FlyBritishMidland

I’ve got a theory about PW signings. He’s obviously big on fitness, being able to press and keep it going for close to 90mins. I think for new signings this takes a bit of getting used to and Ritchie Barker alluded to this when talking about CBT. I think that’s why we’re now seeing more of his summer signings come into the team and why some picked up niggles early on and we used more of the current players. I think we’ll see the best of CBT next season.

And that’s assuming we let all the players who are out of contract in the summer leave!!

Are the EFL changing the rules? You’ve suggested virtually every player who’s ever kicked a ball in Scotland!!

Another good performance. Similar to Saturday, we did everything but score in the 1st half. Their keeper played well and Cashin was unlucky to hit the woodwork. Gayle’s first touch for his goal was superb and it took some nerve from Hourihane for the penalty, I hate it when there’s a long delay between the award and taking as I think it gives the advantage to the keeper. I was surprised at 4 subs just after the penalty but I think Saturday was in PW’s mind with all the changes. Barkhuizen was my MoM. He looks rejuvenated and is unlucky not to have scored in the last 2 games. One of the best bits for was seeing Hourihane on the bench after going off. He was up and down and encouraging the team. That’s great to see and testament to the team spirit PW and his staff have built. Game 3 of an important month out of the way.

Derby 3 Reading 1 FRGS NML

Totally agree. And it’s the bit in bold I’m really struggling with. It’s almost as if there’s disappointment at not being able to criticise the last 2 games so let’s do a search to see what I can find. And bring up something from 3 or 4 days ago just for the hell of it. I’m fine with people wanting to criticise in a constructive way. I just think in this case it’s neither necessary or constructive.

We’ve won 2 on the bounce with an aggregate score of 6-0 and gone clear in 2nd, even if others win their games in hand. We’re now back to psychoanalysing everything Warne and his staff say. You couldn’t make it up!!

Really enjoyed yesterday. The last two games are a bit like how I imagine Warne wants us to play. The first half was some of the best football we’ve played, just lacked a goal. First goal was a bit scrappy/ lucky but the other 2 were great moves. This 3 at the back is really working, and how I like to see it played. I do think LWB is Sibley’s best position. And Ward is looking like the player we signed. I’ve also been really impressed with Bradley. The 3 CB’s look a proper unit now. It’s a shame we’re without Bird for a few weeks but I think we’ll be fine as we have options to cover him. I’d be more concerned if Adam’s was out as I think he’s critical to making this formation work. He’s good protection for the back 3 allowing the WB’s to be more attacking. Game 2 of an important month out of the way.

Or that AP04 chap to see where we deserve to be.

Bristol R 1 Derby 3 FRGS Gayle

Doh - mis-read the post by @cannable . It was still early, that’s my excuse 😉.

That’s next season. I’m sure DC won’t let that pass him by.

Not sure if this is the right place but a nice article in The i. And some nice quotes from Igor and Paulo 🐏. https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/derby-dream-good-times-2942535?ITO=newsnow

That’s not their fees. It’s everything, including running the club from the point of going into admin to DC taking over.

Exactly that. We were by far the worst. We’d just stayed up in the Championship the season before and had only just got rid of the 3 Amigo’s. The other 2 promoted teams went straight back up after relegation. We were very much an outlier. This season, Burnley bounced straight back up and both Sheff Utd and Luton had been in the play-offs the season before promotion. As a collective they are poor, but not one is singularly worse than the other. They were always going to take points off each other, plus a few off some of the other weaker teams, such as Forest 😉 and they were all likely to beat 11 points.

I think that’s a key point. We now have someone who can screen and protect the back 3 a bit more. This allows us to play more attack minded wingbacks such as Sibley and Ward as they can focus a bit more on the attacking side knowing there’s cover to slow down the opposition attacks, giving them time to get back.

I think LWB is the ideal position for him. Having played at LB for a fair chunk of last season I thought he’d be a good LWB for this. He already had the attacking side of his game and I think Warne and his team did a good job working on the defensive side last season. I find him a frustrating player when he’s in midfield. He’s too inconsistent and doesn’t seem to grab hold of the game. Also, I think at LWB he has a bit more space as he’s not marked as tightly. That gives him more time and space to create or, as he did yesterday, drift into the box to shoot.

Fair points. More so the first chance as that was at the start of the 2nd half when the score was 2-0. The 2nd one was right at the end when the game was effectively over. However, you’re ignoring Barkhuizen’s chance early in the 1st half that would have made it 2-0 after about 15mins and the one where Bird and Waghorn (I think) got in each others way. We deserved to win, and it could have been a lot easier.

Other than the last 15 - 20 mins of the 1st half that was a really good game and performance. I thought he’d stick with Wilson at RWB but pleased he went for Ward. I was surprised to see Hourihane on the bench again and I do wonder if that might be how he sets up now at home when the onus is on us to attack more. If Barkhuizen’s early chance goes in to make it 2-0 I think we’d have gone to get 5 or 6. The wingbacks were superb going forward and not really troubled defensively. I think Bradley enjoys being captain. It looks like he thrives under the responsibility and he looks more composed on the ball than earlier in the season. First game of an important month out the way.

This is the start of an important month. 4 out of 6 games at home should be an advantage but our home form has been a bit patchy. It really needs to come together starting today. Listening to Warne’s pre-match I think we’ll see 3 at the back. Wildsmith in goal and a back 3 of Nelson, Bradley & Cashin. Wilson & Sibley wingbacks, Adams, Bird & Hourihane in midfield with Gayle & NML up front. COYR 🐏.

If Warne came out and said something like “Port Vale are a bit rubbish aren’t they? That’s why they’re in a relegation scrap. Us on the other hand, we’re bloomin’ marvellous, that’s why we’re 2nd. We’ll go out a stuff these as we’re loads better, the table doesn’t lie” then he’s done Darren Moore’s team talk for him.

Derby 3 Port Vale 0 FRGS Gayle

We’ve done that too and snap, I’m also a blue. It’s amazing, and scary, how accurate the profiles are. I’ve been tempted to order it, think I might give it a go 👍.

Is Surrounded by Idiots a good read? I love all that sort of stuff and different personality styles.

I get that some aren’t enjoying the football. I can honestly say I’ve not enjoyed every game and we’ve not played consistently well for 90mins in any game this season. It’s been good it patches. But I find it bizarre that poor football is a reason to sack the manager when we sit 2nd with about 1/4 of the season to go. It’s the very reason Mad Mel sacked Clement. He said something like it’s not all about promotion it’s about how you do it and coined the infamous phrase “the Derby way”. And yet a lot are advocating the very same action is taken now. And easy on the eye football doesn’t guarantee anything. Mac 1 was some of the best football at PP, yet we lost a Play-off final and went from 1st to 8th in the last 1/4 of the season. I get we lost Martin but Warne has lost Collins. Mac 1 had Bent, Warne has Gayle. It seems like they’re very similar scenarios. And no, I’m not a Warne defender, pro-Warne, Warne supporter or whatever badge some want to put on me. I’m accepting our situation, position in the league stage of the season, etc. The time to review is in May, and see how we’ve done.