MickD

And what would that be? He did try to get a back up CF but the club rightly were not prepared to pay stupid money to the Wendies. 

Yep, it was obvious so if he is seriously injured, Warne and co have got what they deserved.

I reckon one of the reasons people have had it in for James Collins is that last season, and the first part of this on, despite lumping the ball across the area being our only game plan, and despite us only playing one striker, Collins was regularly not in the area, especially the 6-yard box, often being found out on the wing. Post Stevenage, when we went on that improved run he started being in the right place at the right time more often which has really helped his game, and it coincided with his increased scoring rate. He still goes foraging out on the wing, but that tends to be when we are in build-up stage. Whether it is because the team began playing through the middle a bit more, and put more crosses in at ground or waist level I don't know, but kudos to him because his football has improved greatly. And the reward is that he is no longer the target of our blame, and is instead becoming much more of a favourite. Good for him!

I have no idea why people don't rate/like him.  If we'd brought back Chris Martin in the summer, and had the exact same output fans would be creaming all over themselves, saying how good he's been.  I reckon it's just a case of his face not fitting.
I for one love the lad, he's everything you want in a League 1 striker.

I too have warmed to him and boy does he run his socks off. When he went down clutching his knee and players were gesturing to the bench I thought he was done for. But he dusted himself down and made a Lazarus like recovery and was even sprinting around like a man possessed in the 95th minute. Strikes me just like Cash and Nelson and now Adams he’s one that will get stuck in. Is he out of contract in the summer?

What I like about him is the fact that he gives everything and scores goals. 
 
i don’t expect anything more than that from a centre forward in Division 1.

I've found plenty of things to criticise over Warne's tenure. Collins has never been one of them. He's put the graft in and scores goals. I've no idea why a section of our fanbases doesn't get behind him.

I assume from this opinion that you have met him then 

And another thread that's morphed into one about Paul Warne 🙁

Regardless of what happens this season, there is no doubt in my mind that Rosenior had the potential to take us much further than Warne ever will. It was a colossal mistake to get rid of him, which is why many people will not let it go.
If Warne takes us into European football then I will absolutely return to this thread and admit I was wrong.

It’s odd, we’re second top scorers in the league, joint fewest goals conceded, most away wins, in the automatic places yet it doesn’t feel like we’ve played well all season nor is there much optimism 

Absolutely gutted for the lad. Gave his all for us every game even when it wasn't going for him. 

Genuinely gutted for Collins, he’s played his backside off within the limits of his talents all season, scored some important goals, and looked to be on for a 20 goal season as a minimum. I hope he recovers and feel like we should extend his contract regardless of league next season, he’ll do a job for us alongside whatever shiny new strikers we sign in the summer. 

After today, how many of his detractors will now realise how much Collins contributed to our play.
He will be sorely missed.

Gutted for him. I think if we avoid the play-offs, then that’s probably his last game for us gone.
It’s a real shame. I think he would’ve had a real shout at POTS if we got automatic promotion. Being the only fit striker for a vast majority of the season, and still put in endless effort with a positive outcome, he would have been a worthy winner.

I still can't believe people are saying this. Whatever any of us may think of his ability to manage a team in the Championship (remember, past achievements - either good or bad - is no guarantee of what will happen in the future) whether you like it or not I'd be truly stunned if PW was sacked after getting us promoted.

Anyone who disagrees with me is very irritating. Although not quite as irritating as listening to a Paul Warne pre-match monologue.

The taming of the Shrews?  Right now Much ado about nothing.

Still in Germany

The taming of the Shrews?  Right now Much ado about nothing.

The taming of the Shrews?  Right now Much ado about nothing.

If all our older players did the extra training Collins does, we’d likely have gone up last year.
 
Biggest difference between this season and last imo is that he’s started timing his headers much better. Oh and he’s not had Didzy stealing the limelight 

Presumably then you agree that David Lowe is Derby County's most successful manager of all time because the stats show he has a 100% win record.
He might be 54th in the shooting stats but the important on is that he's 7th equal in the top goalscorer stats. That's ok. He's doing a good job. 
Anyway, all this proves is that stats are meaningless without context.

I think his upturn in scoring rate has coincided with him getting into the penalty area for when the ball comes in, instead if spending too much time outside the area chasing the ball. He deserves praise for making the adjustment! It has also come at the sane time that we started using the midfield a little more and playing with the ball closer to the ground instead if the players needing a stepladder to even see how high the cross had been.
Keep it going, James!

Collins is outperforming his xg which does account for penalties being a good chance to score.
Genuine question….do you go to matches?
The reason I say it is that Rams Tv, Radio Derby and text updates don’t show runs that aren’t fed, lung busting pressing and general shithousery that winds up defenders and ultimately leads to mistakes, goals.
Your point about other dcfc strikers is / was irrelevant…. because they’re hardly ever fit.
Collins -1982 mins
TJJ      - 337 mins
MW      -664 mins
CW       -497
I’ve taken our minutes against kids and pensioners so these are real man minutes.