On the Ram Page

I hope (and am sure he will) stay true to himself. I personally love to hear his views on the team, his honesty and his sense of humour (mainly). He has had all sought of abuse on here, most of it fictitious baloney from so-called fans. People who either want instant success or armchair critics who voice their opinions without any evidence what so ever. People saying he can’t manage in the Championship, should we get there. Not surprised he is wary of some fans, if he is. People forget he is still a relatively young and inexperienced manager, despite already having had 3 promotions (and I know 2 relegations). He is entitled to grow and learn as a manager as most of us do throughout life. He is an intelligent man and I believe he can adapt his management style to whatever circumstances he will find himself in. I could be wrong but sincerely hope not. More than anything else he is a caring, man manager, despite allegations not long ago, that he had “lost” the dressing room (more made up rubbish!). He wants these same qualities from his players - they showed their togetherness in abundance after our last two wins. He deserves for all these made up views to stop and to have support. This is potentially going to be an extremely difficult transfer window. He will know what he wants to achieve - who he wishes to retain, who he wants to join. Unfortunately, much of it is out of his hands but I hope he has a successful window. I have little doubt that if we have a little downturn, that some fickle fans will turn against him again, but hope they will keep quiet for the remainder of the season, so that the majority of the club and supporters can get fully behind the team. Everyone need to pull together. If you don’t like listening to him - don’t - just watch and support the team.

Don’t tell that they are another team who are the worst in the league, sat one place behind us before tonight. We keep playing the worst team in the league every week - how come? We absolutely battered them tonight especially 2nd half. Could it be we may be a better team than so many on here think?

Having watched the match on RamsTV and thinking apart from 2 defensive errors, we had played ok in the 1st half., and been great 2nd half - I then read this thread and couldn’t help but laugh at many of the posts. It’s a shame only 2 posters have admitted they were out of order with their posts. It’s a shame a few more can’t eat humble pie and admit they were wrong. Good job the team are made of sterner stuff!

Wow. That’s told us all. Great post!

I would like to single out Ryan Nyambe who I thought was tremendous without having to resort to some of the more flashier defending moments Cashin does. Having not played for several weeks I thought he was superb. He is a great defender but I have been a bit critical of his work going forward previously. Yesterday, however, he was instrumental in our dominant 1st half, with some shrewd passing. Our defence looked so much stronger with him in the team. Sorry but here’s the downside - a mention of Forest - as I sat watching Nyambe yesterday, I felt totally comfortable knowing the guy up against him didn’t stand a chance. The phrase “you’ll never beat Des Walker” came into my head. For those younger posters he was imperious for Forest for years and earnt this phrase. Brilliant to hear he has a new contract and we can rest easier.

Brilliant. Happy Christmas,

You started well “I can’t fault anything about today’performance”. you should have stopped there.

Totally agree.

I have no problems at all it you having your views and opinions, just as I have mine - that’s what the world is about thank goodness. What I do hate are comments like “and it is down to the way the team are being asked, nay told to play - out wide, cross it”. You do not know how they have been told to play, you are purely guessing based on your bias and non-objectivity. Our poor performance in the 1st half, I think, was down to out inability to pass the ball with quality, control the football properly, people not moving to receive the ball and therefore getting tackled. The opposition, as another poster remarked, packed midfield and made space at a premium. An obvious answer is to try and attack down the wings. Unfortunately our passing and crossing when we got the chance was of poor quality. Again, my opinion - not fact, I think Ward was shown an example of, by being substituted at half time, in a like for like change. Wilson struggled early on, but currently has more confidence to keep taking player on (than Ward) and this made a difference. Two of our goals came from crosses into the box, the first and second goals. I also don’t like the balance in midfield wher we tend to be too open. I personally would like to see Fornah as the defensive midfielder, as he is more mobile and can win the ball. Hourahan could possibly then link up by playing in the middle. I think Bird has done ok in the advance position and has been involved in some lovely passing movements which have lead to goals a month or two back. But the balance isn’t right and I am not sure we currently have the players to get it right. In summary, I have opinions but I do not spout them as being factually correct. You may be right that Warne tells them not to pass to midfielders, only to wingers or whack it down the field, but I am sure that is not the case. He seems as frustrated as the fans that we are not playing better. I think Warne gets a bad press on here, when I think the players have to take a lot more responsibility for their performances.

Your reports almost appear as if you are auditioning for a role at the Derby Evening Telegraph, trying to find something, quirky or humorous to say. You probably have your computer set up to remind you to mention Sibley’s lack of minutes and don’t forget to mention getting the ball wide quickly and put crap crosses in. This is all in Warnes master plan for poor, boring performances? You seem to forget that we play an opposition, who set up to deny us playing, entertaining. Of course, they pack the centre of the pitch to stop us playing through. Do you honestly believe Paul Warne sets us up to play poorly, tells us not to pass to each other. You write as if you are on the training ground everyday and in the dressing room before games. The fact is you’re not and to be honest, in my opinion your knowledge of what tactics he wishes to employ are zero. I can’t be bother to write anymore about your sanctimonious rubbish. You may impress others on this site with your pronouncements but not me.

Absolutely nailed it on the head. Our passing is poor and players either don’t move into spaces or don’t move towards the ball in front of the opposition. Our first touch control of the football was also very poor tonight, as were our throw ins, which at times were comical with Hourihane and Fornah waltzing past each other. By just doing a few very basics better we could be so much more effective. I am not blaming Warne either, these are basic things I would expect a professional footballer to be able to manage.

No evidence yet obviously, just his opinion. Nothing wrong with that. I just hope he is way out with his current thoughts. (B4 response)

Yes you’re right about Ferguson - it was 1989 when there were huge rumours he was going to be sacked when they finished 11th. They still stuck with him though, which was the point I was trying to make.

I don’t know that he would but I am full of hope that we will continue to keep improving. Warne has been relegated 3 times with Rotherham as you state, the first time having taken over in November. They did return at the first attempt which is rare. The 3rd time they were relegated was under COVID. You are going back along way quoted Steve Evans who left in 2015 after 3 years in charge. I do think you are picking facts out which are not particularly relevant. I have little doubt that Derby would be a bigger attraction to new players than Rotherham would have been, with due respect to them. I take it from your comment that you don’t agree! You may be proved to be right but could just as easily be wrong - only time will tell. I have some optimism that we keep on improving. I do not go round every day thinking the worst is going to happen, but if it does you deal with it then. I take it you would have sacked Alex Ferguson when Man U were relegated - what a mistake that would have been. Try and enjoy it while we are doing better and who knows what will happen!!! Managers can also improve with experience. He has only 7 year’s experience as a Manager, so 3 promotions is pretty good going.

Or it could just be that the players are now doing what has been asked of them all along!

So, May Contain Nuts, what is it you have seen which makes you doubt that, if promoted, we will not be able to able to achieve stability in the Championship (which was is David Clowes 5 year objective) ? So are you saying if we get promoted this season and we do not get relegated the following season, then Warne will have done well? I think, if we get promoted we will be able to recruit some better players (ability, aggression, pace etc etc) which will give us a better chance of stablising ourselves. So are you basing your view on the fact that we will still have the same players or that we (Warne) will not be able to play differently (tactically) in the Championship. I am very interested to know.

Very happy for you to have your views but don’t take the view that you are factually correct, when you provide no evidence to support the argument. Give me the facts (not your opinion) of your case and we can have a decent conversation. “It’s just worse this season than last” - by which you mean?

Wow, Jono’s really got under your skin hasn’t he! I agree with most of what he says. It is you with the theories, preconceptions without providing any evidence or sensible arguments, just your own bias against the manager.

No …. The players are now doing what is asked of them. “Aerial bombardment” “Warne goofball” never did exist except in the fantasy of some fans.

Garbage

I agree with much of what you say until you mention golf, which in my opinion has become even worse than football. Breakaway Tournaments, appearance fees etc etc etc. huge sums of money being won!

Agree, I thought Montgomery looked very promising. Be happy to sign home as a future replacement for fizzy.

A comparison of the League Tables as at 29 November 2022 & 2023 makes interesting reading: 2022 PLD W D L F A GD P Plymouth 19 13 4 2 39 22 17 43 Ipswich 19 12 5 2 38 19 19 41 Sheff W 19 12 4 3 35 16 19 40 Peterb 19 10 1 8 34 23 11 31 Bolton 18 9 4 5 21 15 6 31 Barnsley 18 9 3 6 23 15 8 30 Portsmouth 17 7 8 2 26 18 8 29 Derby 18 8 5 5 23 16 7 29 2023 PLD W D L F A GD P Bolton 18 12 3 3 37 18 19 39 Portsmouth 18 11 6 1 29 16 13 39 Oxford 18 11 3 4 31 18 13 36 Stevenage 20 10 6 4 29 19 10 36 Peterb 19 10 5 4 37 20 17 35 Derby 18 10 3 5 31 16 15 33 Barnsley 18 9 4 5 34 20 14 31 Blackpool 20 8 6 6 33 25 5 30 Admittedly, you can read anything into stats to back up your own position but with a fairly positive (but realistic) outlook, I can see some positives. At this stage last year we were 11 and 13 points behind the top two, this year currently only 6 points. Last year, I think everyone would agree, Ipswich and Plymouth were the outstanding teams throughout the year, rightly gaining automatic promotion. The consensus of opinion is that Derby haven't played as well as they might at present but are still 4 points better off than last year. Surprising, having lost our talisman McGoldrick, we have scored 8 more goals than at this stage last year, conceding the same as last year (16). Both Bolton & Barnsley have also scored a lot more goals too, helped by two huge wins. My conclusions: things are no where near as bad as is being made out. Hopefully there will be a lot more goals to come together with an uplift in "exciting" performances. Hopefully we can keep hold of the players we want to retain in January and bring in a couple who can really improve the team, to the next level. My positive spin - I know the doubters will use the stats to put a different view on things.