Wezbid

He seems the sort of guy who would play for a modest wage and because he actually enjoys playing football rather than seeing it as a cash cow. If he was on a fair, Championship wage, I'd give him a 2 year deal, no problem. He's a victim of guilty by association imo. His end product is wanting, we know this but he's a right back who ends up also taking on the role of a winger when that's not his main job. He's one of the few players we have who really takes the pressure off by having the balls and energy to carry the ball forward towards the opposition touchline. Most will want him out but on a fair wage, I'd have him as a squad member any day of the week, he has all the characteristics you want.

There was a break on where a simple ball to Adomah would have put him clean through but he held on to it for no reason, so frustrating because he puts in a lot of effort to help develop those opportunities at the same time. I guess that's why he's not at the top level. He has much to offer despite the frustrations.

He works really hard, my main gripe, and this is from his Wrexham days and following of Wales too, is that he can give too much space to the wide man. He narrows the gap well when they shape up to cross but it does allow over-laps and loose tackles a lot.

In the heat of the moment, different people act, uhhh, differently. Perhaps his competitive side is a reason why he is playing at a high level when many with ability don't have that edge to compete and push. I'm not trying to condone what he did, it was wrong but in such a tense moment of the game where he's worked his ass off and then had such a rubbish decision to against him then I understand why the red mist could be produced. He deserves to be punished for it, of course but it's not so black and white. I suspect he has a brain, despite what you suggest. In the heat of the moment, anything can, and does happen. It'll be a weakness of him at times but a strength in others (the whole game where he worked his ass off tirelessly, for example).

Hughes looked good to me, a good battle with Lansbury, you could see the mutual respect for each other. Hughes found himself in good positions due to how deep we were, as as a result however, it meant he faced a claret wall alot of the time. He put in one sublime ball over the top on the run which Bent should have finished that was pure class. It's like when the likes of Juan Mata don't catch the eye because there's little room to manoeuvre, despite being quality. Ironically, sitting back so much possibly helped nullify him to a degree although I still think he looked good.

I think that's half his point, there's more focus on pointing out this and having a go at that, in comparison to getting the 3 points, with a clean sheet to boot.

Cheers Brucie

Both Lansbury and Hourihane have quality delivery.

Replaced 2 tired wingers with 1 fresh winger and a left back who's played wide left numerous times in France. Replaced a striker who'd run himself into the ground with a fresh midfielder and pushed Bacuna up front as he had more in his legs than Kodja. Gardener brought more closing down with him. I don't for one second blame him for trying to defend the lead. We failed to take our earlier chances and have the game wrapped up. The manager and team were desperate for a win and I think they'll take the 3 points over making attacking substitutions and not winning. The 3 points were all that mattered today after the form we were in.

For all of Derby's possession they didn't create a lot. We sat way to deep, it is only natural when the players are desperate for a win. Bruce didn't instruct them to sit so deep. Of course it wasn't pretty and scrappy but the players worked hard and ground out the 3 points yet it's just the same names slagging off players. It's not wrong to want a nicer performance but some almost sound bitter that we came through with a clean sheet and a victory. Sad. Hopefully we can use it as a stepping stone and confidence builder.

I assume he's injured, not even on the bench :/

I don't actually believe the statement would be followed through (still keeping his job after relegation) but I can understand why plenty of people are complaining about it. There is that potential that it's serious. I can understand trying to take the pressure off of Bruce but if the board wasn't him the side to play more openly then that can be conveyed in private. The fans being told he'll be here regardless will potentially result in certain fans stepping up their complaints and ill feelings should recent form and less than convincing performances continue. I can understand the want for stability and time to implement things but Bruce is showing zero consistency in the sides he is picking. I do believe he's better than what we are seeing and maybe this will persuade him that he's got the time to persist with a style but we need to stick to it for a run of games (barring injuries). I can accept the board giving him more time but the statement of keeping him regardless has caused a bigger mess imo. Derby are in poor form so hopefully a win tomorrow will help change the mood.

Nobby Solano.

You haven't quite grasped the concept of the thread...

Whilst I applaud and encourage rewarding the Season Ticket holders and those already attending, a big focus needs to be concentrated on bringing in those uhhmmmming and arrrggghhhing. Ticket prices are mental and floating fans are not going to be drawn in apart from the team winning game after game. Being able to buy 3/5/10 games at a time may help or offering 25/50% off 3 games for every shirt purchase for example. It's better to get bums on seats for a bit of a loss than a smaller crowd paying more. Apathy soons sets in with those picking games, entice them to turn up every home game and the more likely they are to get hooked on it.

I completey forgot we signed Sutton. Carbone? Micah Richards

Why ask Elphick in the first place. He's knewly arrived. Ask the bloody fans. It's just a small thing but these little things matter and you don't need a degree or be able to quote corperate jargon/speak to understand such things.

Seemingly a lot business mumbo jumbo and swatting away in those answers if you ask me. Not all of it of course and these forums are very important but a lot of the answers are underwhelming. Maybe I'm just miserable but I'm one of the more up beat posters on here usually!

I do miss Tim's flying gillets but I miss Garde's common sense, trying to get us playing football and sexy voice more.

Why wouldn't he be? He's only 26.

I wonder if Barney posts on here. That'd be fantastic.

It's chowder, say it right! It really was just a nasty landing with his whole body weight going over on his ankle, nothing to do with his brutal knee injuries.

I'm not talking about Gabby at all. It's his multiple digs at Hogan. Gabby was also in a similar position but I would back Hogan to put away more chances should they actually come their way.

Are you taking the mick? The guy was feeding off scraps all game long. You haven't got a clue.

What's really frustrating is that despite spending a lot of money on players and 2 different managers, on paper they made/make really good sense, (Di Matter possibly the odd one out but still not a wild appointment). Cb's who have been promoted from the division, Chester easily holding his own in the Prem. Strikers who have banged them in at this level, midfielders who have scored and assisted in this division (albeit arriving in January), a DM who Palace fans seemed disappointed about losing, a winger who helped get Boro promoted last season. A manager promoted 4 times from this division. GK has been a stumbling area but I'm not in the camp of thinking Johnstone is a complete liability, he wouldn't have been given a new deal at Utd if he was truly awful. Xia's/the club's decisions make sense but at the moment there doesn't seem to be a unity and togetherness amongst the players and fans and the players themselves. Bruce can't settle on a side, although injuries in key areas haven't helped but we have all the tools to push on. The Richards thing shows desperation, if we could all take a step back and relieve the tension a little, Bruce included then I think we could give a few teams a good hiding but as it is, Bruce is so concerned about losing that he's not focusing on how to win. The likes of Hourihane and Lansbury need to be closer to the opposition's Cb's rather than hours but such is the worry about losing we're miles of a forward thinking style. Bruce has to be brave and go at teams. At worst, we'll be caught in the break and lose but fans can accept losing giving it a good go rather than losing with a whimper. Come out swinging Bruce because you have the weapons to inflict damage to others otherwise we and you will get a kicking. More advanced CM/CM's linking up with the strikers rather than launching long balls for them to scrap off and by-passing the players who can do damage with the ball at their feet. Sometimes football can be complicated but it can also be simple if you make it so. Apologies for kinda going off topic but I started so I thought I'd finish, ooo-er.