Savage reconsiders retirement

[davenportram]

From the mirror on line

I used to think the worst R word in football was relegation. Now I know I was wrong. It's retirement.

As the days tick down until I hang up my boots, it's on my mind constantly. It's been stressing me out. I've had sleepless nights and when I've slept, I've had nightmares.

It's horrific for me to think that after a month or so, I'll never again get in the car, drive to training and run out with a ball at my feet and the wind in my hair. That's one of my favourite feelings in the world. It's so worrying to me that I think I might have to see a doctor, as I did during my darkest period at Derby.

But the gloom lifted a little on Tuesday night, when you were all watching the Champions League analysis, and someone was swearing at me.

It was a Leeds United coach, moping in the tunnel after we'd beaten them at Pride Park, who sidled up and said, " are you going to be a p**** all your life?"

I didn't mind the bad language. I'd just had 90 minutes of foul abuse from Leeds fans, probably the worst I've ever experienced in my career, with vile things sung and shouted about my family. Water off a duck's back, that.

That bloke's reaction - I've got no idea of his name and no intention of looking it up - told me what I'd already thought about that night's game. I'd controlled the midfield and played well, very well. Now a bitter coach from Leeds had made me good, very good.

I've not felt like that for a while, because, to be honest, I've been poohing myself about the future. After 20 years as a professional footballer, I've got five games left. Only 450 precious minutes of doing the best job there is.

At Christmas, when I decided I'd retire, the end of the season seemed years away. Now it's desperately close and I hate it.

Of course I'm one of the lucky ones. I've got something to go to when I retire, having already agreed deals with this newspaper and two broadcasters for next season. I know I should feel fortunate when so many ex-pros struggle to cope after retirement. But all I want right now is not to give up the buzz of being a footballer.

I was struggling a bit at one point this season, but now I'm playing well. Maybe I'm kidding myself, but I think I could play another season at Championship level.

So if Derby were to agree and offer me some sort of contract for next season, I'd have to think about it. Because I don't want to think about the other thing at all.

I think if we don't offer him a contract he won't play anywhere else. Maybe Derby has got to him, once experienced it can't be bettered.

[EastKentRam]

From the mirror on line

I used to think the worst R word in football was relegation. Now I know I was wrong. It's retirement.

As the days tick down until I hang up my boots, it's on my mind constantly. It's been stressing me out. I've had sleepless nights and when I've slept, I've had nightmares.

It's horrific for me to think that after a month or so, I'll never again get in the car, drive to training and run out with a ball at my feet and the wind in my hair. That's one of my favourite feelings in the world. It's so worrying to me that I think I might have to see a doctor, as I did during my darkest period at Derby.

But the gloom lifted a little on Tuesday night, when you were all watching the Champions League analysis, and someone was swearing at me.

It was a Leeds United coach, moping in the tunnel after we'd beaten them at Pride Park, who sidled up and said, " are you going to be a p**** all your life?"

I didn't mind the bad language. I'd just had 90 minutes of foul abuse from Leeds fans, probably the worst I've ever experienced in my career, with vile things sung and shouted about my family. Water off a duck's back, that.

That bloke's reaction - I've got no idea of his name and no intention of looking it up - told me what I'd already thought about that night's game. I'd controlled the midfield and played well, very well. Now a bitter coach from Leeds had made me good, very good.

I've not felt like that for a while, because, to be honest, I've been poohing myself about the future. After 20 years as a professional footballer, I've got five games left. Only 450 precious minutes of doing the best job there is.

At Christmas, when I decided I'd retire, the end of the season seemed years away. Now it's desperately close and I hate it.

Of course I'm one of the lucky ones. I've got something to go to when I retire, having already agreed deals with this newspaper and two broadcasters for next season. I know I should feel fortunate when so many ex-pros struggle to cope after retirement. But all I want right now is not to give up the buzz of being a footballer.

I was struggling a bit at one point this season, but now I'm playing well. Maybe I'm kidding myself, but I think I could play another season at Championship level.

So if Derby were to agree and offer me some sort of contract for next season, I'd have to think about it. Because I don't want to think about the other thing at all.

I think if we don't offer him a contract he won't play anywhere else. Maybe Derby has got to him, once experienced it can't be bettered.

He makes me laugh Sav but he dont half talk some ****, if this is him playing well then no wonder we've been so poor in midfield for the past couple of seasons. Another year at this level, he was past it 2 years ago. Someone tell him to give Wrexham a call, that's probably his level now.

[Ramalama]

He makes me laugh Sav but he dont half talk some ****, if this is him playing well then no wonder we've been so poor in midfield for the past couple of seasons. Another year at this level, he was past it 2 years ago. Someone tell him to give Wrexham a call, that's probably his level now.

He's so up his own arse it's incredible, but when you see comments like this;

"I think Savage has been great for raising Derby's profile as a club",

you somehow realise why, Savage has raised the profile of the club, are you real? Aaaagh never mind, another reason why I'm so detached from the game now.

Go away Savage, please

[rammieib]

Just out of interest - We keep saying Savage has raised the profile of the club but what benefit has that actually bought the club?

He is a reason for our mediocrity as a playing team and I don't want him to be offered a contract.

[RamNut]

Question;why do EastkentRam, ramalama, and Rammieib waste their time and everyone elses's by coming on here to sl@g off our own players???

just asking.

[EastKentRam]

Question;why do EastkentRam, ramalama, and Rammieib waste their time and everyone elses's by coming on here to sl@g off our own players???

just asking.

Cos i think he's a bellend, and i want the world to know i think he's a bellend. So i wont rest till i've preached my word across as many DCFC messageboards as possible.

Why do you waste yours and everyone else's time by coming on here to not slag off our own players?

just asking.

[jagerbob]

Clough needs at least two decent central midfield players to replace him.

Despite his age, we dont really have anyone to replace him.

So having him for an extra year wouldnt be so bad.

I still have serious reservations about Addison, especially in home games when we have the majority of the ball. Savage aint the best passer in the world but he can spread it out wide and do the occasional longer pass.

Only bailey of our current crop can also do this.

In central midfield its a nessecity, and Addison, and Pearson when he plays there, just arent capable.

[Alph]

From the mirror on line

I used to think the worst R word in football was relegation. Now I know I was wrong. It's retirement.

As the days tick down until I hang up my boots, it's on my mind constantly. It's been stressing me out. I've had sleepless nights and when I've slept, I've had nightmares.

It's horrific for me to think that after a month or so, I'll never again get in the car, drive to training and run out with a ball at my feet and the wind in my hair. That's one of my favourite feelings in the world. It's so worrying to me that I think I might have to see a doctor, as I did during my darkest period at Derby.

But the gloom lifted a little on Tuesday night, when you were all watching the Champions League analysis, and someone was swearing at me.

It was a Leeds United coach, moping in the tunnel after we'd beaten them at Pride Park, who sidled up and said, " are you going to be a p**** all your life?"

I didn't mind the bad language. I'd just had 90 minutes of foul abuse from Leeds fans, probably the worst I've ever experienced in my career, with vile things sung and shouted about my family. Water off a duck's back, that.

That bloke's reaction - I've got no idea of his name and no intention of looking it up - told me what I'd already thought about that night's game. I'd controlled the midfield and played well, very well. Now a bitter coach from Leeds had made me good, very good.

I've not felt like that for a while, because, to be honest, I've been poohing myself about the future. After 20 years as a professional footballer, I've got five games left. Only 450 precious minutes of doing the best job there is.

At Christmas, when I decided I'd retire, the end of the season seemed years away. Now it's desperately close and I hate it.

Of course I'm one of the lucky ones. I've got something to go to when I retire, having already agreed deals with this newspaper and two broadcasters for next season. I know I should feel fortunate when so many ex-pros struggle to cope after retirement. But all I want right now is not to give up the buzz of being a footballer.

I was struggling a bit at one point this season, but now I'm playing well. Maybe I'm kidding myself, but I think I could play another season at Championship level.

So if Derby were to agree and offer me some sort of contract for next season, I'd have to think about it. Because I don't want to think about the other thing at all.

I think if we don't offer him a contract he won't play anywhere else. Maybe Derby has got to him, once experienced it can't be bettered.

What have we learned from this?

That Leeds are the most vile club in football apart from Celtic. From fans through to coaches and out onto the pitch. Hope they rot. Would love to see them go into administration. Vanish from the face of the earth.

Tell me ma'am, me ma'am.

To put the champagne on ice....

[Asanovic]

No, no, no.

Irrespective of what you think of Savage and his time at Derby, it's time for him to go. I don't have as low an opinion of him as others, and I think he's had some good games, even this season (Palace away springs to mind), but he's unfit, a yard off the pace and it's time to let some of our younger players come through.