The 2021/2022 season has finished. As the dust settles on the Rams relegation from the Championship, we give our thoughts on the performances of the first team.
2. Nathan Byrne 8/10
Another very solid display from Byrne this season, just someone you know will put in a solid performance week-in and week-out. He’s been at Derby now for two seasons and has twice been in the mix for Player of the Year. His consistently good performances have earned him all the plaudits and the only thing missing from his game is a couple of goals and few more assists. He is one of the many out of contract players and he would be a great member of the squad next season. It’s fully expected that interest will be very high in him this summer.
3. Craig Forsyth 6.5/10
Fozzy has been a fantastic servant to this football club. He’s a decent veteran presence who can do a job when called upon. He did not feature all too often this season but when he did, he did okay. Not to many standout performances but not to many poor performances either. It’s clear he’s aging and he’s not the player that he was. He’d still be solid in League One, but it also might be a good time to break from the past in the new era Derby County are entering.
5. Krystian Bielik 7/10
The goal Bielik scored on his return to the side (and Derby’s goal of the season) was one of the highpoints of the season. It took him a few games to get back up and running and he was close to being back at his best next, he needs to maintain that consistency. Wayne Rooney has said that Bielik needs a season of no disruption, hopefully that will be next season, where without question, he’d dominate in League One. With a winter World Cup on the horizon Bielik will want to be on the plane with Poland to Qatar. Would Poland take a League One player? If they do, he’ll stay. If not, he won’t. He’s one of Derby’s only contracted players for next season and one of the few that could command a good fee. Another question to ask, can Derby afford to keep him or does a player of his quality and value help fund the rebuild?
8. Max Bird 8/10
It’s been a solid season from Max. This season he has return to the form he showed 18 months ago. He’s added to his game this season and was a key component in the engine room. You still can’t help but want more from him but hopefully this is the next step, where he starts to dictate midfield. If Derby can keep him next season, he will be a key player. The experience this season will stand him in good stead and picking up the Young Player of the Season, from both the club and this podcast, shows how well he has performed.
10. Tom Lawrence 7.5/10
Finally! Tom Lawrence is grabbing the headlines on the pitch. He was given the armband this season and he has taken it and grown into the role. Granted, he was not everyone’s choice, but it cannot be argued that this is the best version of Tom Lawrence we have seen. He’s the clubs top goal scorer and has chipped in with plenty of assists as well. Without him Derby would not have been in the survival race for as long as they were. He still had a few inconsistent performances, and his poor disciplinary record continues, which was a massive disappointment. It feels like a crossroads for Lawrence, can Derby afford to keep him? Will he want to stay? Is it time to say “thank you” but part company? Obviously, he would be a massive player in League One, but this will more than likely come down to finances, which obviously something that will be tight at Derby.
11. Ravel Morrison 7.5/10
Morrison was a signing that divided the fanbase. We know his history of bouncing around at clubs and never sticking and his time in The Netherlands was a disaster, so the Jamaican international showed up at Pride Park with a reputation that had not been backed by results. This season though, he seems to have found a home in the black and white. The first half of the season he was more out of the team than in it, as Rooney wanted him to work on parts of his game. However, the second half of the season, he showed a lot of consistency and was a real difference maker, especially off the bench. Overall, it was a solid season, and many supporters would love to have him back next year. Ravel Morrison in his second half of the season form would be a tasty proposal, especially in League One.
13. Colin Kazim-Richards 5.5/10
Without CKR’s goals last season, Derby would have been relegated. This season he did not meet the heights of last, two long term injuries stymied his progress and influence on the team. His most effective role was that as an impact sub, often coming on with Ravel Morrison. Injury struck again and ended his season prematurely. It’ll be interesting to see where he ends up next season. Will it be at Derby? Doubtful, but only time will tell.
16. Richard Stearman 6.5/10
A top professional. Richard was probably expecting a few more games when he signed but the form of Phil Jagielka in the first part of the season and the emergence of Eiran Cashin in the second, conspired against him. When he was called upon, he has delivered. A massive character in the squad, he can get overlooked but it cannot be overstated enough the steady veteran who understands his role and his impact on this squad. He would be a great player to retain next season.
17. Louie Sibley 5.5/10
It’s been a second indifferent season in a row for the young midfielder. Poised to breakout last season he did not, and this season has been much the same. Sibley found match time limited but did score a crucial winning goal against Peterborough, his highlight of the season. You must ask yourself if it’s time Sibley moves on, he’s obviously not in highest regard with Rooney. On the flip side, maybe League One is where is breakout season happens. He’s one of the few players contracted for next season and he’s still young, he doesn’t turn 21 until September. One thing is for sure, there is a player in there, but you must think next season is a crucial point in Sibley’s career, not only for Derby but also for his future at a higher level of the game.
21. Kelle Roos 6/10
It’s been another typical Kelle Roos season. His shot stopping has never been in question, his distribution has. Started the season as the number one but lost that after a red card and barely featured until the penultimate game of the season. Roos’ Derby career has had ups and downs and with his contract up in the summer, it’s probably time for him to move on.
26. Lee Buchanan 6/10
It’s been a mixed bag this season for Buchanan, he was blighted by injuries early on only to be given his opportunity in the second half of the season to make the full back position his own. Overall, he’s been okay. There are still questions on his defensive positioning but going forward he has been solid. Clearly, he has talent, and he has a big career ahead of him but he needs a settled and injury free season. He could be a real asset in League One, however, there was plenty of transfer speculation surrounding him last summer and he has been called into the England U-21’s, so one would thing, that clubs will be looking around for him again this summer. If a good offer comes in, can Derby afford to turn it down?
31. Ryan Allsop 7.5/10
Allsop has made the goalkeeping position at Derby County his own. His first few displays were ropey, but he fought through those and has grown in the role week after week. He’s a solid shot stopper and commands his area well. He’s still prone to the odd mistake while playing out from the back, but generally his distribution is quite good. Simply put, if the club can sign him to a new contract, they have found their goalkeeper, which is not something the club or its supporters have been able to say for quite some time.
32. Malcolm Ebiowei 8/10
A surprising addition to the first team after January. From a relative unknown to the first name on the team sheet, Malcolm has probably been the most consistent performer since breaking into the side. He’s Quick, exciting, and direct. He’s been the find of the season. He’s still a raw talent that needs working on but there is a real promising player emerging. He knocked on the door a couple of times for a goal and finally broke his duck against Blackpool. Unfortunately, Ebiowei is yet another youngster Derby have been unable to tie down on a long-term contract and there have been reports of Premier League interest. He has the potential to be a massive player for Derby over the next few seasons, but job one is to get this man a contract!
33. Curtis Davies 100/10
Leader. Man Mountain. Immense. Durable. Everything you could want or need this season for Derby County was encapsulated in Curtis Davies and his performances. Playing every minute of every league game was an incredible achievement, it becomes even more incredible when you factor in his age and the fact that he tore his Achilles tendon last season. Davies epitomized what Derby were about this season. His fight and determination were central to The Rams survival bid. Without a shadow of a doubt, the club need to re-sign him for next season.
34. Jack Stretton n/a
There was so much hope for Jack at the beginning of the season, he was finally in the first team fold, scored a goal against Peterborough and had some other promising performances. But injury struck and he’s since disappeared from the first team radar. This had to have been frustrating for both the player and the club. He’s under contract for next season, so you would expect him to feature heavily, if fit.
35. Louie Watson n/a
Watson barely featured for The Rams this season. It must be frustrating for both player & team as he would have surely gotten more games, especially given the small squad numbers. It’ll be interesting to see if sticks with Derby next season.
36. Festy Ebosele 6/10
A player who excites due to his blistering pace, physicality & directness Festy is was becoming a very useful player. Unfortunately, his end product let him down. He is still very young and will continue to learn and get better. However, since he signed a pre-contract with Italian side Udinese, his form and more worrying his attitude dropped. He was eventually dropped by Rooney because of his poor attitude, which was a sour note to end, what started as a breakout season for the young Irishman. It will be sad to see him go. You wonder what might have been (especially if we would have been able to offer him a longer contract).
38. Jason Knight 7/10
It was yet another solid season from Jason. He probably did not hit the heights of previous campaigns, but this could be down to the fact that was deployed in various positions. He did not have as many goal involvements as you would have liked but he’s an important player in the squad (not to mention one of the most senior in terms of appearances). His desire, effort and work rate are top class, and his energy was clearly missed when he was not in the side. Premier League teams were reportedly interested in January, and it would be fully expected for them to renew their interest this summer.
41. Eiran Cashin 7.5/10
Cashin was unfortunate not to play more games this term, but EFL squad restrictions restricted his appearances in the first half of the season. Once he did, he did get in the team, the young Irishman never relinquished his starting spot and looked very accomplished next to veteran Curtis Davies. His thunderous header away against Blackpool (and his preseason goal against Notts County), show’s his aerial prowess. He’s show ability and maturity beyond his years, and he is without doubt one for the future and one Derby need to put a contract in front of, as soon as possible. He would have rated higher and would have been in the running for Young Player of the Year if he had played more games.
42. Liam Thompson 7.5/10
Many didn’t know the name Liam Thompson when they read the lineup for the game at Pride Park against Bournemouth, but boy fans certainly do now! A cracking debut was followed with subsequent solid performances. Liam has been very impressive, he’s not the standard build of a defensive midfielder but his ball control and “ratting” ability his earned him many plaudits. He’s that type of player who just seems to always be involved. He really has stood out in a lot of appearances this season and deserves praise for a solid debut season. Another player who will hopefully stick around and continue his development at Derby.
48. Luke Plange 7/10
Another youngster thrown in the deep end. His goal scoring record for the academy finally got him a deserved first team call-up. He has some great displays early on and this earned him a January move to Premier League Crystal Palace, for a £1 million now less. On loan in the second half of the season, saw Plange hit his first sticky patch and the goals started to dry up. It’s a real shame he is leaving. Can The Rams get him back on loan next season? If so, he’d be a fantastic option.
49. Bartoz Cybulski n/a
The tall Polish striker got some gametime after relegation was confirmed. He should stick around next season in League One as the club look to rebuild.
Manager: Wayne Rooney 9/10
What can you say? The job this man has done with all the obstacles put in front of him and his staff has been nothing short of incredible. To still be in the survival conversation with four games to go was such an achievement. Despite the relegation, the positives of this season will live long in the memory. Rooney and his team deserve a lot of credit for the confidence, belief and fight they have instilled in this group of players. It was obvious on the pitch, that the players are desperate to play for him and this football club. Rooney has stamped a real identity into the team. Will he stay will he go? That’s anyone’s guess but right now, he’s been saying all the right things. He must stay. He needs another transfer window or two (and maybe some money, even if it’s a small amount) to continue this rebuild. If he does decide to move on, he will still be held in high regard by the fans for the job he has done, you can just see though he has the passion and drive to succeed which fans have really been happy with even though it’s been ultimately a disappointing season but that is only the beginning of the weird and wonderful journey.
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