Tomorrow's home game against Portsmouth see's the return of Luke Varney to Pride Park Stadium.
He only made 6 appearences in two and a half years at Derby and we are believed into thinking that a 7th appearance would have meant that Derby would have to have 'paid' Charlton Athletic £250,000.
I saw 5 of his 6 Derby appearances, including the away tie at Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup, where Varney was utterly woeful.
I am not a fan who doesn't think Reg was given enough time at Derby, I believe he is an extremely average player who has had a very privileged career for being very average.
He did ok at Sheffield Wednesday, he did well at Blackpool to start with, but tailed off and was in a relegated team. He's doing ok at Portsmouth and will probably up for tomorrows game. He is probably out to prove a point to Nigel Clough and supporters like me who think he's a rubbish footballer.
What I'd like you Rams to comment on is: Do you wish we still had Varney at the Club.? Do you rate him now any differently to when he was at Derby.?
Do you see him as a threat tomorrow.?
My answers are a resounding No, No and No.
Cheers
The return of Luke Varney
posted on 28/10/11
I think Varney is sort of player who in the wrong team at the wrong time, will look very average and this was his position at Derby and Athletic. However in the right team and position, he can look a very good player, not a world beater, but someone you are happy to have as part of the squad, which is being shown by his Owls, Blackpool and Portsmouth form. This means he can be good, but is too inconsistent and easily knocked to be great.
I remember seeing 4 of Varney's 7 or so games with Derby and being none too happy with any of them, but then I think in hindsight, we all know, he was a victim of his time; being a Jewells signing, instantly put pressure on him; being Jewells last signing and for an uncomprehendingly high price, meant we decided he was a failure before we even looked at him. I remember a similar problem with Stern John. :P
However this leads to the question, would things have turned out differently if the deal had been conducted more appropriately and the financial positions more sound?
Finally, reading his interview, I think Varney personality wise, seems a good person and certainly doesn't deserve some of the scorn Derby fans throw his way.
posted on 28/10/11
Similarly, I think Varney is a decent enough player. I thought he looked very sharp on his debut away at Burnley although as a team we were desperately awful that day.
He was a sign of the kiddie-in-a-sweet-shop mentality that was Jewell's transfer policy at the time, which resulted in nonsensical deals for players who he fancied a punt on. Ellington was an even less sensible signing for the money he cost us.
None of this is Varney's fault of course, if we were daft enough to agree to the deal. Some fans said that Clough treated Varney appallingly but this was far from the case-Varney knew the situation and both Clough and Varney have said pleasant things about the other since he left. It was just business, nothing personal. Varney seems a nice enough guy.
Bet there will be a fair few idiots giving him a good old boo tomorrow though...
posted on 29/10/11
Don't get me wrong. He seems a nice enough chap, does Varney, but for ramdini to suggest he looked good for us is utter nonsense. He was terrible.
posted on 29/10/11
I think sometimes when you criticise a player, you're criticising his style of play, not the person.
Thought Serial summed him up well as did others. An odd signing at the time, from a side in an even worse position than us, the ultimate blame must fall on Paul Jewell's shoulders & Taiwan (Alf) is right that Varney was a victim of circumstances as well. To think, Jewell nearly signed Ellington permanently on £20k a week and you realise his disastrous tenure in the Championship compounded the awful signings Billy made during his brief stay in charge during the PL season.
But LV was poor at Derby, he is a lower table Championship striker at best. I was very surprised at his initial form at Blackpool, but eventually he reverted to type. Having said that, I would not be surprised if he impresses against us as he has a point to prove.
posted on 29/10/11
I hope the Derby supporters don't boo him, I don't think he deserves that, plus lets not inspire him into a magnificent performance!
I wish him all the best after today
posted on 29/10/11
Agree Jorvik. Not sure how anyone can have an informed opinion of the attributes of a player with 6 apps over 2 seasons. No reason to like him, and none to dislike him either... as far as I'm concerned its almost as if he never was a Ram.
posted on 29/10/11
capn, I agree that to criticise a players ability is nothing personal, but sometimes people seem to almost like making it personal and Varney, though not a good part of Derby's history, is as wideboy said, not a disputable part ether and blame as you said, falls on Jewells more than anyone.
PS you make a scarily good point, regarding Ellington, however luckily even Jewells realised he was past his peak, though not before blowing half our striker wage bill on him.
posted on 31/10/11
Cheers for the comments gents.
As predicted, Varney was no threat what-so-ever on Saturday and all he did was get booked.
Some posters have said above that Varney comes across as a nice bloke. I agree, but you don't pay 1.5 million for a nice bloke.
posted on 31/10/11
"...but you don't pay 1.5 million for a nice bloke"
...even one playing football in recycled day-glow orange moon boots (oh yes, OOE has plenty to say about Varney's footwear when the Aussie editor gets home from work and posts the report up on Ramzone)
posted on 31/10/11
Highly coloured boots