Elliott Bennett gives a good insight into contract negotiations under Venkys in todays Telegraph. Good bloke. Loves the club.

How did bankrupt them when he wasn't the owner? Ellis Short had decided not to invest another penny anymore. Venkys will know Bain from his time as CEO of Indian Super League The job is just administrative role at best with very little power to make key decisions

Nothing comes close to a 5 day test for Cricket entertainment.

Those players got their deals years ago, Cantwell the only recent exception. Reports not long ago suggested Eustace was set to resign last summer and it was only the club relaxing it's ridiculous approach and signing Cantwell, Batth and Weimann that persuaded him to stay. So the wage cap thing makes complete sense, it explains the inability and unwillingness to sort out new contracts for our best players because we are choosing to let them go due to our own wage policies. Our choice. Not FFP, not COVID, not the weather, not a player wanting PL football, not a project, not a player wanting to go and live down South. Just plain old fashioned cost cuts. Eventually that catches up with everyone and will do here very soon. Absolutely ridiculous the reaction from some online to the two foreign signings whilst we see the cornerstones of last season's relative success depart, again due to our failings and policies nothing more. It was these policies and refusal to sort out the contracts that led Eustace to jump ship mid season at the first opportunity, an unprecedented step that the head in sand gang have managed to erase from their consciousness. This is project 4 since 2022. We had Mowbray's project, we had the Broughton and JDT project, we had the Eustace and Park project and now it's the Gestede and Ismael project. This time next year it will be another one. They're winging it from one year to the next masquerading as a professional outfit.

Do we know who it was who threw the snowball? Did it ever get claimed? Whatever your view on the 'incident' anyone who understands Indian pride and dignity will know that it had an effect. It was shit here pre-snowball and treble shit post-snowball.

The Scottish fella? He seemed competent but exactly the kind of guy you'd turn to manage a club with close to zero money.

Hardly a ringing endorsement to be compared to David Brent... https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/whats-happened-former-sunderland-chief-21780987

God help us if that is the case, he nearly bankrupted them and they were on prem revenue

It'd be nice to find a squad full of Santi Carola's - playing for minimum contract at his first club, just got them promoted back to La Liga.

I thought exactly the same. It pissed me off because everyone knew we’d lost a good player just so he could f*ck off somewhere else. For that reason, I hope he gets crocked in his first game for Derby.

Who else was in the running for that award ?

I've been in a position where to get my 'fix' I decided to watch the local team. This was mostly non-league and I wanted them to do well, enjoyed their successes, etc. Only once did I regularly go to watch another League team - Newcastle Utd - as was there at uni. I never for one minute 'supported' them and enjoyed the games as games regardless of who won. I think it's ok to support a League team and your local non-League team. My family did with Rovers and Rossendale United. Was very glad they never met in a competitive game! One half of me would have wanted Rossy to win as would have been amazing for the club and the other half of me would have wanted Rovers to win to avoid the humiliation!!

Martin Bain the fella who was Ceo at Sunderland during their relegations is the favourite

It's Pasha wearing a Noel Edmonds mask from a Halloween party in 1996.

Something to do with the CEO i think.

Yet we'll still have fans blaming the exits on greedy players and their agents!

Thought he was Wrexham-bound?

Derby are broke though like us, that's why he's making the sort of signings he is. Focus on staying up next season and building. Always freebies available from us!

Glen was sure that Suhail is the last of that lot. The guy needs ridding once and for all.

Chaddy in yet another attempt to convince us we're doing OK. We are signing dross in the hope that one or two come off. They can then be sold for a healthy profit allowing us to continue to play night games!

Don't think Waggott appointed Mowbray, more vice versa.

You align with me on that. I am convinced they are still here too, only keeping a low profile, or disguised with other connections.

Very well could be his last contract. Maybe he didn’t like playing for VI as much as JE? Maybe they offered him a better deal. Would have been nice to bring back but don’t think he should have been counted on for a similar performance to last year

Not bothered by Andi or Batth going. Both older players and though Batth had a very good season, it was in the heels of an injury ridden one. I’d bet he’s just as likely to be a disappointment at Derby as he is to play an important role for them. We have Carter and Wharton back as well. Andi is replaceable and doesn’t really fit a side determined to press high up the pitch. My bigger concern is can Hyam play without Batth by his side.

I actually think in terms of natural football ability he's Championship level. He'll come on as sub and play a pass or two that nobody else would. But you need more than that. And Buckley doesn't seem to have it, hence his career's drifting.