Derby County Season Preview: Carson the key

Last season was the first since 12/13 in which Derby Country never truly looked like winning promotion. They entered the top six for only three December days all season, shortly before they began New Year with a run of six defeats in 10 which ended any Premier League aspirations. Supporter Jack Hasler reflects on a disappointing campaign.

The fact that we had four different managers was a large factor. Linking to that, the season was almost completely written off after Nigel Pearson’s sacking – the performances under him were dreadful. Letting go of Martin and Hendrick were poor decisions.

You only conceded 50 goals, fewer than half the top six. Are experienced campaigners like Scott Carson and Richard Keogh to thank for that?

Carson won all of the awards at the end of the season, he was brilliant. Keogh, though he receives a lot of stick, he is a very decent defender at this level.

Throughout his career, Curtis Davies has almost always been either in the Championship top six or at a Premier League club. Could he be a coup?

100 per cent. In terms of value and experience he’s a fantastic signing. Should be our captain next season for me.

Andre Wisdom signs from Liverpool. Given Chris Baird’s lack of pace and Cyrus Christie’s exit for Middlesbrough, do you see him starting at right-back?

Yes, as we saw when we had him on loan, he is fantastic defensively. At 24, he finally has a chance to settle down in what’s his first permanent move since joining Liverpool in 2008.

Full-back Marcus Olsson started 30 games last year. What did you make of his left-sided partnership with Johnny Russell?

Both players had quite a poor season. I’d expect Forsyth to start at left back with Weimann or a new signing on the left wing at this point.

Your third signing of the summer is Tom Huddlestone. What do you hope he will offer the midfield?

He offers experience, a fantastic passing range and calmness on the ball. Looked brilliant in pre season so far. Also takes the pressure off the returning (from injury) Thorne.

New manager Gary Rowett has said he will demand a lot from the team physically. Will this approach give Derby ingredients they have missed previously, or could it mean neglect of the squad’s technical strengths?

Physical improvement is vital for our squad, last season a big frustration was that we struggled to perform for a whole ninety minutes. Increased fitness may change that.

Midfielder Will Hughes and inside forward Tom Ince were two of your most talented individuals who have been sold. Where will the technical quality come from in their absence?

Huddlestone, though a very different player, could act as a fantastic replacement for Hughes. Replacing Ince however, may prove tough, we’ll definitely be needing to sign a new player to take up his role.

Chris Martin had an excellent season at Fulham last year. Does he have qualities that make him more suited to leading the line than your other available strikers, such as Darren Bent?

We missed Martin last season, he is brilliant at getting the ball down and bringing other players into the game. He also has a very good record for us, with 63 goals in only three full seasons.

What are your thoughts ahead of the Championship season as a whole? Any potential dark horses for you?

I feel as though Middlesbrough and Villa look the strongest at the moment.
Dark horses for me are Brentford, if they can become more consistent, they could definitely push for the top six this season.

Where will you finish?

6th – just inside the play offs. Although, if we manage to bring in one or two more wingers before the end of the window, we could definitely finish higher.

The Football Lab’s Verdict

With Wisdom, Davies and Huddlestone joining, Derby will have more muscle this year, but not so much magic. Their most technically gifted players, Hughes and Ince, have gone to the Premier League without yet being directly replaced. The Rams had the Championship’s ninth worst attack last term and Rowett has done little to improve it. 13th

Click above to join our league in The Telegraph Fantasy Football