[FM19] Derby County - Director of Football Challenge

[Stuniverse]

17 minutes ago, Irobinson69 said:

Tough run of games there. Unlucky not to pick any points up, but you could probably do without the Carabao Cup with your injury list. 8th not a bad place to be, I’m sure you would have taken that after last season. Hopefully your rousing speech at the team meeting gets them back to winning ways.

Thank you, @Irobinson69.

Yes I would definitely have taken 8th after 11 matches at the start of the season.

I think you are right about the Carabao Cup but I hate losing and I'd like to win something. I did think a tie against 16th placed Blackburn was winnable. D'oh!

Next up in the EPL are Leicester away. Just our luck that after 1st, 4th and 2nd... we get the 6th placed team.

[dap1987]

Tough run of fixtures but you weren't embarrassed by Spurs or City so could have been a lot worse. 

 

The contract situation is great news, gives you a bit of time too!  As far as I know, the manager's salary impacts your reputation (the more you are on the better) and also changes your job security and how easy it could be for the team to sack you should things go badly, if you are earning more it means your compensation would be higher so they might not be able to afford to 

 

Some winnable fixtures coming up though, important to get back to winning ways and pick up some vital points  

Edited June 10, 2019 by dap1987

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 1 November 2020

Pre-match v Leicester City (a) - Premier League (12)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Leicester manager Bielsa didn't mince his words when he said he wants to crush Derby. What did you make of his comments?

Stuniverse: I think it's disrespectful and unprofessional to be honest but I'm not going to get drawn into that because it's a distraction and that's what Marcelo's looking to do. We're focussed on the match and getting a result at Leicester.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Two changes today.

Stuniverse: Yes. Max Aarons returns at right-back for Jayden Bogle and Martin Naylor replaces Max Bird.

RamsFanzine: Kagawa back on the bench. Things looking better on the injury front?

Stuniverse: Yes. We've had Shinji Kagawa (hamstring), Kevin Rodrigues (calf) and Bradley Johnson (back) back in training this week. Non of them are ready to start but we think we could get an hour or so out of Shinji if we need to. So we only have Mason Mount (hamstring), Albie Morgan (groin) and long-term absentee Domingos Quina (ACL) not training with us.

Post-match: Leicester City (0) 3-0 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: That's four straight league defeats now and in three of those you failed to score. How worried are you?

Stuniverse: It's definitely a run of form we need to change but let's not forget those four teams are all in the top six. But you're right, we need to start winning football matches again... and soon.

RamsFanzine: You're still comfortably placed in 11th, six points clear of the bottom three.

Stuniverse: That's nice. But we can't relax and rely on others to keep losing. We have to start picking up points again.

Edited June 10, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

17 minutes ago, dap1987 said:

Tough run of fixtures but you weren't embarrassed by Spurs or City so could have been a lot worse. 

The contract situation is great news, gives you a bit of time too!  As far as I know, the manager's salary impacts your reputation (the more you are on the better) and also changes your job security and how easy it could be for the team to sack you should things go badly, if you are earning more it means your compensation would be higher so they might not be able to afford to 

Some winnable fixtures coming up though, important to get back to winning ways and pick up some vital points  

Thanks, @dap1987. It certainly was a tough run of fixtures.

Regarding the contract situation I was aware of the job security aspect, but I wasn’t aware of the reputation implication.

Some winnable fixtures on paper, but we need to find a way to start winning again.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 7 November 2020

Pre-match v Everton (H) - Premier League (13)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: We're hearing rumours that a delegation of players, led by Marriott, came to see you as they're unhappy with your management of the team.  

Stuniverse: Look, we had a meeting, yes, but it was nothing like that. We've lost four on the spin and, understandably, the players are a bit down at the moment. I simply pointed out that the dressing room atmosphere would improve if they stopped moaning about it and, instead of getting distracted, concentrated on doing their jobs.

RamsFanzine: You're also getting criticism from the fans for an unwillingness to change from 4-2-3-1.

Stuniverse: Nobody complained about the system when we were doing well earlier in the season. I think it's important to be realistic here and not blow things out of proportion. Those four defeats were against 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th. If the bad run continues then, yes, the system is something we'll need to look at but we're not going to make knee-jerk reactions after a tough run of fixtures.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Everton are struggling in 15th place but are just two points behind you. Ahead of this very important match, you've made three changes.

Stuniverse: Yes. Mason Bennett comes in for Max Lowe, with Kenedy dropping back to left-back. Shinji Kagawa replaces Martin Naylor. Jayden Bogle starts ahead of Max Aarons.

RamsFanzine: Last time out you said you could get about an hour from Kagawa so are you rushing him back by starting him today?

Stuniverse: No, I don't think so. Our medical team advise me he can manage about 75 minutes so Shinji Kagawa starts but is unlikely to play the full match.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 0-1 (0) Everton

RamsFanzine: 23 minutes in and you're reduced to 10 men. Did Lawrence's horror challenge cost you the match?

Stuniverse: I can't defend Tom Lawrence on that. A two-footed challenge from behind, I have no idea what he was thinking. Actually, though, I thought we played better with 10 men than we had with 11. We also lost Harry Wilson to injury before half-time. Jordan Pickford made three great saves to twice deny Jack Marriott and then Mason Bennett. I thought we were good value for a draw, maybe more, so to concede in the last 10 minutes like we did was a real kick in the teeth.

RamsFanzne: How is Wilson?

Stuniverse: It's a hamstring but hopefully he'll be ok after the international break.

RamsFanzine: That's now five league defeats on the spin, leaving you 14th and five points clear of the drop zone. Has this international break come at a good time for you?

Stuniverse: I'll tell you after our next match at Blackburn.

Edited June 10, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Tajerio]

Tough stuff there.  Hope you don't get sucked into the old bad morale tailspin.

[Stuniverse]

1 hour ago, Tajerio said:

Tough stuff there.  Hope you don't get sucked into the old bad morale tailspin.

Thanks, @Tajerio. So do I. It’s nothing a couple of wins wouldn’t fix. Unfortunately goals have dried up and injuries to key players like Quina, Kagawa, Mount and Wilson aren’t helping.

Edited June 10, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Irobinson69]

Couple of easy games coming up I hope?

[Stuniverse]

14 hours ago, Irobinson69 said:

Couple of easy games coming up I hope?

Next up, @Irobinson69, are third bottom Blackburn Rovers.

[Irobinson69]

6 pointer then! Good luck.

[Stuniverse]

8 hours ago, Irobinson69 said:

6 pointer then! Good luck.

Thank you 😀

[Stuniverse]

Game date:  Saturday 21 November 2020

Pre-match v Blackburn Rovers (a) - Premier League (14)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Blackburn are 3rd bottom and haven't won in nine league matches, yet you haven't beaten them in the last four attempts. Can you go to Ewood Park and end your own poor run of five straight league defeats?

Stuniverse: We've had two weeks without our internationals to work towards that end and our internationals returned unscathed to join training these last few days. We're as confident as we can be.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: How big a blow is it that Lawrence's suspension for his red card against Everton has been increased to three games?

Stuniverse: It was more of a blow in the Everton match as we had to play over an hour with 10 men. Now it's more of a blow for Tom Lawrence himself because it gives somebody else an opportunity to come in and take Tom's shirt off him.

RamsFanzine: Has the two week break helped your injury situation?

Stuniverse: Yes, it has. Harry Wilson (hamstring), Albie Morgan (groin), Bradley Johnson (back) and Kevin Rodrigues (calf) are all available again. Mason Mount (hamstring) and Martyn Waghorn (hamstring) are back in training but not fit enough to play.

We've made two changes. Martin Naylor comes in due to Tom Lawrence's suspension and Max Aarons replaces Jayden Bogle.

Post-match: Blackburn Rovers (0) 0-2 (2) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Congratulations. Nobody can deny you were good value for that win. Just how relieved are you?

Stuniverse: Thank you. I'm not sure relieved is the right word. I have a lot of confidence in this squad of players and the way we set out to play, and some of the criticism about our 4-2-3-1 has made us more determined. Every one of the 14 who got on the pitch today were superb. We defended brilliantly, retained the ball and passed it magnificently, and scored two stunning long-range strikes with perfect timing - Martin Naylor after a minute, Will Hughes just before the break.

RamsFanzine: You normally only substitute your centre-backs when they're injured or on a yellow card. Why did you leave Smalling on with a yellow card and sub Wisdom?

Stuniverse:  Chris Smalling is our captain [laughs]. You're right, in normal circumstances that's what I'd probably have done. Andre Wisdom was away with Jamaica and had looked jaded on his return to training. In an ideal world I'd have rested him today but I thought we'd need him in this one as we tried to end our losing streak. Andre gave us everything but after about an hour he was done. I thought George Evans came on and did well.

RamsFanzine: Your Derby County side are 9th after 14 matches and seven points clear of the bottom three. That's not bad, is it?

Stuniverse: Not bad at all. But we have to keep working hard to maintain the good position we're in.

Edited June 13, 2019 by Stuniverse

[dap1987]

Great win, much needed as well.  Should be a huge confidence boost going into the next few games as well,  because a defeat would have left you in a pretty tough spot going forward.  

[Stuniverse]

14 minutes ago, dap1987 said:

Great win, much needed as well.  Should be a huge confidence boost going into the next few games as well,  because a defeat would have left you in a pretty tough spot going forward.  

Thanks, @dap1987. Yes, indeed. I’ve just looked - a defeat would have left us 16th, four points above the drop zone.

After drawing 1-1 with Blackburn at Ewood Park and then losing on penalties a few weeks ago in the Carabao Cup, it was very satisfying to win in their back yard, and deservedly so.

I was particularly pleased for young Academy prospect Martin Naylor (rejen) who really stepped up with Tom Lawrence suspended. His thunderbolt from outside the penalty area, after barely a minute, was monumental for us 🐏

Edited June 13, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

25/11/2020

Dear Diary,

I agree with Pau and Shinji. I wonder what Igor thinks...?

Edited June 13, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 28 November 2020

Pre-match v Southampton (H) - Premier League (15)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Patrick Vieira's Southampton visit Pride Park in 15th place, two points behind you. Last season you drew and lost to the Saints. How do you view this one?

Stuniverse: That was last season. We have different players. They have different players. We don't worry about the past. We played very well at Blackburn, we've trained very well, and we're confident of getting a result for our fans.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: No changes at all. Not even on the bench. When will Mount and Waghorn be available?

Stuniverse: Soon, hopefully. Mason Mount (hamstring) and Martyn Waghorn (hamstring) have been back in training for about a week but our medical team advise neither of them are fit enough to play. Tom Lawrence is still suspended. The 11 we sent out against Blackburn, and the three who came on, did very well last time out at Blackburn and I saw no reason to change things for the visit of Southampton.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 1-0 (0) Southampton

RamsFanzine: Southampton didn't have a shot on target all game but you had to be patient and only won it late on. How do you sum up the game?

Stuniverse: I thought we controlled the match and looked comfortable for long periods of the game. Angus Gunn, in their goal, had a very good afternoon and denied us a number of times. I was confident a goal would come, and it did with Mason Bennett's late header, but the referee and VAR made us wait a good while before the goal was confirmed.

RamsFanzine: Any truth in the rumours you and Bennett aren't speaking to each other?

Stuniverse: Seriously? Do you think Mason would be starting matches if we weren't on speaking terms? Look, Mason came to me at the start of the season and said he wanted more playing time. I told him it was a squad game and to be patient and wait for his chance. Then he, unfortunately, picked up an abdominal injury that kept him out a while. Since being fit again, I've named him as sub and he came on all but one time. Mason's started the last three games and I was delighted for him that he scored the winner today. The fans here love him, he's one of their own.

RamsFanzine: You go into December in 9th place, seven points above the drop zone. You'd have taken that at the start of the season, wouldn't you?

Stuniverse: Absolutely. We're delighted with where we are and how we're doing at this stage but we can't allow complacency to set in. We still have another 23 difficult Premier League matches to play and a lot can happen between now and the end of the season.

Edited June 13, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 29 November 2020

Derby County's December Fixtures:

Edited June 13, 2019 by Stuniverse

[psychonaut]

Doing not too badly in the Premiership. Good to see you're not having a struggle to survive.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 30 November 2020

RAMS FACE LEAGUE ONE OPPOSITION

RamsFanzine: Derby County will face either Colchester United or Doncaster Rovers in the F.A. Cup 3rd round. The two League One sides played out a 1-1 draw this weekend and face a replay to determine the winner.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 2 December 2020

DERBY COUNTY INCREASE TRANSFER BUDGET

RamsFanzine understand from club sources that due to an increase in finances Derby County owner Mel Morris and the board have increased the transfer budget available to Director of Football Igor Stimac to £12.5M. Our sources also confirm that the club are confident of meeting FFP requirements and remain committed to careful financial management to avoid any FFP sanctions in the future. 

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 2 December 2020

RAMS DELIGHTED WITH STUNIVERSE

RamsFanzine also understand from club sources that Derby County owner Mel Morris and the board are delighted with the performance of manager Stuniverse. The manager was rewarded for a fine start to the season with a new contract, but a poor run of five consecutive defeats saw some mutterings that the contract had been renewed too early and Stuniverse had taken his eye off the ball. According to our sources, the owner and the board had no such concerns and back-to-back victories over Blackburn and Southampton have lifted the mood at Pride Park.

Some Rams fans though are losing patience with striker Jack Marriott who hasn't scored in the last six matches.

[Stuniverse]

Question for you...

It's brilliant news that Igor's transfer budget has been increased to £12.5M, but we're only £7,500 (approx) under the wage budget... to give our Director of Football the best chance of doing business in the January transfer window:

Do you think I should adjust the budgets and, if so, what should the balance between transfer and wage budget be? 

All thoughts and suggestions welcomed...

Thank you.

Stuniverse

Tagged: @coady @dap1987 @Fola @Galeg @Irobinson69 @JaytheGreat @karanhsingh @psychonaut @Tajerio

Edited June 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 2 December 2020

Pre-match v Leeds United (a) - Premier League (16)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You visit Elland Road in 9th place, just one place and one point behind Leeds. This is a good opportunity to leap-frog them, isn't it? 

Stuniverse: Yes, it is. But Leeds are doing very well under Luis Castro. This won't be an easy game at all.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: No Marriott in the 18. Is that because of his poor form recently?

Stuniverse: No, not at all. Jack Marriott was taken ill in the week so he's resting at home until he's well again. It's nothing serious and he should be back for the next match. I've brought Max Lowe in to play left-back, with Kenedy playing on the wing and Mason Bennett starting up front.

RamsFanzine: Mount and Waghorn on the bench. With Lawrence still suspended, were you tempted to start either of them?

Stuniverse: Tempted, yes... particularly with Marriott unwell, but neither of them are fit enough to give us 90 minutes today.

Post-match: Leeds United (0) 0-3 (1) Derby County

RamsFanzine: An impressive away win, but how much of that was down to Leeds finishing the game with nine men? 

Stuniverse: I think we were deservedly in front before the first sending off, let alone the second one. Mason Bennett rounded off some great work by Max Aarons to give us the lead. Kenedy then headed wide when it looked easier to score and their goalkeeper produced a fine save to deny Harry Wilson what would have been a sensational overhead-kick goal. We could easily have been 3-0 up before the first red card.

RamsFanzine: How pleasing was it to see both Mount and Waghorn coming off the bench to score?

Stuniverse: Very. Both of them have been out a while with hamstring injuries so for them to come on and contribute positively was very satisfying.

RamsFanzine: This win, your third on the spin, sees you 8th, 10 points clear of the relegation zone. How pleasing was it to win in the back yard of Derby's long-time rivals?

Stuniverse: Yeah. This rivalry goes back to the seventies and Brian Clough and Don Revie. Our record against them hasn't been that good during my tenure so to beat them at Elland Road was very nice. Very nice, indeed. I'm delighted for our 3,000 travelling fans who were superb throughout.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 5 December 2020

BENNETT HAPPY TO STAY

RamsFanzine understand from club sources that 24-year old Rams Academy graduate Mason Bennett has dropped his concerns about a lack of playing time and is happy to stay at Derby County.

After recently returning from an abdominal injury, Bennett has made the match day squad for the last eight matches, making seven appearances, and starting the last four.

Earlier today, Bennett scored the opening goal in Derby's 3-0 victory over rivals Leeds United at Elland Road.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 9 December 2020

DONCASTER EARN PRIDE PARK REWARD

RamsFanzine: In the battle of two League One sides, Doncaster Rovers defeated Colchester United 1-0, after extra-time, to earn the right to visit Pride Park Stadium to play Derby County in the F.A. Cup 3rd Round on Saturday 2nd January 2021. The original game finished in a 1-1 draw at Colchester.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 9 December 2020

JOHNSON LEAVES RAMS

RamsFanzine: Derby County Director of Football Igor Stimac anounced that 33-year old midfielder Bradley Johnson has been released from his Rams contract by mutual consent. Stimac said he'd tried to find a buyer for Johnson in the last two transfer windows without success so the decision had been made to release Johnson allowing him to seek a new club as a free agent.

 

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 10 December 2020

BENNETT SEALS NEW DEAL

RamsFanzine: Rams Direcor of Football Igor Stimac also announced that 24-year old Mason Bennett has signed a new deal keeping him at Derby County until the summer of 2023. It's understood the club has a further one year option.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[karanhsingh]

2 hours ago, Stuniverse said:

Question for you...

It's brilliant news that Igor's transfer budget has been increased to £12.5M, but we're only £7,500 (approx) under the wage budget... to give our Director of Football the best chance of doing business in the January transfer window:

Do you think I should adjust the budgets and, if so, what should the balance between transfer and wage budget be? 

All thoughts and suggestions welcomed...

Stuniverse

Tagged: @coady @dap1987 @Fola @Galeg @Irobinson69 @JaytheGreat @karanhsingh @psychonaut @Tajerio

Yes I think you should, it is unlikely you will find anyone PL level on those kind of wages. Would need to have at least 50-100k of room in the wage budget. 

Are there also any unwanted players you can transfer list or release to get off the wage bill?

[Stuniverse]

19 minutes ago, karanhsingh said:

Yes I think you should, it is unlikely you will find anyone PL level on those kind of wages. Would need to have at least 50-100k of room in the wage budget. 

Are there also any unwanted players you can transfer list or release to get off the wage bill?

Thanks, @karanhsingh.

Yes, Igor has released Bradley Johnson freeing up around £27K, but then some of that was eaten up by Mason Bennett’s new contract, although not a huge amount as he’s only on £12.5K.

We also have Kevin Rodrigues (£28K) transfer listed and on the unwanted list. Lecce are supposedly interested but I’m not sure Igor wants to move Rodrigues out.

If it wasn’t for the fact that he can cover CB, George Evans (£7.5K) would be on the transfer list. George has come to see me three times already this season asking for a move and I’ve been able to keep him onside by telling him it’s a squad game and if he’s patient he’ll get a chance eventually.

In the last few days, my captain Chris Smalling informed me that Kelle Roos (£5.25K) wants a new challenge, but when I spoke to Kelle he said it meant a lot to him that I’d asked if he was ok and that there was no need to worry. That was a relief, as Kelle is my back-up GK.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 10 December 2020

MOUNT INJURY SETBACK

RamsFanzine understand Mason Mount has strained his groin in training and could be sidelined for around seven weeks.

Mount only returned from a spell out with a hamstring injury at the weekend.

[Irobinson69]

Yeah you want something near 100k in your wage budget. I’m sure there will be a CB somewhere who is on the transfer list for cheap that Igor can snap up - though he’ll probably spend it on an unneeded attacking midfielder to replace Mount.

[Stuniverse]

4 minutes ago, Irobinson69 said:

Yeah you want something near 100k in your wage budget. I’m sure there will be a CB somewhere who is on the transfer list for cheap that Igor can snap up - though he’ll probably spend it on an unneeded attacking midfielder to replace Mount.

Thanks, @Irobinson69. You just never know with Igor.

There’s a growing number of our senior players picking up a pre-concern negative that the squad is starting to lack depth in defence.

I just hope Igor has also picked that up and can do something about it in the January transfer window...

[Galeg]

Yeah I would definitely move some of that transfer money to wages.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 12 December 2020

Pre-match v AFC Bournemouth (H) - Premier League (17)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Bournemouth come to Pride Park in 17th place, eight points behind you, and without a win in their last seven matches. This is a good opportunity for you to keep your winning streak going, isn't it?

Stuniverse: You can look at it that way, I suppose, but immediately before the start of that run, Bournemouth beat Chelsea 1-0 so that proves they're a good team. Eddie Howe has some very good players available to him so we'll need to be at our best.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: One change. Marriott back in?

Stuniverse: Yes, Jack's recovered from his cold and will lead the line. Max Lowe is unfortunate to miss out, with Kenedy dropping to left-back and Mason Bennett playing on the wing.

RamsFanzine: Lawrence is on the bench after his suspension. How close to starting was he?

Stuniverse: Look, Tom Lawrence is a very good player for us but, also, his red card challenge against Everton was reckless although, to be fair to Tom, the two we saw at Leeds last time out were worse.

We won the three matches Tom missed, played very well in fact and deservedly won them. I thought it would send out the wrong message if he came straight back in and would be unfair on players like Shinji Kagawa, Will Hughes and Martin Naylor, who all stepped up during Tom's suspension. Tom will start matches for us again but he'll need to be patient and wait for his chance.  

Post-match: Derby County (2) 4-0 (0) AFC Bournemouth

RamsFanzine: Four wins on the bounce. You made that look easy. How was it for you?

Stuniverse: I was delighted with our performance today and so proud of the players. Bournemouth are a good team with some quality attacking players, and we restricted them to just one shot on target. That's impressive. The whole team were magnificent but, and I don't normally single out individuals, but I thought Harry Wilson was phenomenal and thoroughly deserved to get us off the mark.

Jack Marriott has taken some unfair criticism, in my opinion, but in his first game back after illness he grabbed a brace and showed everybody what a natural goal scorer he is. I was pleased for Tom Lawrence, too, getting a goal on his return from suspension, although I wish he'd come on under different circumstances.

RamsFanzine: How is Bennett?

Stuniverse: Sadly, it looks like Mason Bennett has broken a toe. That could keep him out for a couple of months.

RamsFanzine: Did you ever imagine you'd be approaching the festive season in a potential Europa Cup qualification spot?

Stuniverse: No [laughs]. I didn't. To be honest, we're thoroughly enjoying it this season but we're still working hard. Very hard.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

1 minute ago, Galeg said:

Yeah I would definitely move some of that transfer money to wages.

Thanks, @Galeg. I think I'll be doing that ahead of the transfer window opening.

[coady]

I think so. In my experience the DoF tends to be far better in the loan market anyway. Where I've left all transfer budget and no wages, most DOF's seem to offer miserly contracts and lose out on every player they go for over wages... which gets extremely frustrating to watch!

[Stuniverse]

Just now, coady said:

I think so. In my experience the DoF tends to be far better in the loan market anyway. Where I've left all transfer budget and no wages, most DOF's seem to offer miserly contracts and lose out on every player they go for over wages... which gets extremely frustrating to watch!

Thanks, @coady. Budgets will definitely get adjusted before the transfer window opens.

[Tajerio]

2 minutes ago, Stuniverse said:

Thanks, @coady. Budgets will definitely get adjusted before the transfer window opens.

Have the board given you an opportunity to adjust expectations?  If you're feeling super confident and ambitious, you could get some extra budget that way--very risky for a team with only two proper CBs though.

[Stuniverse]

3 minutes ago, Tajerio said:

Have the board given you an opportunity to adjust expectations?  If you're feeling super confident and ambitious, you could get some extra budget that way--very risky for a team with only two proper CBs though.

They did earlier in the season, @Tajerio, ahead of renewing my contract. I was very cautious and kept expectations at ‘avoid relegation’. I did look at the next expectation up but, to be honest, the increase in budgets was minimal and not worth the additional risk to my job security. As you say, a long-term CB injury and it could be a very long rest of the season.

[JaytheGreat]

@Stuniverse As everyone including you already said I'd add more to your wages. I'd leave your transfer budget around 10 mil, it's enough to still get in a quality starting CB and enough wages to sign him. Also that's a nice run of form you've found yourself on. 

[Stuniverse]

6 minutes ago, JaytheGreat said:

@Stuniverse As everyone including you already said I'd add more to your wages. I'd leave your transfer budget around 10 mil, it's enough to still get in a quality starting CB and enough wages to sign him. Also that's a nice run of form you've found yourself on. 

Thanks, @JaytheGreat, that’s definitely looking like the plan something around a £10M transfer budget and wage budget remaining as close to £100K as possible. Whether Igor will spend that on a CB or not remains to be seen...

Yes, I’m very pleased with our streak of four straight wins following on the heels of five straight defeats.

Edited June 14, 2019 by Stuniverse

[dap1987]

I'm in agreement with others, I'd adjustto give yourself about 100k, with Johnson gone you are now up to around 35-40k, so I'd adjust to get it around the 100k mark

 

Great fourth win on the bounce too!

Edited June 15, 2019 by dap1987
fourth not third!

[Stuniverse]

Just now, dap1987 said:

I'm in agreement with others, I'd adjustto give yourself about 100k, with Johnson gone you are now up to around 35-40k, so I'd adjust to get it around the 100k mark

 

Great third win on the bounce too!

Thanks, @dap1987. I’m starting to get a good feeling about the transfer window. Over to you, Igor...

[dap1987]

Just now, Stuniverse said:

Thanks, @dap1987. I’m starting to get a good feeling about the transfer window. Over to you, Igor...

Relegation looks very unlikely, so he should be getting in a quality CB to keep u going strong, bring in more money and maybe even a nice FA Cup run too!  Positive vibes coming from Derby anyway ... maybe you should apply in real life if Frank leaves for Chelsea

[Stuniverse]

Budgets adjusted

Thanks @coady @dap1987 @Galeg @Irobinson69 @JaytheGreat @karanhsingh and @Tajerio for your input.

I've adjusted the budgets in readiness for the January transfer window.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 13 December 2020

STUNIVERSE - A WANTED MAN

It's that time of the season when club owners sack their managers and appoint new ones ahead of the January transfer window. RamsFanzine understand that Derby County manager Stuniverse is high on the shortlists for the Premier League vacancies at Everton and West Ham and there's even overseas interest in him with La Liga club Atletico Bilbao interested.

In the summer, Stuniverse confirmed he declined job interviews at Leicester City and Newcastle United last season and it's difficult to understand why life-long Rams fan Stuniverse would have changed his mind and want to leave his dream job. Despite rumblings of disagreement between Stuniverse and Director of Football Igor Stimac, Derby County are currently 7th in the Premier League and have won their last four matches.

Sky Sports asked Stuniverse about the Everton job but were given short change by the Rams manager.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 15 December 2020

ROOS TO SIT OUT FESTIVE FIXTURES

RamsFanzine: 28-year old Rams back-up goalkeeper Kelle Roos has pulled ankle ligaments in training and looks set to miss the festive fixtures with a spell on the sidelines. This will be a blow to Rams manager Stuniverse, who didn't agree with the sale of goalkeepers Jonathan Mitchell this summer and Scott Carson the previous summer.

With highly rated Academy 17-year old goalkeeper Ben Hibbert out on loan at Harrogate, the goalkeepers most likely to make the bench for the trip to Fulham are 19-year old Sam French and 16-year old Lawrence Oladipo. 

Of course, Stuniverse could take the risk of not naming a goalkeeper on the bench but this would be a first as the Rams manager has always named a substitute goalkeeper in each of his 113 games in charge of Derby County so far.

 

Edited June 15, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 20 December 2020

Pre-match v Fulham (a) - Premier League (18)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You visit bottom of the table Fulham. Having beaten them 5-0 at Pride Park on the opening day of the season, you must be very confident?

Stuniverse: Look. We know what it's like down there from last season. We were never bottom, but we were in the dog-fight all season. When you're down there you know you can't outplay teams so you do what you can to pick up points. You scrap, you fight, you make yourselves difficult to play against, you do whatever you can. We did. And Paul Lambert's Fulham will be no different. They know their home games are their best chance to pick up points, as Pride Park was for us, so we're expecting a very tough match at Craven Cottage. We know what to expect though. We have a game plan and we're confident.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: How are the injuries?

Stuniverse: Domingos Quina (ACL) is long-term. Mason Mount (groin) and Mason Bennett (broken toe) will be a while yet. Kelle Roos damaged ankle ligaments in training this week.

RamsFanzine: Just the one change, but a name many fans won't recognise on the bench.

Stuniverse: Yes. With Kelle out for a few weeks, our U23 goalkeeper Sam French makes the bench. A broken toe for Mason Bennett means Tom Lawrence starts.

Post-match: Fulham (0) 2-0 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Well I didn't see that coming. What went wrong?

Stuniverse: They scored more goals than us. To be fair, we didn't play that bad and I felt we were on top up until the moment they scored. Alessandro Micai had a very good game in their goal. Once they scored - a very good counter-attack goal from Ryan Sessegnon - we had to chase the game and they picked us off with a second.

RamsFanzine: Naylor limped off, how is he?

Stuniverse: Martin's got a gashed leg. He shouldn't be out for long but, at this time of year, that could be a few games.

RamsFanzine: With the exception of Arsenal, you've now played everybody this season, Fulham twice, and you've reached the halfway point in 8th place, 11 points clear of the relegation zone. Mid-season report 'so far so good', wouldn't you say?

Stuniverse: I would. Yes. But it's the end-of-season report that counts, not the mid-season one.

Edited June 15, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 26 December 2020

Pre-match v Arsenal (a) - Premier League (19)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You've yet to get so much as a draw against Arsenal in three attempts. Can you get a result at the Emirates Stadium today?

Stuniverse: I don't know. Unai Emery has a quality squad of players at his disposal, but we'll be trying our best.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You visit Arsenal today, have tomorrow off, and then go to Wolves on Monday. How does that affect your team selection today?

Stuniverse: Fortunately we're all in the same situation when it comes to the festive fixtures, but two games in three days doesn't allow much time for recovery and we have a smaller first team squad than most.

RamsFanzine: You've made three changes today. Is that specifically for Arsenal today or with an eye on the Wolves game in two days time?

Stuniverse: It's a bit of both. I don't have the luxury of a large squad and with Mason Mount (groin), Mason Bennett (toe), Martin Naylor (leg) and Domingos Quina (ACL) ruled out we need to be sensible. Max Bird comes in for Martin Naylor, Max Lowe replaces Kenedy, and Jayden Bogle starts ahead of Max Aarons.

Post-match: Arsenal (1) 2-0 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Four times now you've faced Unai Emery's Arsenal and four times you've lost. How do you sum this one up?

Stuniverse: Thanks for reminding me. I thought we were competitive and gave them a game for an hour or so. Bernd Leno had to make a couple of fine saves to keep us out. Max Lowe was just unlucky for their first goal, a deflected shot hits him on the side of the face and goes in. Not much Max could do about that. And then a worldie of a goal from Willian Jose wraps up the points for them.

RamsFanzine: No harm done though. You're still 8th and 11 points clear of the drop zone.

Stuniverse: That's something, but we won't have time to dwell on this one as we go to Wolves in two days time, with whoever is fit enough to play.

Edited June 15, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Monday 28 December 2020

Pre-match v Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) - Premier League (20)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: This is your third away game in a row. With Wolves 11th, on a run of one win in seven, how do you fancy your chances?

Stuniverse: To be honest, we both played just two day ago so I think everything else goes out the window. Today's game will be won by whichever team is fitter and has the legs to keep going for 90 minutes.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Is that why you've made four changes? To freshen it up?

Stuniverse: As best as I can yes. Max Aarons for Jayden Bogle, Louie Sibley for Max Bird, Martyn Waghorn for Harry Wilson and Kenedy for Tom Lawrence.

Post-match: Wolverhampton Wanderers (0) 0-3 (3) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Before kick-off you thought the fitter team would win this one. In the end, was it won by the more disciplined team?

Stuniverse: Possibly. Although I thought our fitness levels held up quite well considering. The early red card gave us a man advantage for around 75 minutes and that really helped, but we still had to play well to score three goals - two for Kenedy and one for Jack Marriott. It was good to be able to bring three youngsters on after the break to allow us to give Will Hughes (Max Bird), Chris Smalling (George Evans) and Shinji Kagawa (Albie Morgan) a bit of a rest.

RamsFanzine: You're 8th and have opened up a seven point gap to 10th place. Not a bad way to end the year.

Stuniverse: Absolutely. We've had an amazing first-half of the season and, hopefully, all our fans can really enjoy their New Year celebrations.