[FM19] Derby County - Director of Football Challenge

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Wednesday 15 December 2021

Pre-match v Arsenal (a) - Carabao Cup Quarter-Final

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: The last time you played Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium, Jurgen Klopp's men put six past you. The phrase you have no hope and Bob hope springs to mind. How do you stop them scoring?

Stuniverse: With great difficulty, as we've found every time we play Arsenal. Look, we have to be realistic, we have to play out of our skins and they have to have an off-day, but this is football, you just never know...

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You've made only one change tonight?

Stuniverse: Yes. The players performed very well against Norwich last time out and deserve to go again. Matteo Darmian comes in at left-back though as Max Lowe was looking a bit tired in training.

Post-match: Arsenal (2) 3-0 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Commiserations on being knocked out of the Carabao Cup tonight. What are your immediate thoughts?

Stuniverse: Obviously I'm not pleased that we lost, but I'm pleased that we competed with Arsenal for the most part tonight, and gave them a game. It didn't look like men against boys this time. Arsenal know they've been in a game. They were just ruthless and clinical up front and we weren't

RamsFanzine: Espinoza went off injured, how is he?

Stuniverse: Cristian Espinoza has pulled a calf muscle. He's going to be out for a while.

Edited July 19, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 18 December 2021

NAYLOR SIGNS NEW DEAL

RamsFanzine: Derby County's 19 year-old midfielder Martin Naylor has signed a new contract with the Rams that will keep him at Pride Park until the summer of 2025.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 18 December 2021

Pre-match v Leicester City (a) - Premier League (18)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: With your game-in-hand against Burnley on Tuesday, you go to Leicester today just one place, and two points behind Marcelo Bielsa's Foxes. A win would see you in very good shape, wouldn't it?

Stuniverse: Yes, it would. And, with a break from the Euro Cup until February, we're looking forward to a run of eight Premier League games with only the F.A. Cup as distraction.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: You've made a lot of changes today. Why's that?

Stuniverse: Fitness, I'm afraid. Danny Ings (hamstring) and Cristian Espinoza (calf) are still out with injury. Quite a few of the players looked dead on their feet in training, to be honest, after the midweek game so we're not risking Max Aarons, Chris Smalling, Will Hughes, Mason Mount or Harry Wilson from the start. Playing instead are Jayden Bogle, Max Lowe, Martin Naylor, Louie Sibley, Mason Bennett and Tom Lawrence. 

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

RamsFanzine: We don't see many nil-nil draws from your team but, as goalless draws go, that was quite an exciting one, wasn't it?

Stuniverse: Yes. I think it was. Both goalkeepers did well, they weren't overly busy but did what they had to do when called upon. That's the most pleasing thing for me. The clean sheet. As team selection today was more about us finding 11 players who could jog, never mind run, to not concede a goal was very satisfying.

We created some chances though. More than Leicester, I think, so I'd say we shaded it even though they rattled the bar late on. That said, we had two great chances ourselves late on. Martin Naylor headed straight at the goal keeper and Jack Marriott should've done better when clean through.  

RamsFanzine: Yeah, he ballooned it over the bar. How worried are you that Marriott hasn't scored for 10 matches now?

Stuniverse: Obviously you want your strikers to be scoring goals but Jack leads the team, and works hard for the team in other ways. Ideally we'd have Danny Ings (hamstring) available to us so we could rotate a bit up there. What Jack really needs, because it's been a long, hard season already and we're only just halfway through, is a few games coming off the bench, up against tired legs, as an impact sub but we can't do that at the moment.

RamsFanzine: You've dropped to 12th but, if you win your game-in-hand on Tuesday against Burnley at Turf Moor, you'll climb to 9th and be five points off 7th place and possible European qualification. That would be nice, just before Christmas, wouldn't it?

Stuniverse: It would. We've given the players a day off tomorrow and then on Monday we'll see what shape everybody's in and prepare for the Burnley game.

Edited July 20, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 21 December 2021

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

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You've had to wait a long time for this game-in-hand due to your Euro Cup campaign. Can you get the win at Turf Moor that will see you 9th for Christmas? 

Stuniverse: I'd like to think so, and that's what we've been working towards since the Leicester draw, but we're finding it tough right now and there is some tiredness in the legs after a very difficult first-half of the season which, I'll admit, is far from ideal as we enter the hectic festive fixtures. Our form isn't good at the moment, across all competitions, and we need to find a way to start winning again.

RamsFanzine: With that in mind, what are your plans for the January transfer window?

Stuniverse: It would be nice if we could add two or three players to the squad to help us out a bit over the second half of the season, but Igor Stimac [DoF] doesn't have a lot in the budgets to work with. It's one of those where we'll have to see how the window develops.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Any news on injuries?

Stuniverse: Danny Ings (hamstring) and Cristian Espinoza (calf) are still out, but the players we rested due to tiredness against Leicester are all ready to start again. Our captain Chris Smalling comes in for Matteo Darmian. In midfield, Will Hughes and Mason Mount return for Martin Naylor and Louie Sibley. Finally, Harry Wilson starts instead of Mason Bennett.

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

RamsFanzine: Congratulations. Your Rams have reached the halfway stage of the season in 9th place. You have to be happy with that, aren't you?

Stuniverse: Yes. Given how hard this Euro Cup campaign has been on all the players, and knowing our squad is one of the smallest in the league, a top-half finish would represent a positive season for us. But, as you say, this is just the halfway point, we're only 19 games in. There's a lot of football still to be played, and a lot of hard work to be done, if we're going to be in the top half after 38 games.

RamsFanzine: What are your thoughts on the game?

Stuniverse: I thought we were brilliant. Totally in control of the game. If you'd asked a neutral who was the home team I think they would've said Derby County. Our 2,254 travelling fans were magnificent and, hopefully, they can enjoy their Christmas now.

We had to wait and be patient but Tom Lawrence's goal, when it eventually came, was no more than we deserved. I still think we should've been 2-0 up by then. For me, Domingos Quina scored a perfectly good goal in the first-half and to have it ruled out by VAR, for something Chris Smalling may, or may not have done, in a crowd of players nowhere near Quina was a tough one.

And my goalkeeper and back four were superb. You won't find me complaining about a clean sheet. And that's two in two now.

RamsFanzine: Mount limped off late on. How is he?

Stuniverse: Not good. Mason Mount has twisted his ankle and we think he'll be out for a while.

Edited July 21, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 26 December 2021

Pre-match v Newcastle United (a) - Premier League (20)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: A tough game at St James' Park today. Newcastle know if they win, they go above you. Can you avoid defeat?

Stuniverse: That's what we'll be trying to do. We've kept two clean sheets in our last two games, both away at Leicester and Burnley, and if we can keep another clean sheet today we'll be very happy. Alexander Nubel has finished his intensive language course, and now speaks fluent English, I don't know if that's helped at all, I guess it must've done, but defensively we've looked very solid as a unit in our last two away games.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: With two games in three days, how much did that figure in your team selection for today?

Stuniverse: To be honest, it didn't. With Danny Ings (hamstring), Cristian Espinoza (calf) and Mason Mount (ankle) all out, our squad is quite stretched. We'll play the Newcastle game and then see which 11 players are looking sharpest for the home game on Tuesday. Fortunately, Burnley also play today so will have the same challenges as us ahead of the next match.

RamsFanzine: So just the one change?

Stuniverse: Yes. The team played very well at Burnley and have earnt the right to go again. Martin Naylor comes in for the injured Mason Mount.

Post-match: Newcastle United (2) 3-4 (2) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Wow! That was a real Boxing Day Christmas cracker of a football match, wasn't it?

Stuniverse: It was something special, wasn't it? St James' Park is always a difficult place to come to so to score four goals is particularly pleasing. I know we let three in but I thought our goalkeeper Alexander Nubel was outstanding, Alexander really kept us in it at times.

RamsFanzine: Not often both centre-backs get on the scoresheet either, is it?

Stuniverse: No [laughs]. No, it's not. A fine header from Rafael Toloi and a close range side-foot from Chris Smalling. But what about the two goals either side of that? A trademark free-kick from Harry Wilson that curled around the wall and into the top corner and a 30-yard screamer from Domingos Quina.

RamsFanzine: Your Derby County side are up to 8th now after taking seven points from nine from a tough run of three consecutive away matches at Leicester, Burnley and Newcastle. How do you look back on that run?

Stuniverse: With immense pride. I've said it before, but this squad of players are a pleasure to work with.

Edited July 21, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 28 December 2021

Pre-match v Burnley (H) - Premier League (21)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Mark Hughes' Burnley have drawn two and lost four of their last six in the league. You won at their place jut a week ago. You must be strong favourites for this one, aren't you?

Stuniverse: We probably are with the bookies yes, but those of us in football know things don't always go the way the odds suggest. Burnley, like us, played two days ago and we've both had next to no time to recover. This game will probably come down to who has the fittest 11, and possibly 14, players more than anything else.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Is that why you've made six changes?

Stuniverse: Yes. Two matches in three days was asking too much for some of our players so we've decided to rest Jayden Bogle, Chris Smalling, Max Lowe, Will Hughes, Harry Wilson and Tom Lawrence. Starting instead are Max Aarons, Fikayo Tomori, Matteo Darmian, Louie Sibley, Mason Bennett and Martyn Waghorn.

Post-match: Derby County (1) 3-1 (1) Burnley

RamsFanzine: It's not often you do a league double over an opponent in the space of eight days, is it?

Stuniverse: No. It's not. Mark Hughes must be sick of the sight of us.

Again, I thought we were good value for the win, so it was disappointing when they equalised on 77 minutes, but we responded magnificicently with Jack Marriott grabbing the second of his brace just two minutes later, and Mason Bennett wrapping it up with a superb volley after a great cross by Harry Wilson.

RamsFanzine: Marriott was named Man of the Match after his two goals strengthened your position in 8th place. After going so long without scoring, how much of a relief was it to see your striker finally score?

Stuniverse: It'll be a massive confidence boost and I was delighted for Jack Marriott. Jack's worked so hard during his goal drought and it was brilliant to see him celebrating each of his two goals today. 

Edited July 21, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 28 December 2021

RAMS STRETCH UNBEATEN RUN TO 5

RamsFanzine: Derby County have come through a very hectic and difficult run of fixtures in December, finishing strongly with an unbeaten run of five Premier League matches, climbing to 8th in the league table.

The Rams can now look forward to a less hectic schedule in January.

Edited July 21, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 31 December 2021

DERBY WIN RACE TO SIGN WALSH

RamsFanzine: Derby County DoF Igor Stimac was delighted to confirm that the Rams have won the race to sign Cardiff Met Uni's 19 year-old striker Matthew Walsh.

Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace and Norwich City are three of the clubs Derby County are believed to have beaten to the signature of Walsh

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 1 January 2022

OUTS BEFORE INS FOR THE RAMS

RamsFanzine understand from sources at Derby County that if DoF Igor Stimac wants to do any business this transfer window, he will need to offload players before bringing any new faces in.

Stimac does have a transfer budget of £1,661,642 to work with and has £57,352 per week to play with in the wage budget.

Manager Stuniverse will be hoping that the ongoing goalkeeper saga will be resolved this transfer window. 

Edited July 21, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 1 January 2022

RAMS COULD LOSE QUINA

RamsFanzine understand that German Bundesliga side Schalke 04 are preparing a bid for Derby's 22 year-old midfielder Domingos Quina.

Serie A sides Inter Milan and AS Roma, plus Norwich City, are believed to be interested in 26 year-old goalkeeper Pau Lopez.

Chelsea are thought to be interested in 21 year-old right-back Max Aarons.

Sky Bet Championship side Shrewsbury Town are tracking 31 year-old Martyn Waghorn.

[Tajerio]

If Schalke are really willing to offer £55m for Quina, I hope Igor takes the money and runs.

Losing Aarons, on the other hand, might really hurt, given that he's still got a decent chunk of potential to grow into and looks a proper player.  Though I guess you also have Bogle.

Edited July 21, 2019 by Tajerio

[Stuniverse]

1 hour ago, Tajerio said:

If Schalke are really willing to offer £55m for Quina, I hope Igor takes the money and runs.

Losing Aarons, on the other hand, might really hurt, given that he's still got a decent chunk of potential to grow into and looks a proper player.  Though I guess you also have Bogle.

You're thinking a lot like me, @Tajerio. The big question, of course, is will Schalke 04 actually make a bid and will it be £55M? In case they do, Quina's asking price has been reduced to £55M (from the £75M in his release clause), his squad status is rotation, but he's not on the transfer list. And even if a £55M bid comes in, Igor may not accept it.

As far as right-back is concerned, as long as Bogle (21 years old) is happy to be a hot prospect and play back-up to Aarons, I'd like to keep them both, particularly as Aarons can also play left-back.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 1 January 2022

LOWE EXTENDS RAMS STAY

RamsFanzine: Derby County's 24 year-old left-back Max Lowe has signed a new contract that will keep him at Pride Park until the summer of 2024.

Lowe, a product of the Rams Academy, has been at the club since the age of 11.

[kidthekid]

Loving the upturn of form. You had some rough results in the league but it's looking good right now. Great work managing the squad.

[Stuniverse]

3 hours ago, kidthekid said:

Loving the upturn of form. You had some rough results in the league but it's looking good right now. Great work managing the squad.

Thank you, @kidthekid. The Euro Cup campaign has made it somewhat challenging this season.

[dap1987]

What a great run, looking at your fixture list at the beginning of December I did worry for you but this is impressive.

 

Hopefully the January window will be relatively quiet, you have a good team and don't need too much movement.  Sorting the GK situation would definitely help though

[Stuniverse]

30 minutes ago, dap1987 said:

What a great run, looking at your fixture list at the beginning of December I did worry for you but this is impressive.

Hopefully the January window will be relatively quiet, you have a good team and don't need too much movement.  Sorting the GK situation would definitely help though

Thank you, @dap1987. I was worried too when I saw our schedule for December, even more so when we started to lose games and go on our bad run. But the turnaround over the last five games has been very impressive. It helps, being able to focus on the EPL with no Euro Cup games.

The Transfer window looks like being quiet as Igor has little to play with without selling players first and I’d prefer to keep hold of the squad players, with the exception of two or three fringe players who aren’t really at this level. A big bid for, say, Quina could make things interesting though.

I do want the GK situation sorting but that needs an acceptable bid for Lopez or Nubel and there’s no guarantee of that. 

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 1 January 2022

Pre-match v Salford City (H) F.A. Cup 3rd Round

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You start your F.A. Cup campaign with a home match against non-league Salford City. How worried are you that this is a potential banana skin?

Stuniverse: The F.A. Cup is a fantastic competition, I've loved it since I was a kid growing up. Every year this cup throws up giant killings. We have to make sure there isn't one at Pride Park today.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Three changes today, but your line-up is considerably changed still from the side that won at Newcastle on Boxing Day. Are you still resting your main players?

Stuniverse: The festive season throws up a lot of games in a short period and we have to use our squad responsibly. I've taken the opportunity to go pretty much with the players who beat Burnley last time out. The three changes are Luigi Sepe in goal for Alexander Nubel, with Jonathan Mitchell on the bench. Jayden Bogle for Max Aarons, and Albie Morgan for Domingos Quina who is feeling unwell.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 2-0 (0) Salford City

RamsFanzine: Well done on making it through to the next round. You needed your big guns to get it done though, didn't you?

Stuniverse: I think that's a bit unfair as we were well on top and in control before I brought Harry Wilson and Tom Lawrence on but, yes, Harry scored a brilliant solo goal within minutes of coming on and then sealed his brace with a trademark free-kick. I thought Salford, and their manager David Artell, were a credit to the Vanarama National League.

RamsFanzine: Neither Nubel or Lopez featured today. Are you expecting movement in the goalkeeping department this transfer window?

Stuniverse: Well Jonathan Mitchell has already rejoined us from Southampton and if one comes in, we probably need to move one out. Igor [Stimac] is working on a few things but we can only move players out if another club is willing to pay what we think they're worth. We'll have to wait and see what, if anything, develops during the window.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 2 January 2022

STIMAC CASTS EYES TO THE FUTURE

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 3 January 2020

RAMS CHAMPIONSHIP AWAY DAY

RamsFanzine: Derby County face an away trip to either Fleetwood Town or Bristol City, both from the Championship, in the 4th Round of the F.A. Cup.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 8 January 2022

Pre-match v Tottenham Hotspur (a) - Premier League (22)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You visit 5th placed Tottenham today having conceded heavily this season whenever you've played away at one of the big six. Why have you been unable to keep the goals out, and can you change that today?

Stuniverse: To be honest with you, we don't know. We didn't ship five, six and seven - ouch! - last season so we're wondering if it's tiredness brought on by the Euro Cup campaign. Most of the players picked today were rested for Burnley and Salford so we expect them to be fresh and sharp. 

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Is that why you've made eight changes?

Stuniverse: Yes. Indeed. Jack Marriott, Martin Naylor and Rafael Toloi stay in. Returning are Alexander Nubel, Max Aarons, Chris Smalling, Max Lowe, Will Hughes, Harry Wlson, Domingos Quina and Tom Lawrence. Still out injured are Danny Ings (hamstring), Cristian Espinoza (calf) and Mason Mount (ankle).

Post-match: Tottenham Hotspur (3) 4-1 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: You looked a lot better after the break. It was a shame the game was effectively over by half-time though, wasn't it?

Stuniverse: I can't disagree with you there. We were very poor in the first-half so I think we can rule out tiredness as the problem. When the opposition have the likes of Kane and Son, there's a difference in class when it comes to finishing. We deserved to be 3-0 down at the break, maybe more.

At the break we changed both the full-backs, went more defensive, and looked to hit them on the break. It worked pretty well, with Chris Smalling grabbing a consolation goal, so we ended up drawing the second-half, having been within seconds of winning the second-half. So maybe that's what we have to do in future... much as I hate doing it, maybe we have to 'park the bus' more.

RamsFanzine: You lost Naylor to injury this time. How is he?

Stuniverse: It's a gashed leg so Martin should be fine once the wound heals.

RamsFanzine: Results elsewhere mean you're still 8th.

Stuniverse: OK. Thanks for telling me.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 9 January 2021

NUBEL PUTS ISSUES WITH STUNIVERSE BEHIND HIM

RamsFanzine understand from sources at the club that Derby County's 25 year-old German goalkeeper Alexander Nubel is happy with his playing time and no longer looking for a move away from the club. Nubel has found himself number one over the last few months and has now made 14 appearances for the Rams this season.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 12 January 2022

RAMS ASHTON GATE VISIT CONFIRMED

RamsFanzine: Derby County will play Bristol City at Ashton Gate in the 4th Round of the F.A. Cup on Saturday 22 January, after Bristol City defeated Fleetwood Town 1-0 in the replay, following a 2-2 draw at Fleetwood.

Bristol City are 12th in the Championship.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 12 January 2022

LOPEZ TRANSFER LISTED

RamsFanzine understand that after a meeting between 27 year-old Spanish goalkeeper Pau Lopez and manager Stuniverse, Lopez as been placed on the transfer list.

Inter Milan, AS Roma, Genoa and Norwich City are all thought to be interested in signing Lopez.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Stuniverse

[dap1987]

Well then, now you are just in a situation with how much money will you get for him?  Will Igor accept £13-15m or will another team come in with £20m for him and Igor will let him walk. 

[Stuniverse]

2 minutes ago, dap1987 said:

Well then, now you are just in a situation with how much money will you get for him?  Will Igor accept £13-15m or will another team come in with £20m for him and Igor will let him walk. 

Assuming we get any bids, @dap1987.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Sunday 16 January 2022

Pre-match v West Ham United (H) - Premier League (23)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You face a West Ham side today, at home, who are 11th, five points behind you. Having won at their place earlier in the season, this gives you a great chance to consolidate your top half position, doesn't it?

Stuniverse: Yes It does. But winning 1-0 at their place doesn't guarantee anything. We have to work harder than them and apply what we've worked on in training before we can even think about winning. I can assure our fans we're determined to win this one. 

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: How are the injuries?

Stuniverse: Our medical team have been busy on that front but things are getting better. Danny Ings (hamstring) isn't match fit but he's on the bench. Mason Mount (ankle) is on the bench but we can probably only get a half out of him. Jack Marriott (foot) and Max Lowe (calf) both gave us a scare but they've passed fitness tests. Cristian Espinoza (calf) and Martin Naylor (leg) still aren't ready.

RamsFanzine: Three changes after all that?

Stuniverse: Yes. Louie Sibley for Martin Naylor. Jayden Bogle for Max Aarons. Matteo Darmian for Max Lowe.

Post-match: Derby County (0) 3-4 (1) West Ham United

RamsFanzine: That was a bit of crazy last 10 minutes or so, wasn't it?

Stuniverse: It sure was and one, in hindsight, where I second guess myself as manager. It was 1-1 and I wanted to get Danny Ings on. Jack Marriott had already scored and, instead of a straight swap Danny for Jack, I thought why not have them both on and go 4-4-2? I did on 77 minutes and five minutes later West Ham took the lead. We stuck with it and Mason Mount equalised on 84 and Danny gave us the lead on 87.

At this point I probably should've gone back to 4-2-3-1 but I didn't. Danny missed a great chance for 4-2 and then they equalised on 92 minutes, before grabbing a late winner on 93.

It's a tough one to deal with.

RamsFanzine: You've dropped to 9th and that mid-table battle is looking quite tight now.

Stuniverse: Yeah. Yes, it is.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 17 January 2022

RAMS SIGN BURGSTALLER

RamsFanzine: Derby County DoF Igor Stimac has announced that 32-year old Schalke 04 striker Guido Burgstaller has signed a pre-contract deal and will join the Rams at the end of the season on a contract that runs until the summer of 2024.

[samboing]

Hey @Stuniverse, frustrating times at the back this season! Do you think once the foreign new signings settle s bit more things will improve or do you need a higher quality back there? I can’t believe how easily the goals are leaking in compared to last season especially against the top six sides!

I want to see you win trophies but won’t wish you any luck against the mighty Bristol City haha.

Is Lopez interested in a move to Norwich? Seems odd he’d want to join them? I had it on a save with Bristol City where Frank Fielding (think you may know this guy) straight away came to me and said I want to leave for Brentford, said I need to find a replacement which didn’t go down well, no bids came in, signed a great keeper from Scotland for next to nothing then Fielding had 3 seasons without a competitive game, in which time we won promotion and Brentford had gone down. Don’t mess with me Frankie boy ha

[samboing]

Decent signing there but ageing and what a 1 in 4 record in history not really what you need but Igor knows best

[Stuniverse]

6 minutes ago, samboing said:

Hey @Stuniverse, frustrating times at the back this season! Do you think once the foreign new signings settle s bit more things will improve or do you need a higher quality back there? I can’t believe how easily the goals are leaking in compared to last season especially against the top six sides!

I want to see you win trophies but won’t wish you any luck against the mighty Bristol City haha.

Is Lopez interested in a move to Norwich? Seems odd he’d want to join them? I had it on a save with Bristol City where Frank Fielding (think you may know this guy) straight away came to me and said I want to leave for Brentford, said I need to find a replacement which didn’t go down well, no bids came in, signed a great keeper from Scotland for next to nothing then Fielding had 3 seasons without a competitive game, in which time we won promotion and Brentford had gone down. Don’t mess with me Frankie boy ha

Hi, @samboing, so you’re a Bristol City fan, huh?

You share my concerns about the goals going in against the big six sides. We’re playing the same way as last season, but I haven't been changing the way we set-up. I wondered if it was tired legs from our Euro Cup campaign but the first-half against Spurs seemed to disprove that. I went more defensive second-half and that looked much better so maybe it’s tactics, and I need to park the bus as we’re not good enough to go toe-to-toe with them.

I shouldn’t read too much into the West Ham result. I went 4-4-2 late on and kind of entered into a game of Russian roulette which they won.

Winning trophies would be nice.

Lopez wants to go to Roma or Inter. 17 days into the transfer window and we’ve had no bids whatsoever so he may not be going anywhere.

Oh yes I remember Frank Fielding - I’ve said elsewhere in this thread, the best goalkeeper I’ve seen at legally wasting time late on in a game.

[Stuniverse]

12 minutes ago, samboing said:

Decent signing there but ageing and what a 1 in 4 record in history not really what you need but Igor knows best

Definitely ageing, @samboing, Guido Burgstaller turns 33 in April and doesn’t join us until July. He can play M/AM (R/L) as well as striker so not sure how many games have been played as Striker and how many out wide. 1 in 4 is good for a winger, rubbish for a striker. Guess I’ll find out in pre-season... if I haven’t been sacked.

[samboing]

I’m confident you’ll keep your job don’t worry about that! I am the same with Kettering I don’t change unless injuries say so, I have 3 tactics I rotate but 90% of the time it’s the same system. I had to change it up towards the end of last season as we went a good month maybe longer without a win luckily for me we had a brilliant start otherwise I may have been in trouble.

The new signing for next season is a funny one, realistically only getting a season out of him, plus he has to adapt to England and your way of playing!

Has Igor been linked to any others this window?

[Stuniverse]

I tend to stick to the same tactic while it’s working, @samboing. I think I started this save with 4-1-2-3 in the Championship and started the first EPL season with it, before changing to 4-2-3-1 which I’ve stuck with since. I definitely need to find a different system for the big six.

No, Igor hasn’t been linked with anyone else. He doesn’t have a lot to work with though...

Edited July 22, 2019 by Stuniverse

[samboing]

Certainly notice the difference when you’ve been promoted, most teams you can compete with then there are the next level and no matter what system or players you play, a whooping seems inevitable!

oh and yes apologies I am a Bristol City fan lol

[Stuniverse]

39 minutes ago, samboing said:

Hey @Stuniverse, frustrating times at the back this season! Do you think once the foreign new signings settle s bit more things will improve or do you need a higher quality back there? I can’t believe how easily the goals are leaking in compared to last season especially against the top six sides!

Well if there's anything in that about foreign signings, hopefully the fact that Rafael Toloi and Alexander Nubel have successfully completed their intensive English courses may help...

 

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 22 January 2022

CROSS DEAL NOT DONE DEAL

RamsFanine: According to club sources, Derby County DoF Igor Stimac believes he's done a deal to sign Schalke 04's 21 year-old English centre-back Bradley Cross, but the player's agent appears to be drumming up interest from other clubs.

Edited July 22, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Saturday 22 January 2022

Pre-match v Bristol City (a) - F.A. Cup Round 4

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: We're going back to your first year of management but Bristol City beat your Rams the last time you met. Will that have any bearing today?

Stuniverse: I wouldn't think so. That was three seasons ago. We have a completely different team now and they do too. They even have a different manager in Chris Hughton.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: It looks like you're taking this one quite seriously with just four changes?

Stuniverse: Of course, we are. It's the F.A. Cup. Luigi Sepe in goal for Alexander Nubel. Max Aarons for Jayden Bogle. Martin Naylor for Louie Sibley. Danny Ings for Jack Marriott.

Post-match: Bristol City (0) 1-1 (1) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Another late goal conceded and now you have to do it all again at Pride Park?

Stuniverse: Yes. We do. I thought we played well, for the most part, but we didn't get enough attempts on target and we didn't trouble their goalkeeper enough. Martin Naylor gave us the lead with a stunning strike from distance, but we couldn't add to it. A one goal lead is always a very slender lead and we saw that when they equalised.

RamsFanzine: There's about a week to go until the transfer window closes. Are we likely to see any deals for Derby?

Stuniverse: Igor's working on a few things but I'm not sure we'll do anything this window.

[Stuniverse]

Game date: 25 January 2022

ARSENAL AWAIT THE WINNERS

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Tuesday 25 January 2022

Pre-match v West Bromwich Albion (a) - Premier League (24)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: You play a West Brom side today who are just outside the relegation zone and last won nine matches ago. Having beaten them 2-0 at Pride Park earlier this season, you must be confident?

Stuniverse: That game will have no bearing on this one but, yes, we've trained well and we're confident.

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Good to see Espinoza back on the bench.

Stuniverse: Yes, Cristian Espinoza (calf) and Mason Mount (ankle) are both on the bench. Max Lowe (calf) is our only injury doubt at the moment. I've made only one change today, Alexander Nubel returns in goal for Luigi Sepe.

Post-match: West Bromwich Albion (0) 1-2 (0) Derby County

RamsFanzine: Was it a relief to be on the right side of a late winner for once?

Stuniverse: Oh yes. We've conceded enough late goals ourselves this season, so for Tom Lawrence to grab the winner in the 93rd minute was something special. For me, Tom was the best player on the pitch tonight; he gave us the lead four minutes after the restart, but he left the best until last.

RamsFanzine: You're now 8th in the table, just three points behind Chelsea and Leeds, and two points above Arsenal.

Stuniverse: Yes, it's another interesting journey we're on this season. We've had some highs, and some lows, but overall we're very pleased with the progress we're making. This was our 41st competitive match this season and we're not even at the end of January yet. It's been a difficult season too, that's really stretched our squad at times.

[dap1987]

Well no-one can deny that football whilst Derby play isn't entertaining!  That West Ham match was crazy! 

 

A strange signing in Burgstaller, he's getting on a bit and a change of league and pace can't help either, what do you scout reports say about him?  Another CB wouldn't be the worst thing though and hopefully Igor can wrap that up before the window closes.  

[Stuniverse]

5 hours ago, dap1987 said:

Well no-one can deny that football whilst Derby play isn't entertaining!  That West Ham match was crazy! 

A strange signing in Burgstaller, he's getting on a bit and a change of league and pace can't help either, what do you scout reports say about him?  Another CB wouldn't be the worst thing though and hopefully Igor can wrap that up before the window closes.  

The West Ham match was indeed crazy, @dap1987.

That’s the thing. Igor is in charge of scouting. And lots of scouting goes on because I get lots of reports in my Inbox. But, we have no scout report on Burgstaller. And this happens a lot in that players Igor bids for and / or signs haven’t been scouted by our scouting team.

[dap1987]

That is really strange, no Club in the world would sign a player without sending a scout to view them once or twice, especially someone who is nearly 33 years old!  You'd want to know so much about them, are they still fit enough, injury record, attitude towards games ... you'd want to know it all. 

[samboing]

Is that something u could do once he’s singled a player out, just send a scout to watch him? Or is that solely on Igor?

Just seems very strange for him to sign players with zero research into them! But guess that’s Igor for you

[Stuniverse]

11 minutes ago, samboing said:

Is that something u could do once he’s singled a player out, just send a scout to watch him? Or is that solely on Igor?

Just seems very strange for him to sign players with zero research into them! But guess that’s Igor for you

Yes, @samboing. I’ve already requested a scout report. Be good to find out what I’m getting before Burgstaller turns up for Day 1 of pre-season.

[Stuniverse]

4 hours ago, dap1987 said:

That is really strange, no Club in the world would sign a player without sending a scout to view them once or twice, especially someone who is nearly 33 years old!  You'd want to know so much about them, are they still fit enough, injury record, attitude towards games ... you'd want to know it all. 

Not Igor Stimac it seems...

[Stuniverse]

Game date: Friday 28 January 2022

Pre-match v Everton (H) - Premier League (25)

Match Preview

RamsFanzine: Manuel Pellegrini's Everton are having a fine season and visit Pride Park in 4th place, but lost 3-0 to Wolves last time out. Derby's record against Everton under your managerialship is poor, you've never beaten them. Can you do so today?

Stuniverse: Everton have some very good players, there's no doubt about that, and Manuel has done a fantastic job with them this season. But we're not overawed. We've trained well, prepared well, and we're determined to get a result against Everton. 

Team Selection

RamsFanzine: Just the one change today?

Stuniverse: Yes. We played well against West Brom last time and I would've liked to go again with the same 11. Tom Lawrence looked a bit tired so he's on the bench and that gives us the opportunity to aid Cristian Espinoza's recovery from a calf issue with a start. Will Hughes is also looking tired, but Mason Mount hasn't fully recovered from an ankle problem; we'll probably give them around a half each. Max Lowe is still unavailable with a calf injury.

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

RamsFanzine: Congratulations on finally getting a win over Everton. Is it a relief to get that monkey off your back?

Stuniverse: I wouldn't say it was a monkey off our back because it's good to win any game. We're delighted with this victory today and I thought we deserved to edge a close game. Usually, after games against Everton, I end up praising their goalkeeper Pickford for an outstanding display, but today I'm thrilled to have seen our goalkeeper Alexander Nubel play magnificently to keep them out. In fact, the whole back five, and as a unit of 11, we defended amazingly. And, of course, Danny Ings was outstanding up front with his brace.

RamsFanzine: 40 points is widely regarded as the total needed to avoid relegation. You've got 40 points now with 13 games to go. How does it feel?

Stuniverse: We're not really looking at it like that as our goal this season was to do far better than just avoiding relegation. What it does show, in what has been a hard, demanding season for the squad, is that we're doing well. January has given us a break from the Euro Cup and we were looking to get some momentum going in the Premier League. Although we had a couple of setbacks, we've had a couple of great wins too and have consolidated our position in the top-half of the table.

RamsFanzine: With only a few days left of the transfer window, will we be seeing any ins or outs at Derby?

Stuniverse: Igor's still working but it's looking unlikely. We need to offload a player or two, before we can bring anybody in and, despite speculative interest, Igor tells me we've received no bids for any of our players.

Edited July 27, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

**TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY**

Game date: 31 January 2022

DERBY SIGN CROSS

RamsFanzine: Derby County DoF Igor Stimac has confirmed a pre-contract deal to bring Schalke 04's 21 year-old English centre-back Bradley Cross to the Rams at the end of the season. Cross has signed a one-year deal up to the summer of 2023, with the club having the option of a further year.

Stimac thought this deal was tied up a while ago, but it dragged out as Cross's agent looked to drum up further interest in his South African born client. Now the dust has settled down, Cross will be joining Derby County on July 1st.

 

Edited July 27, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

** TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY **

Game date: 31 January 2022

ARSENAL HUNT HUGHES

RamsFanzine: Speculation is growing in the National media that Arsenal are set to make a deadline day bid for Derby County's 26 year-old midfielder Will Hughes.

Hughes is a product of the Rams Academy and, having sold him to Watford and then brought him back home, club sources inform us Derby County have no interest in selling. Hughes is believed to be delighted to be back at Derby County and has ambitions to captain the side one day.

Edited July 27, 2019 by Stuniverse

[Stuniverse]

** TRANSFER DEADLINE DAY **

Game date: 31 January 2022

ROMA GET THEIR MAN

RamsFanzine: Derby County DoF Igor Stimac has confirmed the sale of 27 year-old Spanish goalkeeper Pau Lopez to Italian Serie A side AS Roma for £13.5M. Speculation has surrounded Lopez ever since the Rams rejected a £17.5M bid from Chelsea in the summer and further bids of up to £21M were rejected from Roma and Inter Milan. Lopez had his head turned in the summer and demanded to be allowed to move on.

Consequently the Rams signed 25 year-old German goalkeeper Alexander Nubel from Schalke 04 and were left with two #1 goalkeepers, both on high wages, when the summer transfer window closed, a situation that has proved problematic for Rams manager Stuniverse.

Club sources say Stuniverse is disappointed to lose Lopez, but happy the situation has resolved itself.

Good buisiness or bad business? An interesting question given that Stimac could've sold Lopez for £21M in the summer and has, effectively, lost £7.5M by selling him for £13.5M this window.