Jack Bryan is a football writer and life long Derby County supporter.
With the English league season wrapped up, the rumour mill in full swing and the transfer window just over a week away from opening, it’s that time of the year when many football fans don’t quite know what to do with themselves. Whilst the players have a well-earned break before the start of another long season, for management, recruitment staff, and the like, there is no such rest, as they dissect the season just gone, and look to put their side in the best possible position for the new campaign.
The work required varies from club to club, and the scenario they find themselves in. For some, it will be more of the same, as they simply seek to build on an impressive season. For others, a mammoth rebuild will be required, as was the case at Pride Park last summer.
Here’s a look back on the season that nearly never was for Derby County and what we can learn from it to take into the 2023-24 League One season.
Cast your mind back to Monday June 27. Pre-season begins, but the club’s future is still in the balance. There are just five players on the books of the first team squad, who are under the interim management of Liam Rosenior, Wayne Rooney having resigned as first team manager three days earlier, hours after Clowes Developments were given preferred bidder status, and their purchase of the stadium was announced.
By Friday, July 1, David Clowes’ takeover was confirmed. The club was saved, and the rebuild could begin, but that was no mean feat. Liam Rosenior had to assemble a squad almost from scratch in just four weeks.
The next day, young players Eiran Cashin and Liam Thompson re-signed on two year deals, the first of many announcements. Tom Barkhuizen, Joe Wildsmith, and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing signed for the club the next day, and over the week leading up to the first pre-season friendly away to Bradford City, David McGoldrick, Conor Hourihane, James Chester and Kwaku Oduroh came in, whilst Curtis Davies and Richard Stearman re-signed on one year deals.
The Rams won 2-0 at Valley Parade, with Craig Forsyth, then technically amongst the players in on trial, and Tom Barkhuizen the goal scorers. James Collins, Scott Loach and Korey Smith joined the club before a 1-0 victory at home to Hertha Berlin.
Next up came three straight defeats. First, away to Stevenage in 40 degree heat, then at home to a Leicester City XI, and at the Impact Arena against Alfreton Town, with just three days to go before the first game of the season.
At this point, fans still didn’t know what to expect from a Derby side which undoubtedly had an abundance of quality, but as was also evident in the friendlies, had been thrown together in around a month, and hadn’t had a proper pre-season. A few fans expected automatic promotion, others were simply happy to stay up. Most were somewhere in between, more in line with Liam Rosenior, who was aiming for a top six finish and therefore a playoff place as a minimum.
The next day, Craig Forsyth’s new one year deal was announced, before a day many had feared would never come, the first day of the 2022-23 season, with Derby facing Oxford United in League One at Pride Park. 31,053 fans were in attendance to watch a Derby side featuring seven players making their competitive debut in black and white. The Rams marked the beginning of a new era with a win, thanks to Conor Hourihane’s 80th minute strike from 18 yards, which nestled in the bottom corner. July 30, 2022, another date etched into Derby County folklore.
August began with a trip to The Valley in which Everton loanee, Lewis Dobbin made his debut off the bench. Derby dominated the first half, and should have gone in at least one up at half time, but failed to take their chances, and were punished in the second half when Charlton's Corey Blackett-Taylor scored from close range, Wildsmith having only been able to parry Albie Morgan’s shot into his path.
Derby didn’t lose another game in August, beating Mansfield Town and then Championship West Brom in the Carabao Cup to set up a third round trip to Anfield. Whilst in the league they saw off Barnsley, before failing to turn dominance into victory on the road twice more, as they drew 0-0 to Shrewsbury and then to Fleetwood.
The month finished with the dramatic late victory at home to Peterborough United, Jason Knight equalising in the 88th minute, with substitute David McGoldrick’s first Derby goal, a stoppage time winner, and a 3-1 victory at home to Grimsby Town in the Papa John’s Trophy.
September brought the deadline day addition of Will Osula on loan from Sheffield United, the Danish striker becoming the third loanee to arrive at Pride Park, after Lewis Dobbin, and goalkeeper Joseph Anang, who never actually played for Derby’s first team due to injury, before being recalled by West Ham in January.
Fans were left incredibly disappointed when Rosenior’s side let a two goal lead slip in the second half against Plymouth Argyle, falling to a 3-2 defeat at Pride Park, and lost 2-0 at Lincoln City ten days later in their 5,000th league game. But the Rams would bounce back that weekend and head into the international break on a high, coming from behind to claim all three points at home to Wycombe Wanderers thanks to a brace from Conor Hourihane, a player who seems to have divided opinion at times. Ultimately though, I think he had a good season, with seven goals and ten assists from central midfield.
A New Warne
On 21st September came the news that Liam Rosenior had been relieved of his duties as Interim Manager, and the next day it was announced the Paul Warne had left Rotherham to become the new Head Coach, bringing Richie Barker, Matt Hamshaw and Andy Warrington with him.
Warne’s first day on the job was the following week, giving him five days to implement his ideas, which would mean a switch from Liam Rosenior’s heavily possession-based 4-2-3-1, to a more pragmatic 3-5-2, with much more use of the wide areas. His first few games were a mixed bag, kicking off with a first league win away from home, James Collins’ double the difference versus Cambridge. Next came a loss on penalties away to Mansfield in the Papa John’s Trophy, and then Warne's Pride Park bow, which ended in a 2-1 defeat to Port Vale, James Collins, the previous week's hero, was sent off. The following weekend brought a 3-0 win at Accrington, Will Osula scoring a brace, as Accrington’s Sean McConville failed to score from the spot in two attempts; before a 3-1 loss to Manchester City. Carlos Borges’ hat-trick seeing the Rams exit the Papa John’s Trophy at the end of the group stage.
Next, Friday night under the lights at Portman Road. Derby lose by a goal to nil Kayden Jackson seized onto Curtis Davies’ misplaced back pass and hit the post, before Wes Burns turned in the rebound.
The Unbeaten Run
It was back home for a goalless draw versus Exeter City, and a 4-2 win versus Bristol Rovers, in which David McGoldrick announced himself to the Pride Park faithful by netting his first career hat-trick at the age of 34. Disappointing draws away to Morecambe, where McGoldrick and James Collins each had a penalty saved, and National League Torquay in the FA Cup first round. After Osula bagged a brace, Hall got one back from the spot and Goodwin scored a last gasp equaliser, and prompt a pitch invasion at full time. Derby went from the giants to underdogs as they held six time European Champions Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield in the Carabao Cup third round before losing on penalties. This was also the first game in which attacking midfielder Louie Sibley started at left back, as he would for 11 of the next 12 matches.
Also in November, a win against MK Dons, a 5-0 thrashing of Torquay United in the FA Cup first round replay in which Lewis Dobbin scored a goal of the season contender with a thunderous strike from the edge of the D, a goalless draw at Fratton Park, and progression to the FA Cup third round after a 2-1 win away to Newport County, in which McGoldrick scored an 88th minute winner. Warne started with a 4-4-2 as opposed to his favoured back three in this game, with Sibley remaining at left back, Korey Smith at right back despite having played most as a midfielder throughout his career, and left back Craig Forsyth at right centre back next to Eiran Cashin. Despite three of them not being in their ‘natural’ position, it was this quartet, with Joe Wildsmith behind them, who had a brilliant first season as a number one goalkeeper, that impressed many times over the next couple of months.
Sticking with the 4-4-2, December started with back to back draws, 0-0 at home to Sheffield Wednesday, and 1-1 away to Burton Albion, before McGoldrick hit his second hat-trick as Derby won 4-0 against Forest Green at a fairly flat Pride Park. A trip up north was next on the agenda two days after Christmas, and Derby came back from fellow playoff hopefuls Bolton Wanderers with a point, and their unbeaten streak now at 13.
Such a run had gone slightly under the radar, what with eight of those games ending level, but that wouldn’t last as Warne’s side won their next six playing the 4-2-3-1 they had played at Bolton, and Derby fans began to not just talk about making the playoffs, but also ask, they couldn’t sneak into the top two, could they?
2022 ended with a 1-0 win over Cambridge, and 2023 got off to a flyer with a 4-0 victory against Accrington, although Will Osula was sent off in his final game before being recalled from loan by Sheffield United. Then, a 3-0 FA Cup third round win at home to Barnsley, and a trio of league victories. Max Bird scored from 35 yards as the Rams won 3-2 at Cheltenham Town, Norwich loanee Tony Springett made his debut off the bench in a 2-1 victory at home to Bolton, and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and David McGoldrick both scored in the final three minutes as Derby came from a goal down to win at Port Vale.
January’s action ended with the visit of Premier League West Ham to Pride Park. The Hammers battling relegation, and their hosts on a long unbeaten run, some visiting fans feared a ‘cupset’. But they needn’t have worried, as the London side won 2-0 with goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio. The biggest blow for Derby though, was the loss of vice-captain Max Bird, who had worn the armband throughout the unbeaten run, to injury.
Struggling Without Bird
On deadline day, young Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harvey White became the third loanee to arrive at Pride Park in January, after Tony Springett and goal keeper Luke McGee (from Forest Green Rovers), who was signed from Forest Green Rovers to be Joe Wildsmith’s back up. White's arrival did alleviate some concern over how the vice-captain’s absence would be made up for, unfortunately his loan spell was disappointing.
Derby bounced back from their FA Cup exit with a 5-0 win at home to Morecambe, with McGoldrick the hat-trick hero once more, taking their unbeaten run in the league to 15 games. But it would end there, as the following week they lost 3-2 away to a physically dominant Wycombe Wanderers side. Back at Pride Park, a 1-1 draw against Lincoln City and a 2-0 win versus Charlton, in which Eiran Cashin scored his first Pride Park goal, followed.
Off the pitch, came the long awaited arrival of a new head of recruitment in Mark Thomas, who joined the club from Oxford United. You can find out more about him here.
February finished with the 4-1 defeat at Barnsley plus a 2-0 win at home to Cheltenham Town, and the Rams’ inconsistent form continued into March. They threw away a two goal lead at half time to draw 2-2 at home to Shrewsbury Town, before travelling down south to face Plymouth Argyle. Derby had the better of the first half, and should have lead by more than Nathaniel Mendez-Laing’s one goal at the break. This would come back to bite them, as substitute Callum Wright equalised just before the hour mark, and Ryan Hardie scored a contentious penalty to win the game for Argyle and kill off Derby’s slim automatic promotion hopes, the gap now at 13.
A New Low?
Next up, a 3-2 win away to Oxford. Louie Sibley scored twice playing in his preferred central attacking midfield role, and Max Bird returned from injury. The win against the U's was a bright spark as The Rams went on to lose their next three third division losses for the first time ever. The Rams were defeated 2-0, at home to Fleetwood, away to Peterborough, who would pip them to the playoffs and at home to Ipswich, who won automatic promotion with 98 points. Derby had dropped out of the top six with seven games to go.
On Good Friday, a 2-0 win away to Forest Green Rovers. James Collins opened the scoring from the spot inside two minutes, and McGoldrick made it two with eight minutes to play in a comfortable victory. Easter Monday wasn’t as good for Derby, who reverted back to Warne’s preferred 3-5-2. Despite a dominant performance, they only found the back of the net once, through McGoldrick, and Henry Lawrence levelled for MK Dons with 22 minutes to play, having been allowed to cut inside too easily by Mendez-Laing, playing as a right wing back.
The following weekend, the Rams were back on the road, and started brilliantly. David McGoldrick scoring against Bristol Rovers after four minutes. The Gas threw everything at Derby, who managed to hold on to their lead until the 95th minute, when Antony Evans scored a penalty that left Rams boss Paul Warne “incandescent with rage” although a point was the least the Gas deserved.
In midweek, another trip south to Exeter City. Derby played a 3-4-2-1 with Louie Sibley and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing closer to David McGoldrick, who scored both goals for the Rams, including a stunner from 25 yards. Mendez-Laing looked lively, freed from the defensive responsibilities that had shackled him at wing back, Jason Knight playing there instead.
Derby did let their hosts pull one back, but a commanding display from Curtis Davies, Eiran Cashin, and Craig Forsyth at the back, meant they saw out the result.
The final two games at Pride Park were a tight fixture against Burton Albion, which Derby won through a McGoldrick penalty (his 22nd league goal of the season) and a 1-1 draw against Portsmouth.
Derby were all over their opponents in the first twenty minutes, but failed to take their chances, and went behind completely against the run of play, thanks to Teddy Bishop. This buoyed Portsmouth, and it wasn’t until the 71st minute that James Collins headed in a set piece to equalise off the bench. The Rams pushed for a winner, but couldn’t find it, missing the opportunity to seal their playoff place, and it would go down to the final day.
It was in their hands, a point would be enough unless Peterborough beat Barnsley by more than three goals. The Posh would ultimately win 2-0 at Oakwell, but for Derby and Curtis Davies, it was a cruel end. The skipper sent off and a penalty awarded in the 43rd minute for a foul on Marvin Johnson. Michael Smith scored from 12 yards and a man down, the Rams couldn’t find a way back into the game.
Derby finish seventh in League One.
When you look at the position Derby were in at the end of January, missing out on the playoffs is hugely disappointing, but when you look at the season as a whole, less so.
Less than a year ago Derby started pre-season late, still in administration, with five players and an interim manager. This coming season, they’ll start with a coaching team who’ve been in place since September, 15 first team players, and a rebuilt recruitment department. Mark Thomas and co. will have lots to do, but they have had time to plan for this summer, with meetings having gone on for months. This should be the first settled preseason in five years, without managerial changes, pandemic or EFL restrictions.
With this in mind, we need to see a long term strategy applied this summer as Paul Warne gives the squad the ‘surgery’ he’s said it needs. The Rams too often failed to take their chances, and were often punished let leads slip. Hopefully that can be fixed to an extent this summer.
This will be the season where Warne and his staff can be properly judged on this and other issues, able to shape the squad to their liking. Here are some things I’d like to see.
The club need to invest in young talent, and also desperately need to add a few players in the peak age bracket, with no outfield players aged between 23 and 28, and one aged 29. With the size of the squad at present, there should be room for both.
The players seemed to run out of steam a little towards the end of the season, replacing the older players who have left such as James Chester, Richard Stearman and Curtis Davies with players in the peak age bracket could help somewhat, but Warne will almost certainly need a bigger squad. Whilst he has said that he prefers a small squad, at 22 the Rams used the lowest number of players in League One, and that number is low, even for him.
Warne will need to sign some natural wingbacks if he is to stick with the three at the back. Wes Harding, who is available on a free transfer after leaving Warne’s former club Rotherham, is amongst those who have been linked. Centre backs will also surely be on the shopping list following the aforementioned departures of Davies, Stearman and Chester. Their leadership will also need to be replaced.
Someone who could cover both wing back and centre back, like Harding, is Haydon Roberts, who will leave Brighton in the summer. The 20 year old will therefore be available on a compensation deal, and I’d be surprised if a permanent return isn’t being considered by the club. Likewise, another goalkeeper will be needed regardless of whether Scott Loach stays for another year. Luke McGee has departed Forest Green, could he be amongst the contenders?
With the departure of Academy Director Darren Wassall, the right replacement in the restructured role of Academy Manager is crucial. David Clowes has reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining at Category One academy, which is important, but it will still need the righty person leading it.
I’d also like to see a Director of Football or similar appointed, as is currently no one on the board with football experience.
Finally, Derby will need to sign a goalscorer or two. David McGoldrick is yet to agree a new deal, and even if he does, the club should not rely solely on him for goals.
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