Cheap and cheerful
I understand being frugal. I understand keeping your costs down. I understand getting a bargain.
What I am starting to get a little concerned about is that a player who I believe is truly worth the asking price is at risk of not being persued because we’re trying to get him at half price.
Perhaps I’m being unfair on NC but, if we’re in need of descent defenders then at some point we’re going to have to bite the bullet.
Shaun Barker is a good player. Blackpool are not going to let him go for a bargain basement price. I suppose it all very much depends on what true value NC puts on a player. I just get the feeling that we’re going to have to be prepared to see a lot more bargain basement and free transfer players that NC hopes will improve with time and will function well in his style of play. Only time will tell. One thing is clear, the club is not going to waste money. It’s a hard task to build a team on a shoe string and make significant strides each season.
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We all know what tends to happen when a star in the making comes along, e.g. Malcolm Christie, the wealthier clubs make an offer that can’t be refused and the club take three steps backwards. It can’t be avoided because the player will want to advance his career, and who can blame him. The only way you keep good players is by making fast progression into the Premier League. I suppose to a certain extent, steady progress with a half descent team, where no one stands out but as a unit they perform well, is the best alternative to spending huge amounts.
Hang on, I think I just described BC’s method. Let’s hope we see similar results.
2009/2010 Fixtures are out
Not a bad start to the season. We’ve managed to avoid the tougher teams at the start.
08-Aug-09 Derby County vs Peterborough United
15-Aug-09 Scunthorpe United vs Derby County
18-Aug-09 Blackpool vs Derby County
22-Aug-09 Derby County vs Plymouth Argyle
29-Aug-09 Nottingham Forest vs Derby County
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A good chance to get some early points on the board and boost confidence.
Then it gets a bit more tricky…
12-Sep-09 Derby County vs Sheffield United
15-Sep-09 Derby County vs Barnsley
19-Sep-09 Crystal Palace vs Derby County
26-Sep-09 Derby County vs Bristol City
29-Sep-09 Cardiff City vs Derby County
2009/2010 Championship Fixtures are coming today
Yes, something to get excited about and start planning how we think the season is going to start panning out.
The BBC try to explain how the fixtures are arrived at HERE.
Sounds almost impossible but you can’t please everyone.
Boring
God, it’s really boring waiting for the new football season.
Is it me or was the last England match hardly mentioned on TV?
I hadn’t even noticed that it was on TV at all. Not until I heard Ian Wright discussing it on TalkSport did I even realize that England had played.
Honestly though, I do have to say I am completely on Ian Wright’s side when he talked about how some England fans are never happy. SIX straight wins for England and some people still bang on about how we’re not good enough.
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Unless we’re in a group with Spain or Germany, some people seem to think that we’re not proving anything.
There are no easy internationals these days and yes perhaps Spain are better than us but, this is no reason to constantly knock players who have been winning. It’s time to stop moaning and start congratulating. The way England play in any particular game is virtually irrelevant if we win.
Hope
I hope Nigel knows what he’s doing. So far all I hear is interest in lower league players.
Some higher level experience is vital. He really needs to get someone on board who’s coming to the end of their career i.e. another Savage. Someone like Sol Campbell.
Pre Season
The preseason schedule has now been disclosed.
I think it’s always better to play lower English league clubs rather than going abroad. Playing English style football is always the best option. Playing foreign clubs doesn’t provide any benefit unless you are Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, etc.
In my opinion you really should be beating these lower league clubs by at least two goals. I know they are preseason and have no impact on the Championship but the players need to feel good about how they are playing. Starting how you mean to carry on is important. I think if you look at previous preseason results, they are a very good indicator of how the season is going to pan out. Lame 1-1, 2-2 results are not what you want.
I question a final match against Stoke City because lest face it they’re probably going to give us a pasting. A good win just before the season starts would be ideal.
1. TekMaster -