For the last few years, us fans have gone around in circles as we discuss what is good and bad at Derby County Football Club.
At one end of the spectrum, people like myself believe that the manager is not good enough to improve the standing of the club, on the opposite end, many fans believe that Nigel Clough needs to be given a better transfer budget to spend on players before judging him.
Even though I think the Clough is the main shackle stopping Derby from progressing, I would like the owners to invest more money into the playing staff.
In recent weeks, it has been evident to everyone that there's a dwindling level of interest and many of us fans have lost any level of excitement for the club, and personally, I think that fans' loyalty has been abused by the club.
I've ready many times in the last couple of weeks fans stating that to get their interest back in the club, and perhaps convince them to invest in a season ticket, the club should go out and buy a few 'quality players'. I agree that this would be a good show of faith by the owners of the club, but it also raises a point to me.
I believe that fans would be very disappointed with the outcome if Nigel Clough was given money to spend on players. It's clear that Clough's recruitment skill lies in unearthing talent, not spotting existing quality.
I reckon Nigel's definition of 'quality' is vastly different to 90% of fans!
If Nigel was allowed to spend £1.5m each on four players, I think we'd end up with 4 honest players who work hard and earn their wage, but would never be considered a flair player with skill and quality.
I think we're flogging a dead horse as Nigel's knowledge of players, combined with the scouting setup, would prevent us from ever purchasing true quality players.
Why your opinion will NEVER change.
posted on 24/3/13
robrearam,
Apathy is costing DCFC dearly and that future of GSE but its their own short-sightedness that will ultimately be their downfall its the damage to my club that worries me most.
I personally know many fans walking away from season tickets because they are disillusioned completely with the club they love.
How do GSE rescue that and is it even possible
posted on 24/3/13
Dru , I think that is the problem we are frustrated by the situation , should this board sack NC or should he walk I for one would have no faith in those running the club to find a replacement that would improve things and make no mistake the NC supporters would put the next man under huge pressure and would not stand for one win in eight or even one win in five for that matter.
Most fans would be pleased to see say Nigel Adkins who would no doubt want a three year contract and a sum of money for transfers , if he then came in and lost four from five the fans would be straight on his back because his sir name means nowt at Derby.His contract plus his backroom plus paying off Nigel Cloughs mates would come in at well over 5 mill, this board will not chance that.
As for GSE it is pointless talking about removing them if no interest is being taken in the club by new investors. We are in limbo with no quick fix or obvious solutions in sight we are gambling on a few youngsters raising funds but will such funds be used to buy quality or will it be used to finance the short fall which dont forget will increase with fewer gates.
Tough times all round I think .
posted on 24/3/13
Maybe we should count our blessings in comparison to what has/is happening to other clubs?
Or a penitential session in League 1?
I.e. would you want to be a Blackburn/Wolves fan in their current dilemmas?
posted on 24/3/13
did someone really suggest my theory is based on guesswork?
I don't think there's one person that thinks Sammon, at over a million pound is a 'quality' signing.
posted on 24/3/13
Some people just blindly give him the benefit of the doubt Mostyn. 'Give him time'...
posted on 24/3/13
Sammons goals per game/appearance is not that of a million+ player in the championship and other strikers costing far less have performed to a much higher standard.
My point is that in the context of the pictures as a whole Clough has performed, his general match day management for me is still in question as is his player selection for the club. Yet as viewfrom states I would not swap places with some in this division and the premier for that matter.
Stating whether another manager could do better is academic as its impossible to tell whether another manager could work under the same situation our owners have placed up on Clough.
But in context of the club he inherited Clough has proved he can manage at an organisational level which any fan with half a brain knows was required and to a degree been achieved.
Could Clough perform better as a football manager? Your damn right he could. But are we in better shape as a whole from his input.
Most definitely.
posted on 24/3/13
Jesus Mostyn, you keep banging on about Clough buying Sammon, lets hang Clough the antichrist. No other manager has brought in players (for far far more money than Sammon) who havent cut the mustard but hey you know best.
posted on 25/3/13
It appears to me that half the people on here cannot cope with Derby being mediocre and not winning every week.
We've been pretty average for more years than not in our history and we then come good for a period. If you can't accept this go support Man Utd or Chelsea.
True fans stick with their team through thick and thin.The green shoots are there, for much of the first half of the season we have played the best football I have seen at Pride Park since 2004 (we may have been promoted under the dwarf but we were dull as dishwater) and before that the early Jim Smith years.
. I'll be renewing next season, those that don't want to can carry on sending messages to JA606 to show how much they care for their club and state how much GSE's stewardship has left them disenfranchised.
The club is losing money and we do not have a sugar daddy - there is no alternative but to run the club on a tight wage budget. GSE have actively tried to reduce the benefits that bankrolled clubs have by being at the forefront of the drive to bring in FFP. If it works and expands it could be the greatest thing to happen to football since the Sky cash started distorting everything.
Me, I'll carry on turning up every week and sing and encourage the players (yes, even Sammon - it might help him you know). You can join me as well, there's plenty of spare seats.
UTR
posted on 25/3/13
Tom Glick only championed FFP due to the position he and Appleby got GSE into with their crazy spending. Forced not a choice.
posted on 25/3/13
bang on Dru