Matchday thread: Rams v Sunderland

[MadAmster]

Recruitment. PW and his staff give a list of roles and possible names to the recruitment team who then source the names and, if they're not available they scout for others who fit the remit. Then the bean counters get involved. If there's agreement, PW is back in play. He'll have a chat with the player, outlining what he can expect from Derby and what Derby expect from him. It's at that point that PW makes the yes/no decision. Source - an interview with PW last week.

The above is what I've posted in the past.

Back to the Sunlun game. We weren't good in the first half, not by a long chalk. We did play well 2nd half. Salvesen looked good when he came on, as did CBT, and Lars had 2 good headers well saved. Considering the starting XI, set up with 3 CHs, none of whom is a CH by trade, shows the situation we are in with regard to injuries. I thought the trio of Ebou, Foz and Elder did well, especially considering the fact that Sunlun are 4th in the table and 13 points clear of 7th and looking nailed on for the playoffs or better. Again the overall performance wasn't relegation form. The major problem is, IMO, that we haven't had a goal scoring striker until now. Or maybe we did have one, in Daj, but he spent far more time on the bench than on the pitch.

Where to from here? We need some players to get fit again. Nyambe has been training with the squad for over a week now and, IMO, could well star at RB this Saturday, Roons has been training with the squad for a few weeks yet PW still seems, according to his post Sunlun interviews, reluctant to play him. If he's not fit, what's he doing on the bench. Ozoh started training with the squad this week and I think we may see him back in the matchday squad against Sheff U on Feb 1st. Phillips has a calf issue, no idea when he'll be ready. Ebou has a groin issue. Cash was left out "as a precaution" on Tuesday. Some saw that as "proof" he was off to Brighton for ?12M, the gaffer says otherwise and the club has said he's not going anywhere. Nelson is out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury. Wilson and Daj both went off with hamstring issues and we should know by the weekend how serious it is for them.

Satdeh's game at Caerdydd is, to me, a mustn't lose game. It will likely be 2 o'clock Satdeh afternoon before we know the extent of the various injuries as I expect PW to be somewhat less than truthful in his pre match interviews as he won't want to give Cardiff any clues as to whom he does and doesn't have available.

Thoughts on the team. JWZ to start.

Defence? Back 3, 4 or 5? I'd opt for a 4. Nyambe at RB if fit, Roons if he isn't. Phillips and Cash at CH, if fit. Elder LB. Roons can play CH if needs be as can Ebou although I'd rather have him in midfield. If Phillips isn't ready, Foz at CH again.

MF? Like to see Ebou, Kenzo and Ozoh but Ozoh probably won't be ready so Tommo or Ossie as the 2rd MF

Up top? CBT on the left, Salvesen to start. Definitely not Jackson on the right. Ward if fit or could we see Yates working around Salvesen with 2 strikers and one winger. Similar to, but not the quality of, Hector, O'Hare and Hinton?

Having read this, you'll have noticed an awful lot of "if fits". Shows how threadbare the squad is. We currently have 2 open slots in the permitted 25 man squad. let's hope we can get a decent player in. If one of them is Louie Barry then the question of who plays wide right is solved. One can but hope.

[MadAmster]

The Sunlun goal? Tommo failed to find Wils with a short pass that got intercepted. 10 seconds later it's in the back of the net.

[Ramshank72]

The Sunlun goal? Tommo failed to find Wils with a short pass that got intercepted. 10 seconds later it's in the back of the net.

Also, the defence were all ball chasing leaving us outnumbered. We're conceding way to many at the moment, hoping Fozzy and Cashin can form a solid partnership without getting injured for the remainder.

[Andy_Faber]

Up top? CBT on the left, Salvesen to start. Definitely not Jackson on the right. Ward if fit or could we see Yates working around Salvesen with 2 strikers and one winger. Similar to, but not the quality of, Hector, O'Hare and Hinton?

Agree on Jackson, he's a busted flush as far as I'm concerned. Two CF's (not that I'm impressed with Yates either) and all the crosses from one side works for me, it worked slightly well 50 years ago, OK football has changed but its still a big round thing

[MadAmster]

Agree on Jackson, he's a busted flush as far as I'm concerned. Two CF's (not that I'm impressed with Yates either) and all the crosses from one side works for me, it worked slightly well 50 years ago, OK football has changed but its still a big round thing

I too am not overly impressed by Yates, however, I think he's shown this season that he's not a #9. Might he be better working around a Daj or a Salvesen?

[Andy_Faber]

I too am not overly impressed by Yates, however, I think he's shown this season that he's not a #9. Might he be better working around a Daj or a Salvesen?

His demeanour suggests he wants to do well and as a pro he should be adaptable so yes, worth a try