Derby v Lincoln City

[Magicman]

Wildsmith 

Ward Nelson Cashin Fozz 

Fornah Hourihane 

Wilson Bird NML 

Collins 

[Srg]

Wildsmith, Ward, Nelson, Cashin, Forsyth, Fornah, Bird, Sibley, NML, Barkhuizen, TJJ.

[Returning ram]

1 hour ago, MadAmster said:

Not disagreeing. Factually, you are correct but if you look at how the two were used there are differences between Sibs and Hughes. Hughesy was played regularly in the same role and improved. Sibs? His only extended run at any one position was last season at Left Back and he did well. Give him a run at #10 to see if he can become the player he was expected to be. IMO, it's his usage as a utility player that has arrested his development.

His contract is up in the summer. I still believe there's a good player in there. If he's not going to get a run at #10 (or any other role for that matter), I'd advise him to move on to a club where he can get a run and reignite his development and become the Sibs we all want him to be. I don't see PW giving him what he needs. If he does move on I hope he gets what he needs and shows the past few DCFC Managers where they went wrong. If he stays I hope he gets the chance to show what he can do in his preferred role.

I'd love to be wrong on him, but the days of playing just in one role have gone, if he does move on, he will come across the same problem that he has done under the previous managers who struggle to find a place for him, because simply put, there are players who perform better than him.

I read all the time how poor this league is, so he should really be tearing it up, yet for me, he never produces a performance where you watch and think, wow, there is a player there. As I say, hopefully he will push on, ideally with us, but if it was one of the academy players on the team that you'd lose out of the three, which one would you pick ?

[Rampant]

Is this on Rams TV?

[Returning ram]

2 hours ago, Crewton said:

He's picked up 3 first half bookings this season - last Saturday, Crewe at home, and Wolves U21s, where he played the full 90 minutes. Saturday is the only time you could reasonably argue it's affected his performance, and the only time he's been withdrawn at HT after being booked. 

I think you're unfortunately repeating an old trope about Sibley. He's cut out the wild tackles that cost him both red and yellow cards in the past. Saturday's booking was avoidable but on another day would almost certainly imo have been addressed by a warning that early in the game. I'm impressed with how he handles himself now, particularly as opposition teams target him and referees seem to offer him little protection from provocation (see Saturday also).

 

So you're saying I'm repeating old tripe but you agree it impacted his game on Saturday ? No point on us going around in circles around this, as we won't agree, as I alluded to in the above post, hopefully he will kick on in his career, but imo based on what I'm seeing at the moment, it won't be any higher than this level. I am often wrong though 😏

[jono]

I don’t know about Sibs and don’t want to recycle old arguments. I keep hoping he’ll turn in to a DCFC Paul Scholes. He has stuff in his locker but for whatever reason it doesn’t come out often enough,  yet whenever Fornah comes on we look more dangerous and incisive in the midfield - things happen. 

[DavesaRam]

17 hours ago, Crewton said:

Both Sibley and NML had attempts on goal in the first half that were deflected wide.

Sibs struggled to get into the game after his booking and Leahy's antics, but I don't think that was surprising. I'd still play him on Thursday.

He also struggled because of the urge to get the ball into the channels instead of playing football.

[Crewton]

26 minutes ago, Returning ram said:

So you're saying I'm repeating old tripe but you agree it impacted his game on Saturday ? No point on us going around in circles around this, as we won't agree, as I alluded to in the above post, hopefully he will kick on in his career, but imo based on what I'm seeing at the moment, it won't be any higher than this level. I am often wrong though 😏

'Trope' as printed, not 'tripe'. You inferred getting booked regularly affected his game, I said I felt it had only done so on Saturday and possibly v Crewe, but not on the other occasions he'd been booked this season.

I'd say the attempt to get him sent off affected him more than the booking, but the former was as a result of the latter and clearly he's a player ref's have been told to give no leniency to, so it would be better if he trod (and tackled) carefully in future.

[RoyMac5]

21 minutes ago, DavesaRam said:

He also struggled because of the urge to get the ball into the channels instead of playing football.

👍 The midfield were all poor, well the whole forward line, and Sibs was obviously playing the position asked of him by Warne. He was hardly given the ball anywhere near goal or the final third, how surprising he didn't look dangerous. Well that one cross/shot which was a decent attempt. We'll not miss any of the midfield the way we're set up, they're wasted. Some laud Fornah for his performance but what did he actually do bar run around a bit? Where does he play, what's his position? He looks keen I'll give him that, how long will it last I wonder. 

 

[DavesaRam]

16 hours ago, Returning ram said:

He was for me, once he picks up his obligatory yellow card, may as well take him off.
Always thought Sibley was going to be better than Hughes, unless he starts to fulfil that potential he will be another Mason Bennett.

Although Bennett got loads and loads of chances in his best, well favoured position. (His best position us out of this club!)

[nottingram]

1 hour ago, Returning ram said:

I'd love to be wrong on him, but the days of playing just in one role have gone, if he does move on, he will come across the same problem that he has done under the previous managers who struggle to find a place for him, because simply put, there are players who perform better than him.

I read all the time how poor this league is, so he should really be tearing it up, yet for me, he never produces a performance where you watch and think, wow, there is a player there. As I say, hopefully he will push on, ideally with us, but if it was one of the academy players on the team that you'd lose out of the three, which one would you pick ?

Sorry but why is the bar here that he is the worst of the three academy players, when the other two are our best two players full stop?

The obvious point is just like last season he is given a game in midfield, does well and yet is hooked in the following game (when he was no worse than at least half the team anyway), and will almost certainly not start in the coming game as we revert to a pretty defensive midfield 3. He is not even allowed a bad half before he is dropped. Different position but take NML as an example of the flip side - he was terrible for the first two months of the season, played through it and is now our most dangerous attacking player by a distance and maybe the form player in the league. 

I think I like Hourihane more than most and think he still offers a fair bit but he was awful first half on Saturday and remains completely undroppable. 

[Returning ram]

31 minutes ago, nottingram said:

Sorry but why is the bar here that he is the worst of the three academy players, when the other two are our best two players full stop?

The obvious point is just like last season he is given a game in midfield, does well and yet is hooked in the following game (when he was no worse than at least half the team anyway), and will almost certainly not start in the coming game as we revert to a pretty defensive midfield 3. He is not even allowed a bad half before he is dropped. Different position but take NML as an example of the flip side - he was terrible for the first two months of the season, played through it and is now our most dangerous attacking player by a distance and maybe the form player in the league. 

I think I like Hourihane more than most and think he still offers a fair bit but he was awful first half on Saturday and remains completely undroppable. 

Because all 3 progressed through the academy, are out of contract soon, are the only players regularly playing in the first team and are of similar age. I didn't say he was the worst, only that imo the other two have proven to be players established in the first team, Sibley has not, therefore if one was to go, which one would you choose as being the biggest loss at the moment.

im not saying you're wrong, just for me, in my opinion nothing more nothing less, he doesn't have the same impact as other players and whenever I see him on the ball, I don't sit up with excitement thinking he is going to do something out of the ordinary. Yes he has his moments, but for me that's all they are, far and few between them and why managers haven't trusted him for an extended run in the team.

CH was awful as well, got taken off, maybe should have been sooner, but plays a different role and is ending his career, so not a LFL comparison for me.

[YorkshireRam]

2 hours ago, RoyMac5 said:

👍 The midfield were all poor, well the whole forward line, and Sibs was obviously playing the position asked of him by Warne. He was hardly given the ball anywhere near goal or the final third, how surprising he didn't look dangerous. Well that one cross/shot which was a decent attempt. We'll not miss any of the midfield the way we're set up, they're wasted. Some laud Fornah for his performance but what did he actually do bar run around a bit? Where does he play, what's his position? He looks keen I'll give him that, how long will it last I wonder. 

 

Thought Bird did okay, it's becoming more apparent for him with each passing game when others simply aren't on his wavelength- thought that was the case Saturday. 

Fornah adds energy, and I think that's most apparent when contrasted against Hourihane's style of play. He's also got excellent close control. He's a typical #4 to me, box to box. It seemed for Reading that he often played the furthest back of a 3 and I'd like to see him tried there over Hourihane at some point, but that's tricky because of the captaincy situation. 

The midfield balance still isn't quite right. Hourihane will go from running a game (Barnsley) to looking like a total passenger in the middle of the park, but that position/role needs consistency. Think 13/14 once Eustace came in how much more solid we looked as a team... it feels like that type of player is what the midfield's currently lacking. 

[Tamworthram]

4 hours ago, Rampant said:

Is this on Rams TV?

If you go on the official website it seems to allow you to subscribe for the game so, I’d say yes. I’m hoping so as I’m still unlikely to be able to make it.

[RodleyRam]

2 hours ago, YorkshireRam said:

Thought Bird did okay, it's becoming more apparent for him with each passing game when others simply aren't on his wavelength- thought that was the case Saturday. 

Fornah adds energy, and I think that's most apparent when contrasted against Hourihane's style of play. He's also got excellent close control. He's a typical #4 to me, box to box. It seemed for Reading that he often played the furthest back of a 3 and I'd like to see him tried there over Hourihane at some point, but that's tricky because of the captaincy situation. 

The midfield balance still isn't quite right. Hourihane will go from running a game (Barnsley) to looking like a total passenger in the middle of the park, but that position/role needs consistency. Think 13/14 once Eustace came in how much more solid we looked as a team... it feels like that type of player is what the midfield's currently lacking. 

Agreed. Our midfield has been crying out for a Eustace type player for ages. I can see the merit in playing Hourihane as captain and for game management but I just don't quite think he's got the physical presence or the pace to compensate for it. When he's good he's really good but I don't think he's ever going to dominate in that deep role or quite creative enough to play as quarter back.

I like look of Fornah and Bird has obvious strengths the balance is just a bit off in the middle for me. We have a number of all rounders with strengths in some areas but I don't think there's clear enough separation/specialists.

[jono]

5 hours ago, RoyMac5 said:

👍 The midfield were all poor, well the whole forward line, and Sibs was obviously playing the position asked of him by Warne. He was hardly given the ball anywhere near goal or the final third, how surprising he didn't look dangerous. Well that one cross/shot which was a decent attempt. We'll not miss any of the midfield the way we're set up, they're wasted. Some laud Fornah for his performance but what did he actually do bar run around a bit? Where does he play, what's his position? He looks keen I'll give him that, how long will it last I wonder. 

 

Roy, to use your own argument .. has Fornah had a run in the team ? Has Fornah got a preferred position and has he been picked for it ? Sorry mate but Sibs doesn’t show enough. He is a good player, he has abilities, I am crying out for him to succeed. He’s one of ours ! He has had a couple or three blindingly good performances but with the ball or off it he just doesn’t set the pulse racing with any consistency. He has had plenty of chances. He is a good player, I am more than happy if he’s in the team but he is never going to be a messiah, a premier league player, an awesome game changer. Purple patches, a few great games no doubt. I will support and cheer him all the way but I think you’re a bit fixated on this one.

[RoyMac5]

29 minutes ago, jono said:

Roy, to use your own argument .. has Fornah had a run in the team ? Has Fornah got a preferred position and has he been picked for it ? Sorry mate but Fornah doesn’t show enough. He is a good player, he has abilities, I am crying out for him to succeed. ...

FIFY

Sibley's longest run in a position was at fullback. Nuff said.

Edited December 19, 2023 by RoyMac5

[Rampant]

2 hours ago, Tamworthram said:

If you go on the official website it seems to allow you to subscribe for the game so, I’d say yes. I’m hoping so as I’m still unlikely to be able to make it.

Cheers @Tamworthram. I get confused and always think that if there's a Prem game on then our game isn't watchable. That doesn't apply at 3pm on a Saturday but I thought it still might for a midweek game.

[jono]

1 hour ago, RoyMac5 said:

FIFY

Sibley's longest run in a position was at fullback. Nuff said.

I didn’t ask about Sibley though did I ? .. you moan constantly about the opportunities Sibley has been denied, how it’s unfair, how he doesn’t get a run in the team or how he’s played out of position .. blah blah blah. Funny thing is he’s had a lot of minutes on the pitch though hasn’t he ? And yes there have been a few good performances but you don’t have the grace to admit he isn’t setting the world on fire and at the same time pour scorn on another lad who’s barely had a chance. Double standards and bang offside.

Yet apply the same standards to another player who has had little opportunity anywhere and your response is meh, he runs around a lot. Soz Roy, you’re unjust and wrong 

[RoyMac5]

26 minutes ago, jono said:

I didn’t ask about Sibley though did I ? .. you moan constantly about the opportunities Sibley has been denied, how it’s unfair, how he doesn’t get a run in the team or how he’s played out of position .. blah blah blah. Funny thing is he’s had a lot of minutes on the pitch though hasn’t he ? And yes there have been a few good performances but you don’t have the grace to admit he isn’t setting the world on fire and at the same time pour scorn on another lad who’s barely had a chance. Double standards and bang offside.

Yet apply the same standards to another player who has had little opportunity anywhere and your response is meh, he runs around a lot. Soz Roy, you’re unjust and wrong 

You are so pleasant.

Edited December 19, 2023 by RoyMac5