kevinhectoring

6 hours ago, Ted McMinn Football Genius said:

Is their keeper right in the head. Hes appealing for VAR, we don’t even have goal line technology TW@ 😂😂😂😂

His only hope is that the lino will advise the ref he’s got it wrong, so was that who he was shouting at ? But if the lino was the other side of the pitch he wouldn’t be able to see the hand ball 

Deserved to win but a shame we resorted to dark arts,  particularly because we played flowing attractive football much of the time 

With Sibley and Ward suddenly so important Fozzie’s return is interesting. Given where we are in the season, I think Warne should keep things stable, stay with 3 at the back and use Fozzie as a CB sub, despite that he’s one of our strongest (his class was immediately evident). Also don’t think Collo should start again, even if fully fit.  We have plenty with Gayle, cBT, Barks and NML and even Waggy. Thank goodness we’re now starting Barks. 
 

I think NMl should come off earlier. Slightly unnerved by the number of subs  first change but thought it worked fine. It’s important Hourihane - if he starts - maintains intensity for say 65 minutes then is replaced by eg Smith or Tommo, depending on the situation. If he stays on at half c*** our midfield turns into holey underpants and we concede.   I actually thought we played the game out pretty well - Reading retained something of a threat - but don’t really like the change of system. 
 

This squad is looking good now - excited about the run in 

1 hour ago, Carl Sagan said:

Surprised people are talking so much about the decisions. They all seem justifiable. 

Worth another look I reckon 

Such an intelligent footballer, Barks 

Rest Hourihane and NML now 

Hourihane simulation earns a Reading red card.  Oh dear 

Ward firm shot on target from the corner flag 

Good half - plenty of fluency. Had some good chances not least Gayle in the second minute. Shame we’ve not found a goal -  Reading will be pleased with this score line and have had the odd decent spell   

4 minutes ago, Caerphilly Ram said:

Their player potentially took an Adams shot square in the chops, they have to stop play for a head injury 🤷🏻‍♂️ 

Wonderful free kick Hourihane to Cashin to the woodwork 

1 hour ago, Tamworthram said:

Regarding this year, well nothing is guaranteed yet but I would suggest we are probably looking reasonably good for a top 4 finish. Assuming we achieve that, I guess you wouldn’t be calling for PW’s head then given he would have achieved within the range of your expectations

So below expectations last year and if bottom range of expectations this year, should he stay? well that’s not great. add to that that his recruitment and retention isn’t strong, I don’t think his selection is marvellous and the tactics and style aren’t great. 
 

Would we be better off in the medium term going up and keeping Warne, or staying down and losing him ? Pointless question not least because if we stay down I’d guess he’ll stay and that’s the worst of all worlds. This is why I don’t like the 4 year plan (which suggests that DC will not pay Warne to leave); and it’s why I don’t like Warne suggesting it’s all down to fate and that he doesn’t carry the can if we fail again (‘we don’t know the destination”…  “we’re all going to fail together‘).
 

54 minutes ago, Tamworthram said:

Didn't work in some cases though did it? 😀

Seriously though, of course we all want to get out of this division as soon as possible but maybe DC is a pragmatist and realises that promotion last season would have been outstanding, promotion in season two is a realistic hope (although we're still under the restrictions of the business plan we had to get agreed etc.), promotion by the end of season three (at the latest) is the expectation. That's where my thinking is. The only things that may have brought forward a possible parting of the ways (sacking or "by mutual consent") IMO is if we'd been way off the pace and not close to being contenders in years 1 or 2.

I’d say the likelihood of promotion is determined almost completely by the quality of the squad and mgt team. (The period of ownership/ the period since administration, will of course impact squad and mgt team; but once personnel is settled those factors are of no relevance.) imo last season our squad should have made top 6  ( it was a stronger division) and this season we should make automatics or at least top 4 
 

it’s deeply strange for people to suggest that failure to get promoted this year is somehow explained, justified or excused because DC set a squidgy 4 year target for - what was it ? - being ‘established’ in the championship 

1 hour ago, Tamworthram said:

Is he implying it or are you just interpreting it in that way? I thought he had conceded not getting promoted last season (let alone this year) was a failure. The problem in my mind is that some people think (are clinging to the hope) that failure = the sack when it doesn't always have to as it's dependent on:

1) The degree of failure [finishing mid to low in the table probably would have been enough but probably not if we just fall short in the play offs]

2) The confidence levels that next season we'll have a good/better chance [I get that a lot of folk are not enjoying the football and worry about the quality of the league being a bit better next season but, we're not likely to miss by much this season (unless the wheels really come off over the next 9 games) and we'll (hopefully) be a stronger team next season as well]

3) What targets and timescales have been set by the owner [PW said last year was a failure and, despite what you're implying, will probably say the same this year if we miss out but it's what DC thinks that really matters]

Don’t think he usually gets enough out of this squad. It’s a poor division 

as for owner timescales, I don’t see any  reason for not wanting promotion asap. DC’s vague 4 year plan was imo intended to manage fans’ expectations. The Derby brand loses lustre each year we languish in this lamentable league 

11 hours ago, kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong said:

Be as miserable as Kevin and take no joy from life.

See my response to Crewton. I love to see him get the best out of the squad - as he did against Bristol - and I love to see our better footballers excel. (For some reason he regularly decides not to play them.)  But our form has been erratic most of the season, even during the winning streak. If he doesn’t find consistency in the run in, then we’re in the play offs and he’ll find himself up against sharper tacticians. 
 

I liked Warne’s plea for support when things are not going well and the team certainly has mine. What I don’t like is him preparing the ground for disappointment and implying it would not be failure 
 

13 hours ago, Crewton said:

What would you suggest we do instead?

Give the team the best support we can - however they play -  and enjoy it whilst the team selection and football is good 
 

But not be persuaded that staying down is anything less than failure. 

3 hours ago, Inverurie Ram said:

Enjoy the ride. 🖤 🤍 🐏

D.C.F.C. Life, Love & Unity.

Clever stuff from warne : Anything can happen in div 1 and our wonderful fans should just have fun, enjoy the ride etc …

No, No, no

it’s too far a cry from what he said beginning of the season: failure to achieve promotion in this div this season with this squad is … failure. 

Good to hear our coaching staff are now criticising him in the media. That’ll do some good 

On 10/03/2024 at 08:48, Barney1991 said:

Also the back 3 just didn’t look like they worked together cashin looked all over the place in a back 3 as it’s picking up different positions. 

I was wondering whether Cashin was struggling for form in and after Jan, because he was so focused on the Jan window and ultimately disappointed by it. Anyway, I think he’ll contribute massively now in the run in 

2 hours ago, Sufferingfool said:

The position suits him as he is much better when receiving the ball in front of him to run on to. His best games that I have seen have been at LB or Wing back.

Said it before. In a wider ranging midfield role Sibley can look good on the ball but is too often awol because he doesn’t take up the right positions, whether we’re in or out of possession.  So when we’re in possession he doesn’t get the ball and when we’re out of position he flies around chasing the ball and often conceding fouls. But stick him on the wing and it’s easier for him to be in the right place : his role is clearer and more obvious (just to pick a word), so it suits him better. The other place he tends to find good positions is in the oppo’s box 

4 hours ago, jono said:

Keep wining and we can’t be touched.

We’re good at wining 

1 hour ago, Barney1991 said:

Btw that performance today and vale is how to play 3 at the back. I’ve been crying out to go to a back 4 but if we continue in this vain scrap the 4. We looked solid we moved the ball the front 3 interchanged. Best performance of the season and I loved every minute of the drive home. 

Yes fortress 3 at the back is good so long as the others have intelligence and energy. Ward and Sibley fit in nicely even if Ward not at his best today. Was glad to see Barks start. Question is whether we can make it work against stronger sides. 

On 02/03/2024 at 22:02, Ramifications said:

I see on the latest predicted table we end up finishing third! 

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/league-one/league-table/predicted

If our lack of consistency continues, we miss the automatics. And it doesn’t bode well for the playoffs 

1 hour ago, Loughborough Ram said:

I think he does some things well but he doesn't offer the team a consistent contribution in any other position than left wing back in my opinion.

And I know we'll get the argument that he's never been given a run of games in any position, but it's a chicken and egg situation. He needs to grab the opportunities he has been given and make himself undroppable, and I'd argue that the only time he's done that is when he plays at left wing back.

I know. I think the question of whether and how to use Sibley - if at all - is one of the hardest conundrums facing our manager. End of last season his starts ultimately proved a mistake (but I think playing close to Didzy is probably hard unless telepathy is your thing).
 

Tbh Warne has used him more frequently than I thought he would, I was thinking he might be sold cheaply in Jan. There are players who read a game and find their best was to impose themselves.  I don’t think he does that well at all so he’s often underwhelming esp when in midfield 

4 hours ago, Comrade 86 said:

Only a suggested as a starter by two posters yesterday. You weren't either of them. Of those who did pick him in their suggested line ups before the game, at least one of them (yours truly), did so only because Nyambe is injured.

Two questions; do you suppose that Nyambe's form might also have had something to do with Joe's limited starts? And in regards to your 'we've paid the price' comment, what is this 'price/ you claim we've paid?

Don’t blame you for not reading my posts ( I should thank you for not having me on ignore.) But if you’d seen my posts you’d see I’ve been saying for ages Ward should be used more (including after the two dropped bollicks). Most recent was a recent reply to ghostofclough who was saying the same thing in the Charlton match day thread.  
 

I like Nyambe and yes team selection is difficult because we’ve got a good squad now.  But that’s exacerbated by the flip flop approach to formation which imo is difficult for the players.
 

The price we’ve paid is that we’re not going into the last stretch with an established set up and the ability to play consistently good football. And possibly we’ve paid in points as well but who knows. 
 

I fear team selection rests too much on issues of personality and not enough on good analysis of football- based criteria. Indeed Warne has in the past boasted that his recruitment follows the same approach 
 

1 hour ago, Crewton said:

Naughty step?? A freak injury kept him out for a long time and since he recovered from that, he's been left out of precisely 3 matchday squads, the last two due to a groin injury. When he did get back in the team, his performances were patchy. Two clumsy challenges that gave away costly (and harsh imv) penalties got the crowd on his back at PP and on here. He's made 12 appearances in the 20 games he's been available for selection since that nasty heel injury, but it's only in his last couple of starts that he really seems to have got up to speed again. It's a welcome development which doesn't warrant the thinly-veiled criticism of Warne on a premise that you appear to have imagined.

there was nothing veiled about my criticism of Warne. IMO, if we want to watch decent effective football, Ward should be in or close to the starting XI.  And his defensive frailties need not be exposed if he is given the right role, especially now we have Adams. Been saying it for many weeks. 

11 minutes ago, kash_a_ram_a_ding_dong said:

For giving away two needless penalties in 2 games...

He's redeemed himself and we remain in 2nd place..

Great to have him back

Paul Warne  £5 please