Situation Vacant

The next big announcement from Derby County is obviously revealing who will be our next manager or Head Coach as it's often called nowadays. 

 

The guessing game will continue until Mel Morris appoints the man in charge of first team affairs. 

Darren Wassall will obviously in the running having been in charge since the sacking of Paul Clement. We have seen some good games and results under him, however his decisions at times have been questionable and is it really good business giving a permanent position to a rookie number one again?

Tim Sherwood had bags of enthusiasm and passion for the game, but has just seen a very poor season at Aston Villa. Not for me!

Neil Warnock could be an inspired choice for a season. He is a master of getting clubs promoted and would surely love to manage a club like ours. He is however an outspoken character who wouldn't meet with the approval of all fans. 

Nigel Pearson is a name that many fans would pick going on his success at getting Leicester promoted and laying down the foundations of their historic season just gone. The downside is the fact that he would have to step into the breach without Steve Walsh and Craig Shakespeare who have just signed new contracts at the KP Stadium. 

Gary Rowett a former Ram did similar at Burton and has been successful in turning things round at Birmingham despite a distinct lack of cash. Would he be a manager that could spend well should Mr Morris open his wallet again?

Gary Monk, Roberto Martinez, David Moyes are all names that have been mentioned or maybe indeed a foreign appointment. 

One thing is for sure! Sooner rather than later is the preferred timescale for most fans. 

KO at the KCOM

So we ended our interest in the play offs at the first hurdle. 

Two totally different performances and a 75% success record in four games v Hull City, but sadly not good enough to make progress. 

It is very disappointing for us to go out in these circumstances. The home leg being the killer. 

An inept and pitiful performance at home left us with a mountain to climb in the second leg and despite a spirited attempt, it just wasn't quite good enough. 

This season has been very disappointing. Yet again failing during the run in and that's after investing heavily in the transfer market. 

There has to be some serious questioning of the decisions behind a few of the signings too. 

Of course Tom Ince was going to be pursued after a very impressive loan spell last season. He hasn't been a total flop either and again hit double figures in the goal scoring charts. 

What is concerning is the fact that we can't play him in his strongest position dye to the fact that the make up if our squad prevents any real alternative to a 4-3-3 formation. 

Abdoul Camara and Nick Blackman came for 1.5 and 2.5 million respectively. Neither have shone! I know that chances have been scarce, but the fact remains that Blackman has looked out of place when he has been on the pitch and Camara has often failed to even make the bench. 

Darren Bent was given a deal after his loan spell last season and he must have the easiest job in the division! I haven't any stats in front of me that state his actual minutes in the field, but he is bound to be on hefty wages and hasn't been called upon often enough to be able to justify them. 

Bradley Johnson became the clubs record signing at £6.5m! So far he has looked like being the clubs most expensive flop too! Very poor return from him after we paid so much for him. 

Jacob Butterfield and Andreas Weimann were too both big money signings, but often were left kicking their heels on the bench. Both showed flashes of brilliance but not enough to become automatic picks. 

We have a very large squad, an expensive squad, but the evidence is overwhelming that we don't have enough versatility within it to change formations when the need arises. 

After failing to gain promotion for three years on the trot, it's time for some serious reorganisation. Certain players will be needed to be moved on and certain roles will need filling. 

First big decision will be the appointment of the new manager. Mel Morris has had plenty of time to decide who is on his list. He needs to install the new boss sooner rather than later so that due preparation can be made for next season in good time. 

The next appointment by Mel Morris could  define his tenure as the clubs owner. Let's hope for the sake of the 25,000 plus fans who loyally supported us this season that it's a good one!

Derby V Hull Q's & A's

Are you nervous?

Hell yeah! Who isn't?

Who has the edge?

Neither team! Past meetings count for nothing! You start from scratch!

Do you enjoy the play offs?

Only if we win!

Who should replace the injured Thorne?

Bradley Johnson, he and Hughes can both attack and can swap about if need. 

What Should the starting line up be?

Carson, Christie, Keogh, Shackell, Olssin, Bryson, Johnson, Hughes, Ince, Martin, Shackell. 

How will the tie go?

Tight narrow victory for either side. I could even see two away wins. No one will be out of it realistically unless they get a tanking tomorrow. 

Key Hull players to watch. 

Hernandez, Clucas, Huddlestone

Final thought. 

Another successful season whatever happens. Eight weeks ago I had my doubts that we would make the play offs. 

We now have an opportunity to hit the big time again. Let's grab it with both hands. 

To Hull and back

I have gotten rather lazy these last few weeks with the blog. In that time we have played three games, two of those against play off contenders. 

The home game with Sheffield Wednesday demonstrated that although I thought that we had the edge over ninety minutes, they are a very dangerous side to play. 

They may not have carried the biggest threat going forward, but they were more than capable of containing an attack. They will very difficult to beat at Wembley should they progress against Brighton. 

We went to the Amex and came away with a draw. Brighton were the busier of the two sides in the opening period, but failed to create any clear cut chances. In a way they reminded me of us a few games back. 

We got into stride in the second half and after the interval, we were looking the most likely of the two teams to go on and claim the three points on offer. 

Darren Bent had come off the bench to score for us against the owls and thus time it was another substitute who provided our goal. A great through ball from the brilliant Will Hughes saw Andreas Weimann score at the second attempt. 

Both Bent and Weimann are useful weapons to bring off the bench. 

What has been noticeable in recent games is the importance of having Craig Bryson in the starting eleven. His determination and non stop running is a very valuable asset to the team. 

I don't know about anyone else, but after I heard the half time score on Saturday from the KC stadium, I lost interest in what became a meaningless match with Ipswich. It was obvious that we were going to finish fifth and have our home leg of the play off semi final with Hull next Saturday. 

Remember too that we only beat Ipswich away! 

I spent the second half praying that key players didn't get injured. We looked like getting away without injuries until George Thorne failed to get up from a challenge by Jonathon Douglas. It was bad news too! A double break in the lower leg is a horrible injury. 

The play offs will now present a chance for one of two players to really win the fans over. Both Bradley Johnson and Chris Baird have been on the receiving end of fans frustrations this season. Whoever gets the nod to deputise for Thorne has a golden opportunity to to get the supporters back onside!

We beat Hull twice in the league, but that counts for nothing now! Let's get behind the lads and play our part as the twelfth man in our quest for a fourth play off final. 

It Could be us!

The mood has now changed a little after a run of victories has seen us clinch a place in the end of season lottery that is the Play-offs. 

Following up from the 4-1 thumping of Bolton we have recorded two victories on the road against struggling teams. Not that I am going to sneer at that!

We have now shown a bit of fight and saw off a determined effort from Charlton and an equally determined Bristol City who had beaten Sheffield Wednesday in such convincing fashion. 

We are now left with three matches and two of those against possible play-off opponents Brighton and Wednesday. 

What has been evident in the last few games is the importance of an on form Craig Bryson. His influence has been very valuable. This with an in form George Thorne will, in my opinion be vital to us as we enter the post season knock out tournament. 

The third midfielder will obviously be between Butterfield, Johnson (If fit) and the returning Will Hughes. Giving Hughes a few minutes here and there in the run in should determine if he will be ready to make an impact to help us reach the promised land. 

We need all players on form and giving it 100%. Nothing less! 

There has been a distinct upturn in form during the last few games, but where does the credit go? Is Darren Wassall finally finding his feet in soccer management or has Harry Redknapp been a positive addition to the back room staff. 

On to Saturday! Come on you Rams! 

Keep on Running

Well what a nice change to be able to fill a post with positive comments. 

Last nights match v Hull City saw arguably our best performance of the season. The whole team played their part and we were treated to four goals. 

Hull are acknowledged as one of the better teams in the division yet somehow we have had our two best games whilst playing them. 

It is so good to see Bradley Johnson at long last having a good game and chipping in with a couple of goals too. It's fair to say that he has been off firm for a while. Get him playing like he did for Norwich last season and we could be in for a treat. 

Craig Bryson for me was the man of the match. Never stopped running all night and demonstrated why he is still one of the most important players at the club. 

Chris Martin scored his 15th goal of the season and that is very impressive after his run of games without a goal. 

What we need now is to see more of this. Often teams who enter the play offs in form find the momentum to get them through them. 

On Saturday we host bottom of the table Bolton. We need to use this game to keep the form going and help us gather pace for the final few games. Nothing short of a comfortable victory will be accepted by the fans!

Meanwhile season tickets continue to be selling well. Over the 19,000 mark already. A good end to the season could see the sold out signs up at the ticket office. 29,000 on a Tuesday night versus Hull City is once again testament to the fantastic support the public is giving the club. 

Loyalty from the Fans

This morning it was announced that so far 19,000 fans have renewed their season tickets! That's just 5,000 short on this seasons figure of 24,000 and we have the summer break ahead of us. 

Of course some fans won't renew for work or personal reasons. Some will be reluctant to part with their cash after a season of poor football. Then again there is always a batch of new applicants too. 

Derby isn't a massive city and our support is fantastic. We attract higher crowds than Forest and Notts Vounty combined. Indeed we had higher attendances than Leicester before they gained promotion to the Premier League. 

The Derby County faithful are still turning out in their thousands despite a season that has seen some dreadful football. 

Yes will are still in the top six, however one must wonder how we are there! Another pitiful performance at Cardiff on Saturday sees us ever closer to dropping out of the play off zone. That could happen tomorrow night as we host a very good Hull City side. 

Unless we see some sort of miraculous turn of firm then I'm afraid we could see ourselves languishing down in around tenth place at the end. 

It is difficult to pinpoint just exactly where the points will be coming from in our final few games. 

For me it is time for a final gamble. Let Darren Wassall return to continue the excellent job he was doing at the academy and let Harry Redknapp take charge for the run in. 

If we don't go down this avenue it really does beg the question 'what exactly is Harry doing?'

Leicester City have this season shown what clubs of our size can achieve, however we are now no closer to promotion than two years ago. 

In fact I will go as far to say that firm wise we have gone backwards three years. Add the large wage bill and we are looking like a club during the Paul Jewell tenure!

It really is time for Mr Morris to make some serious decisions! He bought the club and it is his responsibility to sort it out!