Stuniverse Posted May 17, 2019 Author Share Posted May 17, 2019 Iām getting withdrawal symptoms so I may have to progress pre-season this weekend, even if only by a little bit š 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irobinson69 Posted May 17, 2019 Share Posted May 17, 2019 Yeah I struggle to stop playing over pre season. Howās the updates going? 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 17, 2019 Author Share Posted May 17, 2019 10 hours ago, Irobinson69 said: Yeah I struggle to stop playing over pre season. Howās the updates going? The factual stuff is going very well thanks. The more subjective stuff I haven't started on yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 (edited) 06/07/2020 Dear Diary, Later today we fly out to Los Angeles, USA, for the start of our training camp where we have four matches arranged against Fresno FC, LA Legends, LA Galaxy II and Colorado Rapids. We've already played one pre-season friendly at the Pirelli Stadium against Kevin O'Connor's Burton Albion. The Brewers finished 13th in League One last season and I thought they'd represent a tough challenge for what's looking like being my second string team for the current campaign. That meant I had to disappoint our fansĀ by not picking any of our new signings and nailed on first-teamers in the match day 23. There were a couple of players I couldn't pick. Martin Naylor (MC-regen) was away with England U20s and Josh Grant (D RLC) has damaged cruciate ligaments. The number of inexperienced youngsters I had to select in the back-up team shows the work Igor Stimac still needs to do if I'm to have a competitive squad with depth to work with this campaign. After speaking with Igor, we spoke to Mel Morris (Owner) and the Board have adjusted the transfer and wage budgets which, hopefully, will help Igor when he's looking to bring in loan players and free agents. Igor told me he's working hard to bring in a centre-back and hopes to have good news for me on that very soon. We also talked about bringing Alfred N'Diaye back on loan as a DM and to prove CB cover but Villarreal are only interested in sellingĀ him, not loaning him out. I was pleased with how the second string performed against Burton Albion and was more than satisfied with the 2-0 victory. A great free-kick from experiencedĀ Martyn Waghorn gave us the lead and young Morgan Whittaker, on as a sub, gave us a comfortable win by doubling our lead late on. Now it's off to Los Angeles to continue our training in the California sun and wait with baited breath to see if Igor will sign any players that can fly out and join our training campĀ in the USA. Edited May 18, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 (edited) Game date: Tuesday 7 July 2020 Pre-season FRESNO FC (0) 0-1 (1) Derby County Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Harry Wilson (7) [Note: the journalist style of updates will return either later in pre-season orĀ when the 2020 / 21 season begins]. Edited May 18, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 Game date: Friday 10 July 2020 Pre-Season LA LEGENDS (0) 0-10 (4) DERBY COUNTY Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 (edited) Game date: 11 July 2020 MARIBOR SIGN ELSNIK RamsFanzine: Derby County Director of FootballĀ Igor StimacĀ has confirmed the sale of 22-yeard old midfielder Timi Max Elnik to Slovenian First Division side Maribor. Elsnik has spent the both seasons of Rams managerĀ Stuniverse's tenure out on loan and, clearly, hadn't done enough to become part of his plans moving forward. Edited May 18, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 (edited) Game date: 12 July 2020 MARCELO SNUBS RAMS RamsFanzine: Derby County Director of FootballĀ Igor StimacĀ expressed his disappointment today after Getafe announced the Ā£1.5 million transfer of 33-year old centre-backĀ MarceloĀ from Olympique Lyonnais. Stimac said Lyon had also accepted a Ā£1.5M bid from the Rams and Marcelo's agent had given the impression Marcelo would sign for Derby County, only for Marcelo to snub the Rams and sign for Getafe. Derby County are desperately short of centre-backs with only two recognised ones on their books in Chris Smalling and Andre Wisdom, although Wisdom has played right-back for the Rams more often than centre-back. Ā Edited May 18, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 (edited) Game date: Sunday 12 July 2020 Pre-season LA GALAXY II (0) 1-2 (1) DERBY COUNTY [Apologies, I forgot to do the selection screenshot I normally do]. Edited May 18, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 Game date: Wednesday 15 July 2020 Pre-season COLORADO RAPIDS (0) 0-2 (2) DERBY COUNTY Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 (edited) 17/07/2020 Dear Diary, Well we had a successful training camp in terms of working with the players currently available to me. We played four, won four, with comfortable victories over Fresno FC, LA Legends, LA Galaxy II and then impressively defeating MLS Colorado Rapids.Ā My squad remains paper-thin at centre-back and lacks depth in a number of areas. We've had to takeĀ George EvansĀ off the transfer list as he's needed to cover CB, even though that's not his preferred position. All through the training camp we were waiting for good news from back home but allĀ Igor StimacĀ provided was bad news hard luck stories. We missed out on Lyon's centre-backĀ MarceloĀ who opted to join Getafe over us. Igor also informs me that nobody has shown any interest in signing transfer listed Kevin Rodrigues and Bradley Johnson. Oh well, there's still plenty of time before the transfer window closes. Edited May 18, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 Game date: Saturday 18 July 2020 Pre-season BELPER TOWN (0) 1-4 (4) DERBY COUNTY RamsFanzine: A very young Rams side prove to be too good for Belper Town. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 Game date: Saturday 25 July 2020 Pre-season DERBY COUNTY (0) 1-1 (0) FIORENTINA Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 18, 2019 Author Share Posted May 18, 2019 Game date: 27 July 2020 RAMS SIGN KENEDY RamsFanzine: Derby County Director of FootballĀ Igor StimacĀ was delighted to announce the loan signing of left wingerĀ KenedyĀ from Roma until the end of the season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irobinson69 Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Good signing, probably not what you wanted or needed though I guess. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 19, 2019 Author Share Posted May 19, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Irobinson69 said: Good signing, probably not what you wanted or needed though I guess. You are spot on, @Irobinson69.Ā We need CBs. Kenedy looks a good signing at LW but with LawrenceĀ and Waghorn, plus Wilson, it wasnāt an area I needed strengthening. Will make it even harder to give unhappy Bennett the playing time he needs to develop and get him to stop sulking. Edited May 19, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irobinson69 Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Surprised Waghorn has done so well for you, slightly regret binning him at the start now. How much has Bennett played? He was always 4th choice for me on the wings but never complained.Ā 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 39 minutes ago, Irobinson69 said: Surprised Waghorn has done so well for you, slightly regret binning him at the start now. How much has Bennett played? He was always 4th choice for me on the wings but never complained.Ā Hey, @Irobinson69,Ā Mason BennettĀ has played 34 times for me, scoring eight and assisting four. Martyn WaghornĀ has played 58 times for me, scoring 12 and assisting 12. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Game date: Tuesday 28 July 2020 Pre-season DERBY COUNTY (0) 2-1 (1) PORTLAND TIMBERS Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 (edited) Game date: 30 July 2020 TRANSFER DEADLINE IN ONE WEEK RamsFanzine: With one week to go until the summer transfer window closes, Derby County appear to be in desperate need of reinforcements in defence, particularly centre-back whereĀ Chris SmallingĀ andĀ Andre WisdomĀ are the only recognised CBs on the club' books. ManagerĀ StuniverseĀ must be hopingĀ Igor StimacĀ can make a signing or two this week. Edited May 20, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Game date: Thursday 30 July 2020 Pre-season REAL UNION (0) 1-2 (2) DERBY COUNTY RamsFanzine: A young Rams team retained the Steve Bloomer Trophy with a 2-1 victory over Real Union. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Game date: 31 July 2020 WYCOMBE LOAN WHITTAKER RamsFanzine: Director of FootballĀ Igor StimacĀ announced that 19-year oldĀ Morgan WhittakerĀ has joined League Two Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the next transfer window. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Game date: 31 July 2020 QUINA COMMITS HIS FUTURE TO THE RAMS RamsFanzine: Derby County Director of FootballĀ Igor StimacĀ announced the extension ofĀ Domingos Quina's contract until the summer of 2024. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Game date: Saturday 1 August 2020 Pre-season DERBY COUNTY (1) 1-0 (0) RB LEIPZIG Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Game date: 2 August 2020 MITCHELL BECOMES A SAINT RamsFanzine: Derby County's 25-year old goalkeeper,Ā Jonathan Mitchell, has joined Southampton for Ā£275K. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Game date: 2 August 2020 RAMS UNBEATEN IN PRE-SEASON Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 Game date: 6 August 2020 - Transfe Deadline Day THOMAS JOINS MK DONS ON LOAN RamsFanzine: Derby County's 21-year old wingerĀ Luke ThomasĀ has joined League One MK Dons on loan until the next transfer window. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 (edited) Game date: 6 August 2020 - Transfer Deadline Day DERBY SIGN KAGAWA RamsFanzine: Director of FootballĀ Igor StimacĀ was delighted to announce the free transfer signing of 31-year old midfielderĀ Shinji KagawaĀ from Borussia Dortmund until the summer of 2022. Edited May 20, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 20, 2019 Author Share Posted May 20, 2019 (edited) Game date: 6 August 2018 TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES RamsFanzine: It was a relatively quiet transfer deadline day for Derby County as Director of FootballĀ Igor StimacĀ signed midfielderĀ Shinji KagawaĀ from Borussia Dortmund on a free, and sent three young players out on loan -Ā Luke ThomasĀ (MK Dons - League 1),Ā Callum WhelanĀ (Leyton Orient - League 2) andĀ Tommy DriverĀ (Grimsby Town - League 2). Edited May 20, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaytheGreat Posted May 20, 2019 Share Posted May 20, 2019 Well I don't think Igor brought in bad players, your just dangerously thin at CB. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrlee.1986 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Not that I want to put any kind of spell on this, but Iām calling an injury to wisdom or Smalling within the first 10 games šĀ (sorry but itās fm/sods law)Ā 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coady Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 9 hours ago, Stuniverse said: TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES Oh dear, you look so short defensively! It does seem the DoF's in FM19 generally sign more players in positions you don't need. I've found that more difficult than FM18 to be honest. On 18/05/2019 at 23:24, Stuniverse said: Derby County Director of FootballĀ Igor StimacĀ was delighted to announce the loan signing of left wingerĀ KenedyĀ from Roma until the end of the season. Could he not be a candidate at left back, particularly in home games you expect to attack in? On 18/05/2019 at 14:38, Stuniverse said: After speaking with Igor, we spoke to Mel Morris (Owner) and the Board have adjusted the transfer and wage budgets which, hopefully, will help Igor when he's looking to bring in loan players and free agents. Igor told me he's working hard to bring in a centre-back and hopes to have good news for me on that very soon. We also talked about bringing Alfred N'Diaye back on loan as a DM and to prove CB cover but Villarreal are only interested in sellingĀ him, not loaning him out. This would be the biggest thing on my FM wish list. I'd love for the DoF to have the competence/ability to adjust the budgets themselves & work with the board on the financial side of the transfer window. At present, they just stop signing if the wage budget goes over, even if there's 30m remaining in the transfer budget! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irobinson69 Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 Hmmm gonna be tough with half a defence. Maybe a new all outĀ attack tactic is needed! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galeg Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 8 hours ago, coady said: Oh dear, you look so short defensively! It does seem the DoF's in FM19 generally sign more players in positions you don't need. I've found that more difficult than FM18 to be honest. Could he not be a candidate at left back, particularly in home games you expect to attack in? This would be the biggest thing on my FM wish list. I'd love for the DoF to have the competence/ability to adjust the budgets themselves & work with the board on the financial side of the transfer window. At present, they just stop signing if the wage budget goes over, even if there's 30m remaining in the transfer budget! With the devs taking the stance that the game is about being a manager, you would think they would want to start taking away more of the DoF responsibilities from the player. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
coady Posted May 21, 2019 Share Posted May 21, 2019 (edited) 47 minutes ago, Galeg said: With the devs taking the stance that the game is about being a manager, you would think they would want to start taking away more of the DoF responsibilities from the player. It's depends how SI view it. IRL now, many managers (particularly at the top level), either have limited or no say about which players join and leave the club. You could argue to continue to create the most realistic football management simulation, that in the future some owners in game may end up with a 'takes control of transfers' trait or at least makes you part of a 'recruitment team' with the DoF/Chief Scout/etc. It would probably be far more frustrating/less hands on in the transfer market at those small number of clubs. However, forĀ the most realistic football management simulation, I'd say it's certainly possible this may become a reality in future editions of the game. I'm not saying I necessarily think it should, but that seems to be the way elite level football is going & as we know if SI commit to something to make the game more realistic, they usually build as much detail into it as possible over 3-4 years.Ā Edited May 21, 2019 by coady 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 On 21/05/2019 at 00:58, JaytheGreat said: Well I don't think Igor brought in bad players, your just dangerously thin at CB. @JaytheGreat, that's a pretty good assessment ofĀ Igor's business this summer transfer window. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 On 21/05/2019 at 01:33, Mrlee.1986 said: Not that I want to put any kind of spell on this, but Iām calling an injury to wisdom or Smalling within the first 10 games šĀ (sorry but itās fm/sods law)Ā Have you got your boots, @Mrlee.1986? I may have to sign you up and play you in the heart of defence if that happens.Ā WhenĀ Robin Sadler, our Head Physio, conducted the medical forĀ Chris SmallingĀ and declared him fit to sign with a clean bill of health, Robin did comment that Chris had been susceptible to injuries throughout his career. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 (edited) On 21/05/2019 at 08:27, coady said: Could he not be a candidate at left back, particularly in home games you expect to attack in? Good thinking, @coady. According to my coaching staffĀ KenedyĀ is accomplished at WBL but not suited to LB so, yes, he's definitely an option there when we're looking to attack and with plenty of other players who can play left winger it's an option worth considering. At the moment I'm thinking of giving lots of playing time to youngĀ Max LoweĀ at LB to see how he gets on and how he develops. If that doesn't work out, or anything happens to Lowe, I have right-backĀ Max AaronsĀ who did well at LB during the run-in last season. Then there'sĀ Kevin RodriguesĀ who's on the transfer list because he had a disastrous time last season but, at least, he reported for pre-season being able to speak and understand enough English to get by. I can have a conversation with him now, which I couldn't do without an interpretor last season. But, yes,Ā KenedyĀ is very much an option worth considering. Edited May 23, 2019 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 On 21/05/2019 at 08:27, coady said: This would be the biggest thing on my FM wish list. I'd love for the DoF to have the competence/ability to adjust the budgets themselves & work with the board on the financial side of the transfer window. At present, they just stop signing if the wage budget goes over, even if there's 30m remaining in the transfer budget! I did post this, @coady on the suggestions thread. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 On 21/05/2019 at 13:30, Irobinson69 said: Hmmm gonna be tough with half a defence. Maybe a new all outĀ attack tactic is needed! Yes, @Irobinson69, it certainly is, although I have options at both full-back positions but at CB I only really haveĀ Chris Smalling. I'm not happy withĀ Andre WisdomĀ being a starting CB, I'd be happier if he was 3rd or preferably 4th choice, but I don't have that luxury. Pau LopezĀ at GK looks a good upgrade onĀ Orestis Karnezis, who we had on loan last season, but I'd have been happier ifĀ Jonathan MitchellĀ was still my #2, butĀ IgorĀ sold him toĀ Southampton. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 (edited) Game date: 7 August 2020 DERBY COUNTY TO FINISH 15th RamsFanzine: This season's Premier League predictions have Derby County comfortably avoiding relegation by finishing 15th, ahead of Burnley, Leeds, Blackburn Rovers, Huddersfield Town and Fulham. We expect Rams managerĀ StuniverseĀ would love to finish 15th after avoiding the drop on goal difference last season. Edited May 23, 2019 by Stuniverse 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 (edited) Game date: 7 August 2020 RamsFanzine: Here we go again. You go into this season in the last year of your contract. How confident are you of a new deal? Stuniverse: That's out of my hands completely. What I can say is that I'm loving it here and I want to stay. I turned down job interviews at Leicster City last season and at Newcastle United this summer. I don't want to work anywhere else. I'm a lifelong Rams fan and this is my dream job. I'm loving it. RamsFanzine: Doesn't the uncertainty play on your mind? Stuniverse: There's no point worrying about thing's I can't control. Mel Morris [owner] and the board will make heir decision on contracts when they're good and ready. It's not just me, all of our contracts run to the summer - Igor Stimac [DoF], Aljosa Asanovic [AM], Stefano Eranio [FTC] and Mart Poom [Gk C]. The ask of us remains the same. Igor puts together a squad ofĀ players and the rest of us work with those players in an attempt to get them playing to the best of their ability. If we have a good season, then Mel and the board have decisions to make, the same as if we have a bad season. SEASON'S EXPECTATIONS RamsFanzine: You must be happy with how things have gone on the pitch. Unbeaten in 10 games with nine wins. Victories over RB Leipzig, Colorado Rapids, Portland Timbers, and a draw against Fiorentina. Plus your youngsters retained the Steve Bloomer Trophy. How do you assess your pre-season? Stuniverse: Yes the results and performances were very impressive, particularly as we were integrating new players all the way through. The players have been brilliant. They all reported back fit and raring to go. We're making some changes to the way we play and the players are working hard and embracing those ideas. We now have to transfer our good pre-season form into Premier League matches where it really matters, starting with Fulham at Pride Park on Sunday. PRE-SEASON RESULTS RamsFanzine: Stimac's made some good signings but you look weaker in defence. He's given you a rel problem with an unbalanced squad, hasn't he? Stuniverse: Yes, Igor's made some great signings. I think Chris Smalling improves our defence but it's a shame we missed out on Marcelo. RamsFanzine: If fit, I'm assuming Smalling and Wisdom start in central defence, but who plays there if anything happens to one of them? Stuniverse: Let's hope that doesn't happen. We know we're going to be asking a lot of Chris and Andre this season. Our squad is what it is until January at least so we have to work with what we have and see what happens... CENTRE-BACK DEPTH CHART RamsFanzine: All the best for the season. Good luck. Stuniverse: Thank you. I really appreciate that. Edited May 23, 2019 by Stuniverse 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 (edited) Game date: Sunday 9 April 2020 Pre-match v Fulham (H) - Premier League (1) Match Preview RamsFanzine: You kick the season off at home against a Fulham side newly promoted from the Championship. YouĀ must be confident of a winning start? Stuniverse: Obviously that's what we're hoping to achieve, but we can't take anything for granted. Fulham, like the other two promoted sides Burnley and Crystal Palace, were all relegated in the previous season and bounced back at the first attempt. That means all three of them are in good shape and have players that are Premier League standard. It won't be an easy game, that's for sure, but pre-season has gone well and we're confident of doing well. Ā Ā Team Selection RamsFanzine: Talk us through yourĀ team selection today? Stuniverse: OK. We're going 4-2-3-1. Pau Lopez in goal; Max Aarons RB, Max Lowe LB, Chris Smalling and Andre Wisdom in the middle. Will Hughes and Mason Mount in midfield. Ahead of them, Harry Wilson on the right, Tom Lawrence left, and Domingos Quina in the hole, with Jack Marriott up front. RamsFanzine: No place for new signings Kenedy and Kagawa. Stuniverse: Shinji Kagawa only arrived on transfer deadline day from Japan so he hasn't really had chance to train and integrate with the squad yet. IĀ think it's a sign of the strength and depth of our squad that a player like Kenedy, and Shinji as well, are on the bench. RamsFanzine: Depth except for centre-back. Stuniverse: Next question. RamsFanzine: Did you come through pre-season without amassing too many injuries? Stuniverse: It could've been a lot worse. We're missing Albie Morgan with a knee problem. Max Bird has an ankle injury. Josh Grant we're being careful with, he had a pretty bad ligament injury last season and he's missed most of pre-season; he's fit again, but he's not match fit. Post-match: Derby County (3) 5-0 (0) Fulham RamsFanzine: After Leeds put five past Newcastle yesterday, and Arsenal and Man City both put four past Wolves and Crystal Palace respectively, I didn't expect to be saying this but, congratulations, you're top of the league. Stuniverse: [laughs] Only on alphabetical order though. RamsFanzine: To be 2-0 up after less than ten minutes, could you have wished for a better start? Stuniverse: To be 3-0 up with Jack Marriott scoring a hat-trick instead of a brace, maybe? No. Seriously, it was a tremendous start. The players started with a high tempo and took the game to Fulham right from the first whistle. Jack looked sharp and was quick to react twice in the penalty area before Fulham knew what had hit them. Mason Mount stretched our lead around the half hour mark. Domingos Quina made it 4-0 a couple of minutes after the restart. Shinji Kagawa came off the bench to grab a sensational fifth. I thought everybody played very well. We controlled midfield and I thought the back four, back five including the goalkeeper, were superb today. Edited May 23, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 Game date: Wednesday 12 August 2020 Pre-match v Manchester United (a) - Premier League (2) Match Preview RamsFanzine: Manchester United drew their opening game with Bournemouth 1-1, whilst you put five past Fulham. Can you get a result at Old Trafford tonight to stay above them in the league table. Stuniverse: We've trained well and we'll be trying to do exactly that but, clearly, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has a squad full of quality players so it's going to be a very tough game. Ā Team Selection RamsFanzine: No changes today. Stuniverse: No. Correct. After Sunday, would you have changed anything? RamsFanzine: No. Stuniverse: Well there you go, then. This 11 were magnificent against Fulham and they've earnt the right to go again in the Theatre of Dreams. Post-match: Manchester United (2) 4-2 (2) Derby County RamsFanzine: Could you believe it when Marriott scored again inside two minutes? Stuniverse: It was a fantastic start and Jack Marriott is really finding his feet at this level. Overall I thought we played well, but didn't have the rub of the green. We lost 4-2 but we hit the post an incredible three times. Their equaliser had more than a huge slice of luck about it when Max Aarons scored a freak own goal. We kept going right to the end, which pleased me a lot, and Kenedy scored a great goal. It was a shame the penalty Max Lowe conceded had them out of sight by then, but Max will learn from that. RamsFanzine: Wisdom picked up his second yellow card in two games. Is that a concern? Stuniverse: No, not really. I'd prefer Andre wasn't on two bookings but defenders will always pick up more cards than other players. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 Game date: 13 August 2020 PRIDE PARK VISIT FOR WIMBLEDON RamsFanzine: Derby County have been drawn at home to League Two AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Carabao Cup. AFC Wimbledon caused an upset in the first round by winning 3-0 at League One Colchester United. The tie will be played on Tuesday 25th August. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 Game date: Saturday 15 August 2020 Pre-match v Newcastle United (H) - Premier League (3) Match Preview RamsFanzine: Does the fact that you declined Newcastle's offer of a job interview in the summer increase the pressure to win today and prove you made the right decision staying here? Stuniverse: No. I don't think so. I stayed here because I'm a lifelong Rams fan and am loving managing this great club. And, any way, just because they wanted to interview me, doesn't mean they'd offer me the job.Ā Team Selection RamsFanzine: Just the one change today. Stuniverse: Yes. Kenedy comes in for Harry Wilson and will play on the left, with Tom Lawrence switching to the right. Josh Grant has recovered enough to take his place on the bench so an unfortunate George Evans misses out. Post-match: Derby County (0) 1-0 (0) Newcastle United RamsFanzine: What did you make of that? Stuniverse: I thought we deserved to win but we made hard work of it. Jack Marriott could've given us the lead in the first minute and we had another three good chances before we'd even played five minutes. A combination of below par finishing on our part, and some very good goalkeeping by Martin Dubravka kept us out. RamsFanzine: Did you think the goal was never going to come? Stuniverse: No. I have a lot of confidence in this team, and this squad, and I believe we're always going to create chances and score goals. Sure, it took a bit longer than I'd have liked today, but our patience paid off. And, when it came, Domingos Quina's goal was worth waiting for. RamsFanzine: Three yellow cards in three games for Wisdom now. Stuniverse: Yes. RamsFanzine: Your win today, combined with results elsewhere, means your Derby County side are second in the Premier League. Congratulations. Stuniverse: Thank you... but you don't achieve anything after three games. This will be a long, hard season and there's a lot more football to be played yet. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaytheGreat Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Nice start to the season @Stuniverse. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 3 hours ago, JaytheGreat said: Nice start to the season @Stuniverse. Thank you, @JaytheGreat. The Fulham game, particularly, was very impressive. With the ball, weāre looking very good. Iāve gone with shorter passing this season (worked well in pre-season) which, given the ability on the ball of the players in midfield and attack, seems to be working very well so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dap1987 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 I have been off work feeling sorry for myself all week and read the whole story, it's brilliant!Ā A great idea and I applaud you for not getting too annoyed that you sign someone yourself!Ā Ā As everyone has said, thin at CB but you can hopefully manage to get through the season!Ā Ā A great start to the season and now I've caught up, I can't wait for the next post Ā 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuniverse Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 (edited) Thanks, @dap1987. First of all I hope you feel better soon. Thanks for your kind words. It took me a long time to decide / convince myself to do a DoF save (Iāve never done one before) for the exact reasons of frustration about not being in control that you mention. Also, the AI of a DoF doesnāt seem to be as intelligent as Iād like - for example, great though they are,Ā Ā why get me Kenedy and Kagawa when Iām covered and have depth in those areas and amĀ short in others? Any way, so far so good, two home clean sheets against Fulham and Newcastle, my defence is holding up quite well early doors (if I block out for a minute the four Man Utd put past us). Delighted to have you following along and commenting. Updates will be a bit hit-and-miss over the next couple of weeks as Iām still working my way through the end of season data update / research as AR for Derby County. Edited May 24, 2019 by Stuniverse Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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