Derbyshire

[Jilleen]

Hasn't Derb gotten all of his goals for Rovers as a substitute???

He is still a very young player. Is there any chance we can still turn him into an offensive midfielder??? I am doubting his scratch to be a striker at this point. Perhaps we should change his position? It could mean alot to him in the long-term...

Discuss!!

[Foxhill]

Interesting thoughts Jilleen.

I think Matty is far too selfish to be a set-up player, he was supposed to be playing the Bentley role today.....right side of midfield....he kept coming inside eliminating our outlet on the right. Of couse he was in the right place to score off the Roberts miss-hit, maybe that tells the story?

He's young, as you say, maybe he can be converted to attacking midfield over time, i'm not too sure he could do it.

[Jilleen]

Interesting thoughts Jilleen.

I think Matty is far too selfish to be a set-up player, he was supposed to be playing the Bentley role today.....right side of midfield....he kept coming inside eliminating our outlet on the right. Of couse he was in the right place to score off the Roberts miss-hit, maybe that tells the story?

He's young, as you say, maybe he can be converted to attacking midfield over time, i'm not too sure he could do it.

Selfish? That's an interesting angle. As a young player, and with his success in the under 20s, I suspect trying to alter his feelings and ego about being a "support" player (midfielder) rather than "hero" (striker) could be difficult. But, in the "big" picture, I suspect that an offensive midfielder is what he truly has to offer footy, especially in the long term.

Frankly, the stream I had today was so fuzzy -- and had Turkish commentators to boot -- that it was hard to tell *where* anyone was during the match. (I made out the fuzzy players by where I knew they *should* be -- and I could rarely tell where Derb was at all). I believe you when you say he played the position poorly, John, as you are always correct on these matters. However... might it not merely have been the situation where Derb doesn't have any experience playing the support position, and was thrown into the mix without any training or warning? It was certainly an odd thing to do by Hughes. After all, isn't playing out of position a hard thing for even very experienced players to do???

[JohnHolmesJr]

Of couse he was in the right place to score off the Roberts miss-hit, maybe that tells the story?

And thus the real story... Roberts....

The last 2 games have been his.

I am excited about the possiblities.

[Jilleen]

And thus the real story... Roberts....

The last 2 games have been his.

I am excited about the possiblities.

Sorry, mate, I disagree. While Roberts put in a *by far much better* effort than Benni prolly would have, he was still lacking. How much did he touch? And, what were his shots today? I believe they were in the lines of none-ish.

I didn't start this thread on Derb's goal, which was a "convenience" goal, at best. But, at least he was there! However, what is your opinion on perhaps changing Derb's actual position on the squad???

[Parrothead FC]

just like Jilleen still believes in MGP, I still believe in Derb... ;) it's really hard to give up on a kid who has that set of basic, simple footballing talent. if he went through years of playing striker, I think you leave him as a striker. maybe he'll never fetch 20 million pounds on the transfer market, but he's no slouch either, and ought to remain in the top flight, if not the top four, for most of his 20s.

[Jilleen]

just like Jilleen still believes in MGP, I still believe in Derb... ;) it's really hard to give up on a kid who has that set of basic, simple footballing talent. if he went through years of playing striker, I think you leave him as a striker. maybe he'll never fetch 20 million pounds on the transfer market, but he's no slouch either, and ought to remain in the top flight, if not the top four, for most of his 20s.

He is nineteen years of age. what does he know about being the ultimate striker?

Is he to be strung along, like Gally and Sergio Peter by the Club?

I have NOT given up on Derb... I just don't think that the club is perhaps looking out for Derb's best interest right now in becoming a long-term player as a striker.

I do NOT see the club getting rid of Derb in the near future -- or ever if they are smart-- no matter if he scores 20 goals or nil... what I am concerned about is that Derb is playing for a team right now that is desperate for an offensive midfielder and perhaps our side isn't thinking of the big picture.

Look at Derb... he doesn't fit the profile of the striker. Perhaps this will change. Perhaps this will not. Derb is totally *for* Blackburn. Let's make things work in the long run.

And, so far as MGP goes... I truly suspect that he is NOT the sort of player that is motivated by yelling by the manager, or by chiding by his teammates, both of which I suspect are occurring this season.

Doubt me if you want, David, but I am usually right on these matters, so far distanced from Blackburn that I am. That is why I can still manage to make a few bucks from my sports associations.

I put the question out earlier, and either no one could be bothered to respond or no one knows, but how many goals has Derb scored as a starter? He's always the substitute scorer. This may change. But, right here and right now, is the opportunity to take Derb from being a mediocre striker to a first rate offensive midfielder.

Please let the club not f*ck up Derb's career like it has done so many others.

[dring1]

trouble is, is hughes going to give derbyshire a chance if not he will move on as foxhill said he is a bit gready at times but he did enough yesterday to suggest he could do a midfield role.

[BlackburnRover]

I like Derbs a lot, and hopefully he will be given the chance over a few games, later. I think he's one of the best finishers we've got, he's scored some cracking goals. Unfortunately I still think he's lacking in a few areas, I think he's a bit lightweight sometimes, which I think is just due to his age. Unfortunately, while he's not slow, he's not quick enough to make up for his lack of strength yet. That lack of strength will mean he loses out big style in midfield though. I wouldn't trust him not to leave gaping holes in midfield either, because of what Foxhill said. I'd leave him like he is for now and see what happens when he gets older. I don't doubt he has potential to be a very good player but he's not had the impact he did last year, the odd game he's started he's not had much effect, as usual defenders normally suss you out in time, he'll just need to keep working.

He's scored as a starter, don't know the numbers but he scored against Luton in the cup as a starter, Everton in the cup too I think?

As for Roberts, while he deserved his start the defense had him in their pockets for most of the game. While I think the ref should have stopped them climbing all over him, the defence showed how to play him, get a strong player on him and don't give him the space to turn and run at you. He's another one I'd like to see do well, but while he looks good coming on as a sub, when players are tired, I don't think he has the know how to unlock a defence if they cancel out his physical strength.

[Foxhill]

I am watching the England Under 21 against Ireland, I was hoping to see how Matty would play tonight, the commentator said that Derbyshire wasn't playing because he is due to become the father of twins in the next few days, maybe this is why Derbs has not been himself this last couple of games?

BTW England are winning 3-0.

[Jilleen]

I am watching the England Under 21 against Ireland, I was hoping to see how Matty would play tonight, the commentator said that Derbyshire wasn't playing because he is due to become the father of twins in the next few days, maybe this is why Derbs has not been himself this last couple of games?

BTW England are winning 3-0.

I heard that too... Apparently his girl friend has been acting a bit oddish during her pregnancy -- not letting him out of the house, being very possessive.

Wow -- he is so young to be having kids!! How old is she???

[Foxhill]

I heard that too... Apparently his girl friend has been acting a bit oddish during her pregnancy -- not letting him out of the house, being very possessive.

Wow -- he is so young to be having kids!! How old is she???

Sorry, Jilleen, I have no idea how old she is, I would only guess she's a similar age to Matty.

[Bonus_Game]

I like what I've seen of Derbyshire, especially when playing withdrawn forward while partnering with Roque. I think we should keep him at striker, taking into account that McCarthy and Roberts are likely to be gone at the end of the season.