The 2020/21 season was a year to forget for Derby County Football Club. Instability off the pitch and poor results on it resulted in The Rams fighting against relegation on the final day.
How did we rate the players after one of the poorest Derby County seasons in recent memory? Find out below!
1. David Marshall
Marshall was solid for The Rams this season. He made a few errors, as all players do, but when a goalkeeper makes them, they usually get punished. There have been four or five occasions where you would have hoped Marshall would have done better. Overall, he has saved Derby more points than he lost them. He was dropped by Rooney for an apparent attitude issue toward the end of the season and never regained his place. One must ask does his have a future at Derby? Rating: 7.5/10
2. Andre Wisdom
An ever present until an injury forced him to miss the last few games. Wiz has been a solid member of a struggling back line. At times his experience has helped although he is still prone to the odd error. Derby would certainly have been worse off without him? Probably. The question now is what does the future hold? His contract is up in the summer so it will be interesting to see where he ends up. Will he be in a Derby shirt again? It's possible, especially since finances will seemingly be tight once again. He would be a decent squad option if finances where right. Ultimately though the back line has struggled, and needs urgently revamping. Rating: 6.5/10
3. Craig Forsyth
Solid and unspectacular, Forsyth is a ‘steady Eddie’ who played his part this season once Lee Buchanan lost form. He made some mistakes, notably against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day. He is past his best but can still be a decent backup option for next season. Rating: 6/10
4. Graeme Shinnie
Mr. Consistent. Shinnie improved on the back end of his debut season with The Rams and elevated his game this season. He’s probably still playing a little deeper than he would like, but needs must when there is a dearth of options in the centre of the pitch. His energy and drive is a catalyst for Derby. This was an excellent season for him. He was very much a stand out player this season. With the right additions around him, he could take his game up another notch! Rating: 8/10
5. Kristian Bielik
Bielik’s return from injury coincided with Derby’s best run of form this season. His influence on the team was immeasurable. However, injury cruelly struck again with a second ACL tear in as many years. The Rams are not the same side without him. He will continue to be a massive miss and hopefully he can get close to the same level once again. He is Derby’s best player. He enjoyed a solid season and would have been rated higher if he had more games.
Rating: 8/10
6. George Edmundson
Edmundson arrived on loan in January from Rangers with mixed reports on his quality and professionalism. He suffered and injury and needed an operation and that limited his appearances in a Derby shirt. In his limited appearances, he shown that he is steady and has the potential to be very solid at this level. Will Derby make a move to sign him? The defense needs revamping, and it has been reported that he could be available for around £1 million, it might be a good bit of business all around. Rating: 6.5/10
7. Kamil Jozwiak
The Polish winger showed promise in his debut campaign for The Rams. There are parts in his game that show he can be effective and play at this level, but he needs to improve (notably on his finishing) and become more consistent to be a real force. He is almost certainly on the plane for Poland’s Euro 2020 campaign. If he performs well, other clubs might be interested. Could Derby turn down a chance to make a profit on a player they signed just a year ago? Rating: 6/10
8. Max Bird
Unfortunately, this has been a season to forget for Max. He’s been in and out of team and not a lot of memorable moments spring to mind. Games just seem to pass him buy without any real standout performances. He can be forgiven due to his age, experience at this level and the situation the team found themselves. To be a first choice at this level, he needs to offer more. If Derby don’t cash in on him in the summer, then a big season is needed next time round. Rating: 4/10
Listen to our Season Review episode with Chris Coles from BBC Radio Derby!
9. Martyn Waghorn
It has been a season to forgot for Waghorn, but it will also be a memorable one for his final day brace and collision with the post against Sheffield Wednesday. Does that final day performance colour his season as a whole? He scored two quality free kick goals in the early in the season but was largely a non-factor until the final day. He had an injury and was dropped for a lack of effort in training by manager Wayne Rooney. When he's on the pitch he works hard and always gives his all, but he needs to be more of a goal threat. Waghorn is out of contract and it will be interesting to see where he might end up next season. Rating: 5/10
10. Tom Lawrence
After an injury plagued season, his return from injury and reintroduction into the team for the final stretch of games has shown what offers to Derby. He is a frustrating player but there is no denying his talent. He can be inconsistent but did produce in the last few games of the season. If Derby do not cash in on him in summer, then he needs to find more consistency and stay fit. When he is fit and in form, he’s Derby’s most influential player. Rating: 6.5/10
11. Jordon Ibe
It was exciting to see Jordon Ibe resign for Derby in the summer. Since then, though, it has been very disappointing. Ibe has played less than five minutes in his one first team appearance this term. He has suffered from mental health issues as well as a hamstring problem. He still has a year to go on his contract at Derby, but it would be surprising to see him as part of the club next season. Rating: N/A
12. Nathan Byrne
A contender for Player of the Season. Byrne has proved to be an absolute steal from Wigan. He’s a very capable player at this level and his energy and attacking influence is very important for The Rams. Hopefully, he can raise his game next season and prove to not be a one season wonder. He’s a key player. Rating: 7.5/10
13. Colin Kazim-Richards
Where would Derby be without CKR? His goals, leadership and grit were one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dour season for The Rams. Although is influence waned in the final weeks of the season, which is understandable due to his age, number of games and a hip injury he had been carrying, he is still an important cog in this Derby team. He has a role to play next season but it would be a surprise however to see Kazim-Richards be the main striker next season. Rating: 8.5/10
15. Teden Mengi
Mengi is highly rated at Manchester United, although he struggled in his first few appearances for The Rams albiet in an unfamiliar right-back role. When in his natural centre-half position he looked better. Unfortunately, his season ended prematurely with a hamstring injury. Rooney has spoken about wanting him back next season, so it’s possible he could be back in a Derby shirt next season. Hopefully, a full season at the level, Mengi will grow to be a solid centre-half. Rating: 6/10
16. Matt Clarke
Clarke did not hit the same heights of last season but in a defense as poor as Derby’s this season, it can be difficult to judge. He’s a very capable player at this level and has had to deal with a lot of different defensive partners which can cause trouble. Overall, though Clarke has done a solid job in a struggling side. Will he be back for a third season? A third load to The Rams looks unlikely, if he was to return it would have to probably be on a permanent. Rating: 6.5/10
17. Louie Sibley
It has been a season to forget for Sibley, who was unable to build on the success of his debut season. He was largely a non-factor as teams earlier in the season tightened up marking him. His goals and influence dried up and with it did his minutes, although he did score a cracking late equalizer against Bournemouth (without doubt his highlight of the season). With Derby chasing the game on the final day against Sheffield Wednesday, Sibley did not make it onto the pitch. It will be interesting to see where he is playing at the start of next season. The talent is there, but will he get a chance to strut his stuff once again at Pride Park? Rating: 5/10
19. Lee Gregory
Solid and unspectacular. Lee Gregory is not the sexist name in football, but he gets the job done. He scored three goals in 11 appearances for The Rams and could have had more if his finishing was better. His season ended prematurely with injury but The Rams attack definitely looked more dangerous with him in it. With his contract at Stoke expiring in the summer, he might be short-term cover option next season. Rating: 7.5/10
21. Kelle Roos
Roos did what he needed to when called upon this season. He still seems to unnerve his defenders and needs to work on becoming more dominant in his box. He was steady enough in the final matches of the season but he's been at Derby for a while now and it feels like he either needs to stake a claim to be Derby’s number one or move to a situation where he can get more first team football. Rating: 6.5/10
23. Patrick Roberts
Brought in during a busy January Deadline Day to add a creative spark to a lethargic attack. He showed what he could do in fits and starts. On the flip side he also showed he’s bounced around on loan. His most telling contribution however came in the final match of the season with a sweet left footed strike take the lead early in the second half against Sheffield Wednesday. You can see the potential. Roberts needs to find a settled place to play. If the price is right, might Derby be that place? Rating: 7/10
Listen to our Season Review episode with Chris Coles from BBC Radio Derby!
26. Lee Buchanan
The young full-back was not the same player in the second half of the season. He appeared to have lost some of his confidence. Is that down to the constantly changing team selection? The poor results? The poor defensive play? Or was it down to fatigue of his first full season at this level? Or a combination of all the above? No one can know for sure. There is still plenty of promise for Buchanan and if Derby can keep a hold of him (Arsenal and West Ham are reportedly interested), then this season was certainly one to build on. His challenge next season? Making the position his own.
Rating: 7/10
29. Festy Ebosele
Another academy graduate to make his debut this season for The Rams. Ebosele started against Chorley in the FA Cup and made his league bow a few months later. He is strong and direct albeit in limited to cameo appearances. A loan move would be good for him to continue his development. Rating: N/A
34. Beni Baningime
A January Deadline Day loan signing from Everton, did not work out for various reasons. Baningime just could never get his opportunity on the pitch in a position, where Derby were desperate for someone. Rating: N/A
37. Kornell McDonald
McDonald deputized a few times in a shaky Derby backline. His performances were generally solid. He has a good platform to build on for next season. A backup option for next season. Rating: 6/10
38. Jason Knight
This might be controversial but Knight’s overall impact this season was disappointing. His impact during the second half of the season, did not hit the same heights that Derby have become accustom too. He is still young, so this can be expected. Hopefully, this season proves to be a learning curve for the Irish international and with recharged batteries over summer he come back and continue to be an important and influential player for The Rams. Despite his disappointing season, his work rate and desire still makes him one of Derby’s standout players this season. Rating: 7.5/10
40. Louie Watson
It was great to see Louie get an opportunity in the first team and it is clear that the young Irishman has bags of potential. The step up to first team football can be very challenging and having had a little taste of it, Watson is sure to be itching to be involved again. Derby’s desperate circumstances at the end of the season probably limited his chances but there were plenty of positives on a personal level. A loan move next season could be just what he needs to gain that experience. Rating: 6/10
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