Summer Rumour Mill

[Caerphilly Ram]

13 minutes ago, Srg said:

 

Should have added a trigger warning for that one @Srg

[Barney1991]

6 minutes ago, Andrew3000 said:

Crikey. I wonder how much is our finances and how much is the limited business plan? Puts things in perspective as many thought we might be able to do 2 or 3 signings at that sort of price or even 1 bigger one. Always good to know where we are and adjust our expectations accordingly. Wish I'd known this in May!

Well the business plan limits is to limited fees which you would say is about 500k. So this to me sounds like clowes doesn’t want to spend. 
 

especially considering we for rid of bielik who was about 1.5 million on the wage bill to free up considerable wages 

Edited July 23, 2023 by Barney1991

[Caerphilly Ram]

3 minutes ago, JHB said:

Surprised that in recent years we haven't explored the European option. Must be some decent, sensible cost options from the likes of Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, etc. Possibly don't have any scouting capability for this though?

Brexit probably played a part in this as the work permit rules changed. Became a lot harder for players to move to the UK unless they played in one of the top European leagues and/or had a certain % of international appearances…. Or something like that. 
Someone shared recently that that had been relaxed so perhaps we can explore those ideas moving forward 🧐 

[Caerphilly Ram]

2 minutes ago, Barney1991 said:

Well the business plan limits is to limited fees which you would say is about 500k. So this to me sounds like clowes doesn’t want to spend. 
 

especially considering we for rid of bielik who was about 1.5 million on the wage bill to free up considerable wages 

When did you seen the plan? Can you share it with us?

Let’s not start jumping to conclusions again about what Clowes is or isn’t willing to do. The club has a budget to work to, and a business plan agreed with the EFL, provided we’re working towards that the fans have to accept the decisions the leadership of the club take for now, whether we like it or not.

[matty1986]

9 minutes ago, Srg said:

I just hope that the reluctance to do anything doesn’t hurt us in March and April when our old men run out of steam again. 

I don't interprete there being a reluctance, just a realisation that the correct choice has to be made with limited resources.

[Srg]

3 minutes ago, matty1986 said:

I don't interprete there being a reluctance, just a realisation that the correct choice has to be made with limited resources.

The choice to me is that Warne is saying that no one we could get would be better than what we have - which is obviously a matter of opinion - but regardless of that, you are limiting yourself to older players. And that’s a choice. 

[CBRammette]

5 minutes ago, Barney1991 said:

Well the business plan limits is to limited fees which you would say is about 500k. So this to me sounds like clowes doesn’t want to spend. 
 

especially considering we for rid of bielik who was about 1.5 million on the wage bill to free up considerable wages 

Have you seen the business plan? Do you know of ongoing commitments taken on by Mr Clowes when he saved the club eg Bielik payments still falling  due even though he has gone? When you say "sounds like clowes does't want to spend" I am not sure exactly what you mean - do you mean he is trying to run the club sustainably matched to our income rather than getting us in debt or risking even more of his business/family's money? If so good that is what we need after nearly being obliterated by Mel. If fans dont accept that they are likely going to be unhappy going forward all of the time unless they have funds they are willing to put into the club. 

[Jayram]

28 minutes ago, Srg said:

 

That is so disappointing to hear. Two of our best players have gone from a squad that wasn’t that strong to begin with and now we learn that there’s next to nothing to spend to replace them. Well that to me says we’ll be treading water next season. 

[Ghost of Clough]

20 minutes ago, Barney1991 said:

Well the business plan limits is to limited fees which you would say is about 500k. So this to me sounds like clowes doesn’t want to spend. 
 

especially considering we for rid of bielik who was about 1.5 million on the wage bill to free up considerable wages 

I think it's mostly Warne. He's given a total budget (fees and wages) of a certain amount. He could choose to use £500k on a transfer fee, which is enough for a rather average player, or he can put it towards the wages of a top L1 player on a free instead.

[matty1986]

3 minutes ago, Srg said:

The choice to me is that Warne is saying that no one we could get would be better than what we have - which is obviously a matter of opinion - but regardless of that, you are limiting yourself to older players. And that’s a choice. 

All of us would prefer to see younger forwards walk through the door - and from his recent comments, Warne obviously wants this too.

It's a balancing act between what would be ideal, and what will still get the job done in League One with the scope available.

Personally, I think with better support from the wide areas, Collins, Rhodes and Washington will get a stack full.

 

 

 

[QuitYourJibbaJivin]

7 minutes ago, Jayram said:

That is so disappointing to hear. Two of our best players have gone from a squad that wasn’t that strong to begin with and now we learn that there’s next to nothing to spend to replace them. Well that to me says we’ll be treading water next season. 

I didn’t read it as there’s no money to spend, it says to me we’re still hampered in what we’re allowed to spend. This is why we’ve had sign players from other clubs on structured deals (Washington and Wilson). This must be summer number 5 where the EFL have meddled in our transfer dealings.

[MackworthRamIsGod]

1 hour ago, Bald Eagle's Barmy Army said:

Didn’t we just score 3 goals? 
 

Could it have been 5-0 with your perfect striker? 

It was a testimonial friendly.

The objective for both teams would be minutes in the legs, no injuries and a glorified training session.

 

 

[Andrew3000]

Also, last Jan we heard about not being able to bring in players who improve us. I applaud the intention and restraint but we also need depth.

[richinspain]

6 minutes ago, Jayram said:

That is so disappointing to hear. Two of our best players have gone from a squad that wasn’t that strong to begin with and now we learn that there’s next to nothing to spend to replace them. Well that to me says we’ll be treading water next season. 

Sorry, but I have to disagree. We've sold Bielik after making zero appearances last season, so although he is a quality player the squad hasn't gone backwards from last season.

We've sold Knight, who is obviously a very good player played all of the minutes he could have done. However he played those minutes either at right back where we have brought in two specialised wing backs, or at centre mid where Smith is now available in his preferred position.

I don't think that the squad has gone backwards for those two sales.

We released several aging centre backs, and replaced them with younger better suited players for the preferred style of play.

McGoldrick decided to move on. He will obviously be difficult to replace, however he limited a little our style of play due to us being forced to play to his. We have signed an experienced forward who plays to Warne's preferred style.

Last season we finished 7th on goal difference. We were hardly treading water. It is to be seen if we have recruited as well as it would appear, but I don't think for one second that we have gone backwards.

[RoyMac5]

Can we sign up Waggy on a free? May as well! 

[MackworthRamIsGod]

3 hours ago, Archied said:

Just my view but I think you are wrong , we already have two strikers most div 1 clubs would be very happy with in Collins and Washington, add to that players that would walk into any div 1 side like Laing ,hourihane , cash, bird , barks then the fantastic recruitment at the back which includes wing backs who get forward and can hit a cross , I really don’t see mid table , I think you are hung up on seeing  names you believe will walk the division but really we are not that club and don’t have that owner and after the last few years thank god for that , I see a side that have the quality and management that will be right in the shake up 🤷🏻‍♂️

Unfortunately, when it comes to Derby, no matter how negative I may seem, I'm very rarely wrong...although it does happen.

I'm happy for everyone to bookmark my post and slap me round the face with it if we make top 6...I'd happily take it if it means we have succeeded.

I just see it that we are a bit light in midfield and short of quality up front, but who knows, maybe Ward could be the key to unlocking James Collins.

[MarsdenRam]

I think Warne is managing expectations down, including those of players' agents who think we're a big club to rinse. Have faith.

[Anag Ram]

7 minutes ago, MackworthRamIsGod said:

Unfortunately, when it comes to Derby, no matter how negative I may seem, I'm very rarely wrong...although it does happen.

I'm happy for everyone to bookmark my post and slap me round the face with it if we make top 6...I'd happily take it if it means we have succeeded.

I just see it that we are a bit light in midfield and short of quality up front, but who knows, maybe Ward could be the key to unlocking James Collins.

I’m pretty much with you on this.

Even if Collins has a stellar year, what happens if he’s injured? Who’s our backup?

We lack pace upfront and don’t have a forward who can make chances out of nothing like McGoldrick did. 

Still hoping for a Ladapo to balance the attack and a more attacking midfield option as a minimum but PW will do what he can with limited resources.

[DiggerB]

18 minutes ago, RoyMac5 said:

Can we sign up Waggy on a free? May as well! 

And waste a wage? 

[Caerphilly Ram]

8 minutes ago, Andrew3000 said:

Also, last Jan we heard about not being able to bring in players who improve us. I applaud the intention and restraint but we also need depth.

Which we’ll have if Warne acquires the 2-3 further bodies he wants;

GK - Wildsmith/Vickers/Loach

LWB- Elder/NEW (with emergency cover from Ward/Wilson/Thommo/Sibley/Foz)

RWB - Ward/Wilson (with emergency cover from Smith/NML)

CB - Forsyth/Nelson/Bradley/Cashin/Rooney

CM - Smith/Hourihane/Bird/Thompson/Sibley/NEW (plus Rooney can do a job and Radcliffe/Robinson from the u21s)

WF - Mendez-Laing/Barkhuizen (Sibley/Ward and Wilson all able to cover here)

CF - Collins/NEW/Washington (Brown from u21s getting games)

Including the goalkeepers in the numbers and excluding the u21 options it’s a squad of 23, with some depth at each position and players capable of covering in an emergency. Then options in the u21s for the bench or cup games etc.

It’s also a squad that can be used in different formations using a back 3 or a back 4 and has a slightly improved age profile on last year with the cbs bringing the average age of the defence down. Elder, Ward, Wilson and Vickers are in that “peak” bracket. And our own youngsters are a year further on in their development having spent a season playing league one football on top of their championship experience.

Some people can’t see reason for optimism, I really struggle to see the reasons for such pessimism. The recruitment has been pragmatic if unspectacular, McGoldrick leaving robs us of a very talented footballer who brought skill and intelligence to the side, that’s a loss, but I’m equally entertained by the type of football we saw at times yesterday. High energy, high press with a bit of skill and resilience thrown in. If Collins shins one in whilst falling over his shorts I’ll still cheer as much as I did when McGoldrick stroked one in with grace and poise as it’s a goal for Derby. So long as we’re winning games I’ll be happy, and I see the squad and the intended playing style as being capable of winning more than it loses.