Hanny

My word!!!! Look at that

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This has nothing to do with Warne-Ball. This has to do with the poor quality of the players on the pitch. Derby should easily have two or three goals at this point. They are simply not finishing. This one is purely on the player's shoulders.

I have unfortunately not been able to watch/listen. Has Plymouth controlled the game (looking dangerous) with all that possession? Or has it mainly been held in their own half? 
 

coyr

Can’t believe only 123 points left up for grabs! 
 

A wee bit of calm will do us all good these early days. Team will get sorted, more goals will come!

Maybe it’s because of the short preseason and the lads are still getting fit. It just seems like they are trying to win on technical ability alone, and less movement/trying. It appears lazy at times. 
 

again. That could very well be the short preseason. Derby should not be down in this match. Come on lads, kick it up! 

1 minute ago, TheHomunculusLives said:

I hope you're right about Oduroh, but I get the sense Rosenior will be going for experience over youth this season. I don't see Cashin or Thompson starting either.

Always a risk with youth. I guess, I personally prefer taking risks on younger players then older players. Depending on a thousand things of course. 
 

It would be great to see some of our younger players make the step up, since we are in league 1- It’s a much better place for them to take that step, as opposed to last year in the championship. 

But I agree, Liam does seem to want to bring in that experience this year. And I am quite happy with all the signings so far. 

19 minutes ago, TheHomunculusLives said:

Based on our signings so far and with a couple of assumptions (Forsyth to sign a new deal, Bielik to leave), what side will we likely start the season with?

I'm going for:

(4-3-3)

                           Wildsmith

Stearman    Davies     Chester    Forsyth

              Knight    Bird    Hourihane

    Barkhuizen    Collins    Mendez-Laing

 

Subs: Loach, Cashin, Roberts, Smith, McGoldrick, Sibley, Stretton

While I do believe finding another RB would be ideal. Seems odd you don’t even have Oduroh on your sheet there. Since he (even being young) will likely (and should) be seeing a fair amount of starts at RB this year…I’d imagine. 

1 hour ago, maxjam said:

I'm beginning to think the three squares, the three black squares (with a hint of white - thanks @Hanny) the three black squares (with a hint of white) of increasing size didn't actually mean anything significant at all...

Perhaps the comms team are just basic after all.  Not the wizards of foreshadowing we thought them to be ?

Side note: I think these reveals have been pretty fun. 

3 minutes ago, maxjam said:

Well its a white training top so its a newbie.

Getting really annoyed about that black squares now.... ? 

I did my best with that ‘at least the first block has a wee bit of white’ comment for you. Sorry, lad- on your own now. ?

3 minutes ago, maxjam said:

idc about punctuation on a football forum tbh

more annoyed that they didnt use a white square for Collins!

I mean, that first square does appear to have a shade of white on it ??‍♂️

I was always taught it is players not plays. That has generally been applied to game day chats (tactics vs talent/etc). But I think that model applies to the idea of Academy strength as well. 

In my opinion, any Academy can never 'expect' to produce a top talent. Because Top Talents are not made, they are born. However, you can 'expect' to produce useful footballers. 

As far as producing useful footballers, I think Derby are doing a great job, with the position they are in. I think Derby do have one of the top 15-20 Academies (facilities/etc) in the country (maybe top 10-15). But they are also far less able to fund nation wide talent search like the bigger clubs. The likes of ManCity/Chelsea/etc. have eyes on the entire country at all ages. Derby do not. That means for a truly unique talent to find its way in Derby's Academy, 15 plus other recruitment teams have already seen and decided to pass on that youth player. 

All recruitment teams can make mistakes, and miss something in regard to a youth player (they are looking at kids after-all). Those top clubs have the resources and head start on the best talent in the country, so it can appear they are producing these stars, when in reality its just statistics...the bigger clubs have many more shakes of the dice, and statistically will find higher quality talent because of it. 

If Derby were to go back and establish themselves as a low end Prem team (and all the financial resources that position comes with), Derby would start "producing" those top-talents because they are in a better position to find those young lads.

If you look at the recent crops of talent that have been scooped from Derby. They were all produced/found/etc. while Derby had been fighting at the top of the Champ, and looking within a shout to crack in to the Prem. That along with the fantastic facilities/ and the larger scouting budget they certainly had, would have been very attractive to a youth. 

I am excited for the Academy going forward, and think we will see plenty of good talent come through. And, yes, fingers-crossed we can discover one of those top-talents that others may be questioning. We love our club! But as a youth looking to make a go at the very high-risk proposition of being a footballer, will statistically have their young head turned by the likes of ManCity/Chelsea/etc, over Derby County. 

Of course, there might be a young top talent born and raised in Derbyshire, with the one dream of playing for the Black and White, eager, and waiting for their chance. That would be nice ? 

16 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said:

Since you don't want any new signings to be starters, I assume you want us to have a starting 11 along the lines of:

Wildsmith

Stearman   Davies   Cashin   Roberts

Bird   Bielik

Mendez-Laing   Hourihane   Knight

McGoldrick

 

At the very least we need a starting RB and CF. Stearman is not a RB and we have no one else who can play there. McGoldrick is no longer capable of being a regular starter.

It's clear we want another GK and if Rushworth is anything to go by, we're looking for someone likely better than Wildsmith.

Re-signing Forsyth would also make him first choice ahead of Roberts.

For adequate depth, we will need a second RB and two more CMs/wingers (dependant on where Sibley and Knight will play)

4 starters, 3 squad players.

As long as those new signings to be starters are not risky older players, I’m fine with them coming in. I’d much rather take a risk on a young player then and older one. 
 

I agree, we need more, and have been happy with the lads who have come in. I just don’t want to see more of our young lads with talent pushed aside for Journeymen- that’s all.  
 

I would love to see  that man city lad in! That would be the young risk I can get behind  

Also, yeah. That’s a pretty decent side for league 1. Although, I would expect a few of them to end up with some injuries and/or needing significant rest durning a league one campaign. Which is why I would advocate for younger legs to also get time. So our vets can stay as fresh as possible all year long  

CD is not playing 46+ matches this year.  I’d love him too! But you can’t expect a 37 year old to do so  

 ?

1 hour ago, Ghost of Clough said:

Who said anything about a team of 32-37 year olds? Wildsmith, Cashin, Bielik, Bird, Knight and Barkhuizen will expect to start most games. Roberts, Roberts, Tommo, Sibley and wingers (possibly Glover and someone else) who will be used often enough. Then there's also Stretton and Cybulski who'll get a bit if game time. Half of the starting lineup and half of the bench will be 28 or younger.

The business plan will ensure we don't overspend.

We have a nhmber of "young lads" in the starting lineup.

Indeed! I do see some younger talent. And, perhaps I was a bit high on the age number. I guess for me, 30 and above is starting to look old as a footballer (even though I myself am early 40’s ?.). 
 

I may be gun shy here from years past. And really hope we give our own talent a run-in. As we have seen so much of it walk out the door. Would be nice to hold on to some of these lads. 
 

whatever gives Derby the best chance- I’ll support that! ?

All- I don’t want my comments to imply I am not happy with our re-signings and/or our incomings. I’m thrilled with them all (to date). 
 

Im commenting more on the folks who seem to think we need another 8 or so incomings. And more over, some who think they need to be starters. 

Now, if we do bring in another 8 or so, I would just like them to be for depth purposes. As I think Derby are in a unique position of having some quality elder statesmen (that 32-37 range) already, and some very raw, but shown promise younger lads (18-23). 
 

My only hope is derby to not bring in a bunch more journeyman in that older range, only to potentially stifle our own talent. 
 

I may be in the minority, but I think to get out of league one, the balance should lean more towards a scrappy younger side, then seasoned vets. 
 

1 hour ago, DCFC1388 said:

Just because we're in League 1 doesnt mean we should automatically give you a chance. Last season was a free hit and the right season to do it, next season we're in a division where we havent been that low for over 30 years, we should be trying to go straight back up imo.

I understand, getting out of League 1 as quick as possible should be the aim. 
 

I just don’t believe fielding a team of 32-37 year olds is the safest way to do that.  Injuries and rests will need to happen, as well as needing some players who can run all day. CD (who I love!), will very likely not be suiting up every game again as he did last year…that was a monumental effort, that certainly can not be expected again. 
 

Derby are under a business plan, so the risk of slippery slope over paying is not really a risk…which is great! And as such, any experience brought in will not be a gamble on the future of the club. 
 

But I still think for the club (long term), we should be letting some of these young lads in the first team. We’d likely be loaning them out to league 1 sides anyway…so, let them play in our league 1 side. 

I understand the need for some experience in the squad (which we are seeing with some resigning, and new players. 
 

But Derby are league 1, The perfect opportunity to get some of these younger lads in the first team squad. 
 

At this point, every player between the ages of 23/22-18, should be given a look.In some capacity. If not, then why even try and cultivate an academy, in my opinion 

?‍♂️

2 minutes ago, Dai Capp said:

Was just thinking that - apparently a triallist, not sure where he's from...

I think that’s the Man City (youth) who was released by them. ?‍♂️

I've seen others comment similar. Curtis did drop hints at "further" with Derby. I take that to be coaching. We can't expect that man to keep suiting up for the pitch every match of the season ? But it seems (to me) he is excited about the possibility of being a ram for years to come. Hope I am reading that sense correctly. Regardless, delighted to have him back for another year in the dressing room and on the squad! 

6 minutes ago, Crewton said:

I believe this is correct - as I said on the other thread, the only exceptions would be if DC has agreed a payment plan with HMRC and/or MSD for what is owed to them (to whatever % of the debt he's agreed to pay).

That makes sense to me?. I suppose someone better informed then I (any UK based insolvency lawyers in the house?) could confirm ?‍♂️

Hello all! I just responded to someone in another thread, but wanted to post it here, as it’s admin focused.

Seems folks are debating the meaning of “the debts are cleared”.
 

I may be very wrong on my thinking here. but it was my understanding that the amount paid (25p/pound). Was the agreed amount by creditors as well as EFL/etc. Meaning that if someone (Now Clowes) agrees to pay the 25p up front, the rest of the debt will be wiped. 

Surely that’s the whole purpose of having an administration process. 
 

So, if My thinking is correct on this- yes, the debts will now be all cleared after the creditors/etc agreed to be paid 25p/pound, as opposed to being paid zero pounds for watching the team go bankrupt. 
 

Is this not correct? Am I completely ignorant of insolvency law in the UK (this is likely?)? Or are you lot just arguing semantics? ?

22 minutes ago, atherstoneram said:

Clearing the debt and creditors not being paid in full are Two completely different things. Unless DC has paid 100% of the debt then it has not been cleared. It was enough to avoid a 15 point deduction.

This discussion should likely be moved to the admin thread.

However- I may be very wrong on my thinking here. but it was my understanding that the amount paid (25p/pound). Was the agreed amount by creditors as well as EFL/etc. Meaning that if someone (Now Clowes) agrees to pay the 25p up front, the rest of the debt will be wiped. 

Surely that’s the whole purpose of having an administration process. 
 

So, if My thinking is correct on this- yes, the debts will now be all cleared after the creditors/etc agreed to be paid 25p/pound, as opposed to being paid zero pounds for watching the team go bankrupt. 
 

Is this not correct? Or are you lot just arguing semantics? ?

Perhaps this is for a different thread, however, since they would be ‘new’ to the first team squad they may be relevant for this thread. But I would imagine we will be seeing a fair few of our youngsters on the bench or around the starting 11 (depending on outgoings/and certainly in the early days of preseason). 
 

What are the best names (and positions) you lot see getting a shot? It is league one (which isn’t a cake walk, but is certainly not the championship), so a few should be given a blooding, Id think. 

4 minutes ago, duncanjwitham said:

The thing is, I don't see any of the centre halves we have/are linked to being able to do anything other than play centre half (albeit I know very little about Roberts).  5 centre halves is just overkill when we're restricted on wage spending and squad size.  We're much better off having 3 or 4 proper centre halves and then a couple of players like Fozzy than can play there in an emergency.

I'm not even sure I'd want the likes of Cashin/Davies/Stearman/Chester playing regularly in the wide centre-half positions in a back 3 - you really need to be quite mobile to do that job properly.

I hear you. I’m not saying I like the idea of overloading at the position. Am just wondering if Derby have a choice?‍♂️  
 

You (Derby) would surely like to feel confident in the health of their players.

But realistically you can’t expect Davis and Stearman (they haven’t yet officially signed either) to finish the season with 40 plus starts. 
 

So if those two are signed, you really need to have another two as cover (at least). And that’s just if the plan is a standard 4 at the back with the two center halves being fairly stationary. If they plan to play a more mobile system…they will need even more. 

I am here for all the Davis/Stearman love. But a wee bit of caution (realistic expectation) should be exercised. 
 

Davis will be 37, and Stearman 35 during this next season. At some point legs/backs/etc simply give out. 
 

As much as a warrior Davis has proven to be, he surely can’t be expected to suit up for the full dance card this year. 
 

My guess is Derby will likely add more Center half’s than many would like to see…prompting some to think a three at the back. When it’s more likely a hedge for the likelihood more then one or two of our older lads will be needing more breaks. 

4 minutes ago, Curtains said:

 

Look more like spelling contest folk rather than ‘rumble in the jungle’ folk. 
 

psst:that’s a boxing reference ?