Good Morning Everyone Derby boss Frank Lampard was forced to halt training yesterday amid ‘spying’ concerns. The police were called to Derby's training ground after reports of a man on the perimeter of the training pitch, appearing to spy on the team’s final session before the Leeds game. The suspect was in possession of a pair of binoculars, pliers and a change of clothes. Sounds perfectly normal to me! The man was taken away for questioning... please log in to view this image The quest to bring a new keeper to Elland Road is reaching irs finale. The rumour doing the rounds is that a shot stopper will arrive at Thorp Arch early next week to undertake a medical. Will there be a buy on clause? Apparently that will depend on whether we get promoted or not!!! Why has the search for a keeper taken so long? Blackman broke his leg back in November, and here we are, almost half way through January!!! A host of Premiership scouts will be at Elland Road tonight with all eyes fixated on Jack Clarke. The 18yo sensation has been subject to much speculation over the last few days. If Leeds were offered 15m today for Clarje, and the money could be immediately reinvested into the squad, would you accept?
I very much doubt the 'spy' came from Leeds Utd. Bielsa plays the same tactics week in week out, and also reveals his starting line ups days in advance. Anyway, if it was down to Leeds, we would have bought at least 5000, not just one!!!
Morning all... So all checks were clear, the guy was innocent but Derby still have to make it a non event story to make it sound like they were being spied on by someone at Leeds. Bielsa has made it clear that he has no say on who is scouted or what funds are available but he does have the final say on those coming in, or putting it politely when a candidate is found Bielsa is approached for his opinion. Bielsa is also remaining politically polite when he repeats himself in that they have to be better than what we already have, you can only assume he wasn’t impressed with the first few keepers he was presented with. To request better than you already have, does that suggest he doesn’t want back up for positions instead he wants top quality, does Bielsa himself feel he has bang average and wants better? No to Clarke, not in this window anyway, one we need him for a promotion push, two if we make the PL he will be worth double.
Morning Ell I trust all is well with you now I too find it very frustrating that nothing appears to have been sorted in terms of a keeper considering how long ago blackman went back. I'm glad Baker was recalled but what are the chances that he becomes a star player for reading! A few more of the loanees would be better off going back too I am getting bored of waiting for brown to appear and the season will probably be over before him or Bamford get up to speed Not sure if I would take the cash for Clarke at this stage. He still needs to develop and if he continues to put in great performances his value will only increase so I say keep hold of him
Morning all Frustrating as hell with the keeper thing, but the only thing I will say is that the January window is a joke and rigged in favor of sellers, who just inflate prices because they know that buyers are dezzy. Blackman went back weeks ago and the search will have started weeks ago, but sometimes the log jam needs breaking before moves start happening. I believe we were chasing Darlow weeks ago, and Newcastle were up for it, but then just over a week ago Benitez said he wasnt selling anyone. Discussions carried on anyway but it came down to £4m which is high and we wanted a loan to buy deal. Burnley had heaton surplus to requirement but wouldnt sell until Tom Pope was fully fit, and then Dyche dropped Hart and put Heaton in...... At least we know who the new keeper isnt as Phil Hay ruled out a few last night. So I believe we will have a new keeper early next week and I hope Forzas contact is right and we sign a high end player next week too. The only other story doing the rounds today is Sunderland's Josh Majer has refused a new contract. This kid is only 20 but scored 14 league goals so far this season, which is more than Marriot had scored at the same time last season in League 1. Gamble? or is it not true
Morning all. Of course Bielsa wants better than what we already have. Weve spent a year trying to loan out the ones that werent up to the job, hed hardly want another crop of those. Its up to the club to sign better, not too much to ask. As for 15m for Clarke and it being reinvested, youre definitely having a laugh Elland. Firstly if we have to sell him having only got a dozen half games out of the lad, itd be a joke, a very bad one. Secondly, like much of the other transfers, at best about 5m would be reinvested based on Radz operation so far since he arrived, thats not based on speculation. Also if or when were promoted to the pl, Clarke’s exactly the kind of player we’d be trying to sign and would likely have to pay double that to get him. Give him a proper contract now with guaranteed large pay increases if promoted. After all Ian Harte’s his agent so if we can’t negotiate with a Leeds man it would be poor
Just a point on the tranny front, Nixon said late last night that he knew of a signing but refused to say the name until his piece in the paper on Sunday. Nixon is usually on the money and usually knows how much money and how much wages are involved too. So only hangs back when its a biggish name? Confidence building
Karanka has left Forest and the club are now chasing Jokancavic and failing that want Big Sam. This club will not accept anything less than promotion
The filth should get their priorities right by stopping 14 year old children riding around the streets on mopeds instead of arresting some nerd watching a load of blokes kicking a ball about
'Derby County Football Club can confirm that officers from the Derbyshire Constabulary were called to the Derby County Training Centre at around 11:20am on Thursday 10th January 2019 following reports of a man acting suspiciously outside the premises,' a club statement read. 'It has since been confirmed to Derby County that the individual concerned is an employee of the footballing staff at Leeds United Football Club. 'The club is now in discussion with Leeds United club officials in relation to this incident.' Police were continuing their enquiries on Friday morning, and Sportsmail understands the suspect and his car were traced back to Leeds United. He was not arrested but Derby have made a complaint to the Football League regarding the incident.
So Bielsa a bloke who informs the world days before a match, what team he is putting out, what tactics he will use and historically has had open training sessions is accused of spying...... Even Pochetino has rubbished it and said back in Argentina most clubs have open training sessions and if I was allowed to here at Spurs I would do the same. Lampard a cnut
It's a sad reflection of our society & emergency services that a football club can command immediate response for a non-crime, but an old lady being burgled is told to hide & the police will be round to see her next week - if they can spare the resource. The excuse normally peddled is 'prioritising use of resources', and I'd love to hear why a rambler who got lost is a priority in the grand scheme of things. If I lived in Derby, I'd be straight on to my MP. At least we might get a public airing of the reasoning behind this 'priority'. This is a non-event in the football world, and as far as I'm aware, is not in breach of any FA rules, far less it be a criminal offence. Derby should be smashed for wasting the Police service's time. But they won't.
Im just glad the jokes not on us for once. Give them a good game and see who comes in next week will do me.
