Monday 28 July 2014

Season Preview 2014/15

With less than a fortnight to the opening day of the season, us Rams fans await the visit of Rotherham United with anticipation.

Can we go one better and get promotion this season? Can we do it automatically rather than by the play off route?

Well the transfer window hasn't closed yet and then the emergency loan window opens.

As it stands we have brought Thorne, Bunjaku, Santos, Christie and Calero into the club on full transfers.

Calero and Santos are currently seen more as development squad players. Bunjaku will probably have to be patient before he gets he chance too.

Obviously all fans are very disappointed that after securing George Thorne on a full transfer, he gets inured and is unlikely to feature all season.

Cyrus Christie has come in from Coventry and I've heard mixed reports about him.

The goalkeeping situation appears healthy. Lee Grant was in good form last season, especially after Eric Steele joined the club as coach. Kelle Roos has also impressed in pre-Season fixtures.

Defence is an area that gives me great concern. The right back position looks likely to be filled by Christie with perhaps Freeman as cover. Neither are greatly experienced at this level! Tom Naylor has played there, but it remains to be seen whether he and Freeman stop at the club or move out on loan or are sold. 

Left Back will be occupied by Craig Forsyth who was the most improved player under McClaren. Lee Naylor will obviously deputise for him.

We aren't at our strongest in the Centre Half department. Jake Buxton overall had a great season in 2013/14, but his partner Richard Keogh failed to reproduce the brilliant form of the previous season.

Mark O'Brien has talent, but he's had many injuries in his young career. Zak Whitbread in the little football I have seen of him hasn't impressed me greatly! 

Midfield is without doubt our strongest area in the squad. To retain Craig. Bryson was almost as good as signing a new player! He's the engine of the club and his sixteen goals last season was phenomenal for a box to box player.

Hughes and Hendrick just need consistency and steady progress. 

John Eustace was very much an unsung hero last season. His displays in front of the back four were solid although he did pick up a few yellow cards.

Paul Coutts should return from injury, but one wonders if he will play out wide or a more central role when on the field.

Our attacking options are plenty apart from Striker itself. Ward and Dawkins are being seen more in a wide role along with Johnny Russell which leaves Conor Sammon to cover for Chris Martin who had a sensational season bagging 25 goals. Many fans were unsure if we should have signed him prior to the season starting. Apart from his knack of finding the net, his hold up play was vital! 

Mason Bennett must he given more playing time this season. Even if it means loaning him out! He was impressive in the few minutes that he had on the pitch especially against Chelsea in the cup.

The squad is well capable of top six as it is, but a few injuries will see it wanting! 

At the moment I do worry about defence and the lack of senior Strikers. More width would go a miss either. 

The biggest weaknesses last season was set pieces. Both taking them and defending from them! 

So many free kicks and corners were wasted! It's an area that needs vast improvement.

Of course by the time we line up versus Rotherham we might see a couple of new faces in the squad. Its imperative we bring some in.

With the current squad I see us as top eight possibly pushing for play-offs. 

Sunday 6 July 2014

Pre season teams

At Matlock Town W1-0 scorer Forsyth

First Half
Roos, Freeman, Forsyth, Bryson, Buxton, O'Brien, Coutts, Allan, Martin, Ward, Russell.

Second Half
Mitchell, T Naylor, L Naylor, Hanson, Rawson, Whitbread, Sharriff, Lowe, Sammon, Bunjaku, Bennett.

At Ilkeston FC D0-0

First Half
Roos, Freeman, O'Brien, Buxton, Forsyth, Allan, Hanson, Bunjaku, Russell, Martin, Ward.

Second Half
Etheridge, Medaglia, L Naylor, T Naylor, Rawson, Whitbread, Sharriff, Lowe, Sammon, Santos, Bennett

Subs McDonald, Calero, Uade