Matchday Thread: Rams v Brizzle City

[MadAmster]

It cheers that one or two retain positivity after our crap start, let's hope that positivity is transferred to PP������������

I prefer to view my approach as realistic rather than +/-

[MadAmster]

Interesting, even though 3 defenders didn't stop 5 goals last time out!! I wouldn't have Vickers over Zetterstrom as tbh as the latter is a much better goalkeeper.

I'm in agreement with your comment about Adams. But I cant fathom what tactics Eustace is trying to adopt at the moment or some of his selection choices even allowing for the missing players.

At some stage we have to pick up a positive result, or we are on a downward spiral so hopefully we get at least a pt.

We don't disagree with regard to the GKs, I just have this suspicion Vickers will get the nod tonight. I won't be upset if he doesn't.

[Geoff Parkstone]

As it happens am having some decorating being done at the moment, which is lucky as I actually could watch paint dry this evening.

[Andy_Faber]

As it happens am having some decorating being done at the moment, which is lucky as I actually could watch paint dry this evening.

Clarke and Morris excepted, pretty poor stuff tonight. The only positive is the point

[MadAmster]

Started lively, some good passing moves, a fair few corners but never looked like scoring. They got into it more, pressed us but also didn't bother JWZ until... Throw in down their left, ball comes infield to a MF player given the freedom of Pride Park. He feeds Twine on the edge of the box and has has no DCFC players within yards of him. One touch and he slots it in the right hand corner. You can't give good players that amount of room and expect to get away with it. Not for the first time this season, they had men free and available to accept a pass when in possession, we struggled as there weren't, all too often, options. Clarke should have gone with Twine, IMO.

The positive from this is that we didn't give up and that perseverance saw us get the equaliser. They had 11 shots to our 5, on target was 3-2 in their favour. Neither side can wallow in any glory. They are top following the draw we move up to the dizzy heights of 19th. Where we are come this evening will depend on how well or otherwise the 5 pointless teams below us do today.

Can't decry the effort. Can't fault the perseverance. I can't help but think there's a fair few changes to the starting XI to come before we start to see the performances and results we want.

Back 3, back 4 or back 5. Not even JE seems to know at the moment. His stated preference is a 4. I think we'll see that when Langas is fit. Beck at LB. RB? Nyambe is the only one we have (Gordon seems to have been discounted) as both Ward and Wilson are WB or winger, IMO. Johnston in? The 2? I'd have Ozoh and Adams. The 10? Until someone is fit, Kenzo. That MF 3 worked well up to Ozoh's injury last season and it can do so again. Once other MFs are fit, all roles are up for grabs. Wide? We need wingers, proper ones. Once fit we can use Brewster and Clark, possibly. I would have said Saito but QPR have matched our bid and he knows the club... Up top, the 1 is Morris. Where do Agyemang and Salvesen fit in? Could they be the wide players? Might he go 3 or 5 at the back to play a front 2, I still believe strikers hunt in pairs. 1442 could also be a possibility.

Basically, whilst not being happy with what we're serving up, I'm not worried as, in a few weeks time, our starting XI is likely to show around 5 changes in personnel and God alone knows what system we'll be adopting.

Things will get better. Of that I'm sure.

JWZ. Hope his head's better this morning, the post took a right clattering.

Batth and Sanderson will be bench sitters once Langas/Nelson are back.

I think it could well be 15 games in before we start to see personnel and system settling into what we can expect. Aint injuries wonderful?

[SithHappens]

Just giving everyone else a head start

[Ramshank72]

Clarke should have gone with Twine, IMO.

That was my thought when watching, and was expecting to hear Sanderson taking the blame. Clarke went ball chasing and left Twine in acres of space - it's no good pointing to him, he was Clarke's man. That's why he didn't make it in the PL. Will still be great for us though, we'll get away with it more often than not.
Bristol looked well setup, they had a good shape and always seemed to outnumber us.
Morris looks great, to keep scoring with the mearest of sniffs of opportunities shows his ability, great hold up play too.
Not concerned about us yet, will take a while to settle. Hope the fans give Eustace more support than they gave Paul Warne.

[ramAnag]

That was my thought when watching, and was expecting to hear Sanderson taking the blame. Clarke went ball chasing and left Twine in acres of space - it's no good pointing to him, he was Clarke's man. That's why he didn't make it in the PL. Will still be great for us though, we'll get away with it more often than not.
Bristol looked well setup, they had a good shape and always seemed to outnumber us.
Morris looks great, to keep scoring with the mearest of sniffs of opportunities shows his ability, great hold up play too.
Not concerned about us yet, will take a while to settle. Hope the fans give Eustace more support than they gave Paul Warne.

Quite agree. Thought Sanderson and Batth were both decent last night and Clarke improved as the match went on, JWZ started poorly - punching instead of catching - but made a great late save to hold on to a point.
Weak points are still Elder, Nyambe and Weimann for me and I thought Ozoh looked disappointingly lost.
One ridiculous corner apart, Adams looked much more effective in a deeper role after the substitutions and I thought Bobby Clark looked busy and useful. Agree with most about Morris, great signing.

Travis looks likely to be available next time out and we’ll be fine once the squad is fully assembled.

[macstheman]

Just giving everyone else a head start

So long as we keep it at head level and don't chuck in the torso and legs as well!

I thought we were worse than poor and find it difficult to take on board MA's positivity. As Andy says the only positivity was the point, true of course but imo such an unbelievably inept performance doesn't seem to raise one's spirits.

In simple terms we were bloody awful!

[SithHappens]

We had appalling starts the last two times we got promoted from this division. Something to hold on to.