Reasons to be cautious 1,2,3

[r4derby]

I like Johnny. He wants to play for Derby, which I appreciate, and obviously has is in his heart. And, unlike some would suggest, he does have some ability. Needed for rotation of wingers (at least) as Andi will blow hot and cold and Anya will potentially be needed to cover other positions

[VulcanRam]

54 minutes ago, Tamworthram said:

I think the overwhelming majority of us are not getting carried away just happy and encouraged to have seen a much improved performance regardless of the opposition 

I agree completely. And might dare to suggest that Sage's original post was as much of an over reaction as the over reactions it sought to criticise. 

I don't think Preston were that awful and Derby's players deserve credit for a much more spirited effort after the paucity of the previous performance.

And for what it's worth, 4-2-3-1 is the way forward with this crop of players. Suits them far more than any other formation.

[Mafiabob]

9 hours ago, needles said:

I agree. Also, I think Richard Keogh is ace.

I also think Weimann is too..... pot, kettle etc 

[brady1993]

12 hours ago, sage said:

It would seem after the Preston game that certain new 'facts" are apparent. 4231 is the future, Martin, Russell, Bryson and Forsyth are history and Vydra, Nugent and Weimann will lead us to the promised land. Obviously the evidence for this has been gathered for over 90 minutes so who am I to argue. However I will add some cautionary notes.

1. Preston were awful and gifted us several opportunities throughout the game. They had several players missing and we only won as a result of a penalty. It is difficult to assess the scale of improvement from the Wolves game when there is such a massive difference in quality and performance from the opposition teams. Rosetta himself said himself he made changes specifically for this game.

2. Much has been made of Vydra's performance in the number 10 role as if it was a season defining moment. It wasn't. Whilst he was lively and linked well with Nugent and Weimann, the second striker part of his job, he struggled with the advanced midfielder part of his role, giving the ball away in dangerous positions 3 times in the first half, where a better team would probably have punished us. I would also add that due to injury and suspension Preston had a midfield 3 of two attacking midfielders and a converted striker. No one with defensive qualities.

3. We are stilll lacking someone to play alongside Huddlestone in a midfield 2. Johnson gives the ball away too much to play there. The lack of pace in front of the back four was exposed when they brought Maguire on late in the game. Wolves exploited this when we went to a midfield 2 on Saturday and other teams will do the same.

 

Now I hope we can continue to improve but I still think we have a long way to go to be anything other than a upper midtable team this season. 

 

 

1) Personally didn't think Preston looked that bad, perhaps not good but not terrible. Yes we did only win by a penalty but we created enough genuine chances were we could have won by 2 or 3 with better finishing. 

2)On vydra I think you are being a tad harsh. Whilst I'm not saying it was some complete performance and there were certainly a few rough edges, he did the one thing we've been crying out for a while for. He dropped into pockets of space between Preston's midfield and defence and helped link our midfield to our attack. He linked well with the other forwards, creating a few chances and generally kept possesion well (83% pass accuracy). Sure he made mistakes but all players do and as long as they don't keep happening then it's fine. I think there were enough encouraging signs of him playing there to give it a run for a few games.

3) completely agree about Johnson. It's the one position where if there is room to make a signing I would. However I don't think Rowett agrees, we haven't really been linked with any other midfielders and Johnson seems a firm first choice.

[Zag zig]

12 hours ago, sage said:

I would advocate not reading a whole season in 90 minutes.

I would advocate that Vydra needs to improve that side of is game to play there against better teams, especially away.

I would advocate buying or loaning a CM with pace who could play in a 2 with Huddlestone. 

I would advocate being able to play more than one system and picking a side for the occasion rather than an ideology.

Finally I would advocate we weren't getting relegated on Saturday and we weren't getting promoted on Tuesday.

I'd agree with you on almost all of that, except you really don't like Johnson do you?!

Wasn't at the game, so only got the fragmented view but I thought he did ok. Granted there is better and wonder also if a fit G.T and Tom will need pace anyway with runners either side and in front, think someone else mentioned them sitting and keeping shape on this basis. So don't know who else would come and improve us in this window, would Lewis Cook actually come to Derby?

Anyway agree with everything else.