Thursday 25 July 2013

The New Faces

So far Nigel Clough has brought in five players on a full transfer during this window. Only one is really a new face.

Lee Grant - returns to Pride Park after spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley where he won their supporters player of the year vote last season.

After breaking through the ranks at Derby he was dropped in preference to Lee Camp by George Burley and then saw Billy Davies bring in Stephen Bywater ahead of both Camp and Grant. During that promotion season he covered for Bywater mid-season and was very harshly dropped once Bywater returned from injury.

In my opinion he is the best keeper Derby have had since Mart Poom and I'm very hey to see him back.

Craig Forsyth - was on loan towards the end of last season and despite me not being convinced his best position is at left back, he is a threat down the left flank. A superb crosser of the ball.

John Eustace - the most under rated of all the signings. A good experienced pro who reads the game well. If you need convincing of his value to a team you only have to read the comments of Watford fans on twitter. Had a short loan spell at Pride Park a couple of seasons ago and has been on Nigel Clough's wanted list since.

Chris Martin - came on loan towards the end of last season when he looked short of match fitness. Should be an asset up front alongside Russell or Sammon.

Johnny Russell - it may be a gamble signing players from the SPL, but Russell definitely has an eye for goal and a review of his plays for Dundee United shows a striker that looks very composed in front of goal.

All that is needed now is a Centre Half!

Friday 19 July 2013

Pre-Season Friendlies

Bohemians 1-6 Derby


Derby (first-half): Grant, Keogh, Eustace, Buxton, Freeman, Hughes, Bryson, Jacobs, Bennett, Martin, Russell. 

Derby (second-half): Legzdins, Gjokaj, Brayford, Forsyth, Hanson, Hendrick, Ball, Davies, Ward, Sammon, Coutts.


Rams scorers - Russell 2, Davies, Coutts, Sammon.

Port Vale 3-5 Derby

Derby County: Grant (Legzdins 75); Freeman (Brayford 61), Gjokaj (Buxton 61), O’Connor (Keogh 61), Hoganson (Forsyth 61); Davies (Ward 67), Hendrick (Bryson 67), Eustace (Hughes 67), Jacobs (Coutts 67); Sammon (Russell 67), Tyson (Martin 67).

Scorers - Jacobs, Hoganson, Hendrick, Russell, Forsyth.


Monday 15 July 2013

Rams Squad Numbers 2013/14 updated

1.  Lee Grant
2.  Adam Smith
3.  Craig Forsyth
4.  Craig Bryson
5.  Shaun Barker
6.  Richard Keogh
7.  Paul Coutts
8.  Jeff Hendrick
9.  Chris Martin
10. Jamie Ward
11. Johnny Russell
12. Michael Jacobs
13. Saul Deeney
14. John Eustace
15. Mark O'Brien
16. Ben Davies
17. Kieron Freeman
18. Conor Sammon
19. Will Hughes
20. Mason Bennett
21. Valentin Gjokaj
22. Callum Ball
23. Michael Hoganson
24. Mats Morch
25. Jake Buxton
26. Adam Legzdins 
27. Zak Whitbread
28. Max Lowe
29. Jamie Hanson
30. James Bailey
32. Simon Dawkins
33 Andre Wisdom
34 Kalifa Cisse





Sunday 7 July 2013

Championship Preview 2013/14

The new season is only a few weeks away and clubs are already into their per-season routines.

Below I give my thoughts on the coming campaign and look at the twenty four clubs contesting this seasons Championship.

Barnsley - another season of struggle ahead. Don't have large transfer funds and will struggle to hold on to any talent that emerges within their own squad. Relegation

Birmingham City - A big club that is going nowhere fast under their current ownership. Keeping Burke is a plus when other players have been sold. Mid-table

Blackburn Rovers - have the resources that are the envy of most other clubs and another season of parachute payments. Gary Bowyer has a decent looking squad, but is he going to be comfortable working for interfering owners like the Venky's? Possible top six candidates if off the field issues can be resolved.

Blackpool - for me the Seasiders will continue to slide. They've not looked so impressive since Ian Holloway left and I think that lower half of the table awaits them.

Bolton Wanderers - got to be one of the favourites for promotion. A decent looking squad that should match any side.

Bournemouth - remarkable how this club has reached the second tier after spending what seemed to be a lifetime in the lower reaches. No fairy tale in 2013/14 though. Relegation looms in my opinion.

Brighton and Hove Albion - after two successful seasons the question is can they continue to carry on where Poyet left off? Possible top ten, but I don't see them in the mix for promotion.

Burnley - losing Austin who seems destined for a transfer to a premier league side and losing Grant who has returned to Derby are massive blows to a side that under performed last season. Mid table to bottom half for me.

Charlton Athletic - Chris Powell has done well at The Valley and I see Charlton as a top ten side. Not quite hitting the play-offs.

Derby County - tightening up the defence is a must and a better return from Conor Sammon up front is needed. Johnny Russell will have to step it up after coming in from the SPL. Overall a good balanced squad with more depth than last season and it is good enough to challenge for top six. On the flip side the coming season will see a division tighter than ever. It's a very fine line from promotion to mid table obscurity!

Doncaster Rovers I can only see a season of struggle ahead for Rovers. Without the financial clout of the big boys sides like Doncaster will always struggle. Relegation.

Huddersfield Town - a work in progress, but signing James Vaughan on a full transfer is a big positive step for Huddersfield. I expect them to finish in the top half of the table.

Ipswich Town - after the last few seasons of struggle under Roy Keane and Paul Jewell, Mick McCarthy has steadied the ship. McCarthy knows this division works well enough to challenge for a play-off spot!

Leeds United - Brian McDermott did a great job at Reading, but Leeds will be a different challenge. The squad needs improving to make significant progress.

Leicester City - after years of spending millions, the Foxes still find themselves in pursuit of their Premier League dream. With financial fair play looming it will perhaps see them tightening their belt. They have a good squad, but in order to balance the books the sale of their biggest assets could prove to be a hurdle in their efforts to finally reach the promised land. Top half but can't see them promoted!

Middlesbrough - a club which is being run in a far more responsible way nowadays. It does lack the quality players needed for the push upwards, however they could surprise a few. Dark Horses!

Millwall - Kenny Jackett did a great job with limited resources. With his departure can they survive another season in the Championship? I say yes, just scraping safety.

Nottingham Forest - stability is what's needed at the City Ground. Three managers have received their cards from Fawaz. Fans favourite Billy Davies has been seen as the messiah and all appears well Trentside. The claimed riches of Mr Fawaz are being spent more prudently than those of other clubs and that it wise as the club will need to bring down their losses with FFP looming. Davies is proven in this division, however it's going to be crowded at the top! Top six contenders!

Queens Park Rangers - relegated after a disastrous campaign last season. Will be amongst the favourites to go straight back up. I feel they may have to settle for a play off place.

Reading - another of the relegated clubs. Nigel Adkins will be keen to get started and take yet another club to promotion. My favourites for the title.

Sheffield Wednesday - Owls fans will have to be patient. With limited transfer funds it's going to be difficult to compete with other clubs. Fantastic support both home and away! Mid-table will be a good season.

Watford - transfer embargo in place and the departure of many of last seasons players makes it doubtful if they can repeat their play off appearance!

Wigan Athletic - will surely be amongst the favourites for an instant return to the premier league. Owner  Dave 'I played at Wembley' Whelan will demand it!

Yeovil Town - fantastic achievement of getting to this level! For me it'll be a one season wonder though!

My Predictions

Champions - Reading
Promoted - Wigan
Play-offs - Bolton, QPR, Forest, Derby

Relegated - Doncaster, Yeovil, Bournemouth.