Season Preview 16/17

On to another campaign in our quest to return to top flight football. 

Nigel Pearson has taken the reigns and brought former Rams player Chris Powell with him. 

We have just finished pre season and look forward to our opening day clash in which we welcome Brighton to the iPro Stadium. 

There's been a few departures from the club. Ryan Shotton has completed a permanent move to Birmingham City after a successful loan spell there last season. 

Cult hero Jake Buxton has moved on to Wigan Athletic. Bucko attracted a lot of goodwill messages from Rams supporters when the moved was announced. Quite rightly too. 

Not the most gifted of players when it came to natural ability, but his decimation and determination more than made up for it. Good luck Bucko! You'll be guaranteed a warm welcome back when visiting with Wigan. 

A third centre half, Raul Albentosa has returned to his native Spain. He struggled to settle in at Derby and the move back comes as no surprise to anyone. 

Their would have been another player moving out had Burnley had their way. They made a few offers for Jeff Hendrick who, after a great Euro 15 tournament has seen his stock rise considerably. 

On to the season ahead I am predicting a top six finish for Derby. 

The relegated teams I expect to finish also in the top six with Newcastle strolling towards the title. 

Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton I expect to make it into the play off zone again. 

I see big improvement at Fulham and our rivals Forest, but just not quite enough to go up. 

Newly promoted Burton Albion will find life very tough and I'm expecting to see them drop straight back down again along with Barnsley and Preston. 

My lull prediction is.....

Newcastle

Norwich

Brighton 

Sheff Weds

Aston Villa

Derby

Fulham

Birmingham

QPR

Nottm Forest

Wigan

Wolves

Ipswich

Leeds

Cardiff

Blackburn 

Reading

Huddersfield 

Bristol City

Rotherham

Preston

Burton

Barnsley