Rams fan Elliott gives his opinion on the managerial situation at Derby County!
Let’s make no mistake about it, football is a results business. Managers that fail to win games, often end up losing their job. Phillip Cocu is at present failing to win games at Derby and the fan base is beginning to become more and more divided with each passing result.
Cocu has so far endured a frustrating tenure at Derby, with numerous incidents bringing the club into the headlines for the wrong reasons. Cocu has had Krystian Bielik, a club record signing injured in a U23 game, coupled with the drink driving scandal. These two incidents ruled out two of Derby’s key players out for the season and ultimately resulted in the then captain, Richard Keogh sacked. Not many mangers have ever had to go through the amount of bad luck Cocu has had.
Cocu has conducted himself very well from when he signed, especially considering the amount he has faced so far. There are many reasons why Cocu should stay as manager and have a settled season at the club. Phillip Cocu was brought in as manager of Derby County on a four-year deal and was seen as part of the long-term future of the club. His philosophy of bringing through youth players was something owner Mel Morris was looking for in a manager, with the club having one of the best setups around.
Cocu has and still is utilising Derby’s youth setup and is regularly bringing through new players whether that be in to the first XI or on the bench. This is clearly Derby’s new business model to sustain the club in the long run: bring through a youth player, increase their value and sell on for a decent fee. Cocu has had somewhat of productive transfer window where he has managed to sign Jordon Ibe and lure Kamil Jóźwiak away from Lech Poznań. Players that are of no doubt quality and easily able to perform in the Championship. All the new signings need time to ‘bed in’ and settle in the first team, some of which are not yet match fit and may not be fit for a couple more weeks. Cocu should be allowed time to work with the players he has signed and utilise them in his team.
As results continue to go against Derby, many fans begin to question Cocu over the team. Let’s delve a little deeper than the results themselves because they are no doubt poor. Many people have questioned Cocu’s style, and what is it exactly? It appears to be a slow, possession based, build from the back approach that doesn’t seem to be yielding many chances in front of goal. That could of course be down to Derby’s lack of attacking options at present. Derby surrendered their possession approach against Norwich and opted for a more defensive game in a 5-4-1 formation, which got them a win through a Wayne Rooney free kick. Derby were somewhat lucky in the game where they saw a penalty miss by Teemu Pukki and an outstanding save by David Marshall deny Jordan Hugill in the closing minutes. In football you have to ride your luck at times but Norwich were the dominant side. Similarly against Watford, Derby were setup again defensively due to a lack of attacking options and were this time on the receiving end of great effort, leading to a Rams defeat.
Should Mel decide a change is needed where should he turn to. Does he go internally and look at Darren Wassall or Rooney to take charge or look to bring in a more experienced head in, with the likes of Paul Cook available.
Derby now lie in 21st place in the league table with one win and four losses and a minus 7 goal difference. Only Wycombe have a worse goal difference having not registered any points on the board yet. Mel has openly backed Cocu on Talk Sport recently, again alluding to the ‘long term vision’. However, if the Rams continue to lose games then will Mel have any choice but to move Cocu on despite his long-term plan and how long does Mel leave it for results to turn. In theory results should pick up with key players returning from injury. Tom Lawrence being one, who looked lively when he came on against Watford.
With the East Midlands Derby just over the horizon, a game in which has resulted in managers of both clubs losing their jobs following a loss. It could well be make or break for Cocu, a win and the fans will back him but if Derby take a beating like they did against Blackburn patience may well have ran out.