Rotherham United Squad

1.  Scott Loach

2.  Richard Brindley

3.  Joe Skarz

4.  Kari Arnason

5.  Kirk Broadfoot

6.  Richard Wood

7.  Ryan Hall

8.  Lee Frecklington

9.  Alex Revell

10 Jordan Bowery

11 Paul Green

14 Mark Bradley

15 Robert Milsom

16 Frazer Richardson

17 Conor Newton

18 Ben Pringle

19 Mat Sadler

20 Craig Morgan

21 Adam Collin (GK)

22 Keiran Ayard

23 Michael Tidser

24 Febian Brandy

27 Matt Derbyshire

Championship Preview!

Ive spoken a great deal on our chances of making promotion this season, but what about the rest? The promoted sides? The relegated sides?

Only a fool would write off those who dropped down from the Premier League! Cardiff and Fulham especially have squads that will be the envy of other clubs in the Championship.

Birmingham struggled last season and it looks like another season where the blues are going to be up against it for me. A lack of cash to improve the side means I see them possibly sliding down to League One. The loss of Chris Burke hasn't helped their case at all.

Blackburn, Gary Bowyer steadied the ship last season and got them playing some better football. Less interference from the owners could see them mount a promotion bid. I certainly think that they should be looking at top eight at the very least.

Blackpool will do well just to field a side on opening day. There's been very little investment from the owners and fans are rightly getting very frustrated. From the Premier League two seasons ago to a relegation season in my eyes. Only a change of policy and some good investment will stop the slide.

Bolton are the divisions under achievers. With a massive wage bill they need promotion ASAP. Dougie Freedman hasn't had the success that many were hoping for and at present I would say around mid table is where they're likely to finish.

Bournemouth were a surprise package last season and although they have lost Lewis Grabban, Eddie Howe will keep them up in the top half of the division. He's proven to be a very tactically astute manager. They impressed me greatly both times we played them last season.

Brentford are a new name to the Championship and were promoted playing some very attractive football. Like Yeovil last season though, they will find the going very tough and I tip them to go straight back down again.

Brighton reached the play offs last season and there's no reason that they shouldn't have them in their sights again this time round, although there's been a big change in the playing staff. That in itself might hinder them, but Hyypia should be able to steer them upwards.

Cardiff have a very strong squad and a very expensive one too. It's time for Ole Gunnar Solksjaer to prove himself as a manager. Anything less than promotion will be seen as failure. Surely will be top six.

Charlton struggled last season and haven't really strengthened during the summer. Last season Chris Powell was fired and Bob Peeters will be looking at a similar fate unless he can stop the rot. Lower half of the table.

Derby I will have to amend my original prediction as we have now added Leon Best and Omar Mascarell to the squad. A lot will depend on the form of the young spainard. Quality midfield, dangerous attack, defence dodgy at times. Tighten up at the back and it's top six.

Fulham are some peoples favourites to bounce straight back into the Premier League. They've shown intent by splashing out on Ross McCormack, however we all know that this league is as tough as any. I certainly see them challenging to make a quick return to the Prem, but they're not bankers for me,

Huddersfield I can't see as promotion challengers, however I don't see them dropping either. They've got enough experience in their squad to survive another season. They would probably finish higher if a James Vaughan could avoid injury. On his day he's as good as any striker at this level.

Ipswich are dark horses for me. Mick McCarthy has steadily rebuilt the side and I can now see them edging towards the play off zone. It's been evolution rather than revolution and they just might reap the rewards this season.

Leeds have sold Ross McCormack to Fulham and seem set for yet another season of mediocrity. We all love to hate the team that we call 'Dirty Leeds' but their fans deserve better. Once a major European force they now struggle in the second tier. I don't see things changing very soon.

Middlesbrough are dark horses with some, but they just lack a little to sustain a real challenge in my opinion. They have a decent squad, but just lack cutting edge! A prolific goalscorer is a real need.

Millwall struggled last season and lack quality to be much different this season. Survival will again be the name of the game. Ian Holloway is experienced and tactically astute enough to stop the slide, but turning them into a top six side will be beyond even the likes of him.

Norwich like the other relegated clubs will be amongst the favourites to go up. I though don't think that they will find it easy. I'm not convinced that they have the self belief and depth to achieve it. Neil Adams will have hIs work cut out to getromotion.

Nottingham Forest will be looking towards club legend Stuart Pearce to guide them back to the top tier. They've spent millions the past few seasons and have disappointed their fans, they have a squad filled with quality, but also injury prone players. Assombalonga is a gamble at 5.5m+ but if they go up! who will care. I see them as play off material if players stay fit.

Reading under the leadership of Nigel Adkins will be a team to watch. Can Adkins take another side up? I'm not sure that Simon Cox will be the striker to score the goals that are needed to them to the next level, but they'll be top eight for sure.

Rotherham make a return to the championship after many years away. Steve Evans, the manager a lot of fans love to hate has done a good job and they'll not be whipping boys! Survival will be the name of the game and I fully expect them to survive as well.

Sheffield Wednesday are a club that's underperformed for years. A good club, well supported by fans, but not well supported financially. The sale of Antonio for 1.5m will see them needing to invest in at least another wide man. They'll stay up, but need some cash to move up to the next level.

Watford didn't manage to make the play offs last season and I don't see them doing this time around either. They'll be safe enough away from the drop zone, but just lack that little extra to be chasing promotion.

Wigan disappointed last season. Expected by many to go up automatically, but fell in the play offs to QPR. Roster turned them round and they had a decent run in to clinch a place in the top six. They'll surely be top six material!

Wolves bounced straight back after being relegated to League One for a season. Kenny Jackett making success of his switch from Millwall. I don't expect them to struggle, but feel it will be a season too early for them to be looking at a return to the top flight.

So there it is!

I'm far from being an expert predictor and one of my tips for struggle always shows me up! 

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. 

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

Play Offs -Away from the Action

We have made for appearances in the championship play offs with mixed success.

When I look back to them games it always brings up a memory or too!

When our George Burley managed Rams met Preston in the end of season knockout for a place in the final, I couldn't make the away leg. I was working at Scunthorpe Speedway at the time and had to rely on watching the match in a local pub.

I did have tickets for the return at Pride Park, however that week we wee holidaying in Fleetwood, which is just up the road from Preston.

On the Monday of the holiday we actually visited Deepdale and saw the players in practice.

Back then, the National Footballl museum was also located at the ground. There's a great statue of Tom Finney outside too.

The home leg took place on the Wednesday night. Myself and my son Aron drove down from Fleetwood to Derby in the early afternoon. We got there about an hour before kick off.

The match itself is history, but our journey back up North was quite a laugh. Preston fans travelling back blowing the horns in their cars as they passed us on the journey back.

Billy v Burley part two in 2007 was memorable for something else other than the great result.

Just towards the end of the game the heavens opened and my walk back to the car with my son and daughter saw us all get soaked to the skin. We park near my nephews house in Chaddesdon. 

We all had to remove our jeans and ride home in our underwear whilst our clothes dried out on the car heaters. Fortunately I had a travel rug to spare the blushes of the son and daughter, however I hate to think what the police would have made of me driving home in my boxers! 

From Mid-Table to Play Offs.

There has been a little debate recently amongst tweeters as to would we have finished in third place had Steve McClaren not been appointed as Head Coach.

I myself was engaged in quite a long debate with a fellow Rams fan a few weeks ago that opposed the sacking of Nigel Clough and believes the season would have ended pretty much the same had he not been removed.

Don't get me wrong! I like Nigel Clough! I think he did an excellent job in clearing up the mess he inherited from Billy Davies and Paul Jewell. His team played far better football than theirs and cost a fraction of them too.

However, I feel the time was right for him to move on to a new challenge.

When Steve McClaren was initially appointed I was to be honest a little underwhelmed. I wasn't judging him on his tenure as England boss as only one man has won any silverware whilst in charge of the National team. Nor was I basing it on his short stay at our rivals Nottingham Forest where he took over from Billy Davies who has the knack of getting teams to over perform.

When he was dismissed by Twente I thought that his time as a number one had come to an end. Twente sacked him despite being only six points off the top.

He had been coaching QPR prior to his return to Derby and when he was appointed both Harry Redknapp and Joey Barton stated quite clearly that they were sad to see him go.

I decided after listening to a special phone in on Radio Derby, that maybe just maybe it might work.

The rest is history, but just how did he turn things around?

He brought in Derby people to start with! Paul Simpson was brought in as first team coach and was a fans favourite as a player.

Former goalkeeper Eric Steele joined the line up after finding himself surplus to David Moyes requirements at Manchester United. It's clear for all to see the improvement in Lee Grant since Steele came back as goalkeeping coach.

The Right Back position had been giving us problems. Keiron Freeman had been dropped and publicly lambasted by Nigel Clough after one game and replaced by Adam Smith on loan from Spurs.

Smith looked useful in attack, but lacked a bit in defensive qualities.

Andre Wisdom, a centre half by trade was brought in on a season loan from Liverpool and made the jib his own.

Simon Dawkins was brought in initially on loan from Spurs, but was signed full time in January and has had many good games and brings something different to the table. 

Patrick Bamford has been a useful loanee from Chelsea and George Thorne has impressed Rams fans with his displays.

Craig Forsyth has looked a different player since the return of the Mac too!

All in all a good job has been done!

Obviously time will tell if the positives will remain and if we can move forward from here, but the indications so far are very good.

Play Off Lottery Ahead!

Derby brought the curtain down on the 2013/14 season with a point at Leeds and finished with. Club record points tally of 85 points.

Despite Steve McClaren making six changes to the side we came away with a point and are in good form going into the end of season play offs.

I've never been a fan of the play offs. I enjoy watching them, however they are one of the things I'd scrap from the game.

We finished 13 points ahead of Brighton and Hove Albion who we face on Thursday and 5 ahead of QPR who finished in fourth place and one below us. In my opinion third place teams who miss out in this end of season lottery suffer a travesty of justice!

Of course it's a good way to go up. Winning at Wembley in front of a live TV audience, but there's only one winner! 

We have a mixed record in the play offs too.

Arthur Cox's Derby went out to Blackburn many years ago. We went to Ewood Park and despite getting a two goal lead we lost 4-2 and could a Only manage a 2-1 in the return at the Baseball Ground.

Roy McFarland took us to Wembley where despite dominating a game, we went down 2-1 to Leicester in controversial circumstances.

George Burley managed to get us into them during the reign of the 'Three Amigos' but we went down to a Billy Davies led Preston.

It was Billy Davies leading us to glory seven years ago. First a dramatic semi final against George Burley's Southampton and then on to Wembley where despite being outplayed we snatched a win against West Bromich. 

It was a great feeling to win that final and Derby finished third in the Division too!  However I feel that the play off system defeats the object of a league. 

The League Table doesn't lie and we were the third best side in the Championship and it would be a tragedy if we were denied promotion due to this lottery.

Whatever happens, all Rams fans will, I'm sure, salute Steve McClaren, Paul Simpson and Eric Steele on a job well done and treating us to some of the most exciting football we have seen in years.