The Steve Davies saga

Far be it for me to call on a certain Mr. Clough, as I am a staunch supporter of what he managed to accomplish last season; things that a whole host of people (i.e. the realists) on this very board were more than happy to achieve at the season's outset, e.g. keep us in the Championship, finish in the top-half of the table, avoid relegation, finish above Forest, trim the fat of an unnecessarily large wage bill, lay down the foundations of a tight-knit team of players all finally playing for the badge on their chest even if at times it was desperately mediocre - and doing the double over Forest.

But I have come across one thing that, if has been mentioned I've no recollection, that suggests he is just the Yanks' plaything.

When talking about Steve Davies' pending addition to the transfer list, Nigel spoke very movingly about how the reasons were family-oriented and that people would presume foul-play or conjure up vicious speculation as to the real reasons for his imminent departure.

It would now appear to me that the add-ons agreed upon during the tribunal come in to play within the next handful or so games (Davies has played 94 games for the Rams; 6 more appearances would equal 100, a common figure chosen for appearance-related add-ons), which could lead to us paying as much as an additional £500,000 to Tranmere Rovers. The club obviously don't want to pay this further figure and so transfer listed him. As for the family-oriented reasons, Nigel practically said people will speculate, so let them - and they have!

I just feel sorry for him. I think it's clear he cares about the club. I think it's clear he cares about the fans. I genuinely think he's implemented the tools at his disposal to the realms of all possibilties. When you have somebody in your squad like Conor Doyle who is clearly an example of global brand appeal, what hope do you have? Given the choice do you think he'd release Doyle or Connolly?!

There have been some highlights, e.g. Hendrick, Robinson, Bryson, Fielding (the latter two are probably the club's best signings in over five years) and yes, as with everything there have been dowsides, e.g. Tyson (but I've got a feeling he'll come good this season).


My closing sentiments are as follow:

1) Don't be so hasty to get on the "Bash Nigel" bandwagon. It's been tough for him and he's seen it through. Before him the Poison Dwarf, George Burley, Phil Brown and Paul "Crown Jewels" Jewell all got out the kitchen when it got too hot. Credit where credit's due - Nigel has got on with it even when people (who are supposed to be supporting him) are hoping and praying for his failure.

2) I dont think the Jason Shackell story is all it's cracked up to be. If a player wanted to stay so much then he would have. He's had one relatively successful season with us, appeared on Burnley's radar and they've probably offered him a contract paying him twice as much as Derby can afford. Give me Barker any day!

3) Like fans of all clubs, of course we want to be playing Premiership/Premier League football week in, week out, but I think some of you need to appreciate the fact that as with everything nowadays, the rich are getting further and further away. Why can some of you not except we're not the Derby County of old?! We may be in this for the foreseeable future. Moaning and claiming we should be in the play-offs season after season just gets unbearable. When, and only when we have a decent squad will we deserve to finish there. I also think as fairplay policies regarding costs/spendings/profits etc. take further precedence, ultimately we'll be in a strong position.

4) Maybe, just maybe Mr. Appleby is planning a yachting holiday around the Canaries in the upcoming weeks...



UTR!!!