Charles Vernam

He proved last time he was here he was keen, skilfull neat player ticks all the right boxes for me. Nice one.

If he can be kept fit, he has enthusiasm and a footballing brain.

I wonder if Jolley is looking at 5+ players scoring 10 each rather than 1 expensive 20 goals forward.

If the team can do the magic "gelling" early doors,  then maybe goals could come from all areas.

It would be good to see 4 or 5 each from set plays by the centre halves - been quite rare in recent seasons.

Must build from the back - tight defense needed please.

I’d be happy with this one as well although I’m not really sure where all our forwards will fit in. Also with the possibly signing of Vernam would mean that we are giving up on trying to purchase a “20 goal a season man” such as Bowman etc etc ?

Cook
Hooper
Robles
Rose
Cardwell
Vernam ?

That’s a fair few forwards on the books but no real stand out player in terms of being a prolific goalscorer....Well...yet !

any new signing could be a risk, look at whitehouse.

He will most likely be fine, not many players give up playing now with injuries like there used to be.

Quoted from Gainsbro_Mariner

I’d be happy with this one as well although I’m not really sure where all our forwards will fit in. Also with the possibly signing of Vernam would mean that we are giving up on trying to purchase a “20 goal a season man” such as Bowman etc etc ?

Cook
Hooper
Robles
Rose
Cardwell
Vernam ?

That’s a fair few forwards on the books but no real stand out player in terms of being a prolific goalscorer....Well...yet !

I still think MJ will be looking to sign a recognised centre forward in the Bowman mould... We don't really have a target man-type player who can offer something different to our other forwards.

Perhaps Vernham had been signed as a result of Whitehouse's injury.

For me were only now missing (provided Vernham signs)
a target man, cover at right back and maybe some pace out wide as a different option...

Quoted from acko338

If he can be kept fit, he has enthusiasm and a footballing brain.

I wonder if Jolley is looking at 5+ players scoring 10 each rather than 1 expensive 20 goals forward.

If the team can do the magic "gelling" early doors,  then maybe goals could come from all areas.

It would be good to see 4 or 5 each from set plays by the centre halves - been quite rare in recent seasons.

Must build from the back - tight defense needed please.

That's a scenario I would always prefer. If you are dependant on a star striker scoring the bulk of your goals then in the event of him getting injured there is a danger of the goals "drying up". If you have several players all chipping in with 10 goals you can still be effective if one of them gets injured.

Struggling to see why people are linking vernam to whitehouse injury. One is a midfielder the other a forward.

Quoted from rancido

That's a scenario I would always prefer. If you are dependant on a star striker scoring the bulk of your goals then in the event of him getting injured there is a danger of the goals "drying up". If you have several players all chipping in with 10 goals you can still be effective if one of them gets injured.

It is also easier for the opposition to mark the 20 goal man out of the game than it is to mark 3-4 goal threats out of the game.

Quoted from jamesgtfc

It is also easier for the opposition to mark the 20 goal man out of the game than it is to mark 3-4 goal threats out of the game.

The paradox there of course is that, by definition, if a player scores 20+ goals in a season, he’s presumably not that easy to mark out of the game afterall.

Most successful sides have both - a single talisman leading the charge with several others chipping in with decent numbers. That’s certainly how it’s panned our in our last two promotion seasons with Donovan and Amond backed up by the likes of Groves and Bogle respectively.

The consensus, particularly amongst Derby fans, seems to be that Vernam is better than this level. Of course, his career to date doesn’t scream ‘goal machine’ however let’s not forget that he’s 21 and we have a pretty limited statistics sample to go on.

The fact he impressed last season in a side in absolutely wretched form, completely devoid of confidence, gives me reason for optimism (should he indeed sign).

All that said, I concur with the view that we’d still need another striker in the mould of Bowman (i.e. 6ft+). Vernam would be another wee man in a squad whose average height must be well below 6ft; pretty untypical of a modern league two side.

Quoted from Poojah

The paradox there of course is that, by definition, if a player scores 20+ goals in a season, he’s presumably not that easy to mark out of the game afterall.

Most successful sides have both - a single talisman leading the charge with several others chipping in with decent numbers. That’s certainly how it’s panned our in our last two promotion seasons with Donovan and Amond backed up by the likes of Groves and Bogle respectively.

The consensus, particularly amongst Derby fans, seems to be that Vernam is better than this level. Of course, his career to date doesn’t scream ‘goal machine’ however let’s not forget that he’s 21 and we have a pretty limited statistics sample to go on.

The fact he impressed last season in a side in absolutely wretched form, completely devoid of confidence, gives me reason for optimism (should he indeed sign).

All that said, I concur with the view that we’d still need another striker in the mould of Bowman (i.e. 6ft+). Vernam would be another wee man in a squad whose average height must be well below 6ft; pretty untypical of a modern league two side.

I often think if you have a big, 6ft5 target man you are too tempted to move away from the plan and punt the ball upfield. This team could do with a player in the mould of Gary Jones to link the play intelligently.