Mowbray change it in second half. Buckley first, than Chapman played in the hole. Very much the Dack role.

Still a bit in shock after today. Thought we had a great window after Ayala, Kaminski and Douglas joined, then Turnbull came, and the most exciting one in Elliott. I never believed in a million years he was available nor that we afford him. Summary: Out: Graham (38 games / 4 goals), Samuel (15 games / 2 goals), Smallwood, Walton, Adebayaro, Leutwiler, Hart, Mulgrew, Fisher In: Kaminski, The Greek, Pears, Ayala, Douglas, Turnbull, Dolan, Elliott, (McBride). Transfer outlay probably 1-1.5 mill all together (depending on Elliott's loan fee) Except Adebayaro, nobody made an impact of note last season. Ayala replacing him with his leadership qualities should be as good or better. The rest should be a major upgrade on the ones that left. Considering Johnson, Rothwell, Hotlby, Williams looks better this year we are in such a far better shape than last season when we were close to play-offs. I even forgot Dack is returning. The last two seasons I've claimed we've a mid-table squad, now I'll say it's top six squad. Now Tony has the squad he wants and the style he wants, so it's up to him to bring it together.

The great thing with both him and Douglas, they are out of contract next summer. It's possible to pick them up on a free if they impress, while we're not stuck with they don't

Rich Sharpe says Wilson is a non-starter. Other reports claims a 3 mill(!) loan fee for the season, so can probably put that one to rest.

What are you talking about? 4 years ago our defence was Williams, Hoban and Greer starting 15th October 2016. Lenihan and Nyambe just started to get some game time. Nyambe and Lenihan are far better players now. Ayala and Douglas would be a massive improvement on that lot. Add Rankin-Costello as right back option instead of Jason Lowe, I think it's fair to say there is no comparison.

In fairness Belgium has a world-class keeper in Courtois, and Mignolet is quite good as well. Being number 3 behind them is not so bad.

Probably shite. He's played pretty good for the National team last years, but had a real stinker against a very good Winger. Didn't get much help either. But lack of match fitness clearly showed. Euro's came to early for our "golden" generation, but blew Romania away today 4-0, with a Haaland / Odegaard masterclass. Northern Irland up next, probably afraid of Haaland from last match.

You might have some luck pinging this account

Agreed. It's very clear cut. Even if the player wants out, the club can exercise the option and demand a fee accordingly.

Very good interview with the young greek up on IFollow. Speaks very good English. Seemed very mentally strong. Moved to Bulgaria as 16 year old where he couldn't speak the language and was viewed as an outsider. Had to become a man then he says, so very confident on settling in England. Already played over 80 games at top senior level in Bulgaria (they play a lot fewer games there a season). Seems we are in a lot better position at GK now with Kaminski and him.

I've suggested his name on a couple of occasions. First when he went to Amiens. He is certainly a step up from Bell and should be good Championship level. Don't think you find much better with our restricted finances. He's a well rounded full back and should be a lot better attacking wise than Bell. Norwegian International team are very much on the up now with a new generation of top European talent. Alessami is one of the experienced heads. Some very exciting players with Ajer(celtic), Berge(sheff u), elounossi (celtic), Odegaard (real Madrid), Haaland (Dortmund), Sorloth (RB Leipzig) and lastly Hauge Who AC Milan bought after he played them of the park in San Siro. Best generation in the history and all in their early 20s. Could be a real force for the next 10 years.

I watched him against City in the first game where he played behind the striker and the game just passed him by untill he got a well-taken goal. After that you could see his confidence improved. Was well impressed last night when he came on. Has a decent turn of pace, excellent finishing for his goals and played a couple of excellent passes to Brennan including the assist. I don't think he is nowhere ready for the first time yet, but he has potential certainly. Credit to the U23 recruitment who seem to recognize talent, bringing in him and Dolan shows they know potential. Butterworth (when fit) and Vale would probably better options for the senior squad. Both are quite dynamic and should suit our style. I also like Sam Burns as a forward, still 18. He is small, but built like Dack with pace and plays a bit like Dickov with pressuring defenders, tackling etc.

What a squad that was! Paul Robinson, Nyambe, Hanley, Shane Duffy, M Olsson, Ben Marshall, Evans, Cairney, Conway, Rhodes, Gestede, Josh King, Lenihan, Jack O'Connell (!), Mahoney, David Dunn, Raya, Incredible with that squad and Gestede/Rhodes with 20+ goals a piece could not reach the play-offs.

When we played Leicester in the friendly one of the commentators said Heskey often used to play centre back in training for fun. Said he was the best centre-back he'd seen and would've been world class in that position. Sounded a bit far-fetched at the time but given his skill set it kind of makes sense. I think Rio Ferdinand started out as a midfielder, but found his calling at centre-back.

The Huddersfield fans said the exact same thing when we bought him, coming of a 40 league goal season when they were promoted from League One. Played off Lee Novak as strike partner and lots of crosses for them I recall. Think he even scored 5 goals in one game. Exceptional finisher, with both feet and head as well. His weaknesses has been well covered but I agree with the sentiment that we should appreciate his time here. We had him at his peak, seemingly a very decent person, wish him all the best the for the future which is not back here.

I actually think our biggest problem would be teams that double up on the wings. Bournemouth did that at times, and it can be hard for our midfield 3 to cover the width. Sheff United and Leeds were very good at overloading the flanks which made it very difficult for us too defend. Fortunatly there aren't to many teams in the Championship with that quality left.

I saw someone on the Derby forum said we've copied Leeds and are now playing like Leeds, and I think there is a lot of truth to it. The biggest thing for me is that the new system works very well with the players we have. The front 3 and the midfield works very hard out of possesion and closes down in packs. Neither Newcastle or Derby could get out of their own half. Wycombe tried the direct route but the defence gobbled up everything and kept the pressure up. Johnson is very good at dropping back when the full-backs are attacking, in addition he is great in the air and a physical presence. Attacking wise is such a difference because all 3 front have pace and can go past a player. If the opposition go forward, we can hit them on the break. Rothwell and Holtby has certainly benefited from their new roles. Rothwell has a great engine, and his bursting runs from central creates unbalance in their defensive lines and opens up the forward, e.g first goal Yesterday. Holtby is much fitter and a wonderful footballer who can keep the ball and create chances with his passing. Also very impressed with his defensive contribution, no cheating there. Also special mentioning to Williams, who might've been our best player so far, certainly in defence. Not worried about Dack fitting in. He's just a quality footballer who can easily play in different positions. I think he will come back in a more fit version and fight his way into the team. One thing I'm sure of, we shouldn't adapt the system to fit Dack. What we see now is we are getting the most of the sum of parts, rather than optimizing for the best part.

Nope, only Raya deja vu

I don't think we ever had an agreement on Garner. It was reported that we were one of several clubs interested. Whether Watford used their parachuts money and gave United the best deal, or the player preferred the move, we don't know. Regarding the budget there seemed to be very mixed messages. From having more than one bid in on players, to now seemingly only be being able to afford one permanent. Obviously left-back should be the highest priority. At this point I don't care if it is a loan.

You probably know this better than me. If that is the case it sounds very strange to "hold back" players development by keeping them in the U23's. Must also have backfired with Hilton, because Eastham was the one playing against Man City for the U23. Hilton injured?

Pretty sure neither Mols or any other U23 player will be held back if there was a chance of a loan or first team involvment. That's the whole point of having a U23, getting them ready for senior football. Mols is good enough for League 2, but still requires a club wanting to loan him though. We have had very midfielder and attackers go on loan the latest years, mostly because they haven't been good enough, or they have been progressed (Buckley, JRC).

It is very hard to judge whether an U23 player is ready, especially in defensive positions where the physical aspect is such different. Attacking players is a bit easier because skill and pace translates easier. It was clear before last year that Buckely had outgrewn U23 when dominating every match. JRC, Butterworth were similar clear options that was ready for next step. Vale showed also good signs. On the other hand, Magloire had it to easy in the U23 because he was stronger and faster then everybody. U23 football is also quite different from Championship because it's very techinal, played to feet and little physical combat for a centre-back. Think it was a massive shock for Magloire when he faced Joe Garner and Steven Fletcher who are clever operators. I like Lewis Thompson, great engine and can deliver a cross. He never plays badly, but not a standout performer either. I see more potential in Dan Pike on right back, he's a few years younger, very mature, great decision making both defensivly and offensively.

I'm very certain Nyambe is back for Derby. The question is whether JRC og Dolan is dropped to the bench. Hard to say. Dolan is a better option forward especially on counters. At the same time, he is a very useful as an impact sub. JRC is probably a little safer defensivly and tacticly. My guess would be JRC as Derby is a bit wounded and will come out full guns blazing, and bring out Dolan in the second half.

Manning sounds plausible. Esp. since we bid for him in January according to this: https://www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-blackburn-made-deadline-day-bid-to-sign-qpr-23-yr-old/ Not sure if we can afford him though. Have been linked with West Ham and is highly rated. Some suggest he is aiming for a Premier move, which also makes it hard to think we can meet his wage demands.

Can probably play as an 8 with two sitters, but then you need your wingers to track back, which for many of them are not their strongest quality.