The 2021/2022 season is halfway through. That means it's time for the midseason ratings.
1. David Marshall
With most fans expecting Marshall to be Derby’s Number 1 this season it was a surprise to see Ryan Allsop brought in. With rumors of fall outs behind the scenes and Derby’s financial situation Marshall was soon a clear option to move on but that has not, as of yet, materialized. Marshall’s Derby days are over as he has failed to be selected for the squad, even with the goalkeeping position being a real talking point among supporters. A sad way for things to end. N/A
2. Nathan Byrne
Byrne has been solid so far this season without reaching his performance levels of last season. While he can get caught out defensively, he’s still a valuable attacking asset. He needs to get down the wing more and get more crosses in. He’s a steady veteran player who Derby will need to perform well in this relegation fight. 6/10
3. Craig Forsyth
Craig is still a big part of this team; under different financial situations would he still be at Derby? That's not a question we can answer but again he has been heavily involved so far this season. An injury hit season for Lee Buchanan so far has probably helped his involvement, his experience has certainly helped. He even cropped up with a rare goal earlier this season, but he still has fans questioning his worth to the team. There have been some good performances but there have been some (if not a few) ropey, at best, performances. It remains to be seen if when more selection options are available in that position he remains in the team. 6/10
4. Graeme Shinnie
It’s been another solid season for the Scotsman. His energy, drive, and eye for a pass (and tackle) have been key so far this season. His passion was highlighted with that great celebration against Coventry. Shinnie breaths this club. With his contract running out in the summer, it will be interesting to see how things develop the rest of the season. Can Derby afford to keep him? One thing is for sure, whatever the future hold, Shinnie will play a key role in this relegation fight for The Rams for the rest of the season. 8/10
5. Krystian Bielik
A season so far of rehabilitation. He’s working his way back from another ACL injury. However, he is close to a return and would be a much needed boost (especially with Derby’s limited personnel). But with all the off the field fiascos, will he grace the black and white shirt many more times? Or will he be one, they look to move on for much needed cash. If he does feature for the rest of this season, he could be pivotal and his return is desperately needed. N/A
6. Phil Jagielka
The 39-year-old veteran has been a stalwart this season next to Curtis Davies. He gets caught out with pace from time to time but his positioning and quality means he’s a very good centre-half at Championship level. His contract is due to run out in January and it’s been reported that the club are keen to extend his deal. A new deal needs to be done ASAP. Outside of his quality, his leadership has proved immeasurable as Derby continue to bed in youngsters during this relegation fight. 9/10
7. Kamil Jozwiak
After an underwhelming first season in England, understandable after the world’s situation with the pandemic which he opened up on in an interview. We were all hoping he could hit the heights in front of the returning crowds, but (and it’s a big but), he has failed to have the impact we desired. Largely finding himself on the bench and not even coming on in matches it seems he could be at a crossroads in his Derby career. Could his solid performance against Blackpool (albeit in a wing back role) in a rare start give the manager food for thought? In all fairness with the team in the position it’s in could Rooney really do much worse? Again, finances probably come into play with his future at the club. 4/10
8. Max Bird
Max has had a solid start to the season. You can’t help but want to see more out of the young midfielder. Hopefully 2022 will bring more growth and he can continue to add more dimensions to his game. There is no doubt that he will be starting for Derby next season, whatever division they are in. 8/10
9. Sam Baldock
Brought in to add much needed fire power Sam’s time has been very stop-start so far due to several injuries. Not a signing to set the fans into overdrive but an experienced striker at this level, and cheap! He hasn’t been a complete flop; a couple of goals and a solid work ethic has been good to see would of been interesting to see what he could of achieved if had been available more? 6/10
10. Tom Lawrence
Tom was a controversial choice to be named captain at the start of the season. In typical fashion, Lawrence was inconsistent in the early part of the season. However, the past month or so, he is proving what a player he is at this level. He’s putting in fantastic performances and scoring goals. He’s arguably Derby’s most influential player. If he stays with The Rams after January, he will be heavily relied on, and the club need him to produce. It’s a big second half of the season for the Welshman as well, as his contract is up at the end of the season, and he will want to secure a new contract at another club and will want to get back into the Wales squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup (if Wales qualify). 7/10
11. Ravel Morrison
The enigma that is Ravel Morrison, bringing him in was a massive gamble. They all say the same great potential technically excellent but lost his way. Wayne Rooney believed he could get the best out of him and for the first seven or eightgames he did show quality that had him has one of the first names on the team sheet. But there is a reason he hasn’t set the world alight wherever he has been, and we have seen that over the last couple of months, he has become a bystander in games and Derby cannot afford to have passengers. He needs to re-find his form and quickly if he is to continue deserving a spot in this team. 5/10
13. Colin Kazim-Richards
After the impact of last season with his goals & leadership this season was meant to go down a similar path, but only two games in, an injury leaving him three months on the sidelines was not what we had hoped for. In the last few games, he has been back in and around things but not really getting much game time. Rumors emerging over the last few days about disagreements behind the scenes wasn’t what we wanted to hear, but he is still a key part of this unit and hopefully starts to show that on the pitch as well if given the opportunity. 4/10
16. Richard Stearman
The veteran defender has been solid yet unspectacular in his few appearances for The Rams this season. His experience is invaluable at the back, especially in tight games. More importantly he is a valuable role-player, who knows his role. 5/10
17. Louie Sibley
A season to forget so far for Louie, he hasn’t kicked on in the first team as many would have hoped. A few injures have hampered that but, on the chances, he has been given not many have been taken. Recently turning out for the U23’s has displayed some pleasing performances and has been involved in the goals too! Hopefully this gives him back whatever was lacking, and he can hit the first team like he did on debut again, we know there is a special player in there it’s time for him to show it consistently. 4/10
21. Kelle Roos
Surprising to most I think, Kelle started the season as Number 1 and has held that spot for much of the season so far. But a season with Roos in net is quite predictable, there will be some great saves and there will be some clangers, you guessed it we have had both so far. I personally believe he has looked better this season but there are still the errors that just make you feel uneasy watching him, his good work is undoubtedly undone at times when he makes simple mistakes & wrong decisions. An intriguing battle for the gloves between Roos and Allsop but not necessarily because of their good points. 6/10
26. Lee Buchanan
He has not hit the heights of last season, although he has been out of the team with a knee injury. When in the team he works hard and defensively he has improved. It was reported that teams were interested in him during the summer, and it would not be surprising to see clubs circling around him once again. With Derby in dire financial straits could they afford to turn another offer down? 5/10
31. Ryan Allsop
A summer addition which left some fans scratching their heads a little bit, released from relegated Wycombe and now thrust into Derby’s No1 battle. On first sightings of him in preseason & the league cup games fans would have been scratching even harder as some clear goalkeeping blunders didn’t cover him in glory. Then his first team bow after Roos saw red at Bramell Lane, he was like a completely different player. Played a big part in a run of clean sheets & in fairness only one real error of his fault in the draw at home against Luton. But that cost him And we haven’t seen much of him since until recently. Who is Derby’s No1? That’s a very good question and one for debate every single conversation. 5/10
33. Curtis Davies
Mr. Reliable, he has been arguably, The Rams best player so far, creating a CB partnership with Jagielka that has been like a rock. They know their strengths they know their weaknesses and play together like it’s been 10 years not 6 months. The experience he brings is massive and he is still a tidy footballer. Would be a lot worse off without him and he’s even found the back of the net a few times this season. We need more of the same and I wouldn’t expect anything less from Curtis a true professional who clearly cares about this club. 9/10
34. Jack Stretton
Another youngster forcing his way into the first team, we saw a fair bit of the Scotsman at the beginning of the season. A well taken goal against Posh, a couple of eye-catching performances and almost a goal against Forest, he can be pleased with his involvement so far, but he has been hampered by injury which is a shame. Hopefully we see more of him in the second half of the season. 6/10
35. Louie Watson
Thrust into the first team at the beginning of the season and didn’t look out of his depth but not featured as much in the coming months. Certainly, the future of this club and any experience and exposure at this level will certainly help him. N/A
36. Festy Ebosele
Young, pacy and strong, the Irish U-21 has a bright future ahead of him. He’s still very and raw and it prone to the drops in form. His progress was slowed by a knee injury earlier this season but in recent weeks he’s been playing more. He’s better suited as an attacker, but he does tend to limit Nathan Byrne’s runs up field when they play on the same side. Ebosele could be a big player in Derby’s future, no matter what division they are in. 7/10
37. Kornell McDonald
Not involved as much as I’m sure he would want but still as a youngster his time will come. He is still in the first team fold awaiting an opportunity. N/A
38. Jason Knight
Energetic as always, the Irish international started the season injured but has found his way back into the team in recent weeks. It’s hard to believe that this is the third full season for Knight in Derby’s first team. He works hard and has scored a few goals this season. It’s been a solid but not spectacular season. There is more to come from the young midfielder. 7/10
40. Isaac Hutchinson
Other than a solid couple of cup appearances Isaac has found minutes hard to come by so far which Is slightly surprising, the problem is Derby are stacked in that position and needs something extra to stand out still a talent and young enough to force his way in. N/A
41. Eiran Cashin
I feel for Eiran, I think if the registration situation would of been different we would of seen more of him. He continues to knock on the door of the first team with some solid U23 performances ready and waiting for his chance. N/A
42. Liam Thompson
Thrown in out of the blue by Rooney, Thompson has acquitted himself well so far. He has not looked out of place despite being one of the younger members of the squad. As with all young players, he will have peaks and drops in form. It’s important for the club and management to manage the young midfielder properly to ensure his career continues to blossom and he does not get burned out. He will be a key player for Derby next season, no matter the division The Rams are competing in. 8/10
43. Dylan Williams
With a debut at the hawthorns on his 18th birthday you would forgive him if he didn’t rise to the occasion, quite the opposite occurred. When called upon Dylan has been excellent and I would & expect to see more of him in the second half of the season. I am excited to see him get more game time and hope he can continue to develop another player that is the future of this club. 7/10
48. Luke Plange
After banging in the goals at U-23 level, Plange finally got into the first team this season. He scored on his first home league start and hopefully that is a sign of things to come. N/A
49. Bartoz Cybulski
Great to see Bartoz come into the first team after some very impressive goal scoring displays in the academy. Another who I’m sure will be hoping for more opportunities in the second half of the season. N/A
Overall:
All in all, it’s been a tough season so far as expected, but they continue to show battle and desire and that’s all you can ask for. The Rams have been in nearly every game so far which is encouraging, but that under the circumstances is probably not going to be enough on its own. Also take into consideration that without the points deduction they would still be lingering around the relegation zone all be it the right side of the line, a massive effort is required to attempt to achieve the impossible. Who knows what the second half of the season will bring, with off the field issues set to hopefully be resolved in the new year, you just never know…it’s a big ask but you never say never in football!
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