Team spirit could be the key.

[Curtains]

http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/spirit-so-important-959156.aspx?

[DcFc Dyycheee]

Nigel Clough is convinced Derby County’s much-acclaimed team spirit will be more important than ever in the 2013/14 season.

 

The togetherness and strong bond within the Rams’ dressing room has been regularly highlighted throughout the last two seasons.

 

Whether it be the players digging deep for each other on the pitch or during the regular team bonding sessions and events, there’s a real family feel about the squad Clough has assembled.

 

Clough is convinced that the feel-good factor off the pitch has an impact on it, and he believes his six summer signings have settled in just as quickly as the likes of Richard Keogh, Paul Coutts and Conor Sammon when they arrived at Pride Park a year ago.

 

He said: “I hope that the lads who have signed have been swept away by our team spirit like the others have been in recent seasons, because we have an excellent spirit and feel about the squad.

 

“The group we have are very welcoming and make it easy for those who arrive.

 

“For example the four or five we signed last summer felt comfortable and at home within a month.

 

“All six of our signings so far will have no problems I am sure - especially as two of them were on loan here last season in Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth.

 

“I heard Chris actually said in the media that within a few weeks of arriving on loan in February he felt like he had been here all season, which is a testament to the players and how quickly they can make players feel at ease.

 

“It’s important because you don’t want players taking a long time to settle and feel at ease.”

 

Although team spirit and a good camaraderie doesn’t necessarily win matches, Clough believes it can play an instrumental role along the way.

 

He reckons Derby’s close-knit squad put their closeness to good use last season – and he hopes that it can evolve even more to help push the side onto greater wins and unbeaten runs in both 2013/14.

 

He said: “A team spirit and closeness doesn’t bring assured success but it can play a huge part.

 

“At times we’ve seen the bond between the players pull us out of a few difficult situations and the fact we didn’t lose more than two games in a row last season speaks volumes.

 

“There won’t be many teams in the Championship that managed that over 46 games, because it’s very easy to lose three or four games in a row.

 

“We’ve halted those losing streaks, so now we want to see if we can string a few winning runs together this season.”

[David]

Helps that we don't import foreign meat, all speaking the same language (apart from the Scots), no culture differences. It's said at Newcastle that all the French lads stick together and the rest have their own group, can't be good can it?

Don't get me wrong I don't mind the odd foreigner thrown in but it's refreshing to see in English football a team of British players not Algerians found on YouTube.

"p4t2rEH" alt="p4t2rEH">

[Leicester Ram]

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[Smyth_18]

Helps that we don't import foreign meat, all speaking the same language (apart from the Scots), no culture differences. It's said at Newcastle that all the French lads stick together and the rest have their own group, can't be good can it?

Don't get me wrong I don't mind the odd foreigner thrown in but it's refreshing to see in English football a team of British players not Algerians found on YouTube.

"p4t2rEH" alt="p4t2rEH">

 

Racist

[Leicester Ram]

Racist

 

It's all a BNP conspiracy

[David]

I should also point out that the best Derby team I have seen is Jim Smith's with Poom, Laursen, Stimac, Eranio, Baiano, Wanchope before I'm accused of being against foreigners or racist.

You could probably easily find hundreds of Johnny Russell's in France, Belguim, Spain, Tazmainia but will they adapt to the English lifestyle, will their families? There's more risks involved in bringing in foreigners than buying British and the right blend of players is equally important.

Credit where credits due, to get a squad of lads together that all get on is not easy, fair play Nigel have a pat on the back from Daveo.

Some also moan about the range of his scouting network but you have to trust the scouts you employ, if that's his mates in Scotland and Ireland then so be it, stick to what you know.

[David]

Too late, knew someone would say it, ****

[Emjlc02]

While team spirit can be important plenty of good teams have had players that don't like each other and don't get on.

[Boycie]

Rams announce new team spirit coach, Jack Daniels will take up the new role on Saturday night.

He will work with players either on their own or mixed group.

Obviously he won't work with players before the game, unlike previous team spirit coaches under Nigel's father Brian when he was a Derby County.

It won us the championship though didn't it

www.dcfcboyciebollox.co.uk

[Stive Pesley]

I should also point out that the best Derby team I have seen is Jim Smith's with Poom, Laursen, Stimac, Eranio, Baiano, Wanchope before I'm accused of being against foreigners or racist.

You could probably easily find hundreds of Johnny Russell's in France, Belguim, Spain, Tazmainia but will they adapt to the English lifestyle, will their families? There's more risks involved in bringing in foreigners than buying British and the right blend of players is equally important.

Credit where credits due, to get a squad of lads together that all get on is not easy, fair play Nigel have a pat on the back from Daveo.

Some also moan about the range of his scouting network but you have to trust the scouts you employ, if that's his mates in Scotland and Ireland then so be it, stick to what you know.

 

To be honest I think you have to go all or nothing with foreigners. Either get loads of them in so that they don't feel so alone or don't bother. Sticking one or two johnny foreigners in a team full of English (as a first language) speaking players and you will always run the risk that they will struggle to settle

[Smyth_18]

I should also point out that the best Derby team I have seen is Jim Smith's with Poom, Laursen, Stimac, Eranio, Baiano, Wanchope before I'm accused of being against foreigners or racist.

 

 

Equivalent to: "i'm not racist, some of my best friends are black."

[CumbrianRam]

Helps that we don't import foreign meat, all speaking the same language (apart from the Scots), no culture differences. It's said at Newcastle that all the French lads stick together and the rest have their own group, can't be good can it?

Don't get me wrong I don't mind the odd foreigner thrown in but it's refreshing to see in English football a team of British players not Algerians found on YouTube.

"p4t2rEH" alt="p4t2rEH">

What about the Irish lads and the Albanian?

[Emjlc02]

To be honest I think you have to go all or nothing with foreigners. Either get loads of them in so that they don't feel so alone or don't bother. Sticking one or two johnny foreigners in a team full of English (as a first language) speaking players and you will always run the risk that they will struggle to settle

Yep stimac struggled.

[SuperSheep]

Helps that we don't import foreign meat, all speaking the same language (apart from the Scots), no culture differences. It's said at Newcastle that all the French lads stick together and the rest have their own group, can't be good can it?

Don't get me wrong I don't mind the odd foreigner thrown in but it's refreshing to see in English football a team of British players not Algerians found on YouTube."p4t2rEH" alt="p4t2rEH">

poor gjokaj

[PrivateDerby]

I spoke to Kieron Freeman after West Brom last Saturday and walked off wondering whether he was foreign or I was really hard to understand 

[Gritstone Ram]

I spoke to Kieron Freeman after West Brom last Saturday and walked off wondering whether he was foreign or I was really hard to understand

Had you had a skin full?

[David]

poor gjokaj

Not my fault Nigel doesn't play him which makes me forget he's even here

[Alpha]

I spoke to Kieron Freeman after West Brom last Saturday and walked off wondering whether he was foreign or I was really hard to understand

Duz he chat like dis dough innit bruv?

[rammieib]

Same team spirit that Jason Shackell signed up to two days ago.

I think talking about this type of stuff is all a smokescreen. Facts are IMO:

- we have received more in transfer revenues than we have spent this summer.

- our defence is weak in quality and I would say on paper it's weaker than last year.

- I still think we don't have good enough wingers or back up in those positions and it will only be a matter of time before Clough starts fitting square pegs in round holes

- we don't have a striker proven to score goals at this level, although I hope Russell fills that hole. Chris Martin will do well to reach double figures.

We do have a number of quality players though, but as I look around the league, so do a lot of other teams. The fans of at least half these teams will be talking about top six, and if we get anywhere near this, I will praise our tactically invent manager!