Thoughts on Rams Transfer Window?

[swaledale]

Well nobody can complain that Clowes hasn't backed Eustace this transfer window, but what's the verdict?


Obviously no transfer window is perfect, players choose other options, demand excessive wages or clubs won't let them go for an acceptable fee, but IMO its been a good one for Derby, with Eustace bringing in a mixture of experience at this level, players he has worked with before and some exciting additions who weren't on many fans radar.

Overall I'm impressed with the players that have come in, with so many changes it is inevitable that it will take time for the squad to gel, but there is clear intent to be challenging at the top end of the championship.

Of course the proof of how successful a transfer window it been will how Derby perform on the pitch.

Stand out players for anybody? For me Morris looks a great addition, Brewster will I think be a gem, Bereton Diaz is exciting, but overall the best acquisition is Max Johnston, followed by Travis.

[ramAnag]

Well nobody can complain that Clowes hasn't backed Eustace this transfer window, but what's the verdict?


Obviously no transfer window is perfect, players choose other options, demand excessive wages or clubs won't let them go for an acceptable fee, but IMO its been a good one for Derby, with Eustace bringing in a mixture of experience at this level, players he has worked with before and some exciting additions who weren't on many fans radar.

Overall I'm impressed with the players that have come in, with so many changes it is inevitable that it will take time for the squad to gel, but there is clear intent to be challenging at the top end of the championship.

Of course the proof of how successful a transfer window it been will how Derby perform on the pitch.

Stand out players for anybody? For me Morris looks a great addition, Brewster will I think be a gem, Bereton Diaz is exciting, but overall the best acquisition is Max Johnston, followed by Travis.

Agreed. A very impressive and, in many ways, surprising window which leaves me wondering what we may still not know about extra investment in the club.

The proof of the pudding will of course come with performances on the pitch and as you say it’ll take time for the squad to gel, but I’m much more concerned about where we stand around bonfire night than the first few days of September.

Eustace has certainly been backed although that’s a two way street because I think his reputation at this level helps us attract a better quality of player.

Suppose, given the money we have spent, it’s now a bit of a surprise that we didn’t get Phillips back and personally I’m a tad disappointed to see Armstrong go to a rival team. He was a huge asset in difficult circumstances last season and I thought it would be Everton or us but, as you’ve suggested elsewhere, we’ve compensated for that with other signings.

Positions that needed addressing have been addressed and one of the impressive things is the amount of cover we now have for virtually every position.

Be interesting to see how people’s predictions have altered with the unforeseen strengthening of the last three weeks or so. I now think the play offs are realistic but, in terms of the bigger picture, not essential.

P.S. Agree with you about the standouts, although I know little about Johnston and think the return of Langas will be crucial.

[swaledale]

Agreed. A very impressive and, in many ways, surprising window which leaves me wondering what we may still not know about extra investment in the club.

The proof of the pudding will of course come with performances on the pitch and as you say it’ll take time for the squad to gel, but I’m much more concerned about where we stand around bonfire night than the first few days of September.

Eustace has certainly been backed although that’s a two way street because I think his reputation at this level helps us attract a better quality of player.

Suppose, given the money we have spent, it’s now a bit of a surprise that we didn’t get Phillips back and personally I’m a tad disappointed to see Armstrong go to a rival team. He was a huge asset in difficult circumstances last season and I thought it would be Everton or us but, as you’ve suggested elsewhere, we’ve compensated for that with other signings.

Positions that needed addressing have been addressed and one of the impressive things is the amount of cover we now have for virtually every position.

Be interesting to see how people’s predictions have altered with the unforeseen strengthening of the last three weeks or so. I now think the play offs are realistic but, in terms of the bigger picture, not essential.

P.S. Agree with you about the standouts, although I know little about Johnston and think the return of Langas will be crucial.

With regards to the investment RA, and this only what I've been told by people who should know, though whether they are telling the whole story is open to question, which is that all spending is in line with the plan that Clowes made at the time Eustace was appointed.

The basis of the funding is a combination of Cashin's fee, other sell on fees received and whatever additional funds Clowes has provided. This was all based on IF Eustace kept the club in the championship, which alone generates £8 million additional revenue for this season. Plus of course most transfer fees aren't paid in one lump sum, but spread over time.

The Phillips issue is simple, Derby couldn't, or were unwilling to pay the wages he wanted, it would have broken the wage structure, possibly to the detriment of squad harmony. The difference between the £25K ceiling at derby and the £40k that Phillips would have required as a minimum is an extra player or 2! Sanderson and Batth's wages are probably covered by that.

[SithHappens]

Time will tell but it's been surprising how active we have been. It appears on the face of it we have made some very good acquisitions.

It's a shame to see no place for Kenzo, a very talented player who can't see to fit in.

[MadAmster]

Thus far... IMO:

Danny Batth - brought in as Nels and Langas are out and we needed CHs early doors. Once Langas is fit he will be cover and no more than that. Gone next summer.

Patrick Agyemang - had to have the hernia op which we knew about before he signed. Soon be fit. Excited to see him once fit,

Carlton Morris - first "proper" CF since Coldplay. 4 goals in 4. He'll more than do.

Richard O'Donnell - 3rd keeper. Won't be named in the 25 man squad. Lowish wage Insurance should JWZ or Vickers get injured. He'll do.

Rhian Brewster - getting back to fitness. 1 sub appearance, looked sharp. 1 start, good game and a goal. Looking good.

Andreas Weimann - good cover and that's why he was brought in, IMO. He'll do. Gone next summer.

David Ozoh - excellent when fit last season. Not hit those heights yet but is an exciting prospect, if he can avoid injury.

Max Johnston - 21 year old Scottish international full back. had a good debut. Good signing it seems.

Ben Brereton Diaz - proven at this level. Creator and scorer. Happy with this loan.

Lewis Travis - experienced DM. Feisty player. Leader. Reasonable debut but really should have seen red. He'll come good.

Dion Sanderson - As with Batth, brought in to start early doors due to the Nels/Sondre injuries. Looked dodgy first two games. Has improved and looks a good loan signing in the making.

Owen Beck - I was excited at his signing on loan. Injured early doors in training, not played yet. Judgment reserved.

Bobby Clark - didn't look sharp when he arrived despite having played club Euro qualifiers the week before. He's grown into this early season, cracking first goal. Looking a good loan signing.

[Ramshank72]

Proof will be in the pudding. I think I saw a report that it was 13 incoming and 12 outgoing, so not as crazy as it might appear on the face of it.
Essential that we put a squad together capable of competing comfortably in this league, its easy to forget that we could have been relegated last season. Looks like we've put something together that can have a go at it this year, but I'm not expecting a promotion chase.
I like Morris very much, hopefully the other signings can feed him, looks the real deal. Got to sort our defence out though, we have the numbers, but they're not cutting it so far.

[macstheman]

Proof will be in the pudding. I think I saw a report that it was 13 incoming and 12 outgoing, so not as crazy as it might appear on the face of it.
Essential that we put a squad together capable of competing comfortably in this league, its easy to forget that we could have been relegated last season. Looks like we've put something together that can have a go at it this year, but I'm not expecting a promotion chase.
I like Morris very much, hopefully the other signings can feed him, looks the real deal. Got to sort our defence out though, we have the numbers, but they're not cutting it so far.

Agreed.
I think we can score the goals we need but defensively we seem to lack cohesion, hopefully this will come. However, when it comes to defending balls into the box the **** seems ready to hit the fan anytime, corners are a goal waiting to happen! That needs sorting ASAP.

[MadAmster]

Going on the premise that we will play JE's preferred back 4, once we get a back 4 of Johnston, Langas, Clarke and Beck, we'll have JE's perceived back 4. Elder, Foz, Batth, Sanderson, Nyambe and Ward will have to hope they can get on the bench. Might sound a tad harsh on Sanderson as he's growing into the side well. However, I don't think he's better than a fit Langas.

[Ramondo]

It's been an excellent window really. But that's probably because we've been starved of anything worth getting excited about for the last few years. Waiting for a goal scorer, waiting... waiting... waiting... waiting... and nothing! Then someone close to pension age comes in who we all know won't make it passed the fourth game. It's been painful.

But the moment they signed Morris, I sat up and took notice because that guy tore us apart at Pride Park at the end of last season and was one of those stand out players that you just wish was playing for you. And then he was!

Got to say I've been largely impressed even before Travis and Johnston signed but those just capped it off. Brewster was another exiting one. To the point that by the time Diaz signed I was like 'yeah, whatever, another one'! If he'd been our marquee summer signing then there's be a lot more hype around him, the fact that there isn't yet just says alot.

I think we're all keen to see if Agyemang works out, or if he does then how long will it take. He has the potential to be a big player that will get snapped up for big money down the line, but he could equally struggle. It'll be interesting to see but I think he needs to be given time to get the sharpness up to speed, adjust to Championship life and then we'll see. Not that Derby fans are prone to snap judgements or anything! Sanderson anyone?

There are other promising ones, Bobby Clarke and Ozoh that add quality but lack experience. Ozoh helped make our midfield look more balanced early on last season and was a big loss that I personally think might have kept Warne in a job a bit longer if he'd been fit all season. But who's complaining? We're better off now with Eustace.

I think maybe we're still a little light in the middle but then we have to consider where we're aiming for this season. Personally a year of mid table obscurity without the stress would make for a nice break and I think that's generally the plan and most people accept that. So a few gaps here and there across the squad is no big deal. It'll come down to how many injuries we end up with because the last two years have been bloody ridiculous.

On a side note (and unrelated) this site is so bloody slow to access these days!!!!

[swaledale]

It's been an excellent window really. But that's probably because we've been starved of anything worth getting excited about for the last few years. Waiting for a goal scorer, waiting... waiting... waiting... waiting... and nothing! Then someone close to pension age comes in who we all know won't make it passed the fourth game. It's been painful.

But the moment they signed Morris, I sat up and took notice because that guy tore us apart at Pride Park at the end of last season and was one of those stand out players that you just wish was playing for you. And then he was!

Got to say I've been largely impressed even before Travis and Johnston signed but those just capped it off. Brewster was another exiting one. To the point that by the time Diaz signed I was like 'yeah, whatever, another one'! If he'd been our marquee summer signing then there's be a lot more hype around him, the fact that there isn't yet just says alot.

I think we're all keen to see if Agyemang works out, or if he does then how long will it take. He has the potential to be a big player that will get snapped up for big money down the line, but he could equally struggle. It'll be interesting to see but I think he needs to be given time to get the sharpness up to speed, adjust to Championship life and then we'll see. Not that Derby fans are prone to snap judgements or anything! Sanderson anyone?

There are other promising ones, Bobby Clarke and Ozoh that add quality but lack experience. Ozoh helped make our midfield look more balanced early on last season and was a big loss that I personally think might have kept Warne in a job a bit longer if he'd been fit all season. But who's complaining? We're better off now with Eustace.

I think maybe we're still a little light in the middle but then we have to consider where we're aiming for this season. Personally a year of mid table obscurity without the stress would make for a nice break and I think that's generally the plan and most people accept that. So a few gaps here and there across the squad is no big deal. It'll come down to how many injuries we end up with because the last two years have been bloody ridiculous.

On a side note (and unrelated) this site is so bloody slow to access these days!!!!

A very good summary and as for accessing this site, there is a separate thread devoted to the frustrations of not just accessing, but actually posting on it and staying logged on.

[macstheman]

It's been an excellent window really. But that's probably because we've been starved of anything worth getting excited about for the last few years. Waiting for a goal scorer, waiting... waiting... waiting... waiting... and nothing! Then someone close to pension age comes in who we all know won't make it passed the fourth game. It's been painful.

But the moment they signed Morris, I sat up and took notice because that guy tore us apart at Pride Park at the end of last season and was one of those stand out players that you just wish was playing for you. And then he was!

Got to say I've been largely impressed even before Travis and Johnston signed but those just capped it off. Brewster was another exiting one. To the point that by the time Diaz signed I was like 'yeah, whatever, another one'! If he'd been our marquee summer signing then there's be a lot more hype around him, the fact that there isn't yet just says alot.

I think we're all keen to see if Agyemang works out, or if he does then how long will it take. He has the potential to be a big player that will get snapped up for big money down the line, but he could equally struggle. It'll be interesting to see but I think he needs to be given time to get the sharpness up to speed, adjust to Championship life and then we'll see. Not that Derby fans are prone to snap judgements or anything! Sanderson anyone?

There are other promising ones, Bobby Clarke and Ozoh that add quality but lack experience. Ozoh helped make our midfield look more balanced early on last season and was a big loss that I personally think might have kept Warne in a job a bit longer if he'd been fit all season. But who's complaining? We're better off now with Eustace.

I think maybe we're still a little light in the middle but then we have to consider where we're aiming for this season. Personally a year of mid table obscurity without the stress would make for a nice break and I think that's generally the plan and most people accept that. So a few gaps here and there across the squad is no big deal. It'll come down to how many injuries we end up with because the last two years have been bloody ridiculous.

On a side note (and unrelated) this site is so bloody slow to access these days!!!!

Totally agree with all your comments, an exciting window with much to anticipate as Eustace develops the newly assembled squad. Injuries, aside (dare we put them aside?) it will take time to gel and anything above the drop zone should be the minimum of our expectations.

Fortunately, on the site access front I've had less problems recently apart from the irritating 'are you of this planet routine'!!

[MadAmster]

Agyemang played in a "behind closed doors" game yesterday. He scored with a low stooping header at the near post.

[MadAmster]

Here's the goal...

https://twitter.com/i/status/1963633611661308140