Where's this new midfielder?

[Alty_Ram]

59 minutes ago, Tamworthram said:

You speak in more riddles than PW 😀 What exactly is the supporters mantra? What involvement are you seeking? 

I’m with @Gaspode on this one. We pay our money and what we “deserve” is to see a game of football (the quality of the football on display may not have always been worth the entry fee but that’s another matter) and statements from the club (or manager) when they deem it appropriate. I trust DC to run the club and don’t expect a running commentary on its financial position. Equally, I don’t expect a breaking news article from the club every time we’re interested, making a bid for or have been rejected by a player. Frustrating as it is, I think we just have to accept that PW and his recruitment team are doing the best they can to find the players PW thinks we need (unless any off us want to stump up and buy the club off DC).

I certainly get that and mostly agree but I think there is a mitigation for the slight impatience in our current situation.

I genuinely had no expectation last year. We had a march, the club had been saved at the 11th hour and we had a rookie manager who had to throw a team together of emergency signings, just to put a team out. Now we obviously almost got over the line and could have got promoted but I had no real expectation of that, far from it. We had some good players (Didzy was a joy to watch at times) but were unbalanced and lack obvious specialists in certain areas, never mind backups for those players.

I think though that finishing 7th puts a certain expectation on the next season to go one better though, particularly when there were noises about the EFL giving us more slack and there being a transfer budget to spend. I think that perhaps a few folk (not unreasonably) just expected that we'd kick on a bit this year, and I don't think that is 'entitled' or unrealistic. I totally get that injuries have seriously hampered us but some of the new signings have yet to convince and all round we look a bit ropey at this stage. Plenty of time yet of course but if we do want to be in the mix for playoffs then we can't afford fall too far off the pace.

Perhaps some fans were expecting a bit less, maybe another season of stabilisation as a rebuild continues but others like myself perhaps expected us to build on last year and be stronger and have a real pop at this. It felt like once we'd got over the disappointment of missing out on playoffs that we'd have a good summer and hit the ground running this year but for whatever reason we seem to have struggled a bit in terms of injuries, signings not materialising and some signings just struggling a little to bed in.

Maybe this stuttering start will help by resetting expectations a bit and allow us to get some players back/in and gradually build some real momentum as the season goes on. I just hoped that we'd come flying out of the traps and set the pace for once. My support hasn't dimmed whatsoever but perhaps I just hoped for a little more at this stage, that's all.

[oldtimeram]

I just do not understand why Warne comes out with some of the controversial statements that he does?  Why say a potential new player is in the building when he clearly isn't?

It gives false hope to the fans

He should say nothing until the deal is done.

[Wolfie20]

3 hours ago, hintonsboots said:

It’s an entertainment business though. If you pay to go to the cinema you expect to see a decent film and be entertained , not a live stream of a funeral from the local crem.

You can choose which cinema you go to (great sound, comfy seats, best popcorn) and which films to see - not sure supporting the one football club of your life is exactly the same. I've watched the Rams since 1979 and been a season ticket holder for all bar a handful of seasons- I don't go to be entertained, I go because they're my club and I'd rather be there on a match day than anywhere else.

[Ghost of Clough]

I think some people are going to be a bit disappointed when they realise Fornah is worse defensively than Bird and isn't too dissimilar to Smith.

[Caerphilly Ram]

13 minutes ago, oldtimeram said:

I just do not understand why Warne comes out with some of the controversial statements that he does?  Why say a potential new player is in the building when he clearly isn't?

It gives false hope to the fans

He should say nothing until the deal is done.

He didn’t say that. He said we were close to agreeing a deal, he hoped it would be done for Saturday but it was unlikely, he also said he’s been wrong before. 
Perhaps you’re right in that he should say nothing until the deal is done, but he’s asked repeatedly in his interviews and I am quietly confident that a series of “no comments” from Warne when it comes to recruitment would also generate a fair amount of hand wringing and teeth gnashing amongst the fan base. The bloke can’t win when it comes to pleasing everyone/meeting varying expectations of the fan base.

Edited August 23, 2023 by Caerphilly Ram

[Blondest Goat]

1 minute ago, Ghost of Clough said:

I think some people are going to be a bit disappointed when they realise Fornah is worse defensively than Bird and isn't too dissimilar to Smith.

I'd say that Paul Warne disagrees with you otherwise he wouldn't be bringing him in.

 

 

 

[Caerphilly Ram]

1 minute ago, Ghost of Clough said:

I think some people are going to be a bit disappointed when they realise Fornah is worse defensively than Bird and isn't too dissimilar to Smith.

If he’s more mobile I’ll take it. My biggest concern on Saturday watching Hourihane and Smith wasn’t their effort or ability on the ball, just that they don’t have the legs they used to so while the brain is willing them across the turf, the legs can’t quite deliver them as quickly. 

[Ghost of Clough]

3 minutes ago, Blondest Goat said:

I'd say that Paul Warne disagrees with you otherwise he wouldn't be bringing him in.

 

 

 

I wish I shared your optimism towards Warne's recruitment, as based on the evidence so far, I'm less than impressed.

[Tamworthram]

55 minutes ago, Lokidoki said:

What riddles and why  the aggressive way of responding? Clearly you have jumped to a conclusion before reading a very short statement.

I think this is the very reason I don’t normally comment here. Any courteous person would just ask the questions, such as you phrased well in the second part of your sentence.  

I am  stating that we have had no clarity on our financial position, no feedback to the fans, no update on progress with EFL, and as for the “mantra”, can you  not remember all of the football is for the fans and community stuff, in the  House of Commons? Or is my memory letting me down.

For all we know  all this transfer talk could be all BS. Now I don’t want to know the ins and outs of our wheeling and dealings, just it would be a nice to know  with a statement to say , that we are, for example, not going to get trampled on by footballers agents. Hence any delay.  Instead we just get “ITK’s” drip feeding nonsense all over the place. It reads exactly the same in the DET.  Again clarity.
 

I would like the club to give, as I suggested, stakeholder updates as to our progress from our period of instability, I’m not asking for much and it would show that the club has the interests of the supporters community at heart. Simple really and no riddles.

I don’t think I was being particularly aggressive. The comment about riddles (supporters mantra and describing providing assurance as management) was part in jest (hence the smiley face). Also, I don’t think I jumped to any conclusions (as illustrated by the fact that I asked what you meant by supporters mantra and what involvement you were seeking). After that, I then went on to disagree with your point of view (which you seem happy with).
 

Of course I remember the march etc (I was there that day with the thousands of others) but am not sure what has to do with “supporters mantra” and any rights we think we have to greater disclosure. Whilst it would be nice, personally I don’t expect any more clarity regarding our financial position (DC is running the club and I trust him) until the next set of accounts are published, I’m not sure there is much more to add regarding the EFL and I certainly wouldn’t expect a running commentary regarding our recruitment efforts in order to confirm or dismiss rumours on social media or in the press. I’m assuming (rightly or wrongly) that PW and the recruitment team are still working on bringing more players in and will update if/when they are completed.

I apologise if I've offended you.

Edited August 23, 2023 by Tamworthram

[RadioactiveWaste]

Is it the case that the new midfield is more of an article of faith than an actual midfielder?

The congregation will now stand and we shall sing the hymn "In the building "

"In the building soon now,

With guile and with skill,

The midfielder is coming,

To cure all of our ills,

Praise will be to Paul warne,

And the recruitment team,

The glory of a signing,

Worthy of our songs,

Will soon be in the building,

Soon now, not too long"

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, RadioactiveWaste said:

Is it the case that the new midfield is more of an article of faith than an actual midfielder?

The congregation will now stand and we shall sing the hymn "In the building "

"In the building soon now,

With guile and with skill,

The midfielder is coming,

To cure all of our ills,

Praise will be to Paul warne,

And the recruitment team,

The glory of a signing,

Worthy of our songs,

Will soon be in the building,

Soon now, not too long"

Well that's all very nice but you've missed a trick by not making it to the tune of "In the Navy" by the Village People.

Perhaps something along the lines of:

"In the buildiiiiiiiiiiiiing

Yes, pleasant chaps with pleasant beards

In the buildiiiiiiiiiiiiiing

Yes, please don't listen to the jeers

Come on now people, sign a man

In the building

They don't need to play for Rotherham"

?

 

EDIT: Either way I look forward to your guitar and harmonica rendition of whichever you choose to use 😉

Edited August 23, 2023 by jameso

[i-Ram]

25 minutes ago, Caerphilly Ram said:

He didn’t say that. He said we were close to agreeing a deal, he hoped it would be done for Saturday but it was unlikely, he also said he’s been wrong before. 
Perhaps you’re right in that he should say nothing until the deal is done, but he’s asked repeatedly in his interviews and I am quietly confident that a series of “no comments” from Warne when it comes to recruitment would also generate a fair amount of hand wringing and teeth gnashing amongst the fan base. The bloke can’t win when it comes to pleasing everyone/meeting varying expectations of the fan base.

The bloke can't win a sufficient number of games on the football pitch. I think that is what bothers us more.

[hintonsboots]

33 minutes ago, Wolfie20 said:

You can choose which cinema you go to (great sound, comfy seats, best popcorn) and which films to see - not sure supporting the one football club of your life is exactly the same. I've watched the Rams since 1979 and been a season ticket holder for all bar a handful of seasons- I don't go to be entertained, I go because they're my club and I'd rather be there on a match day than anywhere else.

Agreed mate and my first game was v Arsenal in 1971, but I do miss the excitement of good football.

[Curtains]

24 minutes ago, Ghost of Clough said:

I wish I shared your optimism towards Warne's recruitment, as based on the evidence so far, I'm less than impressed.

You have a real downer on Paul Warne mate .

Where does this stem from .

The club was in a mess so some patience is needed IMO .

 

[Caerphilly Ram]

4 minutes ago, i-Ram said:

The bloke can't win a sufficient number of games on the football pitch. I think that is what bothers us more.

Of course someone was going to make this comment, and of course it’s a valid concern. Much more so than what he does or doesn’t say in an interview, or how an individual interprets what’s said, or what he wears on his head, or how rubbish his jokes may be and all the other stuff that people are taking issue with.

 

[duncanjwitham]

1 minute ago, Curtains said:

You have a real downer on Paul Warne mate .

Where does this stem from .

The club was in a mess so some patience is needed IMO .

 

The fact we seem to be getting into an even bigger mess, week by week?

[Curtains]

5 minutes ago, duncanjwitham said:

The fact we seem to be getting into an even bigger mess, week by week?

I don’t think so .

We are 6 points from 12 

[Ghost of Clough]

2 minutes ago, Curtains said:

You have a real downer on Paul Warne mate .

Where does this stem from .

The club was in a mess so some patience is needed IMO .

His short term approach to team selection and transfers. His tactics on the pitch which typically results in a less than entertaining performance on the pitch (more entertaining if you were a neutral watching our games), his lack in ability to spot what is the issue(s) on the pitch, his stubbornness to move away from what isn't working. The long term impact on our academy, stemming from his reluctance to trust and give opportunities to young players. The destruction of the togetherness and feel good factor around the club ever since his apppointment.

[Ghost of Clough]

Just now, Curtains said:

I don’t think so .

We are 6 points from 12 

Which would be 69 points over a full season, good enough only for 9th place last season

[Curtains]

Just now, Ghost of Clough said:

His short term approach to team selection and transfers. His tactics on the pitch which typically results in a less than entertaining performance on the pitch (more entertaining if you were a neutral watching our games), his lack in ability to spot what is the issue(s) on the pitch, his stubbornness to move away from what isn't working. The long term impact on our academy, stemming from his reluctance to trust and give opportunities to young players. The destruction of the togetherness and feel good factor around the club ever since his apppointment.

He gave Thompson a game and Rooney .

He is willing to change when necessary.

Bolton 0-4 Wigan suggests we are not that bad as we nearly beat Wigan apart from stupid mistakes .