Jagielka, Baldock in shape to return for Rams Well worth taking punt on appeal for penalty
PHIL Jagielka and Sam Baldock will both be fit to return for Derby County in their Championship fixture away to Preston North End tomorrow.
Both had to sit out the Rams’ goalless draw at home to Swansea City before the international break but manager Wayne Rooney said the break has done them good.
“Jags is training and available,” said Rooney.
“He took a knock to his knee in the Sheffield United game. He tried to get back for the Swansea game but it was a little bit too soon.
“We knew missing two games and then having the international break he would be back. Being able to give him that break will recharge his batteries and he is a massive player for us.”
Striker Baldock had a hamstring problem but Rooney added: “Sam is fine.”
Richard Stearman, who deputised in the centre of defence for Jagielka, has also shaken off a knock and there is encouraging news for Colin Kazim-richards, who has been out since August with an Achilles injury.
“There’s an outside chance Colin will be available for selection for our game a week on Saturday against Coventry,” Rooney added.
Nathan Byrne misses tomorrow’s game at Deepdale as he serves a one-match ban for reaching five yellow cards.
The 29-year-old’s fifth booking of the season came in the 89th minute of the goalless draw against Swansea City at Pride Park Stadium.
Byrne has started all 11 of Derby’s League games this season and now Rooney has to decide who fills the role or whether he changes formation.
“Byrney has been excellent for us, but unfortunately he will miss the game through suspension so it is an opportunity for somebody else,” said Rooney.
“There is Festy [Ebosele] and Kornell [Mcdonald]. Kamil Jozwiak has played there for Poland quite a lot and Jason Knight can play in that position as well. So it is an opportuinty for one of them.”
On the possibility of switching to three at the back, Rooney gave little away.
“We have got the squad and the one place we are strong is in the centre-back area. It is something we have looked at, yes. Whether we go with three at the back or stick with the four, obviously I am not going to give you the team or the formation, but it is something we are considering.”
Derby have the joint best defensive record in the division along with leaders Bournemouth.
“We are not exactly firing at the other end of the pitch, so we have to make sure we don’t concede!” Rooney joked.
“The work rate the lads are putting in is incredible and I think having the experience of Curtis [Davies] and Jags [Phil Jagielka], who I think have been immense at the back, and our energy around them is helping us keep clean sheets.
“But not just keeping clean sheets, not many teams are getting clear chances against us, so the work they are doing defensively is great.
“We have improved on chances created. It is just about being more clinical in taking the chances we are creating to make games a little bit easier for ourselves.”
DERBY County’s appeal against the 12-point deduction for going into administration could be a gamble worth taking, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
The Rams’ appeal against the EFL punishment will be heard by an independent panel at a sports arbitration hearing.
Their case may come down to a legal technicality called “force majeure”, which would back up Derby‘s claim that the coronavirus pandemic was the main cause of their current plight.
Maguire explained the concept on his Price of Football podcast.
“I think the argument from the administrators will be that it was all due to Covid and nothing to do with Mel Morris’ fairly cavalier approach to running the club when it comes to finances,” he said.
“I spoke to a lawyer as well as there is something called force majeure, which I believe is an external factor beyond the expectation of man or beast.
“He said we’ve had Ebola and Sars. The EFL will say that scientists have said that at some point in time there would be a global health crisis.
“It’s a punt, an expensive one, but if it comes off there will be high fives and trebles all round for the administrators and fans.”
Whatever the outcome, it is important for Derby that the appeal is resolved quickly as it will have an impact on the value of the club and any subsequent takeover.
Derby have been warned that the appeal will come at a cost if they are unsuccessful – but the potential financial benefits of a win could make it worth the risk.
Wigan were unsuccessful with a similar appeal last year after being put into administration and there are lessons to be learned there for the Rams, says Maguire.
“This has come as one of the decisions from the administrators. If you’re going to appeal (the 12 points) and it’s unsuccessful then you have to pay the costs of the EFL as well,” he said.
“I went into the administrators report for Wigan and that cost around £400,000. It’s a bit of a gamble but if Derby are successful they’ll get an extra £6m or £7m in TV money, they’ll get a better deal with their front of shirt sponsor next season as they’re less likely to be in League One.
”Also, if you’re trying to sell Derby County as a Championship club it’s a more attractive proposition than League One as you’re only one step from the Premier League.
“I suspect the administrators have done their sums. Will they be successful? Wigan weren’t but the circumstances were slightly different.
“I’ve spoken to an insolvency practitioner and asked what they would do. They said it’s a £400,000 cost for a potential £6m or £7m gain.”
Maguire has also warned whoever takes over as the new owners of the Rams they will be in for a rough ride.
“The challenge for whoever buys Derby County – and I think people are far more positive than they were a couple of weeks ago that someone will – there are two issues,” he explained.
“There’s the purchase price and there’s the cost of operating in the Championship. It’s a car crash of a division.
“You have the clubs coming down, the clubs coming up and the hardy perennials. The average loss I worked out is £476,000 a week.”
While the administrators this week said they have had no contact with Mike Ashley about a takeover, Maguire noted the former Newcastle United owner has a track record of buying businesses in similar financial distress.
“Is Mike Ashley willing to underwrite those losses or would he try to run it as he ran Newcastle, on a financial even keel?” he added.
“It’s very difficult to get out of that division going upwards. It’s a lot easier to get out going to League One.
“He’ll be looking for value. Is there value in an industry where 80 per cent of the companies are losing money?
“Historically, he’s taken on struggling brands and sold them on cheaply.
“Is there the equivalent in football? I’m not so sure.”