Background
If the last decade at Derby has taught us anything (bar the playoff finals), there are a few topics of concern that scream out: the lack of continuity in the Manager’s office, off the field interests hampering progress, inconsistencies on the field and being too trigger happy at the top.
All these things are still relevant in the here and now, but this time needs to be different. This time lessons need to be learned from past mistakes. The club cannot continue with the high earners, the high wages, the constant change of managers and a turnover of playing staff every season.
Phillip Cocu was brought to the club with one remit grow the youngsters. This is backed up with the Mel Morris’ comments about 50% of the Starting XI being from the academy. Hopefully, this pathway will allow the club to become more self-sufficient.
Cocu has proven experience and success developing youth players while at PSV Eindhoven. I am not naïve to the fact the talent needs to be at the academy level in the first place. However, Derby have this, illustrated with the success of Derby’s U-19 team in the UEFA Youth League last season and the success of the U-21’s in Premier League 2.
The club have, in the last 12 to 18 months seen the benefits and pitfalls of youth development first-hand. Young players coming in and making a positive impact on a Championship club’s first team is not easy. But Derby’s youngsters have made a positive impact in the first team. Consider that many of them are experiencing competitive men’s football for the first time and it makes their performances even more impressive. But for all the positives, there is a flip side. Often young players have a dip in form and can struggle for periods the season as well. I think it is very brave and admirable of Cocu and his coaching staff have taken to the task in hand in a positive way and trust the youth at the club to make an impact. Not many coaches would do that to such an extent.
The Championship is a very unforgiving league. It is unpredictable. One would hope that Derby has worked the league out a bit, as they (along with Nottingham Forest) are the longest tenants in the Championship. and the fiscal realities coming more to the forefront in the post-COVID football economy coupled with previous mistakes means that Derby have to now attack the league with a more financially reserved approach.
Dealt a bad hand
The last 18 months at Derby would have been enough to test the skills and metal of any manager in the game, let alone someone who is new to the league. Mistakes will happen. Performances will be questionable, the same as any other season in Derby’s recent past. Derby fans can only hope that Cocu moves on from the tough hand he has been dealt and continue to implement his methods on the training pitch. There has been a lot of “squad churn” as well. Some players have moved on because of ability and some for financial reasons. The incoming transfers so far, I think, have all been very solid and exciting. However, as Cocu has himself admitted, this team is still not completed. Hopefully within the next two weeks he will have a squad that is ready to compete at the right end of the league, at least on paper.
Derby are still awaiting four or five first teamers to come back from injuries and probably another three or four are still building up to full match fitness. This adds to that the gelling and adjustment period of the new players. Time and patience are needed.
Stick or Twist?
What would be the point of bringing in a new manager now, three games into the season with limited time to look at the squad before the window closes? Who is to say a new man would do any better? I think its probably fair to say so far in Cocu’s time in charge how many times has he been able to play a squad he believes is good enough to play at this level? To play the way he wants to play? Probably none but now, just because of a slow start people are calling for his head, without giving him an opportunity to show what he can do with his team.
There is no getting away from the fact things haven’t been great over the last year and I have even questioned things but you need to put it into perspective. Cocu is trying to play a style of football that, for one reason or another, the current squad is not strong enough to play (at the moment at least). With the out goings and injuries Derby have lost probably 35-40 goals from the team, and near enough the whole back line has changed and the creative flair of the team has been ripped out due to injuries.
This is a massive adjustment and these adjustments take time. Hopefully, once the window shuts and the players are back from injuries, Cocu, for the first time since he came to Derby, will have a squad of players he wants and who can perform to the levels that he and the fans expect. There will of course be a bedding in period. The rough start to the season has not helped. Nobody wants to see this team in the bottom three struggling for form and results. Trust me, I have been there and seen it over the years. We have had it far too many times with managers that have not had a fair crack at to put together a side capable to taking the next step.
Of course, football is not a patient game. Fans expect results. I say cut Cocu some slack. Let him do his job and allow him the time to coach and prepare his team to play at this level. After all he was given a long-term contract to develop this squad! I have no doubt with the talent Derby have things will turn around. Patience is the key. Many fans where all for sacking him in January, the performances improved and it seemed as if his methods started to take effect, of course a certain Mr. Rooney helped with that but he wasn’t the be all and end all. Players don’t become bad overnight. Form is temporary.
Optimism!
I genuinely believe this squad is stronger than last season. There is more quality, balance, depth and a freshness. This is something I for one have been screaming out for. To put all the pieces together straight away and expect Derby to run away with the league is not realistic. I am not oblivious to the fact that if things continue in the same vein. Once all the players are available, and things don’t improve, then of course Cocu has to be questioned.
The next few weeks are going to be a big test leading up to Christmas and it is important we get results sooner rather than later to help breed confidence. But a managerial upheaval now has the potential to cause more damage and set the club back yet again. Stay patient. Get behind the team and the manager. There are better days ahead at Derby. I believe Philip Cocu is the right man for the job!
Up the Rams!
- Jason
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