A Look Back at 2013

As a new year is almost upon us, it's time to look back on 2013 and wonder what 2014 may bring.

It's been quite an eventful 2013. Once again we missed out on a top six place at the end of the 2012/13 season and fans again were left with a team consolidated it's place in the second tier of English football.

Derby were pretty good at home, but couldn't quite bring home enough points on their travels. As Archie Gemmill stated In an interview in McFarlands bar, the team needed a goalscorer.

Chris Martin had come in on loan towards the end of the season, but was short of match practice. 

The summer break saw Johnny Russell join the club from Dundee United and it has to be said that he certainly looks the part. Ok, he's only got five goals so far, but he's only started a few games. His ability to control the ball and link up well with Chris Martin promises excitement.

 A few weeks ago Nigel Clough was relieved of management duties following the loss at Nottingham Forest. At the time there there was a mixed reception from fans. Some remaining loyal to Nigel, whilst others saw it as a time for change.

During the time he spent in charge, Nigel had brought back some financial stability to the club and introduced many new promising players into the team including Craig Bryson, Johnny Russell and Chris Martin. However, even though we had started an impressive run of away results, the home results had been disappointing.

It didn't take the club long to appoint former player and assistant manager Steve McClaren as Head Coach. Once again this was met with a mixed response from Rams fans. Some pointing to his unhappy period in charge of near neighbours Nottingham Forest.

He was supposed to sit out the game against Ipswich and leave Academy boss Darren Wassall in charge of first team affairs. However, we were 4-1 down at half time and he intervened and made a couple of changes. A second half fight back saw Derby snatch a 4-4 draw.

Since that game Derby have won all but three of their fixtures with McClaren in charge and only lost the one game.

There is a real 'buzz' and belief that the team could now at long last be making a challenge to return to the Premier League. I'm not one for counting chickens, but this side in my opinion is a better one that last made promotion.

Existing players have improved dramatically under Steve McClarens leadership and some great loan signings have also played a part.

Simon Dawkins was something of an unknown quality when he was brought in. A few years ago he was advised to quit the game after suffering a career threatening injury. He has added some real firepower to the attack.

Andre Wisdom has been class since his arrival from Liverpool. Normally a centre half, he has played at right back and dazzled fans with his ability. 

Michael Keane has recently come in to replace the injured Richard Keogh and shown he will be a Premier League player sooner rather than later.

These additions plus the form of the players McClaren inherited have pushed us up to second in the league table.

Chris Martin now has 15 goals and we are only halfway through the season. The best return from a front man since Steve Howard during the last promotion campaign.

Craig Bryson has also chipped in with 11 goals from midfield. More goals than most strikers have.

All in all a great end to 2013. We are well placed for a top six finish and dare I say a top two place. It's important that we keep our feet on the ground as we will lose matches just like everyone else, but it certainly looks like we have some exciting days ahead! Here's to 2014 and hopefully promotion!

Festive Quiz

1. What is the surname Steve, Barry, Darryl, Chris, Darren?

2. What do the following players have in common, Charlie George, Bobby Davison, Nigel Callaghan, Roger Davies, Archie Gemmill?

3. Who made Derby's shirt for their centenary season!

4. Who was the sponsor?

5. Who am I? Apart from Derby I've played for FC Bruges, Leicester and Chesterfield?

6. Which Yorkshire County cricketer played centre half for Derby?

7. Name the ITV skills series Derby won in the 70's? 

8. Who's transfer to Derby in the 70's was stopped by his parent club after the paperwork was found to leave a loophole to cancel it?

9. We aren't signing him because we can't afford him said Brian Clough, who then went out to promptly sign him. Who?

10. Name the legendary scout during the Clough and Taylor years who wrote a book about them?

Fit and Proper Owners

Before anyone can take over a league football team, prospective owners have to go through what is called a fit and proper owners test. This is to make sure that they are fit to run a football club. The clue is in the name of the exercise.

Despite this actions of several owners has been called into question and rightly so!

I will start with Vincent Tan who has done more to alienate himself with fans than any other owner I can remember. Starting off by scrapping the famous blue shirts that Cardiff have worn for as long as I can remember and I'm knocking on the door of my half century on this planet, and changing them to red.

A teams colours are it's history, it's identity and to do this showed a real disregard for the feelings of the fans who turn up week in and week out paying their hard earned cash to support the club.

Mr Tan doesn't stop there though. His dealings with manager Malky Mackay are now well documented and show a total lack of respect for the best manager that they have had in over fifty years. 

The Venky's at Blackburn are another example of trigger happy owners. How much longer will Gary Bowyer get to improve the side?

The total disregard of history and tradition by Hull city's owner Assem Allam who is attempting to change their name to Hull Tigers! 

The shenanigans at Coventry where SISU have them playing at Northampton, whilst the modern stadium 'The Ricoh' stands unused!

The King Power Group at Leicester appear to have calmed down lately, but they were hiring and firing regularly until a couple of years ago!

Even our neighbours in Nottingham had some early moments where a revolving door was needed in the managers office after three managers were fired within a few months.

It would appear that the fit and proper owners test simply isn't working!

I have been amongst the fans to criticise GSE at Derby, but they aren't guilty of throwing stupid money at the club and not giving managers a fair crack of the whip. Both Paul Jewell and Nigel Clough were given time. Jewell was given a funds, Clough was given time.

Nigel Clough steadied the ship and helped bring financial stability to the club with his dealings, but many thought that it was time to move on and move up a gear.

Currently challenging for an automatic promotion place and with the books in order, perhaps all of us who were quick to criticise GSE will eat humble pie at the end of the season. I'm happy to take a large portion if we are promoted. 

Paper Blog

Last weeks blog post that was on the Mansfield Chad and various other regional papers.

Tin Man Returns

Well it's Monday morning after another great away win and the feel good factor has certainly returned to Pride Park (It is still Pride Park until Saturday).

Yesterday's win at Wigan was a great result and shows that this side can be up there challenging for promotion. The win moved us up to 5th place ahead of our two home games this week.

There's no time to get cocky and over confident though. Promotion is won by continuing to play to your strengths and Derby's strengths are to attack. 

Steve McClaren has so far resisted changing the side unless he is forced to do so by suspensions and injuries. What is great is the fact that there appears to be more cover now when he does lose players.

Michael Keane is in on loan, but who will he drop to accommodate the Manchester United youngster? People will point to Jake Buxton, but does he deserved to be dropped? He's certainly upped his game lately as has Craig Forsyth in the left back position.

I expect an unchanged side for the visit of Middlesbrough on Wednesday night barring injuries. 

The visit of Middlesbrough on Wednesday night is followed by another home game, this time it's Blackpool who provide the opposition. 

Blackpool have had a good start to the season and will provide a stern test for the Rams. A win against them will confirm that we are ready to maintain our top six position and push on for a promotion challenge.

Over the next few games more Rams legends of the past will be visiting the club on matchdays.

Last time out we had Stefano Eranio, who was given a great reception by the crowd. Igor Stimac is our next VIP visitor and I'm sure he will get an equally warm welcome.

Ted McMinn has been lined up to, to make an appearance. Ted was something of a cult hero at Derby. He played in the Arthur Cox team that achieved 5th place in the Old First Division.

Ted's testimonial game set the record attendance at Pride Park as Derby and Rangers fans packed the stadium in honour of a great player.

I later years Ted went on to become a match summariser for BBC Radio Derby. He had a reputation for telling it like it is. I'm sure he will be a very popular guest of the club. Ross Fletcher and Ted McMinn during our last promotion season, seems so long ago now!