As the calendar turns to 2021, Cory takes a look at 2021 and gives his thoughts on why 2021 is a big year for the following…
Duane Holmes
The twice capped American needs to have a big year in 2021. He’s shown his ability to play and he contributed plenty to Derby, however consistency and injury record remain a key concern. Both these issues have limited him from an extended run in the team and hampered his performances. Holmes, on his day, shows his quality with running between the lines and is one of Derby’s brightest attackers. It is in these positive performances that you can see his international quality, but with a “golden generation” of young Americans coming through the national team, his inconsistence could end up costing him a place at the CONCAF 2021 Gold Cup (North America’s regional tournament). From a Derby perspective, if they aim to be fighting for promotion (as we hope they are by the end of 2021), can the club afford to keep a player, like Holmes, around with his inconsistent play and injury record? If consistency and injury issues remain, would another Championship club take a risk on him? Do Derby (his contract is up at the end of the season)? The jury is still out. But a consistent and injury free start to 2021 could position him in good stead for both Derby and the U.S. Men’s National Team.
Tom Lawrence
One of Derby’s most influential players has not showed his influence enough for The Rams in 2020. As the New Year turns, Derby supporters hope they can finally see the player that they know Lawrence can be. However, the past year at Derby for him has been riddled with inconsistent performances, ill discipline and injuries which has seen him miss a large amount of game time. When he has been on the field, he has not contributed nearly enough, and his performances have been very hit or miss. With Euro 2020 in the summer, he will want to impress to ensure that he can be part of the Welsh squad at the European Championships. This is the last chance for Derby’s “Welsh Wizard” to impress at Derby.
The Club
Derby County, the club we all love, is facing a massive 2021. I think it’s fair to say that the 2019/20 season did not go as planned. The club needs to rebound in several ways to make 2021 a success. Firstly, the on-field performances need to get better; there have been signs of that late in 2020 and hopefully that mini-revival will continue in the new year.
Secondly, the club needs to rebound financially. We still have not seen the Derby County accounts that were due to be published in June and delayed until October. This is a major concern (well not for me as I don’t have large chunks of money invested in the club but as a supporter it is worrying). Derby have walked on the Financial Fair Play (FFP) line so close in recent years that there is more than a little cause of concern from the fan base. With the recent news that players wages have been delayed this is another negative financial news story that club will endure. The club needs the takeover to either happen or not happen. Uncertainty is not good for either the football side or the business side of the club.
Thirdly, the connection between the club and its fans has become stretched in recent years. 2020 has taken that relationship to another uncomfortable level. Tersely worded statements, a lack of transparency and delays in refunding supporters (whether it be season tickets, match tickets or RamsTV payments) has widened the gap between the club and its supporters. With no fans at matches the disconnection has become even more apparent. With club revenues due to decline as the effects of a post-COVID football economy, the club needs to be rewarding loyal supporters (who themselves put their hard-earned money into the football club) instead of alienating them. Building bridges back with the fan-base and narrowing that gap of disconnection would go a long way to ensuring the long term success of the football club.
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