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Thoughts on a Time for Change

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posted on 16/12/19

Problem is Ramdini, like virtually every other Championship club, we are skint. One third of all the Championship income comes from parachute payments and only a few clubs get those. That is why the standard in the Championship has fallen this season. I don't think Leeds and WBA are better than they were last season, just that virtually everyone else has slipped back.

Definitely Dowell back to Everton and Paterson back to Bristol City. They aren't even good enough to make the subs bench.

Evans is just an average Championship player, Lawrence doesn't turn up enough, Zoon never turns up, Davies, Forsyth and Bennett are not good enough. Neither of our first choice goal keepers are good enough. Waghorn wastes too many chances, Martin is not fast enough. Malone is a bit of liability as regards discipline, I think Lowe is better. Holmes is a bright spark but needs to improve his shooting. Bogle needs to improve defensively, Of the debutants I think we should persevere with Knight but he needs to get in better shooting positions. Whittaker is yet to show what he can do, seems a bit light weight against burly Championship defenders.

Best we can hope for now is that Rooney sets us off on a winning streak and we can sneak in to the play offs. All in all we are reliant of teams being worse than us. I am not that optimistic.

posted on 16/12/19

I'd be more worried about getting another 24 points to avoid relegation than thinking about the play offs

As long as we are clear of the threat of relegation I'd stick with him, most likely it would cost a fortune to get rid and he wasn't dealt a very good hand with the players he inherited

That said if he offered his resignation and if I were the owner I'd snap his hands off

posted on 16/12/19

Where is this version of Tom Lawrence?

https://youtu.be/-msfQ3VYPeU

It's proving difficult to support Cocu because of his continual tinkering of formations and dour personality
but believe in him I will. He's only had one quality signing in Bielik as mentioned in your article and can't be properly assessed until we get wingers and creative midfielder in the side.

I had hoped Zoon would show his Brentford form this season but it's just not happening for him. Possibly a player that shines at smaller clubs?

I'm unclear on how Holmes is doing? Love the player based on his performances last season but not getting the same rave reviews from fans and friends alike who go to PP to watch the matches. I'm also doubting Cocu using him as a no.10 when we play the 4231 formation , I'd prefer him on the wing with TL central.

We are currently playing with a back up goalkeeper ( Roos) and reserve GK (Hamer). A back up central defence of Davies and Forsyth. I don't understand why Wisdom is not given an opportunity in central defence?

Our central mid is a mess with Evans and Knight playing on Sat who again would be back up.

We have no real wingers. TL is not a winger, Waghorn is not a winger. Holmes isn't used in that position and Zoon is out of form. The other options , Bennett ( incredibly disappointed with) , Paterson ( panic signing ) and since the announcement he'll be going back possibly has been dropped completely from the squad.

We've got three strikers , Waghorn, Martin and Marriott all competent at scoring goals at this level but without the creativity or pace from midfield to generate. Rooney may do well but I have reservations.

I really do think we need to be using two up front when facing a three man defence.

Martin / Marriott
Waghorn / Lawrence or Rooney

I'm of the hope we can get Van Ginkel on loan from Chelsea, he's familiar with Cocu's style of football and was made captain. Ideally to support us in 2020 it might be a good thing if Cocu is able to sign a couple more players familiar with his football philosophy and tactics, it has been said he will not be going to PSV to sign players but there have been rumours, that he wants a player from Fernerbeche, although this seems unlikely.

Lots of mistakes made this season ( FL situation, the transfers in summer), steep learning curve for Cocu , mixed with the number of injuries and the 3 tw@ts incident.

posted on 16/12/19

Two words kept running through my mind after Saturday's match, and the first was "Colin". I'm not advocating it but I wonder whether it might just be in the back of Mel's mind. I think Cocu needs to have January to strengthen. Every area of the team needs improvements but there is a particular urgency at goalkeeper, centre half and in wide areas. I think that with Bielik, hopefully Huddlestone fairly soon, Shinnie eventually, Holmes, Knight, Evans and also Sibley and Bird we should have enough in midfield to tide us through until summer. Martin, Waghorn, Rooney and Marriott should be plenty enough up front if they get a little service. If funds are needed to bring in players then Bogle could be sacrificed. It would be a shame but Wisdom is decent enough. Of the others Lawrence and Marriott would also raise some money and I would be prepared to see either or both leave IF we could find more reliable replacements. I can't see any others who are worth much but I agree with Spart about the players who we may as well let go.

But if we don't start picking up the odd win soon then Cocu's position may get beyond the point of no return. If so, then as a short-term measure only to make sure we stay up, could CW be tolerable?

posted on 16/12/19

comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted 29 seconds ago
Two words kept running through my mind after Saturday's match, and the first was "Colin". I'm not advocating it but I wonder whether it might just be in the back of Mel's mind. I think Cocu needs to have January to strengthen. Every area of the team needs improvements but there is a particular urgency at goalkeeper, centre half and in wide areas. I think that with Bielik, hopefully Huddlestone fairly soon, Shinnie eventually, Holmes, Knight, Evans and also Sibley and Bird we should have enough in midfield to tide us through until summer. Martin, Waghorn, Rooney and Marriott should be plenty enough up front if they get a little service. If funds are needed to bring in players then Bogle could be sacrificed. It would be a shame but Wisdom is decent enough. Of the others Lawrence and Marriott would also raise some money and I would be prepared to see either or both leave IF we could find more reliable replacements. I can't see any others who are worth much but I agree with Spart about the players who we may as well let go.

But if we don't start picking up the odd win soon then Cocu's position may get beyond the point of no return. If so, then as a short-term measure only to make sure we stay up, could CW be tolerable?

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First time I have to say I think you're talking the crazies, if you're considering Colin.

I've been there, thought he might be the man but his football is awful to watch and well he's Colin!

Cocu could have done with someone who knows this division well to support him. I'd have liked Paul Simpson back in some capacity , maybe Nigel Adkins who did a great job at Hull given all their difficulties last season.

posted on 16/12/19

I was careful to say that I am NOT advocating it, Desi. I just wonder if it might be in Mel's mind.

posted on 16/12/19

Colin!!!! the football is crap at the moment and Colin is hardly renowned for entertainment value. If that's on Mel's mind I think he's out of his.

posted on 16/12/19

I sort of thought that might be the reaction!

posted on 16/12/19

comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted 9 minutes ago
I was careful to say that I am NOT advocating it, Desi. I just wonder if it might be in Mel's mind.
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Okay, first time I think you're talking crazy if you suggesting MM might be thinking it.

I do recall someone posted on Saturday that MM was seen leaving Pride Park talking to McClaren. I truly hope there's no 'unfinished business - part three, return of the Mac'

posted on 16/12/19

comment by Desicafu (U8481)
posted 28 minutes ago

Where is this version of Tom Lawrence?

https://youtu.be/-msfQ3VYPeU

------------------------------------------------

You can probably find 10 really good goals for Derby to make a Tom Lawrence compilation. It is the times he doesn't score that are frustrating the fans.

posted on 16/12/19

That'll probably be a compliation over 3 seasons Spart, this video, whilst at Ipswich was during one season. I'd like to see more of this.

posted on 16/12/19

IF ONLY !!! It would solve our problems at a stroke.

By the way, where did Ipswich finish that season?

posted on 16/12/19

comment by Desicafu (U8481)
posted 2 hours, 3 minutes ago
comment by lastapostleofvidal (U1491)
posted 9 minutes ago
I was careful to say that I am NOT advocating it, Desi. I just wonder if it might be in Mel's mind.
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Okay, first time I think you're talking crazy if you suggesting MM might be thinking it.

I do recall someone posted on Saturday that MM was seen leaving Pride Park talking to McClaren. I truly hope there's no 'unfinished business - part three, return of the Mac'
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Just exchanging pleasantries. And his memories of Jim Smith.

posted on 16/12/19

The words third time lucky weren't heard were they?

posted on 16/12/19

I would let Cocu leave and I have heard PSV are after him. EMA is south on the M1 Phil, you can't miss it.

However I would rather keep Cocu than go down the Colin route, no no no. It was me who noticed Mel chatting with Wally, they did seem in deep conversation but Ramdini says it was just pleasantries. I don't want Wally back but I reckon he would do better than boring Phil.

Look how big Dunc has got the Toffees going, that's what we need a manager with a bit of spark who could liven our lethargic squad up, particularly the bone idle number 10.

What a mess our club is in and all the money spent..............................Poor old Mel, he's done his best.

posted on 16/12/19

comment by VC10Ram (U18980)
posted 4 minutes ago
I would let Cocu leave and I have heard PSV are after him. EMA is south on the M1 Phil, you can't miss it.

........................................................................................
Unlike his strikers who miss everything!

comment by Scouse (U9675)

posted on 16/12/19

>>Look how big Dunc has got the Toffees going, that's >>what we need a manager with a bit of spark who >>could liven our lethargic squad up, particularly the >>bone idle number 10.

Players need a bloody good kicking. My mate who's an Evertonian says why can they suddenly start playing better overnight? They are a disgrace. Just a bunch of overgrown children.

posted on 16/12/19

It's probably the threat of Duncan giving them a good kicking that's got them motivated all of a sudden, you wouldn't want to pi$$ that guy off.

posted on 17/12/19

I have thought about Colin too, it would be a master stroke. I’d drive him here... get the most out of the over-paid lazy to55ers. The football has been ‘coached’ out of them. Paralysis by analysis. It can and is a simple game.

Also an overriding thought from reading your article 3R: who the he’ll is in charge of our recruitment? Isn’t it Schteeev’es son FFS?!

comment by Rameses (U7190)

posted on 17/12/19

Too many factors at play to make any kind of really informed call at this stage.

I'm fed up with a new manager every season regardless of the reasons.

I'm happy enough to give Cocu the time he needs.




comment by Jorvik (U1369)

posted on 18/12/19

I don't think that PC is going anywhere according to what Derby have put up at PP

https://twitter.com/phillowe1/status/1207299888234582016?s=09

posted on 18/12/19

On another topic, what we call Forest players appears to be true
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-50839639

posted on 18/12/19

Forest legend.

“Everything came to a crescendo on the day in question”.

A happy ending at least then.

posted on 19/12/19

comment by Jorvik Lothbrok (U1369)
posted 16 hours, 31 minutes ago
I don't think that PC is going anywhere according to what Derby have put up at PP

https://twitter.com/phillowe1/status/1207299888234582016?s=09
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Well, I for one, hope he is not. New managers cost a lot of money and improvement (if any) is minimal.

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