Gisby

Imagine Autumn 1972, Derby about to play Benfica, you approach from Osmaston Road, up to Shaftsbury Crescent, you take the slight brow of the hill and walk down towards the BBG, the days when the houses were only 30 feet from the ABC stand, there are so many people swirling and jostling to get to their part of the ground you can hardly move, it is a sea of of people. There are Police horses, hot dog stands, programme sellers, the feeling was unbelievable for a kid. It took us so long to get to our turnstile that night, we were in the Normanton Paddock, the only place we could get tickets, we had to be walked along the edge of the pitch, and pushed into the front of the crowd. What a night. Great view of the goals too as all three were scored at the Normanton End. I remember those days so vividly, feel very lucky to have seen the games I have, and experienced football at it's rawest, home and away. To think no one now will feel the thrill of a packed terrace when your team scores. Nothing like it.

Defends Chris Martin like it’s his mother for months on end, wouldn’t hear a bad word be said, then says Lewandowski is past it, a month after breaking the Bundesliga record for goals in a season.
Couldn’t make this up ?

Not just you @NottsRammy I’ve felt the same for a long time. Neither have done anything special since leaving for me. Same for Bogle & Lowe as don’t believe they will achieve much more than lower end of PL clubs at best either. I agree we’ve been so poor for many years compared to our past (which is old ‘uns can remember) that any player with a modicum of talent gets put on a completely unrealistic pedestal I’m afraid. 

Not just you @NottsRammy I’ve felt the same for a long time. Neither have done anything special since leaving for me. Same for Bogle & Lowe as don’t believe they will achieve much more than lower end of PL clubs at best either. I agree we’ve been so poor for many years compared to our past (which is old ‘uns can remember) that any player with a modicum of talent gets put on a completely unrealistic pedestal I’m afraid. 

Must be just me that thinks hendrick and hughes havent pulled up any trees since leaving the club and we as fans of this club have been that use to seeing trash for last few years , that any player with even the remotest blip of skill we slap a 20 million bounty on their head believing their the next best thing to bread and dripping . 
 
Rant Over 
p.s We are in for one hell of a depressing season as the lack of urgency from prideless park is AMAZING !! . 
 
And no its not a wind up post . 

Not just you @NottsRammy I’ve felt the same for a long time. Neither have done anything special since leaving for me. Same for Bogle & Lowe as don’t believe they will achieve much more than lower end of PL clubs at best either. I agree we’ve been so poor for many years compared to our past (which is old ‘uns can remember) that any player with a modicum of talent gets put on a completely unrealistic pedestal I’m afraid. 

It’s easy to see what he has done. He’s done what any mega rich fan would do. He’s tried to win promotion against clubs owned by billionaires and clubs that receive parachute payments. He’s very nearly succeeded. He’s made mistakes, some foolish and some calculated risks. 
 
ManU fans hate Glazer because he’s in it for the money. IMHO it’s wrong to attribute those motives to Mel. 

Really?    Out of interest when do you believe we stop being scared and live decent lives around a virus that is never going away and is dangerous to only a very small percentage of the population even before vaccines which we are lead to believe cuts that number greatly ??‍♂️

I get that the world's moved on, and I am not part of that (never will be).
But the further we move away from what really matters in football, eleven men each side on that pitch, supported in person, an opportunity to win against the odds and be part of something special, the more I feel that football as we know it will soon be gone forever. VAR, playacting on the field, off field politics and the way that money completely dominates the game. 
Next generation won't need or be able to experience football in the flesh, it will all be virtual reality where only financial input will count as a measure of a fan's loyalty. 
 

So much talent, yet so little return. Marriott just can't be arsed to train and as such, he's not going to get the game time he needs to be match sharp. He never seems more than half fit and is constantly picking up niggles as a consequence. He's had a bunch of chances now and just doesn't seem to care about football that much and Derby County even less. It's gutting to feel this way as I was so certain he was going to be the next Bobby D, but I fear his ship has sailed. If he doesn't show up to pre-season raring to go, I'd be shipping him out to anyone who'll have him just to get some of his wages off the books.
Having been sympathetic to Jordon's issues, I saw a video recently where far from acknowledging the support of the club, or the fans for that matter, he seemed to be saying that there was no support at all, at least until that fateful Insta post that had everyone hopping about. He actually came across as pretty resentful that there'd not been more done for him at Derby, but this is a football club and I'm not entirely sure what he expects. Also seemed to resent that fact that he'd been questions raised over his frequent lateness for training. Having believed he'd be an epic signing, I'm now fast losing faith that he'll be even remotely meaningful for us. He says he's in a better place now and good to go, but I'm not feeling it to be honest. To my mind, the club, the fans and the coaching staff HAVE tried to be supportive and patient, now it's up to Jordon. If it's not to be then fine, but don't be making out that you've not been given a shot, nor that most fans have not been encouraging and patient.
As for Duncan, well he's just vanished into the footballing ether. I'm not sure he's even had an U23 start yet, let alone threatened the senior squad. When he has, it's been hard to see what all the fuss is about. Perhaps he needs a run of games, but one has to then ask, why, if he's the 'wunderkind' we were led to believe, has he not been able to secure a few more starts?  Perhaps he's not as good as the Scouse faithful and he himself thinks? The only mitigating factors I can see being there's a some decent players in front of him to dislodge for him to be starting games, but that hardly bodes well for his senior career.
All in all, three depressing signings thus far for me, with little to indicate that this will change soon, if ever. Historically I've always been super supportive where the players are concerned, but this is a season where I'd really like to see one or two more kick on. The way I see it, it's the last chance saloon for two of them. Duncan, at least, has time on his side, but if the other two fail at Derby, I can't see other clubs rushing in to take a flyer. 
Sorry for the less than cheery post! ?‍♂️

Myths include the conclusion that he does not take advice from anyone, that he alone did the due diligence on the fake shake and the Spanish dreamer, that he has not put £150 million into the club, that he is a dictator and not a benefactor etc etc.

Just a feeling I get. I have contemplated at length the pros and cons. I wonder how he might have gone on without the  2 fakeovers, wages not being paid and being under a transfer embargo until as late as 24 hours before the window shut.
It's each to their own, you've made your feelings clear on more than one occasion. 
I thought it time I made my thoughts known.
Do you think he's been given a fair chance with Mels shitstorm?
Do you think it has all been as he was told it would be?

If you haven’t got hope, what is the point. 
Football is an escape from everyday life, remove the hope, the dreams, we’re left fear, anger and frustration, I may as well spend my weekends in Tesco shopping. 
Did Chelsea fans believe they would be Champions of Europe this time last year?
Did Barnsley think they would be 3 games from the Premier League, did Blackpool think they would be back in the Championship.
If football was predictable, would be boring. 
As of today, May 31st, we have a chance. Enjoy the summer!

You keep saying Mel wouldn’t take advice, but I don’t see where you’re coming from with any of this.
You’ve built this character up in your head, and using that to say what he has and hasn’t done without anything to back it up.
Do you know that his lawyers didn’t think he had a case, do you know the statement came from him and not the CEO Pearce?
Was Keogh ever open to settling? I mean he was offered a pay cut whilst injured and declined.
Also Lawrence and Bennett were still fit to play, they didn’t rule themselves out for the best part of a year and could fulfil their contracts, had they not done they may have followed suit.
So many assumptions which I think are unfair, I get the man at the top is ultimately responsible, but as I said earlier, feels like a pile on.
I think it’s really simple in that Keogh’s actions made him unable to fulfil his contract. His fault. Driving or not, his fault. He’s no victim.
 

I’m not here to try and change your opinion, ultimately none of us know what it’s like to work under Mel behind the scenes so we can only build our own opinions from what we see and hear. 
One thing though, Keogh, we might not have acted by the letter of employment law but I back the decision 100%.
He was the club captain, those responsibilities apply both on and off the pitch, Lawrence going through a tough time with the loss of his mum, Bennett a young lad still, Keogh should have known better, he let this club down big time.
Even had the offer to take a pay cut, whilst rehabilitation took place at Moor Farm, which the club would have covered as they did his surgery.
For me, completely tainted his time at Derby, hope he enjoys the money, I have no time for him now at all.

I think you’re way off personally. That’s the figure the media have portrayed.
I believe he has standards that he expects and not someone you want to cross, knows what he wants, has his vision but never got the impression he’s closed minded to others opinions.
Would you want a weak minded owner with no vision that is easily swayed by any other voice? 
There’s a topic somewhere in the Football forum, Frank Lampard still full of praise for Mel, his character and human side.
Scorned managers will probably tell a different tale but that’s natural when you’ve been given the sack.
I’ve met him several times and spoke with him even more, take my opinion as you want it I guess.
Tend to avoid these type of conversations now as it’s just a pile on which I find a tad unfair despite the situation we find ourselves in.

Get a room!

I think the issue is that 94% of the posts about Rooney are by the 6% not the rest of us! 

Those bloody Chris Martin threads, I mean really. ?

The energy of many to still post, scrutunise, examine and predict on some topic threads makes me very proud...cos I am totally and utterly bored to death of several!!
I'd almost quite happily take a 12 point deduction to never have to discuss amortisation again!
I have already just accepted we will keep Rooney as manager, even though he has a recent record that is second to none.. Of terrible performances. 
Three failed takeovers later and I can no longer bear to hear speculation on which supposed billionaire Americans are going to kick tyres and then move on. 
Or what about the transfer speculation to get you through the summer!? When we have the worst recruitment team ever, we have no cash and are under transfer embargo!! 
What's more pointless and annoying? EFL charges, Rooney in/out, Next takeover or transfer speculation.. Have I missed anything?? 
PS yep, I know smart arses will post 'this thread' is the most boring, and I welcome it. That's how bored I am.

Exactly this for me ... yes this is what it’s all about. DCFC supporter since boyhood. Now a bloke pushing 60 and yes my head tells me we are in a mess, a shambles of a club & the big time is as far away as it’s ever been BUT to follow the Rams is in your blood and if there’s nothing to strive for, to dream to achieve then what is the point. To look forward to the days when you can introduce the mighty Rams to the grandkids and accompany them to the games, to see the excitement on their faces, this is what I look forward to. Yes, I may be a sentimental old fool but it’s the escapism from the stress & strains of everyday life that draws you to the dream. Is my heart ruling my head ABSOLUTELY .... but if the dreams & aspirations are nothing but fantasy and we accept that they are a million miles away then what is the point??

Exactly this for me ... yes this is what it’s all about. DCFC supporter since boyhood. Now a bloke pushing 60 and yes my head tells me we are in a mess, a shambles of a club & the big time is as far away as it’s ever been BUT to follow the Rams is in your blood and if there’s nothing to strive for, to dream to achieve then what is the point. To look forward to the days when you can introduce the mighty Rams to the grandkids and accompany them to the games, to see the excitement on their faces, this is what I look forward to. Yes, I may be a sentimental old fool but it’s the escapism from the stress & strains of everyday life that draws you to the dream. Is my heart ruling my head ABSOLUTELY .... but if the dreams & aspirations are nothing but fantasy and we accept that they are a million miles away then what is the point??

I just hope and pray that we shall have a Derby county to return too but it is the love for Derby county that we all have that keeps us going.

@eezzeetigerthanks for taking the time to read my post mate. With your reaction I think you miss my point. You can substitute DCFC\the mighty Rams with any football club you like buddy. I’m sure even you lot down the A52 aspire to better things. We are all part of the bigger football family regardless of our allegiances & rivalries, who want the best for our respective clubs. I respect your dreams for your team as I do the dreams for supporters of any other club. Isn’t that why we are all here??

Exactly this for me ... yes this is what it’s all about. DCFC supporter since boyhood. Now a bloke pushing 60 and yes my head tells me we are in a mess, a shambles of a club & the big time is as far away as it’s ever been BUT to follow the Rams is in your blood and if there’s nothing to strive for, to dream to achieve then what is the point. To look forward to the days when you can introduce the mighty Rams to the grandkids and accompany them to the games, to see the excitement on their faces, this is what I look forward to. Yes, I may be a sentimental old fool but it’s the escapism from the stress & strains of everyday life that draws you to the dream. Is my heart ruling my head ABSOLUTELY .... but if the dreams & aspirations are nothing but fantasy and we accept that they are a million miles away then what is the point??