A 10 POINT PLAN, NOT A FINGER IN THE DAM

[Comrade 86]

There’s plenty of us on here stating what’s wrong and given recent performances it’s not hard to understand why. With that in mind I thought it’d be interesting to see what measures folk folks think need to be put in place to turn things around – a 10-point plan if you like. You can make a single suggestion or a full 10 point plan, it’s up to you just try and be positive and offer fixes not just criticism please!

To get things started here’s my list:

1] Rowett has to go – this will sound highly hypocritical coming from me but my loyalty is first and foremost to the club and today’s post-match interview was the end of it for me. I'll leave it there!

2] Hire a manager whose footballing ethos and style is in keeping with ‘the Derby Way’ – it’s become a rather hackneyed phrase but to me it means attacking, possession-based football. Ball to feet, pass and move. Yes. we need a solid defence but a team that looks to outscore the opposition will always be favoured by Derby fans over and above a team that tries to throttle the opposition and then hit them on the break. In no particular order, Silva, Simmo, Dean Smith, Wassall, even Lee Johnson might all be considered as well as any talented young foreign coaches, the latter being dependent on us having an experienced English DOF in place. however.

3] Bring said manager’s scouting team with him and fire the current set-up, Ince's wife first – teams like Brentford and Bristol seem to have a happy knack of recruiting quality players that match the way they play and doing so early in their careers. This they accomplish without breaking the bank. If a manager’s coaches and scouts are deemed integral to his success, then we should move heaven and earth to bring them with him.

4] Recruit a DoF to oversee points 1 to 3 – sorry Mel, you’ve had a few tries now and it’s time to bring a footballing pro in to handle the transition away from a ‘business model’ that has patently failed to deliver.

5] Immediately begin to incorporate some of our U23 players. How on earth do we expect the likes of Elsnik, Thomas, Guy and co to improve or show their worth while they sit on a bench or worse still, are farmed out to clubs who know they will not be able to hang on to them and have no interest therefore, in their long-term futures? WHo knows, their attitude might even spark some of the more experienced squad players.

6] Terminate contracts for any players deemed negative influences and look to move on others who do not meet the new team criteria in terms of age, playing style or any other regard, for that matter. Outsiders should know who we are and what we expect of any individual connected to the club BEFORE they arrive. Yes, this will hurt us in FFP terms but so will retaining players with no real interest in the club’s future nor pride in their own performances. Such individuals are rotten apples and need flushing before they sour the entire barrel.

7] Curtail all cheese-laden PR activities such as the ridiculous Mastermind series – the players are at the club to play football. If they are not entertaining the fans on the pitch then watching them make tits of themselves elsewhere as well is hardly going to be viewed in a positive light. Back to ****** basics please! If the club is looking to try and create a bond with the fans then suggest to the players that they roll their ******* sleeves up as this will win over fans quicker than any PR BS one could dream up.

8] Ban the foul-mouthed and overly aggressive fans from attending fixtures – if they want to hurl abuse at the team they can do at away games and from amongst the opposition fans. Their season ticket money is simply not worth the grief. As much as a lack of unity within the club has damaged our prospects, so will any bilious invective from certain so-called fans. Let’s ensure that kids and women are not intimidated and put off by such behaviour please!

9] Replace any current foreign scouts with immediate effect – if they even exist, they’ve brought little or nothing to the club for over a decade and are not worth their fees, whatever they may be.

10] Reduce ticket prices to almost giveaway levels for younger fans for fixtures where we are unlikely to have packed stands. I’d rather we gave the tickets away than see chunks of empty seats. Let’s get PP rocking in the style of the old Baseball Ground.

Over to you guys and let’s keep it civil please 

[Millenniumram]

Don’t mention 10 points

Was expecting more like 86 points there but I agree with most of what’s written. So much work needs to be done this summer in all areas, has to be more structured and clear in direction. Need specialists in each position in the club, working together in unison.

[Tamworthram]

Don't think I can improve on any of those especially points 3 and 4.

I would take issue with point 8. I don't know why you're singling out my wife for special attention. Only kidding of course, she's sensible enough to not take a particular interest in football (well she is from Barnsley after all).

[Yani P]

Surely we dont have foreign scouts 

[Ram-a-lama fa fa fa]

Couldnt agree more. 3 + 8 the most. Theres so much that needs to change at derby

[ram1964]

Covered a lot of suggestions i would have made, You wouldn't have problems with a negative fan base if we were being entertained,showing promise of improving.

Need a manager of substance, and that's where I would firstly invest. some body proven prefferably, but that should be our first objective. Don't ask me for suggestions cos if it was that easy i wouldn't be doing the job i do.

[McRainy]

28 minutes ago, 86 points said:

Let’s ensure that women are not intimidated and put off by such behaviour please!

[whaley bridge Ram]

Agree with all the points but will it happen I don’t think so we are sinking slowly but surely 

[bucktwo]

It is astounding how much this club has lurched from one catastrophe to another for many years.

Every season in recent times some incredible list of issues has derailed our hopes of real progress.

Yes results matter as it is the points that determine the outcome of a season, however the style and ambiance around the first team performances is also crucial for the fans as we share the journey.

We are in need of a charismatic leader both on and off the pitch . 

The annoying PR on match day is also cringeworthy

Cut the gimmicks and increase the passion. integrate some youth and we could turn this around next season ...

we all live in hope     

[Comrade 86]

15 minutes ago, Millenniumram said:

Don’t mention 10 points

Was expecting more like 86 points there but I agree with most of what’s written. So much work needs to be done this summer in all areas, has to be more structured and clear in direction. Need specialists in each position in the club, working together in unison.

Even my waffle can't stretch to 86 points LOL. Going to change my moniker next season to 76 points and 10th in the Div, I reckon.

8 minutes ago, Yani P said:

Surely we dont have foreign scouts 

LOL - you know what I mean! Mind you, we might as well have foreign scouts for all that ours know about UK football.

 

2 minutes ago, Lambchop said:

EDIT: .......for women and kids bar Lambchop

[Alph]

The Derby Way initially laid out by Mel was perfect. People mocked it and pretended they knew what it was but those who actually looked into it surely could warm to it. It was never really adhered to.

I'm not saying we'd be promoted now but I liked it. 

Southampton, Watford and Swansea are examples of clubs who have a system of recruitment. They have like a flavour of manager and player they go for. Their scouts have brought some superb players to England.

Yes, Swansea have made some mistakes but they still haven't gone so far away that they can't go back. In fact Leon Britton was saying that's exactly the plan at the club. To capture that identity again.

Southampton have been raided numerous times which I suppose shows positives of recruiting to fit an identity. It shows how you can recover being raided for players/managers while by knowing exactly the type of piece the jigsaw needs. Mark Hughes seems a bit desperate to me but they have had it quite tough haven't they?

And Watford. I know not everyone likes the way they do things but they show how giving a manager time isn't actually always the answer. What they have done though is switch managers that add ideas to what is already there. They aren't about to employ Steve Bruce or Tony Pulis are they. 

Recruit to fit isn't perfect. But for me I like it more than snatching at the best CV. 

There's was a time when we saw players like Calero, Santos and those lot possibly slotting in. It was like the youngsters were being moulded. Is it still like that? Genuine question. 

There has to be a path from the youngsters to the first team. A path where, permitting subtle changes, the first team spot will fit your development.

I don't want Rowett out because it's impossible to do with him at the head. I want him out because I want us to do this with a manager who thinks more aggressively, more creative and really pushes for inventive players. 

 

[Comrade 86]

6 minutes ago, whaley bridge Ram said:

Agree with all the points but will it happen I don’t think so we are sinking slowly but surely 

There's no quick fix I fear but we can arrest the slide. Sacking Rowett probably means some more short-term pain, I concede, but if we avoid quick fix measures in favour of a considered srategic plan, we can see success down the line, I'm certain of it.*

 

 

 

*Disclaimer - I'm typically wrong about most things

[WhiteHorseRam]

Find a captain who is a terrifying *****, a leader of men on the pitch, and who has a vicious feral intelligence to solve unexpected tactical problems ......

 

[kingsy1884]

8 is a massive one for me. So many abusive and aggressive thickos who think we are better than anyone else in the division simply because we are big club and should be in the prem. 

Have a bit if humility and chill the hell out. No person deserves the abuse Vydra got today when he came to effectly apologise at the and thank the fans it was disgusting.

It made me think whether i should support club when there are so many scumbags. I will certainly question going to another away day.

[CWC1983]

@86 points

Genuinely interested in what Gary said to make you change your mind?

I heard the interview on RD and he said much of what id expect from a manager who's just lost to the bottom of the table club. 

The bit I heard said the players didnt show the passion or commitment for a team looking for the play offs, however the buck stops with him. 

Cheers 

 

[Comrade 86]

1 minute ago, Alpha said:

The Derby Way initially laid out by Mel was perfect. People mocked it and pretended they knew what it was but those who actually looked into it surely could warm to it. It was never really adhered to.

I'm not saying we'd be promoted now but I liked it. 

Southampton, Watford and Swansea are examples of clubs who have a system of recruitment. They have like a flavour of manager and player they go for. Their scouts have brought some superb players to England.

Yes, Swansea have made some mistakes but they still haven't gone so far away that they can't go back. In fact Leon Britton was saying that's exactly the plan at the club. To capture that identity again.

Southampton have been raided numerous times which I suppose shows positives of recruiting to fit an identity. It shows how you can recover being raided for players/managers while by knowing exactly the type of piece the jigsaw needs. Mark Hughes seems a bit desperate to me but they have had it quite tough haven't they?

And Watford. I know not everyone likes the way they do things but they show how giving a manager time isn't actually always the answer. What they have done though is switch managers that add ideas to what is already there. They aren't about to employ Steve Bruce or Tony Pulis are they. 

Recruit to fit isn't perfect. But for me I like it more than snatching at the best CV. 

There's was a time when we saw players like Calero, Santos and those lot possibly slotting in. It was like the youngsters were being moulded. Is it still like that? Genuine question. 

There has to be a path from the youngsters to the first team. A path where, permitting subtle changes, the first team spot will fit your development.

I don't want Rowett out because it's impossible to do with him at the head. I want him out because I want us to do this with a manager who thinks more aggressively, more creative and really pushes for inventive players. 

 

Fair comment mate - an interesting point is that there are numerous models for us to follow, you've cited a good few in your post. As such, we're not re-inventing the wheel just trying to ensure that the parts match the engine, so to speak. I've been dead against us sacking Rowett simply because of the upheaval it would cause but today he lost me because I saw what I perceive to be a lack of loyalty to the players and, perhaps, a clue as to how he lost them in the first place. In front of the cameras, blame the ref, blame the pitch, blame low-flying pigeons if you like just don't single out the players. In the dressing you can roast the ******* all you like, just don't do your laundry in public.

Out of curiosity, who would you look to recruit to replace Rowett, assuming that's the way we go?

[Comrade 86]

4 minutes ago, WhiteHorseRam said:

Find a captain who is a terrifying *****, a leader of men on the pitch, and who has a vicious feral intelligence to solve unexpected tactical problems ......

 

What's Roy Keane up to these days?

[WhiteHorseRam]

Just now, 86 points said:

What's Roy Keane up to these days?

I watched a bit of that 'When England Ruled Europe' program about English club success in Europe in the 60s-80s. Reminded me how b****y terrifying Graeme Souness was/is.

[RamNut]

It seems like only yesterday you were accusing others of incessant whining for saying pretty much the same things that you now  advocate.

In fact......it was only yesterday 

1 in the summer

2 agree

3 agree

4 stupid idea

5 agree

6 fiction 

7 agree

8 concentrate on the scummy away fans

9 there aren't any

10 they already do.

[McRainy]

4 minutes ago, 86 points said:

RDIT: .......for women and kids bar Lambchop

Bring back standing and drinking on the terraces and encourage raucous behaviour, I say. Derby women should be shield maidens and warriors. Get rid of the PA system, the screen and half time entertainment. Turn off the central heating, put proper gristle in the pies, and turn playing Derby into a gladiatorial experience to be feared. Let the players know that their bodies and souls are on the line, and that if they fight for the cause they will be heroes. If they fail, they will go down fighting and we will have their backs every step of the way. 

Is that ten?