Think there is a pragmatic attitude from Derby and JE that relegation may happen but then promotion next season would be a demand. Unless there is a break clause in the event of relegation then JE has secured a pay cheque for the next 3 years at a club that seems to be thinking mid to long term Also don’t think relegation would end his career at mid to lower championship level

Tbf we never faced Pears in goal - i can imagine our set plays worked a trevat in training…

For this lot it'll be 15 games with the reward of a 3 year contract provided we finish outside the top 6 😉

The match preview on the Rovers website is awesome - basically a nice chat with the opposition manager and his view on tonight's game after reminiscing about his time as chief lunatic at the asylum...

Is this a game of chicken? Rovers insisting Eustace "does his job whilst contracted" probably in order to screw some money out of him for "breaching his contract". Eustace not giving in to this tactic and saying "fuck it - sure i'll be head coach tonight as well"... Looking forward to the presser...🤣

I think contract length may be key. If Derby give him 3 years plus this season on similar money then it is easier to understand considering the problems facing Rovers after the summer. Next season could kill JEs career and with no contract extension he would be vulnerable. A real interesting situation as our next appointment (or lack thereof) will show if the club genuinely doesn’t want to make the playoffs…

That statement is about the same level as a social media post from a teenager that has been dumped...

To be honest i would have expected a free kick outside of the box unless the ref played advantage for some reason (not likely given it was potentially a head injury) so while it surprised me when given it was probably the right decision. Thought the ref would actually give the PNE pen (to "even it up") but thought it was a header contested and won by Gueye without being a clear foul and he didn't lead with his arm. Only seen extended highlights so can't comment on ref overall but thought he got these 2 decisions right on balance. As for Pears - wtf was that for their goal?!?

Gestede - the ”Nixon” of DOFs (or whatever his made up job title is)

With Trav and Tronstad injured and Dolan waiting to move on a free then Pears is the next one in line. After a decent half season, still relatively young and having seen what our previous keepers have achieved i can see an offer of 2 maybe 2.5 million rising to 5 being acceptable for potential buyers. As with strikers - the reasoning will be that we have already done enough to stay up and Hilton will be no 2

Garnacho to Chelsea for 180 million. In the summer utd sign 3 Chelsea reserves for 120 million on long-term contracts - everbody happy and PSR breach avoided…

I’m sure he was very candid and forthcoming about it all. For reference - my comment is about how it works with a head coach. Clubs are starting to catch on to the continental way of having a “system”, recruiting players for said system and even coaches being chosen because they align with said system (making Man United’s current crisis even funnier) But yes - I’m sure that JE saw a list of strikers in the summer and said Ohashi and Gueye are who I want… 🙄

It is usually even worse: the head coach identifies positions to strengthen and perhaps certain attributes. The DOF and receuitment team compile list of targets whilst looking for other positions in case someone is available that they think would be an asset to the club. At best the Head Coach gets asked about the names on the list and in some instances may have a veto or say in preferred targets

Contracts might be between legal entitities and not an employer/employee relationship. Terminating early may have penalty clauses - minimum buying out the contract but could be more if one party is not in agreement (ie our owners)

Funny that the Emirates FA Cup badge was still red…

Eustace might want to bring him permanently but either Rovers or Brum (or both) weren’t willing to do that.

Theoretical: would anyone pay ALL of BBDs current salary for a loan? (I’m guessing that is what will be required and would probably be 25-30k a week)

Back heel to Beck or Brittain - he’s a creator not a scorer… 😉

Are we chasing playoffs? For real - are the owners and management genuinely looking to aid a promotion push? IMO: no. Why: I have absolutely no idea but as you say - any of our rivals would be looking at more ambitious targets and using every possible means to help the cause (not least after the sales we have made)

Made me chuckle and I get your point but anyone that improves what we have available for selection for games is sort of the point.

Both more reliable players than the current options in our squad - do you disagree or is it you that doesn’t know anything about Sanderson and Forshaw? TLDR: would you prefer our current options or are you suggesting that the signings are promotion caliber???

Buckley, Garrett or Forshaw? McFaedz, O’Riordan or Sanderson? Personally i think the signings improve the squad/options when injuries kick in but it signals that our ambitions are top 12 and not top 6

Suspect the loan fees are somewhat lower for our current targets than Elliot, Van Hecke, Tosin osv.

Suggests McFaedz might be moved on or back 5 on radar… I also wonder if o’riordan will be sold as we seem to have been the wrong move for him. Short version: Sanderson as backup is upgrade (pacewise) from McFaedz. Probably available for perm in summer as well if JE still here/wants him. Forshaw: absolutely no idea

I genuinely believe that the number of points accrued means that the “leadership” won’t invest a penny. Promotion isn’t the aim - avoiding relegation is and it is not unthinkable that the current squad (injuries included) can scrape enough points together to make it over the line. Bakers wage and possibly selling a low value player will cover a loan or short term contract for a player that is not a guaranteed starter…