Ratings so far as Rams fight to stay clear of bottom three
TOUGH CAMPAIGN BUT WHICH PLAYERS HAVE IMPRESSED?
HOW have the Derby County players rated so far in what has been a difficult season for the club and new manager Wayne Rooney?
The Rams find themselves in a relegation scrap with eight games left of their 2020-21 Championship campaign.
They are without a win in seven matches and only bottom club Wycombe Wanderers have scored fewer goals.
The ratings cover all players currently in the squad who have made at least one start in the league.
■■GOALKEEPERS David Marshall 7
The Rams’ number one for most of the season until he suffered a back injury playing against Nottingham Forest. Marshall has produced some match-winning performances, notably away to Wycombe in February. But he has not regained his place since Kelle Roos stepped in.
Kelle Roos 7
He has started the last six matches since replacing the injured David Marshall and has looked confident and composed. Roos was outstanding in the goalless draw away against Barnsley earlier this month.
■■DEFENDERS Nathan Byrne 7
A summer signing from Wigan Athletic. A regular at right-back or wing-back, Byrne’s form dipped earlier this season along with that of many of the players but he has come back really strongly.
This is what manager Wayne Rooney said about the player recently: “He has been fantastic.
“His energy, his quality and, best of all I think, his game management, Nathan has naturally got that. He is a very important player for us. He has been outstanding, he is performing at a very high level consistently for us.”
Lee Buchanan 6
The 20-year-old left-back’s first full season in the first team and he has made big strides, and impressed.
He can also play wing-back. It has been very much a case of learning on the job, especially in his defensive work but that is not unusual for a young player.
Matt Clarke 7.5
In his second season on loan at Derby from Brighton & Hove Albion. The reigning player of the year and is likely to be in the frame for the award again. Had a few off-days – Cardiff City away, Coventry City at home – but in the main he has been solid, reliable and consistent. Perhaps he should threaten the goal more at set plays.
Andre Wisdom 7
His performances have highlighted that centre-back is his best position. Wisdom has been a regular starter under Rooney. He has not been as commanding recently, although the team have struggled on a seven-match winless run.
Teden Mengi 6.5
Arrived on loan from Manchester United on transfer deadline day and has made seven appearances (five starts). Only 18, he was a little shaky in tough away games against Wycombe and Cardiff but he impressed against Barnsley and Stoke City. Comfortable on the ball and has good recovery pace.
George Edmundson 6
On loan from Rangers, he can play at centre-back or in a holding midfield role. Edmundson has played six times (five starts). Struggled in the 4-0 defeat to Cardiff but has looked a strong competitor at times. Scored in Derby’s last victory, the 2-0 win against Huddersfield Town.
Craig Forsyth 6
His opportunities have been limited this season but when he has started, he has been solid and showed his experience. He has averaged almost “7” a game in his eight starts under Rooney.
Curtis Davies 6
His season was ended by injury in December and his experience and know-how have been missed – he would have come in handy during Derby’s recent difficult run of results.
■■MIDFIELDERS Max Bird 5
The 20-year-old midfielder impressed last season when he broke into the first team and was singled out for praise on many occasions by his then team-mate, Rooney, deservedly so.
The second season can often prove tougher for young players, as has been the case with him, but it is all part of a player’s development.
Jason Knight 7
He has started all but two of the Rams’ 38 League games so far, an impressive achievement for a 20-year-old.
A dynamo in midfield, full of energy and running and with an infectious appetite for hard work. He needs to take greater care with his end product at times.
Louie Sibley 6
Rooney recently told the player, and then said publicly, that he wants more from Sibley.
The manager did this because he believes there is more to come.
Sibley is only 19 and has bags of exciting talent and potential but he is learning all the time.
He has shown what he can do with an excellent hat-trick against Millwall last season and with his equaliser against Brentford recently.
Consistency of performance is his next challenge. Again, that is not unusual for a young player.
Graeme Shinnie 7
A regular starter who has found a consistent, effective level of performance for most of the season.
There have been dips, notably in recent games against Cardiff, Coventry and Watford, but his consistency has been praised by Rooney, who believes Shinnie should be in the Scotland squad. When at his best, he snaps and snarls around midfield.
Krystian Bielik 7
The Polish international returned from a serious knee injury and showed how influential he can be during a run of 12 consecutive starts.
He offered balance, presence and quality in a holding midfield role before his season was ended in January by another serious knee injury. It was a huge blow for the player and the team.
Beni Baningime 5
Difficult to judge at present because he has made only one start and one appearance as a substitute since arriving on loan from Everton. Louie Watson 6
The 19-year-old is having his first taste of senior football.
He has shown glimpses of his ability in six appearances as a substitute but his one start came against Brentford, a game in which the Bees dominated in the first half and the youngster was replaced at half-time.
It is all about valuable experience for him this season.
■■WINGERS/STRIKERS Tom Lawrence 5
Has recently returned to the squad following three months out with an ankle injury.
The Wales international’s form earlier this season was inconsistent and he failed to score in 11 starts but he can be a match-winner and Derby need him fit and firing. He can add notably to the team’s attacking options.
Kamil Jozwiak 5
The Polish international’s form has been up and down.
He can be a threat but on other occasions he can drift in and out of matches, frustratingly, and struggle to have an impact.
He has managed only one goal – a cracker against Swansea City – in 34 appearances. What must be factored in, though, is that this is his first taste of English football and the Championship and he should benefit from the experience of this season.
Martyn Waghorn 5
In and out of the side and his form has been up and down.
He is most effective when playing from the right but he has managed only three goals in 27 games and just the one from open play, although credit to him for two cracking free kicks against Nottingham Forest and Cardiff.
Colin Kazim-richards 7
Hugely influential in a run of 19 starts in which he scored seven goals and provided a much-needed focal point to the attack.
His strength, his character and the way he occupied opposition defenders helped the team enormously.
He was rested for the game at Cardiff and has not been as effective in the five games since although he has been hampered by a hip problem.
Derby need him fit for the run-in.
Patrick Roberts 5
On loan from Manchester City, the winger has made three starts in his eight appearances.
Again, difficult to rate on his fleeting moments whether starting or coming off the bench.
He can drift past a defender with ease and can be a threat but Derby need the threat from all of their wide attackers to be more consistent.
Lee Gregory 6
The striker has made five starts in his 10 appearances and scored two goals, although he should have had more, as he missed clear-cut chances away against Rotherham United and Barnsley.
Determined in his work up front and can unsettle defences. He could be important in the run-in.