Salvesen will be like a new signing too.
All good news so far. Wilson tied in for a season, Eustace wants Fozzy to extend, Armstrong would extend if nothing better pops up
Salvesen will be like a new signing too.
Be delighted to keep Armstrong for another season if possible. Agree that Fozzy is worth another season and pleased to see Wilson staying even though he wasn’t at his best today imo.
I think we all know what’s needed, basically more quality up top and better service to whoever is up there.
Personally I have far more confidence in Eustace having a proper plan and being able to attract the right sort of players into the club. The alleged incoming extra investment should help too.
Your possibly being a tad unfair on Warne, he could only buy in the players available for the budget he had and had his hands tied by those players still in contract who he couldn't move on, Washington being a prime example.
Lets not forget that Zetterstrom, Langas, Salvesen, Clarke, Phillips and Armstrong all joined whilst Warne was in charge.
Having survived a season in the championship, Derby should be more attractive and Cashin's sale has raised some funds. If Clowes manages to get another investor on board (and one assumes that Eustace was given certain promises regarding funds for improving the squad being available when he joined) then the financial situation will permit bringing in players of higher quality.
The improvement Eustace managed without bringing in players (I may be wrong, but I think none of his free signings played any significant part in games) rather demonstrates that the squad, certainly post January transfer window was good enough to be mid table.
The changes Eustace made, using a consistent formation that utilised the strengths of the players he had, making Adams captain and his coaching style again showed that it was up top as you rightly say where Derby were lacking. Given the unfortunate run of injuries, Eustace has worked a miracle, but thats a sign of a very good coach, someone who can get results in difficult circumstances.
I note comments on social media already by fans saying, enough of the financial restraint, we need to spend money. I wince, fans have very short memories, but I'm sure Clowes won't be risking the future of the club by doing that. He it seems put a good recruitment team in place who are picking up good players from abroad who on the face of it seem good value. More of the same would be good, but we won't be returning to the mad days of Mel's spending.
Perhaps getting the fitness levels up helped, they certainly seem less leggy late on??
No need to spend willy nilly to improve the squad, gradual progress will do with the emphasis on quality not quantity. Interesting few months ahead, just no stress please DCFC!
I think the following players are shortly to be out of contract. Luthra, Phillips, Clarke, Forsyth, Ozoh, Armstrong, Barkhuizen, Yates, Washington, Thompson and Harness.
Collectively, according to the details MA provided last week, they seem to cost wages in the region of around 110,000 GBP per week (!) which doesn’t include figures for the bit part covers like Pieters and Hendrick etc.
I’d love to see Phillips back but he’s mightily, and - as GP has suggested - possibly disruptively, expensive. Of the rest Clarke, Forsyth, Armstrong and Thompson would be the four I’d be keenest to retain. Those four currently cost just under 28,000 GBP per week which still leaves a budget of around 82,000 GBP per week, without further adjustment, to start next season.
Overly simplistic perhaps - and GP might need to get his red pen out - but a healthy sum in our search for a new attacking force?
Last edited by ramAnag; 05-05-2025 at 08:31 AM.
Clarke, Forsyth, Thompson I'd say will be retained. Philips will depend upon what wages he is happy with and how happy he has been playing at Derby, he may be a higher earner than others but as long as its not too out of kilter then shouldn't be an issue, depends what other offers he gets.
Those beign signed on new contracts will, with the possible exception of Fozzy, generally be on higher contracts than they are currently on.