VulcanRam Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Interesting Q&A with Steve and Sam this morning at the iPro. Main points covered: Steve Mac: *George Thorne injury a "bl00dy nightmare", given the lengths Derby went to sign him and his determination to come, but he spoke to George last night who told him it was a freak injury that could have happened any time, even the week before last when he was a West Brom player. He said GT told him if it was going to happen he would much rather happen at Derby as this is where he wants to be, not at West Brom where he didn't want to be. Joked that Sam was already counting the days and pound signs for when he returns to the team. *He said he was looking to see whether he could replace GT from within (mentioned Eustace, Hughes, Hendrick and Coutts, who is a player he likes), but also suggested they were considering bringing someone in. He talked about it being a really specialised position that few can play well and when he saw GT he was the answer to his prayers. *Spoke about the importance of humility, win or lose, and how that stood them in good stead after Wembley. Also spoke about the amazing team spirit and that in the day after Wembley the senior players all went out to lunch together and the talk was "we're going to do it next year". *Talked about the importance of "blend and balance" and it's more about that than individual people. Said Tiote (now at Newcastle) played for him in Holland and was the best in training but couldn't get in the team because he disrupted the balance. *Said we had the best midfield in the Championship, but also said they were aware they had no cover for Martin. *Made an interesting comment about "me syndrome" - where players demand more money when they haven't achieved anything yet, and how they are trying to get rid of that at Derby. *Is quite relaxed (well, he was before Thorne's injury) about the squad, but indicated he wasn't finished building yet (not sure whether he meant now or in the next year or so) *On Shaun Barker, doubted he would play again, particularly at this level, given the nature of his injury and his age, but really praised his attitude and determination, saying he was an inspiration to people out injured. Said he kept on having setbacks in his recuperation but was running at the moment. *On youth - given that last week Derby was awarded level 1 academy status - he said that he really wanted to bring youth through, at Middlesbro achieved in give years a whole team from within a 20 mile radius of the place, but also said for him it was about results and winning with style. That was the constant balancing act he was faced with. *Spoke about an excellent business trip to meet the owners in Chicago at the end of the season, talking about the culture of Derby and English football, looking for a sign of commitment and persuading them to open the purse strings. GT was that sign he was looking for. He joked how they were peppering Sam with questions while he had a glass or two of vino. Sam Rush: *Spoke about the owners, "very successful sports business entrepreneurs", saying that when he came in the owners were in a rut, were despondant and couldn't understand why Derby hadn 't been a success like their other sports enterprises. He said he knew them from his previous job and prior to him taking this one said that Derby was in need of re-energising and he wanted to do it his way. Said he had to educate the owners about the difference between American sports (the day-long event) and English football (all about what happens on the pitch) and they were now really energised and committed, believing they can make Derby a real success. *Was delighted to have Mel Morris on board to bring a local connection to add to the north American ownership. *Talked about how he in London and the rest of the country always spoke about Derby as underachieving and he couldn't understand why. Since he took the job he has been amazed at the passion of a football mad city and said his focus has been entirely on getting things right on the pitch, after which everything else will follow. A good, positive message all round! Think that was all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stive Pesley Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Cheers for that - interesting stuff Another much-less interesting update - they are putting up new billboards around the ground as part of the #bepartofit Season Ticket campaign. One billboard per player, with an action shot from last season but on every one, the buy mobiles sponsor has been photoshopped off the shirt, so they just have a plain white Derby kit on - looks weird (but good) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCFC1388 Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Someone on another thread mentioned that Mc said he was on the phone to Mourinho last night...why did he mention this? Was he asked a question about loans? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Sagan Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Someone on another thread mentioned that Mc said he was on the phone to Mourinho last night...why did he mention this? Was he asked a question about loans? Thanks for the update VR - surprised to hear such a blatant statement regarding Barker. And it sounds odd for GT to be telling SM how it was - isn't that the medical staff's job!? Regarding Chelski, there's a lot of talk we're in for Chalobah. Didn't exactly impress at the gumps, but you never know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VulcanRam Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 Thanks for the update VR - surprised to hear such a blatant statement regarding Barker. And it sounds odd for GT to be telling SM how it was - isn't that the medical staff's job!? Regarding Chelski, there's a lot of talk we're in for Chalobah. Didn't exactly impress at the gumps, but you never know... No probs, the point he was making is that despite is being a bad injury GT was upbeat and positive, and looking on the bright side would - if he had to suffer an injury - much rather have suffered one at Derby than West Brom. It was part of a wider comment about the type of person they want to bring to the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dabber Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Thanks Vulcan, I found the comment that they know they have no cover for Martin the most interesting. Presumably we are still therefore in the market for such.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombo Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 That statement about Barker is a bit odd I think I'd have to hear the words coming out of his mouth and what he actually said to judge it, rather than a general summary. Thanks for the news VulcanRam. So we'll be looking to strengthen up front first, with a striker and a wide player. Then possibly DM coming in by the sounds of it, when they've made a judgement on what to do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VulcanRam Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 That statement about Barker is a bit odd I think I'd have to hear the words coming out of his mouth and what he actually said to judge it, rather than a general summary. Thanks for the news VulcanRam. So we'll be looking to strengthen up front first, with a striker and a wide player. Then possibly DM coming in by the sounds of it, when they've made a judgement on what to do. It was interesting hearing them talk just about the dilemmas they face when looking for players, it's a lot harder than some on here make it out to be! And a lot of it seems to be about stuff other than football, ie will they fit into the team ethic etc. He didn't talk about the finances/team budget but I've always been on the opinion we'd need to offload Sammon first. However, it was good to hear they are very aware of the lack of a replacement for Martin should he be injured or off form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cannable Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Regarding Chelski, there's a lot of talk we're in for Chalobah. Didn't exactly impress at the gumps, but you never know... Probably down to the fact that he's a footballer and (under Billy at least) Forest don't actually play football. HOOOOOOOF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorfolkRam Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Great info VR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerbyPride Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 So no mention of Hanson with regards to the GT role? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Animal is a Ram Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Great post VR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alph Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I thought Nigel had all but wiped out the 'me' syndrome? I told a few people on the forum in pm about a year ago what I'd heard about Barker. Not a man who knows a man but it came from a bloke who is on the frontline so to speak. Never said anything publicly because was told Barker didn't need harassing on twitter or whatever. He needed to work and focus. He was taken to see different specialists and consultants or whatever and they gave the same verdict. His chances of playing again at this level were slim to none. All Barker was told was that it's a long long way back but Nigel assured him that if he makes himself available for selection then he'll be selected and have a chance to play and prove himself. It didn't matter how long it took, he'd get a shot at it. Obviously the medical staff want what's best for Barker and that's to be as fit and healthy as possible whether he can play at this level again or not. So rather than tell him he won't play again at this speed with so much demand from his body he was just told it would be difficult. They wanted him determined, not defeated. Specialists and consultants etc said the only way they can see Barker possibly playing at this level is with injections. The medical staff at Derby do not want Barker to take that route obviously. Especially considering that he's had a good career out of football. The choice on injections would obviously be Barker's but nobody at Derby would advise him to take that route. Barker is one of those lads that loves the dressing room banter. Loves being one of the lads. Loves football. It was important to the medical staff at Derby that he focuses on being as fit as possible. I know this is pretty much what anyone could guess. Like I said, this is news from like a year ago. Something must have changed for McClaren to have said what he said. Barker must be about up to as fit as possible or something? Anyway, just thought I'd mention it as it just shows some people in a good light they deserve. Nigel Clough, the medical/fitness lads and Barker himself. Looks like a year down the line the chances of Barker playing at this level are still slim to none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombo Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Thanks for the #ITK nugget of info Alpha. I'm still hoping for him to make the cameo appearance in a home game somewhere. Just so he can get the applause from the crowd and then retire if he really needs to. Maybe Rotherham first game of the season, since that's where he started his career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerbyPride Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I thought Nigel had all but wiped out the 'me' syndrome? I told a few people on the forum in pm about a year ago what I'd heard about Barker. Not a man who knows a man but it came from a bloke who is on the frontline so to speak. Never said anything publicly because was told Barker didn't need harassing on twitter or whatever. He needed to work and focus. He was taken to see different specialists and consultants or whatever and they gave the same verdict. His chances of playing again at this level were slim to none. All Barker was told was that it's a long long way back but Nigel assured him that if he makes himself available for selection then he'll be selected and have a chance to play and prove himself. It didn't matter how long it took, he'd get a shot at it. Obviously the medical staff want what's best for Barker and that's to be as fit and healthy as possible whether he can play at this level again or not. So rather than tell him he won't play again at this speed with so much demand from his body he was just told it would be difficult. They wanted him determined, not defeated. Specialists and consultants etc said the only way they can see Barker possibly playing at this level is with injections. The medical staff at Derby do not want Barker to take that route obviously. Especially considering that he's had a good career out of football. The choice on injections would obviously be Barker's but nobody at Derby would advise him to take that route. Barker is one of those lads that loves the dressing room banter. Loves being one of the lads. Loves football. It was important to the medical staff at Derby that he focuses on being as fit as possible. I know this is pretty much what anyone could guess. Like I said, this is news from like a year ago. Something must have changed for McClaren to have said what he said. Barker must be about up to as fit as possible or something? Anyway, just thought I'd mention it as it just shows some people in a good light they deserve. Nigel Clough, the medical/fitness lads and Barker himself. Looks like a year down the line the chances of Barker playing at this level are still slim to none. Very sad if true but not a great shock. Wonder if he'll be offered a coaching role if the time comes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alph Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Yeah it's nothing everyone didn't really already know. Seems McClaren has carried on Nigel's promise but we must coming to some sort of decision time maybe? Agree with that Tombo, be nice to get him out on the pitch once more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stive Pesley Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Specialists and consultants etc said the only way they can see Barker possibly playing at this level is with injections. The choice on injections would obviously be Barker's but nobody at Derby would advise him to take that route. As was mentioned in an earlier thread - he's had so many steroid injections now, he has developed osteoporosis and is now on bone-hardening drugs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YorkshireRam Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Regarding Chelski, there's a lot of talk we're in for Chalobah. Didn't exactly impress at the gumps, but you never know... A good player in that team would have gone unnoticed anyway due to being a poor footballing side. Thorne didn't impress at Watford but look how good he was in our team when we played slick, passing football. The only place a CDM can show what he can really do is in a good footballing side; otherwise he is effectively just another defender albeit playing slightly further up the pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stive Pesley Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 I thought Nigel had all but wiped out the 'me' syndrome? Agreed - the "legacy" he left was a group of players who had team spirit. Much as people want to believe that Shackell was shagging Marcus Tudgay's dog's missus (or whatever) - the more plausible story I was told by a certain ex-board member was that he marched into the office and demanded a wage increase, and that was all it took Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alph Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 As was mentioned in an earlier thread - he's had so many steroid injections now, he has developed osteoporosis and is now on bone-hardening drugs Must be desperate to play again. A guy on our medical team said they'd do all they can to stop him taking that route. Problems in life after football etc. not to mention the pain when the painkillers stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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