Hanny

And the squares were getting bigger, I was expecting meh, oooh, WOAH!!!

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. ?

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

So, we're starting to look back at Mel's tenure, the last few seasons and almost going out of business.
I have to say that the threat of Derby County, the club that has been such a big part of my life, being liquidated was mentally and emotionally debilitating.
Sure there are far more serious things happening in the world but I personally found it really tough to deal with.
Nevertheless, thanks to many people - especially David Clowes, of course, but also Rooney, Team Derby, everyone at the club, and the supporters (more of them in a moment) the Rams have survived and can start to look forward again.
So now, knowing that the worst is over, we can start to look back and pick out the truly good things that came out of the past year.
The supporters.
Unbelievable. Fantastic. Superb. Remarkable.
There are no words that do justice to the pride I feel to count myself as a Derby fan.
I'm so sorry that my circumstances meant that I wasn't able to be on the walk, at Moor Farm on relegation night or at Blackpool but my physical absence doesn't make any of those events any less than real stand out moments.
The petitions, the lobbying, the campaigns, the support from other clubs' genuine supporters was outstanding.
The togetherness though, between fans, players and club.... I've never seen anything like that before and I doubt we ever will experience anything quite like that again. Beautiful.
Knowing that Derby County has come through it all and survived, I believe we can now look back and say "that was a great season".
Thank you.
COYR ?

Expanded to include U23s, youth, trialists and details such as age, contract and positions.
 
Keepers
Wildsmith (26)       30/06/2024
Foulkes (21)           Offer
Roberts, A (18)      30/06/2023
Evans (17)              Youth
 
Right back
Bardell (19)            30/06/2023              Also CB
Brailsford (18)        Youth
 
Left back
Roberts, H (20)         Loan                       Also CB
Forsyth (33)             Training                   Also CB
Grewel-Pollard (19) 30/06/2023            Also CB
Moloney (17)            Youth
 
Centre back
Davies (37)           30/06/2023
Chester (33)         30/06/2023
Cashin (20)           30/06/2024
Stearman (34)      30/06/2023          Also RB
Solomon (19)        30/06/2023
Aideyan (17)         Youth                     Also RB
Rooney (18)          Trial, Burnley contract expires 2023
 
Centre midfield
Bird (21)               30/06/2024
Bielik (24)            30/06/2024         Also CB
Hourihane (31)    30/06/2024
Knight (21)           30/06/2023        Also RW, LW
Thompson (20)   30/06/2024
Sibley (20)           30/06/2024        Also RW, LW
Aghatise (19)       Offer                    Also LW
Ibrahim (18)         30/06/2023
Robinson (17)      Youth
Fapetu (17)          Youth
Clarke (17)           30/06/2023
Sebagabo (17)     Youth
Oduroh (19)         Trial, Manchester City contract expires 2023
McDonald (33)    Trial
 
Right wing
Barkhuizen (29)       30/06/2024     Also LW, S
Mendez-Laing (30) 30/06/2024     Also LW
Dixon, C (21)             Offer               Also AM
Moore (17)                 Youth
Richards (17)           Youth                Also S
Glover (21)               Trial
 
Left wing
Kelly Caprani (18)            Youth           Also LB, RW, S
Nicholas-Davies (17)       Youth          Also RW
 
Striker
McGoldrick (34)   30/06/2023         Also AM
Stretton (20)         30/06/2023
Cybulski (19)         30/06/2023
Duncan (21)           30/06/2023
Dixon, Z (17)          Youth                  Also RW, AM

I do enjoy going through everyone’s opinion on these formation/tactic threads…isn’t it great to be talking about football again

4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, 5-3-2, wing backs, defensive central midfielders, dual strikers, floating number 10s, false number 9s press, possession, short ball, long ball, league 1 hoofball and so on and so on.
Anyway, personally I usually follow this blokes opinion…when it comes to football and winning things he was usually spot on.
 
“Players lose you games, not tactics. There's so much crap talked about tactics by people who barely know how to win at dominoes"
Brian Howard Clough 1935-2004

I think Rotherham bouncing up when they keep getting relegated shows that you need players that have been there and done it already. Rosenior has said all the players he has brought in has promotion on their CV, Stephens has that too. 
It has to be a nice balance throughout the squad, not top heavy on youth, nor top heavy on experience.

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 agree. If you can't play your successful youngsters when you've dropped into League One, then you can never play them. If instead the core of the team comes from a vibrant collection of youngsters who've grown up together, then we'll be all right. Sadly we've had plenty poached due to our circumstances, but having:
Cashin, Thompson, Bird, Sibley, Knight and Stretton 
out on the pitch this season will likely help win us most games and form the youthful core of a side that could continue to be a really strong proposition in the Championship too, if we're successful and make it straight back up.

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 
 
?‍♂️

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 
 
?‍♂️

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. 

If only we had a player who could do this...
 

I had a great time today in the sunshine at Bradford.
Little bit surprised to come back to another poster slagging off young players on here.
Such a shame after the wonderful atmosphere at the game! 
I suppose it's a consolation that at least you're not there barracking the players.

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! 

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! 

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! 

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! 

Man this week has been fun after two years of total misery!

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? ?

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? ?

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? ?

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

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).