IslandExile

He really was unlucky with the timing of when he joined us. An absolutely fantastic player.

2:22  One of a multitude of examples as to why Davy Langan will always be my first true love.  🐏😍

Cocu’s football second season was horrendous for a couple of reasons.
We had no striker. Literally none. Chris Martin left, and Kazim was injured. Cocu’s entire philosophy was built around having a number 9 who could hold up the ball.
He was forced to play Rooney. An unfit overweight midfielder who couldn’t run. He also lost Huddlestone, his controlling midfielder, and Bielik was injured. We had no protection and no pressing energy in midfield.
Under such circumstances any manager would have taken us down.
Rooney couldn’t be carried. 

He's only 30!!!
Must've had a tough life.

An academy competition but Mansfield using an image of a 30 year old first team defender on their promo?

Rooney achieved much more with fewer resources? Erm, no he didn’t.
Bielik’s return coincided with a purple patch and then under Rooney we presided over a 9 game losing run and nearly got relegated (and that is with a fit Kazim and minus Rooney himself which was like playing with 10 men).
Nobody is saying Cocu would have gotten us promoted.
But we finished midtable (60+ points) the season before and players like Bird, Knight and Sibley were all better under Cocu than they were under Rooney.
Name me one good game Rooney had after Covid. The guy was an embarrassment.
Cocu was here for 15 months. He had to deal with the Keogh fiasco, constant rumours of Rooney taking his job, Mel, Bielik’s injury, Rooney’s presence post Covid and the loss of key players because Mel was done. He walked into an impossible job.
His work at PSV will be more than anything Rooney achieves in his managerial career.

My family have used the one at Southampton. I cannot emphasize enough how important these facilities are and the key word is:
Inclusion.

Our Community Trust does some amazing work, every day of the week - not just on match days. 
A lot of what they do goes often unseen but affects so many families. 
It’s a fabulous organisation and one we can all be extremely proud of. 

My family have used the one at Southampton. I cannot emphasize enough how important these facilities are and the key word is:
Inclusion.

My family have used the one at Southampton. I cannot emphasize enough how important these facilities are and the key word is:
Inclusion.

Family Booking https://derbycountycommunitytrust.com/fundraising-and-events/matchday-experiences/sensory-room?fbclid=IwAR2YVQm28Dz21x1x_c7siVuR0P59OE-lWcZaAWg5IUeBvihiQnj-Y4JzDWU
 

+1
From the snippet we've seen, there's confirmation he was undermined by Mel recruiting Rooney.

One of the better signings by Tommy Docherty. Went on to a good career with Brighton.
Sad news.

One of the better signings by Tommy Docherty. Went on to a good career with Brighton.
Sad news.

Another Ram from my youth. So young, too.
 

There’s loads that I could rip this post apart with but I’ll stick with just the one. 
 
The Kellyman family live in Derby. Omari will be training at a completely different time to his brother, so why does it make sense for them to be at the same club? He lives literally 10 minutes from the training centre at Derby and at least 45 minutes from Villa - the decision  to do that journey at least 4 times a week hasn’t been made on having their sons at the same club. 
 
The one thing you are correct with is that Omari didn’t want to leave, but believe me he realised quickly the difference in everything he was getting at Villa compared to Derby. And that is the reason his little brother has followed him. 
 
On another note, I’ve just heard our U16s have finished last out of 28 teams in a National tournament - the academy still has a lot to do to get anywhere near a mid to high Cat1 club. 
 
A lot of questions being raised around recruitment and the standard of  coaching at the minute. 

Who's grumpy?

Who's grumpy?

Paul Emson and Fikayo Tomori for me. Honorable mentions on the speedster front for Tommy Johnson, Dean Saunders, Colin Todd, Phil Gee and Theo Robinson.

Paul Emson

Still having a club considering how worried we all were 18 months ago.
For some people that's the most important thing, I started going with my dad and grandad, when my grandad died it was just me and my dad, before I was born my dad used to go with my grandad, now my dad is no longer with us and my daughter comes sometimes, when you're board at half time waiting for the second half and you think about the good times your family have had at the club, it kind of puts it into perspective.
For me still having a club to support, carrying on the family tradition of supporting Derby, hoping my grand-kids will also continue it - is more important than winning promotion. (don't get me wrong I would love to get promoted)

Who's grumpy?

In your "oh so humble" opinion.
In mine, he never had a chance given the circumstances.

Paul Emson