ck-

Best example of this in my opinion was Geraint Williams. He was just a bit better than the opposing midfielders when we played bottom of the table 3rd division teams. He was just a bit better than the opposing midfielders when we played top of the table 3rd division teams. He was just a bit better than the opposing midfielders when we played 2nd division teams. And then he was just a bit better than the opposing midfielders when we made it to the top flight and played 1st division teams. He never appeared truly a class above the level he was playing at, yet he clearly was.

He’s not up to much. Couple of good games, red card waiting to happen, injury prone, and won’t step up to the championship. No way should we be negotiating to buy him. [Come on, we can do this. A couple more posts of this type and they’ll be paying us to take him!]

If you want one with the flag

I really didn’t like his early interviews, which were a bit cringeworthy IMHO. But over the last year they have got better. This one I really enjoyed. Very self deprecating, and becoming clear why the players have responded so well to his approach. One thing that is clear - his insistence on bringing in “players with character”, which many laughed at when he kept mentioning it, has been the key to our promotion. It will be interesting to see how he develops as a manager in the championship. My suspicion is that we’ll retain a strong core of hard work and running, but it will be augmented with a little more flair.

“Not renaming the road between Derby and Nottingham” Fair enough. But the M1 between Derby and Rotherham can now be the “Paul Warne Way”.

They simply can’t be relied on. Did they not read the script? They were clearly going to blow it so I put a few quid on Bolton to soften the blow. Where was the capitulation, the wilting under pressure, the missing in action????? There are certain things you can rely on as a Derby supporter and I feel badly let down. How am I going to pay for my summer holidays now? YOU RAAAAAAAAMMMMMSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! Best £50 I ever lost 😄

What a great image. “B4 is watching, helping the fight. Guiding our heroes in the black and the white….” Come on South stand, you know you can sing that.

Andy Quy

I agree. I’ve been so frustrated with the way he ducks under the ball for headers, but yesterday he was immense. I don’t think he lost one, and he really powered through them.

That’s true. And I accept that wherever you draw the line, there will be millimetre decisions. My point was that this isn’t what the offside rule was for. It was to prevent persistent goal hanging with a defending team just hoofing the ball up to a player who was dawdling near the goal. This seems to be against the spirit of that.

Coventry goal against Manchester United. Attacker’s left little toe nail was 1/2cm closer to the goal. Surely that isn’t what the offside rule is for?

And they go up on goals scored

For all we were “under the cosh” Cambridge didn’t really have any chances. I hate the retreat into defend a lead mode, but we are very good at it.

Something weird with Wildsmith today.

Why is Collins playing defensive midfield?????

I believe that’s not allowed - pitch has to stay same size all season.

I always preferred hedgehogs, but am prepared to revisit that in another hour’s time, depending on results. Come on you Shrews

I groaned when I saw he was starting. But all the frustrations I’ve had with him were absent today. He was an absolute rock. He actually jumped to win headers rather than that weird thing he does where he’ ducks under the ball. He passed the ball to or in front of our players. He seemed to do less of the wrestling in the penalty area at corners and looked so much more effective as a result. He looked a leader out there today, and I’m ashamed I doubted him.

Interesting. First few minutes he got caught in possession, couldn’t seem to get past his man, and couldn’t shield the ball. I found myself sadly reflecting on how our once most promising junior player has seemed increasingly lost as the season has gone by. I was ready to give up on him. And then “something” happened. I’m not totally sure what the “something” was, but something seemed to click. I think it was when he received the ball deep after about 20 minutes and instead of trying to muscle his way past, he shimmied, cut inside and was suddenly in acres of space. From then on I thought he looked dangerous every time he had the ball, and was definitely in the top three players on the pitch. Let’s hope he can build on this.

I’m looking forward to all the tactical geniuses who called this a sackable formation and no chance of any goals, coming on here and admitting that they got it wrong.

I’m 59 with an artificial knee and I think I could do a job 😂

I didn’t know whether to clap, laugh, or heart this.

Interesting one for Bolton today. Looking at the form for the last 6 away league games, they’re right at the bottom! https://thefishy.co.uk/formtable.php?table=3&tab=tab-away But they’re playing against Bristol Rovers, who over the last 6 home games have only the 17th best record. https://thefishy.co.uk/formtable.php?table=3&tab=tab-home The form table would suggest a dull nil nil draw. 6:0 to Bolton it is then!

Can I suggest you try something like basketball instead. Might be a bit easier for you to follow, where the tactics aren’t too taxing - just run from one end to the other, shoot, turn round and defend the other team’s attack.

I remember a few seasons back, a continued insistence that Vydra had clearly hit a shot completely the wrong way - should have gone for the near post instead of across the keeper, or some such blather - with an absolute insistence that it showed he simply was not, and never would be, good enough. Vydra then went on to destroy everything in his path, scoring for fun as one of the most efficient scoring machines Derby has ever had. Since then I’ve read the proclamations of footballing insight and knowledge that are beyond us mere mortals with the respect they deserve. The ramblings of someone who likes the sound of their own voice a little too much.