Have we got to go up this year?

[HOODIE]

This is on the basis that could we hold onto some of our players and perhaps even management if we again missed out?

With Hughes purring like a Ferrari at the moment and Martin getting back to his best, is the only chance we can hang onto these players is to get promoted this year?

[Rapid]

no we don't. but we will. does that answer your question ;-)

if we were going to lose player we'd have lost them last summer when martin had 12 months on his deal and before all our key players signed 4 year contracts. great work by sam rush there.

any key player that goes now will command a ridiculous fee, which can only serve to improve the squad even more. otherwise this group of players will play together for some time and continue to improve.

[RamFromCornwall]

Exactly. At the end of last season people were saying we had to go up, I think that was most of the reason why we were so disappointed. It's the best squad we've had in a long time and many thought our chance was now or never. We haven't lost any key players, and our best ones have been tied down long term. This means should we go up we will have good players on decent, Championship wages. Do you think Bryson & Martin are on the same as they would be had we won the play-off final? If we don't go up, we've still got some of the best Championship talent tied down long term, and if a team wanted to take them off us they'd be paying more than enough to replace the players anyway.

So in answer to your question, I don't think we have to go up in terms of keeping the squad and the quality of playing/coaching staff together, but it would be very nice. It would be extra nice to go up as Champions as well, and not the play-offs but there's a long way to go yet.

[swaledale]

In short no. All our players are on long contracts, sure they can demand a move but the club can demand a decent fee for them.

Whilst i will take top 6, it would be really nice to go up automatically, doing a lecicester will be fine by me!

[SlimyLimey]

We have to go up this season... I am 74 & don't know how many more seasons I have left. not only want to see them go up, but finish top 10 of Prem... Is that too much to ask for?

[RamFromCornwall]

We have to go up this season... I am 74 & don't know how many more seasons I have left. not only want to see them go up, but finish top 10 of Prem... Is that too much to ask for?

At least you've already seen that! And 2 league titles!

[HOODIE]

Problem is when has a contract in football stopped a player from moving if they wanted it enough?

Its true that signing these players is good business, good work by McClaren and Rush but most important good work by the owners because without their consent it would not have been possible.

This would mean we would get a decent transfer fee and in no short measure shows that the players in question are confident that they can fulfil their ambitions at Derby.

However, it still does not mean if we don't go up and the Premiership comes calling certain players might think they cannot give up the chance. There could even be some form of agreement between club and player on that basis, who knows.

It's true that this is the best squad of players that have worn the jersey for some time, just hope we can keep them together, it's simply brilliant watching this team play!

[SlimyLimey]

We have to go up this season... I am 74 & don't know how many more seasons I have left. not only want to see them go up, but finish top 10 of Prem... Is that too much to ask for?

At least you've already seen that! And 2 league titles![/quote]

Plus an FA cup in 1946

[ramspride]

We have to go up this season... I am 74 & don't know how many more seasons I have left. not only want to see them go up, but finish top 10 of Prem... Is that too much to ask for?

At least you've already seen that! And 2 league titles![/quote]

Plus an FA cup in 1946[/quote]

Comeoff it Limey you were only 6 then surely you didn't see them win the cup

[SlimyLimey]

No of course not My dad owned Fountain Garage near Whatstandwell & was having a bungalow built & the builders & my dad were listening to it on the wireless (as it was called in those days).