DeParis

Was the culture inherited really that bad? I agree re:Vyner, either way, never really understand how and why he struggled so badly to get a coherent defence, the quality was hardly on par with the likes of the Rotherham who we saw Saturday.

Despite your best efforts questions like this are very easy to answer.

Well if signing a number 9 is as nailed on as being made out will TC even be a regular for us next season? Unless im mistaken hasn’t LM made it clear that 1 up top is here to stay.

I can see him going to somewhere like Stoke - better wages, further North, a fellow scouse in charge who plays progressive exciting football. I think he should stay though, there is a reason why he is currently playing his best football and part of that is the management getting the best out of him.

I’ve got a lot of time for Nigel too, but I can’t help but feel he is viewed with significant rose tinted glasses, people forget he had some excellent players at his disposal. I remember the 21/22 season, he had the likes of Kalas, Bentley, Dasilva, Klose, Vyner etc…..and yet we had the 2nd worst defense in the division. Saying that he had a proper rebuild job to do, either way, it is what it is.

It also makes him very hard to shift, can’t see there being any takers anywhere.

Well compare the recent run of form to where we were prior, on a terrible run. I would also argue that we are playing better football now than we did under Pearson, Holden and the later stages of the Johnson era. Clearly the Swansea game was a turning point where Manning went in with a very different approach. Schumacher has openly done the same thing at Stoke, both sides now reaping the benefits. Yes we are still mid-table but, for the first time in a long time I’m excited for the season ahead and I think we can all acknowledge that we are playing with real quality on the pitch. All 4 have done a really good job so far, especially at QPR and Wednesday. More so Wednesday as QPR have in my view always had a squad that shouldn’t be flirting with relegation. Ainsworth struggled, perhaps an example of what can happen when you don’t pause and reflect, Swansea clearly a big turning point for us. I imagine both Manning and Schumacher have a similar PPG since taking over, could be wrong though. EDIT: Manning 1.35 PPG Schumacher 1.25 PPG

Manning, Schumacher, Cifuentes and Rohl have all done this, and they have all built on and made their sides better because of it.

You overestimate 1) the tactical track record of Warne 2) Derby ability to recruit. A Paul Warne side has never played attractive football, he didn’t do it with Rotherham a small fish in a big pond, or Derby a big fish in a small pond…..as for recruitment, this Derby side in terms of quality is far inferior to any of his Rotherham sides - they also have no money so if you genuinely think that Derby in the champ are going to suddenly play decent football you will be VERY disappointed. On paper, with their inability to spend, they are going to really struggle next season, especially with their aging squad and losing a number of players. Good luck to them, absolutely no surprise that Bird wanted to jump ship though - relegation battle for them next season.

If we offer him a “much reduced” rate he won’t sign, simple as that. It wouldn’t surprise me if he is waiting on any offers - currently in the best form of his career - wouldn’t surprise me if a Stoke, West Brom, Watford came calling, all of whom will pay more per week.

One element of this that people underestimate is the role Twine plays - if he pushes for the move then you could knock off a sizeable amount. I get the impression Twine would love to be here, playing in his best position, guarenteed to be the “star” man, local to home, a manager who has got the best out of him…..he also knows that he is at a point where he needs regular games. If I were him I would be making it very clear to Burnley what my thoughts and hopes were. Not sure he is that kind of lad though.

Why wouldn’t he come here positive and happy? I haven’t heard the interview and the specifics he was referring to, but they are clearly very different types of players.

He is a very different player to Twine, and I think he will excel under Manning far more than Warne. Paul Warne sides are very direct, and some Derby fans have been frustrated with this and feel it negates the strengths of Bird. A completely different style of football to Manning. Whilst Bird isn’t the same player as James they are similar, he seems like an obvious replacement and in my view an upgrade. He is more mobile a better passer and a bigger goal threat - James does have greater experience and nouse though. i think he will be an excellent signing, and im suprised we managed to get him…. A rotating 4 of Bird Knight Williams and TGH is really good at this level. For all his faults one thing BT has improved is recruitment of players.