Morning all. Well it's that time again. International Break. AKA "Half Term"...that time when football goes into hibernation again and we all go back to ASDA at 3pm on a Saturday.
I was prompted by this comment from Saturday's game to pen this article...(a) Because its Half Term (b) - it deserves an article on it's own merit :
From Chicago : "The big issue for me now is Morrison. To be honest we looked better without him although I know we are only looking at one game. The team as a whole was moving the ball around much quicker and Bird was doing all that was necessary viz-ziz picking up from the back four. I also felt Lawrence had his best game in ages possibly because Ravel was not inhibiting him. Now I am not for one minute blaming him for our less effective displays; just saying that I cannot see any real balance when all three of Bird, Morrison and Lawrence play. Two of them should be enough. That would leave the extra one to come off the bench if needed."
I think the back line picks itself these days....but midfield and forward line is still a conundrum. Yes, Millwall was only one game - but we did look solid didn't we. So we have Morrison who is maybe a luxury in the Championship. Bird, Knight & Shinnie who could well walk into any team at this level. Also waiting in the wings is Bielik. So, if you're Rooney and faced with the luxury of having them ALL fit - who do you pick ???
Similarly we have forwards of CKR, Lawrence, Baldock, maybe Sibley / Joz...and also Stretton again waiting in the wings. He bangs them in at U23 level - where he has more space / time than in the Championship ....so CAN he do it. Look what happened to Hector-Ingram. Banged them in at U23 level last season - now in obscurity. Also coming up fast on the outside is Festy.
It's a tough time being a Derby fan ATM these days but as I keep saying, if we keep putting in the performances - results will come.....UTR
Half Term Again...
posted on 9/11/21
comment by Rameses (U7190)
posted 4 hours, 6 minutes ago
DCFC fans, yes. To read some of the comments you’d think they hated Derby County others believe Wayne Rooney is Jesus returned. There is very little middle ground and those who do post sensibly are drowned out by the over opinioned.
Maybe it’ll calm down as things get sorted.
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Hi Rameses. Long time no hear eh. I tried DCFC FANS...it OK... but the absolute worst is the DET. This is the best board by far...(usually)
posted on 9/11/21
Hi Terry.
It’s a challenging time to be a Rams fan. We’ve had the EFL briefing the media to the state where our predicament has become so overblown that some fans of other clubs would happily see us liquidated.
I suppose a siege mentality has developed as many believe the EFL egged on by other chairmen have an agenda. Some even believe that refs have been briefed and when you look at some of the decisions it’s easy to think so. But obviously that’s not true.
There are some bizarre goings on, especially being sued by Wycombe and Boro. Those are both doomed to failure because what president will that set?
There’s plenty more including Mel’s part so it’s little wonder the Dcfcfans board is in a state of total meltdown all the time. But it does nothing for your blood pressure reading it.
posted on 9/11/21
Curiously my boys and I are enjoying this season greatly. I think that amongst supporters the customary entitled element are either absent or are putting it temporarily on hold, and although there are occasional grumbles and groans these have been completely outweighed by a feeling of unity and a desire to collectively do all we can to support the team in what seems a task that Hercules himself might baulk at. IF it can all be sorted reasonably soon then I think we have a sniff of a chance. We will probably need a bit of luck, and I don't necessarily think it would be a complete disaster even if we did go down, but there is a chance that this could actually be one of the great seasons to be a fan.
posted on 9/11/21
comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted 9 minutes ago
Curiously my boys and I are enjoying this season greatly. I think that amongst supporters the customary entitled element are either absent or are putting it temporarily on hold, and although there are occasional grumbles and groans these have been completely outweighed by a feeling of unity and a desire to collectively do all we can to support the team in what seems a task that Hercules himself might baulk at. IF it can all be sorted reasonably soon then I think we have a sniff of a chance. We will probably need a bit of luck, and I don't necessarily think it would be a complete disaster even if we did go down, but there is a chance that this could actually be one of the great seasons to be a fan.
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I'm with you, Vidal. For example, I thought the Millwall game was a great one and I am greatly encouraged by the crowd and the support they are giving, home and especially away.
posted on 9/11/21
I think we are balancing the seesaw right now. A lost against Millwall and this would have been a very difficult international break.
There were boos at half time v Blackburn. I can’t speak to the mood after the Barnsley game but that was a bad result.
Rooney brings no credit over from last season so his detractors don’t have a lot of patience. He got a lot of goodwill after how he spoke after Mel put us into admin. The fans needed someone to rally around and because he had a pop at Mel he fitted the bill.
He still has a lot of goodwill with the majority of fans but October was a terrible month results speaking and another poor run of results will see the fans turn.
It’s touch and go right now and I really hope we get a few things go our way in the next few weeks, just to ease the pressure a bit.
posted on 9/11/21
I am perennially rose-tinted which may well be why I do have faith in Rooney to take us forward if given a few tools to do the job with. I have been really taken with his support of the players and never using the extreme thinness of the squad as an excuse. The only thing he has whinged about occasionally is the refereeing and I think we all agree with him there. Even then he said he had no complaints with Byrne's sending off which surprised me. His calmness in adversity is a great strength as his his application and commitment to the job. I like the style of play and I think it shows he has good qualities as a coach. Obviously he is in an almost no-lose situation at the moment since it has seemed a virtually impossible task since the start of the season. If he gets the chance to actually splash a bit of cash then the expectation will be higher.
posted on 9/11/21
I've only been to four games, but Millwall was by far the best for me.
posted on 9/11/21
Fulham being the next in line might be a challenge?
Knowing us we'll beat them though. UTR.
posted on 9/11/21
Bournemouth at home first Scouse.
posted on 9/11/21
comment by Rameses (U7190)
posted 12 minutes ago
Bournemouth at home first Scouse.
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I meant for me Rameses.