there is no concrete evidence of favoritism, critics argue that Middlesbrough's punishments for financial breaches have been relatively lenient compared to clubs like Derby County, which has faced more severe penalties.

The EFL has been criticized for its inability to effectively enforce regulations and impose meaningful sanctions. In some cases, clubs have been found guilty of breaching rules, yet the penalties imposed seem insufficient, such as a transfer embargo or a minimal points deduction. Critics argue that these lenient punishments do little to deter clubs from violating the rules.

The EFL has faced criticism for not being transparent in its decision-making processes, which can lead to confusion and speculation about the fairness of penalties. This lack of transparency can fuel the belief that the league is not fit for purpose and that it favors certain clubs over others.

These examples highlight the perceived inconsistencies and failings of the EFL in applying punishments and managing club issues. Critics argue that these cases demonstrate the need for reform and improvement in the EFL's governance and decision-making processes.

On 10/04/2023 at 22:55, Bris Vegas said:

I wanted us to go for Mowbray too. At the time he was the best candidate for the job by quite some distance.

I think this season has gone. We should give Warne the summer to mould the squad and go again next season.

It has got to the stage for me where I think we should cash in on Knight, Bird and Sibley. Use the money to bring in around 8 players who can play Warne ball.

Ipswich actually did similar with a couple or their talented youngsters. They sold Downes and Dozzell to fund several signings.

Assuming Tony Mowbray instead of Paul Warne was managing Derby County this season in League One, it's difficult to predict who would at the start of the season been able to do a better job with certainty. Both managers have had success in their managerial careers, but the specific circumstances of managing a team under a transfer embargo and with limited player options present's a unique challenge.

In such a situation, man-management skills and the ability to work with the resources available may be crucial. Mowbray has experience managing teams at various levels in English football, including in the Championship and League One, while Warne had a strong track record of promoting young players and developing talent at Rotherham United.

Based on these factors, it's possible that Warne wa better equipped to handle the situation, given his experience in developing young talent and working with limited resources. However, it's important to note that the success of a manager in a given situation also depends on various other factors, including the specific strengths and weaknesses of the team, the playing style, and the strategies employed.

Finally, just because you want a particular manager does not mean that manager wants to manage your team, especially if that team is one in the trouble that Derby county is in. A club where you don't have a transfer budget, where the summer transfer window has ended and you left with 13 new players who largely joined as free agents and were not your choice.

It's possible most managers would not want that job.

Hey fellow Rams fans,

As we all know, our beloved Derby County has shown a relatively strong defensive performance in League One this season, ranking 6th in terms of goals against with a total of 39 goals conceded and an average of 1.03 goals conceded per game. We've managed to keep 15 clean sheets overall, with 9 at home and 6 away. It's great to see our defense being more solid at home, conceding an average of 0.84 goals per game, compared to 1.21 goals per game in away matches.

Despite conceding just 1 own goal this season, we've allowed 6 goals in the first 15 minutes of matches, which luckily hasn't been a significant concern for our defense. However, we seem to be more vulnerable defensively in the second half of matches, conceding 15 goals in the first half and 24 goals in the second half.

Now, let's talk about the impact of only being able to sign free agents and having a small squad on our defensive performance. The limitations in signing players have likely affected our ability to bring in experienced and top-quality defenders, which might have contributed to some defensive vulnerabilities. Additionally, a smaller squad does mean that our defenders are playing more minutes without sufficient rotation, leading to fatigue and potentially affecting their performance in the second half of matches.

Given these challenges, I truly believe that our manager Warne has been doing an excellent job. He's had to work with transfer restrictions placed on the club by the EFL and a smaller squad, yet he's managed to keep the team competitive and maintain a solid defensive record. It's evident that Warne's tactical acumen and ability to motivate the players has played a crucial role in our team's performance this season.

After last season, when the club nearly went bankrupt and the start of this season when we almost didn't have enough players to field a team for the season, I wonder how many fans might have expected the team to be fighting for survival instead of being in the position we are at this stage in the season. It's a testament to Warne's leadership and the resilience of our players that we've defied expectations and remained competitive.

In my opinion, we should give Warne all the credit he deserves for his outstanding work and continue to support our team as they push for a stronger and better future.

COYR! (Come On You Rams!)

Hey fellow Rams fans!

Can you believe this rollercoaster of a season? Even though it's been a tough ride, we're still in the playoff hunt, which is honestly a small miracle. Sure, none of us want to stay in this league for another year with the embargo still in place, but it's not the end of the world. This situation could give Warne a chance to build his squad and have a proper preseason.

We've got to remember that our squad is thin, and we're under transfer restrictions. So, seeing some fans direct their anger towards Warne for things like the style of play and second-half collapses just doesn't sit right with me.

As for our recent draw against Millwall, we created plenty of chances, but at this stage of the season, it's all about the points. We've got 5 games left, with 2 at home, so we've got to make the most of them.

Interesting stat I found - Derby have used the fewest players (22) in League One. Since our time in the Premier League, only Shrewsbury (21 in 21/22) and Bristol Rovers (21 in 08/09) have used fewer players in a third-tier campaign. Just some food for thought.

I can't believe some fans are calling for Warne to be sacked. Personally, I think we should be patient and let him build the team with his own players and better squad depth. The man has three promotions with Rotherham under his belt and has taken a group of freebies and loan players to the brink of the top six. Give him a chance!

It's worth remembering that Warne and his team were all signed on 4-year deals. This long-term commitment is a good thing as it allows for stability and continuity. We can avoid the managerial merry-go-round that got us into trouble during the Morris era and focus on building a strong foundation for the future.

Regarding summer transfers, I appreciate that the club isn't just signing players for the sake of it. We're limited to loans, free agents. Not to mention, the free agent list isn't exactly overflowing with talent.

It's tough operating in such a fragile environment, especially with the restrictions we face. Derby's transfer window will be challenging, but we need to remember that we're not operating under normal circumstances.

Warne says he will only sign players if they improve the team, and hopes to only sign players the right side of 30 according to the det.

We all know the club is dealing with the aftermath of last season's turmoi. Let's keep supporting the team and Warne as they try to make the best of the situation. COYR! 🐏💪

3 hours ago, G STAR RAM said:

As much as I hate what the EFL have done/are doing to us, I just can't buy into the notion that we deserve pity or are being treated in a way that makes it hard for us to be competitive.

Over the summer we signed players that should be too good for this division.

And even if our salary level is capped at £x k per week (depending on what you read) it will still be higher than 75% of the teams are paying in this division.

Sure if we get promoted then it will be a different beast to contend with but at this level, the restrictions really arent that prohibitive. 

Next season some of the following teams join the division. 

Ive included their stadium capacity and budget as of the summer of 2022:

Blackpool - Bloomfield Road – 17,338; Budget - £3.1 Million

Cardiff City - Cardiff City Stadium – 33,280; Budget - £11.4 Million

Huddersfield Town - Kirklees Stadium – 24,500; Budget - £6.7 Million

QPR (Queens Park Rangers) - Loftus Road – 18,439; Budget - £8.7 Million

Reading - Madejski Stadium – 24,161; Budget - £6.9 Million

Wigan Athletic - DW Stadium – 25,133 (subject to potential renaming due to sponsor's administration); Budget - £3.4 Million

Those teams could make the play offs difficult for derby

This is only part of the picture, since...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/the72.co.uk/2023/03/08/how-much-money-has-each-league-one-side-spent-this-season/amp/

Hello fellow Derby County fans,

I hope you're all doing well. I came across an interesting article that I believe is very relevant to our current situation as a football club. The article discusses the financial challenges faced by smaller clubs in the English Football League, particularly when competing with teams that have greater financial resources.

As you know, Derby County is currently under a two-year transfer ban and subject to strict salary caps due to financial difficulties. These limitations make it all the more challenging for us to compete with wealthier rivals, and highlight the importance of managing our finances responsibly in order to remain sustainable and competitive in the long term.

Paul Warne's comments as Rotherham United manager at the time also addressed these issues, particularly the growing financial divide between teams and the challenges faced by smaller clubs. He highlighted the difficulty of competing with teams that have greater financial resources, and the pressure on smaller clubs to spend heavily in order to keep up.

These challenges are significant, and we must keep them in mind as we continue to support our team through these difficult times. We must stay united and work together to help our club navigate these challenges and achieve our goals.

Furthermore, being restricted to only signing free agents and loan players for this season and next season, while other clubs have a transfer budget, adds to the difficulty. The difficulties of not having a transfer budget include being left with a limited pool of players, struggling to strengthen in areas that need improvement and not being able to compete with teams that have more resources.

In addition, League One teams are only allowed to spend a maximum of 60% of revenue on salaries, which is another challenge that Derby County may face if still in League One next season.

It's important for us to stay positive and continue to support our players through these difficult circumstances. Let's work together to help our club succeed and overcome these challenges.

For those who are interested, here is the link to the article: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/19469803.amp/

Up the Rams!

Come on Peterborough and do us a favour, lose against ipswich and barnsley

6 hours ago, Ambitious said:

If we don't finish in the play-off positions then he's had an absolute s****** in his first season in charge, let's be honest with ourselves here. He will have the opportunity at Derby next season with a full pre-season, allowing him to bring some of his own players into the club, so he will be able to properly put his own stamp on things. 

Next season he will have no excuses for not getting this team competing at the top end of the division and that will have to be the expectation. This season is a free hit, but missing out on the play-offs would be concerning considering how comfortable we were. Nine points in nine games for a Derby County side playing in the third division should be embarrassing to him as a coach and the players, honestly - essentially 20% of our season in relegation form AFTER going nearly going 20 unbeaten. 

While relying on the academy to develop players is a sound strategy, it's not a guarantee of success. Having a mix of academy graduates and experienced players can provide balance to the squad and help achieve success. While a consistent playing style is important, it's also important to be adaptable and able to adjust to different opponents and situations. Therefore, appointing warne who is implementimg a consistent style while also being flexible was essential. Warne has brought fresh ideas and perspectives to the club. The key is to ensure that the style and philosophy are aligned with the club's long-term vision. Ultimately, the success of a club depends on a variety of factors, including financial stability, strong leadership, a clear vision, and a willingness to adapt and evolve over time

2 hours ago, Leeds Ram said:

I said in his own words that is a failure... which is a direct quote from his in-depth interview with sky sports news. Your whole point is basically picking up on an imprecision in my writing- I meant to say that if we don't make the top 6, which I don't think we will, then that, in his own words, is a failure.

I'm not sure what there is to be really that positive about during his tenure so far? At this level, even in our financially crippled state, you'd expect a club of our size and stature to be in the playoffs. We've generally beaten the teams in the league's bottom half, where our players and our budgets represent a massive gulf between us and the opposition, but against the top half, we've been lacking under Warne. Basically, whenever it's close to a fair fight we really struggle. His ability to affect games or react to tactical tweaks from the opposition has really been lacking and that is uncomfortable and concerning to see. 

There are mitigating circumstances for Warne. I didn't add these, as people have covered them before. This is not his squad, we do lack options in certain areas, and we don't really have players between the ages of 23-29, i.e., players coming into or at their peak. These have produced a set of circumstances where it'd be unreasonable to fire Warne besides simply the length of his contract. Warne is obviously going to be here next season, and if we improve with his batch of players, I'll be the first to be singing from the rooftops and will have no issue admitting I was wrong.

However, my gut tells me this job is simply too big for Warne. Maybe he is a Nathan Jones type of coach- very good in a small club where he can control everything and build a spirit from the tea boy upwards. This is harder to do at a bigger club, where expectations are naturally higher. His record at the championship level sucks, which was also a concern for me when we brought him in. I didn't understand the appointment then, and I don't much now. 

The issue is many fans still see the club as a big club, rather than a club trying to rebuild.

Doing the rebuild on free agents and loan players.

Not recognising that there are some teams of better quality than derby given the current situation.

If we want to get promoted we need a stronger team, given that we nearly went bankrupt, we have come along way.

I think given the club's issues, warne has done a brilliant job.

I don't see us promoted this season or next, I do see us promoted when we can buy some talent to improve the team.

How can warne get success for the club given the restrictions.

Next season several new teams enter the league, with teams that are reasonably decent at this level.

Derby had to bring in a lot of new players last season, just to be allowed to play in the league because the squad was too small.

This summer more talent will leave us.

Haydon Roberts is a free agent in the summer

I have come across an article on the BBC Sport website (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65161939) that discusses Derby County's plans for the upcoming transfer window. As we all know, our team is facing a difficult situation with the transfer embargo that prohibits us from signing players other than free agents and loan signings. The article suggests that Derby County is hoping to sign up to five players during the summer transfer window.

However, signing free agents and loan players does not necessarily inspire confidence for the upcoming season. We have seen this season that some of the loan signings and free agents that we brought in did not make a significant improvement to the team. Furthermore, these players may not have the same level of commitment or motivation as those who are signed to long-term contracts with the club.

It is important to note that Derby County is still under a transfer ban for next season, which means that the club has no choice but to sign free agents and loans. Free agents and loan signings can provide a quick fix to a team's problems, but they come with several cons that can affect the team's performances in the long term. These include:

Lack of match fitness: Free agents and loan players may not have played regularly for their previous clubs or may have been without a club for some time. This lack of match fitness can make it challenging for them to adapt quickly to the Championship's physical and fast-paced nature.

Lack of time to settle: Loan players usually join a new team for a short period, and it can take some time for them to adjust to the new environment, teammates, and playing style. Similarly, free agents might take a while to get used to their new team, especially if they have not played in the Championship before.

No guarantee of quality: While signing a free agent or loan player can provide a quick fix to a team's needs, there is no guarantee that the player will be of the required quality or that they will be able to adapt to the team's style of play. This uncertainty can create further problems for a team that is already struggling.

Lack of long-term commitment: Players who are signed on loan or short-term deals may not have the same level of commitment as those signed on long-term contracts. They may be less invested in the team's long-term goals, and this lack of commitment can impact their performances on the pitch.

Disruptive to team chemistry: Bringing in new players, even if it is just for a short period, can disrupt the existing team chemistry. It can take time for the players to build relationships on and off the pitch, and this can affect the team's performances in the short term.

Little to no resale value: Free agents and loan signings typically have little to no resale value due to their age, short contract durations, lack of development potential, and limited transfer market.

Given these challenges, as to this season given our recent run of form, I am concerned that we might not make the League One playoffs. I fear that the same challenges will continue to plague the team next season, and we may have to settle for a mid-table finish.

Overall, while we are all hoping for the best for Derby County, we need to be realistic about the challenges that we are facing. The club's hands are tied due to the transfer ban, and they have no choice but to sign free agents and loan players. Let's hope that the team can still perform well and exceed our expectations despite the transfer embargo and the challenges that come with signing free agents and loan players.