briansol

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.

Dack needs to roam and arrive in the box no matter which formation. His worst spell was when he was either a striker or man-marked playing of the forward. I think our style is a bit more varied now which should suit Dack. But there is a real chance the balance of the team can be upset when he is back.

If our scouting leaves a lot to be desired, how about that Newcastle team. It must've been at least 100+ mill pounds spent on that team. Joalinton, Almiron, Richie and Murphy was at least 80+ mill, just the 4 of them.

Yes he was. I think he played midfield throughout the youth career as well as some senior appearances. He needed some persuasion to become a defender. Far better center-back than midfielder. Would probably a L1/L2 midfield workhorse if not.

Wouldn't Ayala fit that criteria? Esp if he has went to Saudi Arabia and changed his mind?

Not much. Seen him a couple of times on TV and some highlights. Definitely a type we need. Dubbed the next Michael Carrick by Solskjaer. All-action midfielder with a goal threat. United fans have been claiming for his inclusion in the first team for a couple of years. Good chance he would be the best midfielder at the club if he came.

I agree. If we are able to land James Garner on loan, I think he could be a major player for us with Travis.

It was said he rejected us for an offer to go to Saudi Arabia. I guess he went there and found out that money isn't everything. That also fits the quarantine aspect of the story.

If we are going to replace Mowbray we have to aim a lot higher than Paul Cook. He has operated under similar budgets to Mowbray and still finished below us in both Championship seasons (even if you don't subtract their 12 point penalty). Had a lot of turnover of players in the last two seasons. Bought a lot of duds as well as some good ones. Even with deflated transfer values, has he produced a gem like Dack og Armstrong? Swapping Mowbray for Cook would be like for like. If we work on limited resources you might consider promoting Damien Johnson and pair him with a good assistant manager. Then you have a decent chance to harvest the talent pool from the academy.

10-15k pw should get you far regarding players outside the top European leagues, as well as the second tier clubs in the top leagues. Take Norway for example. Bar a handful of players, the rest in this league would be less than 1 mill pound and easily fit the wage structure. Not many are good enough to play in the Championship however, but there are gems to be found. Our regular national left-back should be looked at. Alessami currently out of contract after relegation with his club in France (League 1). Have a good pedigree from Italy and France and is a two-way fullback far better than Bell. He is 29 and should fit the criterias the club is looking for. English clubs however will pay a premium, as foreign clubs assume PL money trickles down.

Yes he did mention him in the interview when talking about our wage cap. He made a comment in line about Bristol City must have stretched their wages to get him. Not sure if we ever looked at him or whether it was a general observation.

FFS! I'm raising three girls, I come here for a break from drama. This thread never stays on topic and end up in a teenage drama queen sniping match. In the end it's going to end up an echo chamber wondering where all the people went. Let's hope we win today and get some players in!

The U23 beat Carlisle U23 4-0 https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2020/september/report-rovers-u23s-4-0-carlisle-united-u23s/ Davenport and Wharton played full 90 mins to gain match fitness. 18-year old Sam Burns with a hattrick and Luke Brennan (who got a goal vs Fleetwood) got the other. Will be exciting to see if Burns can continue his progress at U23 level. Watched him when the U-18 smashed Arsenal in the FA Youth and was impressed. Very fast and energetic. Also quite stocky build which made him hard to brush aside. Was also impressed by Jared Harlock in midfield. Playmaker who dictated the tempo in that game. Another one to keep an eye on for the U23.

Make no mistake, the contract is binding and enforcable. Dack signed it. It's solely in the club's hands. If Dack wants to leave in the summer, the club can and will enforce the option so he won't be able to leave on a free this summer.

Great performance, but what's up with Travis? Looks slower and less energetic all pre-season. His passing game is Just pushing it to Nyambe. Davenport looks far better atm.

I get your point, but we might not have the choice. Clubs might not want to pay enough next summer, so it could have more value for us having him one more season for a promotion push and letting him leave on free.

Yeah sure. He'll be 28.5 years by then, so probably his last chance for PL football. I think he will be sold if he wants to leave anyway either with current contract or a new one. His injury and age probably makes him less attractive for PL clubs to take a punt on him now, so still rate our chances for him staying for a while.