v Derby County (a) - 8/3/2025

[DE.]

11 hours ago, alcd said:

It'll be 9 months and a payoff then onto the next one. 

We haven't paid off a manager since Coyle over 8 years ago, and we're currently spending as little money as possible, so I think this is unlikely to be honest. 

It may be possible if Ismael has us in relegation trouble - but just like Coyle, Venky's will pull the trigger too late and we'll be sunk anyway. 

[martonrover]

20 minutes ago, arbitro said:

How do you explain coming back against Norwich last week to get a point. We conceded in the 90th minute and only had ten men. They clearly were playing for him then.

Yesterday we started slowly and conceded two soft goals from basic errors. The change in the system made by Ismael made us much more solid. There was no lack of effort and nothing at all to suggest the players are not playing for him.

It’s a fact that you are correct, but the goal against Norwich came out of nowhere.

A combination of poor officiating and Norwich’s profligacy in front of goal were more responsible for us getting out of jail.

I agree that it’s way too early to make a judgement on Ismael, but the omens are not good.

[arbitro]

6 minutes ago, NeilInBristol said:

Two soft goals because we have flappy hands in goal too 

I hope we upgrade on this GK department this summer 

Me too but on the second goal Hyam and Carter were far too weak.

To give Eustace a bit of credit it appears he was looking to exploit our weaknesses by getting the ball in the penalty area as often as possible. He also had Adams chipping away at Travis and it worked as Travis became preoccupied with Adams and lost focus.

[arbitro]

4 minutes ago, martonrover said:

It’s a fact that you are correct, but the goal against Norwich came out of nowhere.

A combination of poor officiating and Norwich’s profligacy in front of goal were more responsible for us getting out of jail.

I agree that it’s way too early to make a judgement on Ismael, but the omens are not good.

I honestly don't get those vibes from watching last week and yesterday. It might well prove the case over the coming months but right now I find the notion of players not playing for him laughable.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

6 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Me too but on the second goal Hyam and Carter were far too weak.

To give Eustace a bit of credit it appears he was looking to exploit our weaknesses by getting the ball in the penalty area as often as possible. He also had Adams chipping away at Travis and it worked as Travis became preoccupied with Adams and lost focus.

They seemed to be trying to get control of the ball instead of just booting it up the pitch.

[martonrover]

4 minutes ago, arbitro said:

I honestly don't get those vibes from watching last week and yesterday. It might well prove the case over the coming months but right now I find the notion of players not playing for him laughable.

I certainly don’t think it’s a case of players not playing for Ismael, but small margins make a big difference in sport.

I think they are unhappy with what’s happened and they are now having to work for someone with a very different approach.

If you asked our players who they would rather be playing for yesterday, I think we all know the answer.

[Paul Mellelieu]

2 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

And somebody else gets the Derby job and that chance has gone.

That's where the honour comes in.  Sometimes you have to do the right thing, rather than you thing you want to do.

[roversfan99]

Is the right thing to continue to work for employers who dont listen to you, dont back you, renege on promises to you and dont share your ambition?

[jim mk2]

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

How do you explain coming back against Norwich last week to get a point. We conceded in the 90th minute and only had ten men. They clearly were playing for him then.

Yesterday we started slowly and conceded two soft goals from basic errors. The change in the system made by Ismael made us much more solid. There was no lack of effort and nothing at all to suggest the players are not playing for him.

Be honest, Norwich dominated the match and should have won by 3 or 4. Rovers were fortunate to snatch a point. 

I don't think anyone would dispute yesterday's second half was abysmal. Apart from a brief period before half time Rovers were poor overall.  Either the players are still sulking over Eustace going or they don't understand and/or are not on board with what Ismael is trying to do.

On the evidence of 2 deeply disappointing displays under him  that have probably finished our playoff hopes, I think it's the latter.

We'll see in the next game. Another performance like yesterday will confirm my suspicions

[martonrover]

17 minutes ago, Paul Mellelieu said:

That's where the honour comes in

Honour works both ways, and there is little on offer from Venkys, Suhail and Waggott.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

A good review of a shit and embarrassing Day..

..Snakes and all.

Edited 8 hours ago by SIMON GARNERS 194

[chaddyrovers]

4 hours ago, martonrover said:

I think we've put a square peg in a round hole.

He was 'cheap' and unemployed, and that's all our goons care about.

I'm not saying Eustace was soft, far from it, but I remember the podcast last Summer with Szmodics and Allardyce.

They were comparing JDT and Eustace.

From what Szmodics was saying, Allardyce described JDT as a "coach" and Eustace as a "pragmatic manager" in terms of methods of work and dealing with players.

Ismael has a reputation of rubbing players up the wrong way and being stubborn.

Our squad clearly enjoyed working for Eustace and were no doubt gutted to see him go.

I don't think that Ismael will be viewed in the same light. 

how was Ismael a cheap option? 

Where has Ismael got this supposedly reputation of rubbing players up the wrong way and being stubborn? 

 

1 hour ago, martonrover said:

I will have to disagree about that.

It’s abnormal for a new manager to suffer such a shocking defeat in his second game.

I do agree there are wider reasons, and it’s certainly only one factor.

The players are responsible for that loss yesterday and that shitshow in the first 7 minutes cost us the game, but even after that Brittain and Ribeiro should have been putting crosses into the back for Gueye and Ohashi, After we scored, Derby defence looked nervous and second half we never made the most of it. I really hope the players are hurting still like I am after yesterday performance 

1 hour ago, martonrover said:

It’s a fact that you are correct, but the goal against Norwich came out of nowhere.

A combination of poor officiating and Norwich’s profligacy in front of goal were more responsible for us getting out of jail.

I agree that it’s way too early to make a judgement on Ismael, but the omens are not good.

out of nowhere? We should had a penalty just before it and if Norwich can't finish that on them, just like they couldn't on Friday night from all accounts, but we deserved at least point from that game, and if the players weren't playing for him would we had scored that 96 minutes equaliser. 

what omens? Its 2 games? FFS

34 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Is the right thing to continue to work for employers who dont listen to you, dont back you, renege on promises to you and dont share your ambition?

is it right to tell the fans we are family and we are as one, the players, him and the fans, or to keep banging on the Rovers badge like it meant something to him being our head coach? or to lie to the fans when Derby made their approach and to take charge of the Wolves game? 

[Hasta]

20 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

is it right to tell the fans we are family and we are as one, the players, him and the fans, or to keep banging on the Rovers badge like it meant something to him being our head coach? or to lie to the fans when Derby made their approach and to take charge of the Wolves game? 

Get over it and stop the crying like several others on here.

He instilled a togetherness, but that wasn’t being reciprocated by the club who refused to discuss contracts with the players, with Eustace or stick to their word with regards to investment and bringing players in. Key back room staff are coming in then leaving within months. In that scenario, why should Eustace see out the remaining 16 months of his contract in an environment where relationships with those above are straining (like JDT) and his reputation is probably only going to decline due to lack of support (see Forshaw for Baker).

He’s not. He’s going to take the sensible option for himself, for both for his mental well-being (not having to work with and clash with liars), his financial well-being (better wage and longer contract) and his future career (under these owners it’s only one way for him and his reputation at Ewood).

But you, and several others, think he should ignore that and continue putting up with Suhail, Waggot and co because you feel let down.

You’re problem Chaddy is you believe everything anyone says who you regard as ‘official’, whether it’s Eustace, Waggot, Nixon or whoever. If you lived in the real world you would know that for all the talk of togetherness Eustace was unhappy behind the scenes. It was hinted at  on here for months by posters. And you would know that no manager is going to come on live tv and say “yeah I’ve spoken speaking to Derby and if everything is agreed I should be off tomorrow”.  
 

The problem now is you have to find an angle to slate the ex-employee and not the club, so you are more mad at Eustace for his interview before the wolves game rather than Suhail and Waggot for letting another over-achieving manager walk out the door because of the rotten state of the club off the pitch.

 

Edited 8 hours ago by Hasta

[chaddyrovers]

3 minutes ago, Hasta said:

Get over it and stop the crying like several others on here.

He instilled a togetherness, but that wasn’t being reciprocated by the club who refused to discuss contracts with the players, with Eustace or stick to their word with regards to investment and bringing players in. Key back room staff are coming in then leaving within months. In that scenario, why should Eustace see out the remaining 16 months of his contract in an environment where relationships with those above are straining (like JDT) and his reputation is probably only going to decline due to lack of support (see Forshaw for Baker).

He’s not. He’s going to take the sensible option for himself, for both for his mental well-being (not having to work with and clash with liars), his financial well-being (better wage and longer contract) and his future career (under these owners it’s only one way for him and his reputation at Ewood).

But you, and several others, think he should ignore that and continue putting up with Suhail, Waggot and co because you feel let down.

You’re problem Chaddy is you believe everything anyone says who you regard as ‘official’, whether it’s Eustace, Waggot, Nixon or whoever. If you lived in the real world you would know Eustace was unhappy behind the scenes. It was hinted at  on here for months by posters. And you would know that no manager is going to come on live tv and say “yeah I’ve spoken speaking to Derby and if everything is agreed I should be off tomorrow”.  The problem is you have to find an angle to slate the ex-employee and not the club, so you are more mad at Eustace for his interview before the wolves game than Suhail and Waggot for letting another over-achieving manager walk out the door because of the rotten state of the club off the pitch.

 

The fans made their feelings very clear what they thought of him yesterday at the game including plenty of fans carrying snakes  and if you speak to fans, they feel let down by Eustace given his comments and Yes I know he has been unhappy at his lack of influence over transfers but he is the head coach not the manager, that the difference in his actual role. His role at Derby seems to be different to when it was here. 

Maybe Eustace shouldn't be talking about us all being a family and banging the Rovers badge post match in front of the BBE then? but you seemingly have no problem with it. Well I do. If that slated him, then so be it using your definitive of slating him. If he doesn't want to be here at our great club then leave and don't let the door it you on the way out. 

Just to correct your comment that comments after Derby approach was made post Wolves not pre Wolves game. 

lived in the real world, what a total and deluded comment to make. 

as for your comment "Get over it and stop the crying" I could say that the very same thing over several things that you complained about but I won't lower myself to that level 

 

[martonrover]

17 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

how was Ismael a cheap option? 

Where has Ismael got this supposedly reputation of rubbing players up the wrong way and being stubborn?

 

Ismael was unemployed, so no compensation to his club,.

He has also accepted a wage which was reportedly too small for higher calibre managers who we may have been able to tempt.

I read several social media posts from fans of his previous clubs that he fell out with key players, and that he was stubborn in his methods of work,

17 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

out of nowhere? We should had a penalty just before it and if Norwich can't finish that on them, just like they couldn't on Friday night from all accounts, but we deserved at least point from that game, and if the players weren't playing for him would we had scored that 96 minutes equaliser. 

what omens? Its 2 games? FFS

I don't think it was even a foul for the penalty, and even if was, it was borderline whether it was inside or outside the box.

If you read my reply to another poster above, you will see I have clearly stated that I do NOT think it's a case of the players not playing for Ismael.

I just feel / fear that he's a square peg in a round hole at Rovers.

I hope he proves me wrong.

17 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

The players are responsible for that loss yesterday and that shitshow in the first 7 minutes cost us the game, but even after that Brittain and Ribeiro should have been putting crosses into the back for Gueye and Ohashi, After we scored, Derby defence looked nervous and second half we never made the most of it. I really hope the players are hurting still like I am after yesterday performance

The manager / head coach always takes ultimate responsibility for results, no matter how they comeabout.

I've clearly touched a nerve, but I'm off to work in a bit, so I haven't got time to labour an argument with you.

I think you know the problem with assurances given from Waggott and his mates.

They are evidently worthless.

Just ask JDT or Eustace.

Just remember, we all want Rovers to succeed, even if we have different views.

[simongarnerisgod]

1 hour ago, jim mk2 said:

We'll see in the next game. Another performance like yesterday will confirm my suspicions

cant see us getting anything at stoke,they`ll be hurting over the coventry defeat and come out steaming like derby did,if we don`t beat cardiff next week then thats the confirmation something is very wrong

[Hasta]

4 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

Just to correct your comment that comments after Derby approach was made post Wolves not pre Wolves game. 

.

Edited 4 hours ago by Hasta

[JCRovers]

A manager "capitulating" after 15 minutes by switching formation to match your opponent is never a good sign. Sure, Ismaël has only managed two games but you would think by now that he has some clear ideas on how he wants the team to play. Can tell you right now that we'll be in trouble if we were to revert back to being a possession-based team as we simply don't have the players for it. Focus should lie on verticality, tempo and hitting other teams on the break, not passing the ball around outside the box.

On another note, Pears is an absolute coward for not catching the ball for the first goal; almost always chooses to punch the ball when challenged in the air. Might as well replace him with Toth for the next few games because Pears doesn't instill any confidence whatsoever into our defence right now.    

[Ghost7]

From a players perspective with this amount of disruption during what you would consider a successful season. Why wouldn’t you feel something is wrong?

It’s largely unheard of.

If your answer to that is, you wouldn’t, nothing is wrong Eustace was just a snake. Then you’re a deluded prat. 

The problem is a good chunk of our fanbase (the happy clappers) will fully be thinking that way.

There’s a major IQ issue in football fanbases. 

[M_B]

30 minutes ago, Ghost7 said:

From a players perspective with this amount of disruption during what you would consider a successful season. Why wouldn’t you feel something is wrong?

It’s largely unheard of.

If your answer to that is, you wouldn’t, nothing is wrong Eustace was just a snake. Then you’re a deluded prat. 

The problem is a good chunk of our fanbase (the happy clappers) will fully be thinking that way.

There’s a major IQ issue in football fanbases. 

Other than come on here and call other fellow Rovers fans happy clappers, what have you done that makes you a non happy clapper?

That phrase proper gets on my tits.

[chaddyrovers]

45 minutes ago, martonrover said:

Ismael was unemployed, so no compensation to his club,.

Just like a number of previous head coaches and managers we had including Souness, Allardyce, Mowbray, JDT, Eustace. Does that make all these cheap appointments. 

45 minutes ago, martonrover said:

He has also accepted a wage which was reportedly too small for higher calibre managers who we may have been able to tempt.

Cooper, O'Neil and Edwards were never coming here lets be realistic about it. They are still being paid the wages from their clubs where they were being previously employed by. So why would they drop that wage to come here. Clubs don't want to pay off their previous employed head coach if they can get another job. 

45 minutes ago, martonrover said:

I read several social media posts from fans of his previous clubs that he fell out with key players, and that he was stubborn in his methods of work,

ok right

45 minutes ago, martonrover said:

I don't think it was even a foul for the penalty, and even if was, it was borderline whether it was inside or outside the box.

It was in the penalty box and deffo a foul. I said it was at the penalty given it was in front of me and I have watched the incident back several times 

45 minutes ago, martonrover said:

If you read my reply to another poster above, you will see I have clearly stated that I do NOT think it's a case of the players not playing for Ismael.

I just feel / fear that he's a square peg in a round hole at Rovers.

I hope he proves me wrong.

The manager / head coach always takes ultimate responsibility for results, no matter how they comeabout.

Yes I know you did but I think it is way to early to suggest some of the things you and others have. 

agreed on the last point but when players can't defend 2 simple balls into the box and Pears flaps like a bird what can you do. 

45 minutes ago, martonrover said:

I've clearly touched a nerve,

not at all, just still disappointed at yesterday result and performance overall when you can defend 2 very simple balls into the ball but also the lack of crosses into the box for Ohashi and Gueye. 

45 minutes ago, martonrover said:

Just remember, we all want Rovers to succeed, even if we have different views.

very correct and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day and you working 

[chaddyrovers]

39 minutes ago, JCRovers said:

A manager "capitulating" after 15 minutes by switching formation to match your opponent is never a good sign.

he changed formation cos Karbgo had to go off injured and changing formation actually made us better to a point

39 minutes ago, JCRovers said:

Sure, Ismaël has only managed two games but you would think by now that he has some clear ideas on how he wants the team to play. Can tell you right now that we'll be in trouble if we were to revert back to being a possession-based team as we simply don't have the players for it. Focus should lie on verticality, tempo and hitting other teams on the break, not passing the ball around outside the box.

Judging from his comments post games he wanted us to crosses the ball more and Brittain and Ribeiro didn't do it enough. 

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

how was Ismael a cheap option? 

Where has Ismael got this supposedly reputation of rubbing players up the wrong way and being stubborn? 

 

The players are responsible for that loss yesterday and that shitshow in the first 7 minutes cost us the game, but even after that Brittain and Ribeiro should have been putting crosses into the back for Gueye and Ohashi, After we scored, Derby defence looked nervous and second half we never made the most of it. I really hope the players are hurting still like I am after yesterday performance 

out of nowhere? We should had a penalty just before it and if Norwich can't finish that on them, just like they couldn't on Friday night from all accounts, but we deserved at least point from that game, and if the players weren't playing for him would we had scored that 96 minutes equaliser. 

what omens? Its 2 games? FFS

is it right to tell the fans we are family and we are as one, the players, him and the fans, or to keep banging on the Rovers badge like it meant something to him being our head coach? or to lie to the fans when Derby made their approach and to take charge of the Wolves game? 

Yes, we was right to say we are a family, say we are all one and bang the Rovers badge. He successfully had the players giving every last drop of effort for him during his employment here and that led to us being well above where anyone expected. Things like that helped to create a great team spirit, a united group and a seige mentality.

I hate to break it to you but Rovers mean nothing more to Ismael than a job either. Or any other manager.

Ismael is now the man whereby all criticism is diverted in this instance to the players yesterday. Ismael is beyond reproach, he cant be criticised and only the players (who do deserve criticism, they were shit) and you will go out of your way to shoot down those who dare to question him.

Eustace is now the latest suffering the chaddy jilted lover routine. Ismael when he goes will also see his media comments picked apart, his tactics criticised only retrospectively and you will move onto the next one.

[roversfan99]

15 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

he changed formation cos Karbgo had to go off injured and changing formation actually made us better to a point

Judging from his comments post games he wanted us to crosses the ball more and Brittain and Ribeiro didn't do it enough. 

Im not sure changing the formation was the right thing to do although options were limited.

They were 2 up, they were always going to sit in and protect it regardless of our formation. As it unravelled, it just meant that our back 3 had loads of the ball passing sideways. The balance wasnt right with 3 right footers and it meant bringing Sanderson on who is really poor and nearly cost us a goal. Hyam often had the ball in the left channel and had to come inside.

[chaddyrovers]

17 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Yes, we was right to say we are a family, say we are all one and bang the Rovers badge. He successfully had the players giving every last drop of effort for him during his employment here and that led to us being well above where anyone expected. Things like that helped to create a great team spirit, a united group and a seige mentality.

Well that's where we have to disagree given what we know now about Eustace and what was going on with him. 

17 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I hate to break it to you but Rovers mean nothing more to Ismael than a job either. Or any other manager.

Ismael hasn't come in and said or done a number of things that previous head coach did. Yes he has comments how great the fans were and yesterday we were fantastic. 

17 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Ismael is now the man whereby all criticism is diverted in this instance to the players yesterday. Ismael is beyond reproach, he cant be criticised and only the players (who do deserve criticism, they were shit) and you will go out of your way to shoot down those who dare to question him.

Of course Ismael can be criticise when deserved but some of it is bang out of order. We lost yesterday on not being able to defend 2 very simple balls into our box and our keeper flapping like a bird. Plus not putting enough crosses into the box. Is any of my comments above wrong? is Ismael 

17 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Eustace is now the latest suffering the chaddy jilted lover routine. Ismael when he goes will also see his media comments picked apart, his tactics criticised only retrospectively and you will move onto the next one.

More BS as ever from yourself. You might not have a problem but plenty of fans do as we witness yesterday and the home game against Plymouth

14 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Im not sure changing the formation was the right thing to do although options were limited.

Carter and Hyam couldn't deal with their front 2, its clear they were struggling. How did you not see that? 

Options were limited? really? Could have brought on JRC or ACD or more Brittain to right wing and Carter to right back. The options weren't limited at all. 

 

14 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

They were 2 up, they were always going to sit in and protect it regardless of our formation. As it unravelled, it just meant that our back 3 had loads of the ball passing sideways. The balance wasnt right with 3 right footers and it meant bringing Sanderson on who is really poor and nearly cost us a goal. Hyam often had the ball in the left channel and had to come inside.

Sanderson helps alot defensively and settled us down as Hyam and Carter were all over the place, could you not see that? 

never ideal having we 3 right footed but Derby had a left foot at right centre back and never once did we exploit that. 

Ribeiro kept drifted away from the left making the pitch smaller which didn't help one bit