Icki to Derby? NOOOOOOO!

[Jimmy Badfellow]

I understand it is about money to a large degree but fighting hard all season to get promoted and then dropping when you don't have to feels weird to me. Money is a huge factor but what about furthering yourself? Idk.

Easy to say when I'm not in that situation but I can't imagine battling to go up and then choosing to go back down again.

It is bizarre MT but then again football is a bizarre industry. In reality Smith and Ihiekwe might not want to leave in an ideal world but needs must.One last chance of a big 3 year deal is all they have left.With all due respect it is highly likely that they will never earn those kinds of sums again and they will only be in their mid 30's by then. They won't be sitting as pundits on TV because no one has ever heard of them!

[MillersTime]

I get your point but maybe he foresees yet another season of battling to survive in the Championship with RUFC (the 4th time with us?) less of an attraction to possibly a promotion chasing season with DCFC. Not something we'd like to think about but we could be swapping positions again in 12 months and if that's the case and DCFC get their house in order there may be a push for the promised land. Add on top of that say a 3y contract at even a moderate 2K/week extra then it starts to maybe make sense?

Yeah you make fair points and perhaps he is 'sacrificing' short term by dropping again for a better longer term chance at playing higher up the second tier.

Must feel strange to consider dropping again though when you don't have to? Even with all those reasons. I'd have nothing against Icky if he does, good luck to him but yeah.

Would be harder to replace than some but is what it is and there will always be options out there. Would fear for him if he made a mistake at Pride Park with a full house, you know how he can spiral. Shame if so, real shame.

[Nardendee]

Let’s hope Ikky takes a tip from Her Majesty and rules out Derby too.

[Brin]

I understand it is about money to a large degree but fighting hard all season to get promoted and then dropping when you don't have to feels weird to me. Money is a huge factor but what about furthering yourself? Idk.

Easy to say when I'm not in that situation but I can't imagine battling to go up and then choosing to go back down again.

MT, in the true light if day, how much more can you better yourself when you’re approaching 30? You’ve all but done as a player surely?

[gru]

Ihiekwe can go for me as long as we've got a younger model not as error prone lined up to replace him.

[avondalemiller]

Fair drive from Liverpool area to Derby.............see ya and enjoy

[MillersTime]

MT, in the true light if day, how much more can you better yourself when you’re approaching 30? You’ve all but done as a player surely?

Well for a start you can test yourself at the highest possible level available to you.

Why we have become fixated on this board with 30 being retirement age for a player now I don't know. Many defenders should be in their prime around this age with all their experience whilst still having the necessary physical attributes.

[avondalemiller]

I thought the same about Washington, how can we improve him now at 30 and after been coached at International level? Hope we do though.....UTM.

[CAMiller]

Well for a start you can test yourself at the highest possible level available to you.

Why we have become fixated on this board with 30 being retirement age for a player now I don't know. Many defenders should be in their prime around this age with all their experience whilst still having the necessary physical attributes.

I think even I could pick a full team of 30 year olds (or older) currently playing in The Championship who would challenge for promotion. In fact, maybe that's a challenge here for posters to do that?

[Brin]

I think even I could pick a full team of 30 year olds (or older) currently playing in The Championship who would challenge for promotion. In fact, maybe that's a challenge here for posters to do that?

You couldn’t pick your nose to win a competition 🤣 🤣