The threat of well meaning amateurs?

[FrenchTrimmed]

Our two most prominent sporting teams Derby County and Derbyshire CCC are now under the control of well meaning, well intentioned, well heeled chaps who are desperate to bring success to teams they are very attached to. However, both teams' playing records and performances have been going backwards since these chaps took full control. Are we suffering from being managed by men who have a proven record of success in other areas but are sporting "amateurs" and, if so, what is the alternative? Discuss!

[AngryRam]

I'm saying nothing!

[FrenchTrimmed]

I'm saying nothing!

Oh go on

[AngryRam]

Oh go on

You're a bad influence.

[ramAnag]

Not sure how we're going backwards FT. We're only two games in and it's been very disappointing so far but...Mel's first season in charge resulted in a top six finish and we came very close to beating a team in the play offs who beat the Champions yesterday. The season before Mel took over we finished eighth so how is that backwards?

Aren't all chairman effectively 'amateurs' anyway...they then employ professionals to do the job and at least ours is, as you suggest, 'well meaning' and a genuine supporter.

[FrenchTrimmed]

Not sure how we're going backwards FT. We're only two games in and it's been very disappointing so far but...Mel's first season in charge resulted in a top six finish and we came very close to beating a team in the play offs who beat the Champions yesterday. The season before Mel took over we finished eighth so how is that backwards?

Aren't all chairman effectively 'amateurs' anyway...they then employ professionals to do the job and at least ours is, as you suggest, 'well meaning' and a genuine supporter.

You may well be right to say that our sixth place last season indicated forward progress given the previous year's poor finish but then again we reached Wembley in 2014. Also there was considerable disquiet among supporters last season regarding the way the team was being managed and some pretty lack lustre performances which didn't really improve as time went on - with one or two notable exceptions. I wasn't trying to judge the club's current position on a few pre-season matches and three competitive games.

Your point on all chairman being amateurs really sums up where I was coming from - We have employed professionals for both on-field and off-field activities e.g Sam Rush; the question is, are they being allowed to do the job or is the amateur doing the job they are being paid for?

[AngryRam]

But you might be onto something..

[mistaram]

Its getting a bit boring all this ante Mel rubbish Of course he has made mistakes with his choose of managers what chairman hasn't Apparently 86% of Championship managers don't last12 months So there must be some bad owners I know a few on here suggest we were better of under the Yanks That are the same ones moaning that Tom Click could not get any money from the investors who just asset stripping At this time we are lucky to have Mel he will get it right just be patient At the moment we have a manager who has inherited players he probably does not want that will take time to rectify

[Andy_Faber]

I'll give my usual lesson from history, with a sting in the tale.

1995/1996. Jim Smith was the surprise choice as manager, pulled out of retirement by 'well-meaning amateur' Lionel Pickering. Derby were inconsistent, disappointing, mid-table, for the first THREE months of the year. There was one famous photo commented on a lot at the time (in the press and on radio, there was no internet then) which showed, after a 2-0 defeat against Barnsley ironically, of two of Derby's shorter players (Simmo and Sean Flynn I think) backed by two of Barnsley's giants, with the caption (something like) 'men against boys'. There were calls for Pickering to take a back seat and Smith to go. We got hammered 5-1 by Tranmere and it all looked so desperate. Then it all clicked. By Christmas we were top of the table and Pickering and Smith were the most popular old fellahs from New Mills to Measham. We finished second after a late wobble and got promotion.

The sting in the tale? Three months into the season, we found our leader, Igor Stimac.

I'll say again, that's what we are missing and I hope Pearson is looking. But I think him and Mel need time

[AngryRam]

If only life just repeated itself.. Sadly it rarely does.


I am happy to give both time but Mel has already had 18 months.
I just want to have a little clue what both are after. I expect to see some real action in the window now.. If it's Pearson then we have to back him. Unfortunately, I can see Will going now and that will be a real shame.