Rams Review contributor Andy Buckley-Taylor gives his thoughts on the upcoming week for Derby County.
One thing is for sure that there is still more drama at Derby County than an episode of any soap opera!
The question of the clubs future ownership is still unresolved. Andy Appleby and his backers are still in the race to purchase the club and it has been reported that former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is ready to jump in at the eleventh hour with an attempt to buy the club.
We all know of Appleby from the time when GSE owned the club. We all know Ashley from his time on Tyneside. Ashley may divide opinions, but we are at the stage where beggars can’t be choosers. I think one thing we will all agree on is he won’t bankrupt the club.
The S*n journalist Alan Nixon is claiming that the club won’t be sold until the legal action taken by Middlesbrough and Wycombe is resolved, however our administrators deny this. The claims are based on speculation and many feel they would be unsuccessful.
There have been claims that many clubs are getting annoyed that Derby County are rejecting bids for players. It is understood that the offers are derisory. Selling at such low prices surely would be a deprivation of assets? As long as the club has the cash to keep running until sold there is no reason that we should be giving our players away.
If Wayne Rooney is talking about players coming in on loan, then surely we must be nearing the announcement of a preferred bidder?
We face some very tricky looking games over the next couple of weeks starting with a home fixture against Sheffield United. We went down by the odd goal at Bramall Lane due to a late penalty. In my opinion they have made an error in sacking Slavisa Jokanovic. His sides often start slow and then pick up after a dozen games or so! I fail to see how Paul Heckingbottom is an upgrade?
Hopefully our team can continue to put in workmanlike performances and make another move towards the mission impossible goal of lifting ourselves out of the bottom three.
Krystian Bielik is now back in training and no doubt Derby fans are anticipating his return. He brings a touch of class to the midfield. Bielik and a couple of loans could be vital for the rest of the season.
So back to Saturday, sing your hearts out and see you at Pride Park!