Billionaire businessman Henry Gabay was in attendance at Derby’s home loss to Millwall and Saturday to witness a disappointing display by The Rams. It’s evident for anyone to see that there are many holes in the current side. Goalkeeper, Centre Back, Winger and striker are positions that desperately need improvements to be recruited.
Though there looks like there will be some cash, spending will still have to be done with financial fair play in mind. So it looks like there is still some wheeling and dealing to be done with a few players likely to be heading out through the exit door.
There are several youngsters who appear to be knocking on the first team door and some of those have already had cameo’s for the senior team. Jason Knight and Morgan Whittaker appear to be edging towards a permanent spot amongst the experienced pro’s, but those of us who follow the Under-18’s and Under-23’s know that there is a lot more talent emerging from Moor Farm!
Louie Sibley has been tipped as a future star for some time and he continues to impress and push for a promotion to Cocu’s first team plans. Other who have caught the eye include Jamal Hector-Ingram who has been a regular on the scoresheet since opting to join The Rams after spending many years as a junior at West Ham.
Jayden Mitchell-Lawson has also has a few minutes for the first eleven.
Last week saw an impressive performance from Archie Brown who gave the Everton right back a real runaround during our Under-18’s win.
With us having the best Under-18 side in the country last season, logic says that some of these players will surely soon be turning out for the first team and will go on to have successful career’s. However, one must introduce them to life as a full time professional in a manner that develops them and guides them to success. It’s easy to introduce players too early and remember players have different skills and qualities both on and off the field. Some develop earlier than others.
All that said I am excited by the prospect of some of these lads progressing through the natural route of the Under 18’s and 23’s and breaking through to Cocu’s match day squad. It is reported that Cocu spends a lot of time watching the young stars of the future training and is known as a boss that likes to nurture home grown talent.
This Saturday we face a visit to struggling Reading and we need to start picking up more points sooner rather than later! We sit in 16th place and a couple more defeats could see the club perilously close to the relegation zone.
Of course Philip Cocu is expected to get a couple of transfer windows in order to stamp his own mark on the club, but flirting with relegation could see that axe being brought out much sooner than expected.
Andy
