Ambitious

4 minutes ago, Davide said:

It’s available online. Maybe Keogh didn’t realise The driver was drunk. He was drunk himself presumably. If so, you would feel hard done by to be sacked from your job because of it. (If this was what happened). 

I never had Keogh down as a brain surgeon, but I can't see how he can be at the pub with them and not realise they're over the limit - especially with Bennett throwing up in the toilet. The rumours of other stuff, which I won't go into, will no doubt carry some truth to it. I mean the videos, coupled with the accident and the other things that came out and have since rang true, i.e. left Keogh unconscious in the back of the car. 

No chance he didn't know. 

It sounds like Mel has been in touch and that he's confirmed the contract is still on the table - assuming that's what is meant by 'the ball is in their court'. I guess that's why there has been no official club statement yet. 

2 minutes ago, RoyMac5 said:

How did he phrase his defending of Keoghs decision? I can't even begin to imagine what he'd say that would sound intelligent!

White said something along the lines of that 'he's made a mistake, he knows his made a mistake getting into the car with a drunk driver'

and his agent said: 'I can't agree with what you've said there. I can't go into details, but I disagree that he's made a mistake'. 

It's a shame you can't rewind radio, but that was the gist of it. 

His agent has just defended Keogh's decision to get in the car with a drunk driver - wow! 

1 hour ago, DarkFruitsRam7 said:

I think Wilder is a better manager than Holloway though.

I said jokingly: 'Chris Wilder is the third best manager in the world behind Pep and Klopp for what he's done with Sheff Utd.' at the start of the season. Now, I can't actually tell if I was joking or not. 

20 minutes ago, Big Trav said:

Talks sport at 11 keoghs agent is speaking. Could either tell us everything that went on and that we have closure or will chat poo 

I'll have to switch on for that. 

No wonder the poor git has been at Derby for so long if that's his agent - looks like he's been sleeping rough and just walked in off the street. 

I really don't understand the surprise or upset by this. 

Derby County offered each player a contract at one time or another. The contract doesn't just say how much money you will earn during whatever duration you are offered. It comes with stipulations, for example: If Derby County offer Joe Bloggs a 5-year-deal but he doesn't do a day of work. They will have a stipulations to sack them. 

Now, ignoring the hypothetical and focusing on the players involved in the situation: all three could've been sacked for gross misconduct. I have absolutely no doubt about that. The issue would've been how that would've impacted us as a club on FFP. It's effectively writing off assets against the club. We know why we issued contracts to certain players last season we clearly had no intention of keeping or playing. 

Lawrence & Bennett are arguably at much bigger fault, based on what we know, but quite frankly I don't care in that situation whether you're the one driving or a passenger. It's not like he didn't know or willingly get into the car with a drunk driver. I also think he could've influenced them not to get into the car, so I don't think I buy that he's not as guilty as the others. The only reason he probably wasn't driving was because he hasn't bothered to learn. 

The key difference is that Keogh simply cannot fulfill the terms of his contract, i.e. the duty he is paid for, whilst simultaneously breaking god knows what stipulation in the contract. It's well documented that these deals come with all sorts of daft clauses, for example: I remember one player for Sunderland who was banned from going into space, I've also heard of others banning things like skiing and theme parks. 

Lawrence and Bennett similarly broke whatever stipulations in their contract, but they can fulfill the terms of their contract. They can continue to play for the club. Realistically, it's not affected their ability to turn up and play football for Derby County. Keogh's part in the whole thing has, in fact it looks like it's impacted him so badly that even if he wasn't sacked, he would never be able to set foot on the pitch. Again, I say it is no surprise that he's been released from his contract as he's effectively ended his contract through his own misgivings. 

Let's not target Derby County or Mel Morris for this - they didn't want any of this. Unfortunately, the black and white is that Keogh has ended his own football career through poor decisions and expected someone else to foot the bill. If he had no injured himself then I have no doubt he would've also been back in for the first game as Lawrence was. It's life at the end of the day. 

No sympathy for him - the club even offered him the opportunity to stick around on a lesser wage. It will probably go to court, but 'serious incapacity or misconduct caused by excess alcohol or drugs' is a cornerstone of gross misconduct. The police report will probably detail enough to give Richard no leg to stand on in the courtroom.  

12 hours ago, reverendo de duivel said:

In light of @angieram's recent thread on the main forum, I'd just like to say a belated personal thank you for the above reply.

I've kind of clung onto your message of this too will pass, whether or not that  was your intention I'm not sure, but it's been helpful nonetheless.

I can't tell you how happy it makes me for you to say that. I'm so glad that my ramblings have been able to help in some way. It was my intention, partly because I was coming out of a very tough period myself and I told myself that it was all temporary. I feel it's important that any of us don't get bogged down in the here-and-now. I just hope you're feeling better - you've got an entire community of people on here all behind you. 

Abraham channeling his inner Aston Villa to ruin Frank, Jody, Mason & Fik's big night! 

Unpopular opinion: I would like nothing more than see Frank get his first piece of silverware at the expense of Liverpool! 

G'warn Frank, Jody, Mason & Fik!! 

I hope Lampard does a good job at Chelsea, not that I think he will. I personally don't think he will get the time to perform in what was already a really tough ask regardless. I think the only way he keeps his job is if he keeps within the top six. The next game is against Liverpool in the UEFA Super Cup. The first chance of silverware for Frank. I'd imagine that could end in a similarly bad way then you've got a tough home game against Leicester, who I imagine will have a lot of Chelsea fans expecting to win. 

I can see them losing their next two. 

On 15/03/2019 at 23:33, reveldevil said:

Struggling.

Deliberately taking a hammer to long standing relationships, ignoring my family, drinking far too much.

I know I'm doing it, but I'm not sure I care.

I don't think it's mental either, just who I am.

It was hard to read, that. I've been on here for my entire adult life almost and have always respected you as a poster & person. 

I'm not the best person to give advice in these situations, but I can say that I've struggled at times due to extenuating circumstances and often do partake in 'self destructive' behaviour which has had serious consequences in the past. iThe one thing that helps me and gets me through these periods is that I remind myself that feelings - good & bad - are absolutely and utterly fickle. The forced focus on 'positive' things, for me, made things worse. I would think about family, for example, but it would come with an overwhelming sense of letting them down. It just gave me another stick to beat myself. The clarity of almost training my mind to remind myself that every feeling and situation that I have ever had and will ever have will ultimately change, sometimes quickly and sometimes not so quickly, but it will change. 

People are different; people react differently in situations and there is no perfect solution - I just hope you find whats right for you! 

1 hour ago, therealhantsram said:

Cant imagine they don't have insurance. All decent sized employers I've ever worked for have had this kind of insurance for key staff members. 

Aye, but insurance companies will no doubt have certain stipulations in place that mean they don't pay out a single penny. I've luckily never needed to contact any insurance about a payout but the small print in some make it impossible to get any money back.

If he had been at the club for a calendar year, sure, but I'd imagine that they would have had to register him and his worth and there would be a number of days/months before that becomes viable. 

It's a horrible situation for them on a number of accounts, certainly, but I hope they can all pull together and pull off the unlikely. I never thought I'd say that after last season, but it would be good to see this spur them on! 

I’ve just read more about this - absolutely horrible. There is an apparent voice note he sent over WhatsApp saying how bad the plane was, also reports that they struggled to take off in the first instance. Absolutely mental. It’s hard to comprehend that things like this could possibly be allowed to happen, especially if the reports of how bad the plane was are true. 

People are hoping for the best, but I can’t possible envisage any scenario where they are stranded and still alive. 

Such a needless waste of life.

34 minutes ago, SunnyRam said:

Pitch International fixture, only available in certain countries due to EFL rights

https://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/ramstv-availability-for-tv-games?nocache=1 

I'm going to have to move from USA to Italy then, ideal, really. 

Any reason why Rams TV isn't working in USA? Not that I'm in a rush to watch it now.

Amazing. Truly amazing! 

I'd personally never heard of this guy until I started reading this thread & now I'm absolutely beyond words delighted that the injustice he must have felt 46* years ago has now been corrected. 

Brilliant! 

Helder Costa??

I didn't realise just how prolific he has been this season, and Wolves are in talks to take him permanently.

Premier League player in waiting. 

What about Callum Robinson?

He's been great for Preston in a wide left position.

I've just seen Birmingham are in for Lansbury. 

Now, I know we're well stocked in central midfield, but I'd definitely have him here. He's a better, more consistent version of Hendrick. 

The two recruits we need to make in January:

Right Back - I like Christie and Baird has done well since he's come in. However, it's probably the one position in the starting XI where a genuine improvement could be made. Christie isn't without his faults, Baird won't be here next season. I would look at getting in someone who could make this position their own and challenge Christie next year. 

Striker - We need to get someone who can fill Chris Martin's shoes, should he move on. Darren Bent has done well since McClaren came back, we have Vydra who is a good player, but we need someone to play that same role Martin did - in the same manner. I would say suggestions are difficult, but I'd love to see someone in the mould of Shane Long, Benik Afobe...etc

I could make cases for other positions, namely a winger, but the above two need focus. Vydra, should he not prove to be an expensive mistake, needs to be utilised in some way - I would argue even as the winger.