Liam: Youth will get chance to shine for Rams
SMITH BECOMES 11TH SIGNING OF SUMMER AND SEARCH GOES ON FOR MORE NEW FACES BUT KIDS’ DEVELOPMENT CRUCIAL, TOO
LIAM Rosenior is still looking to bolster his Derby County squad with experienced players but also wants to give youth a chance this season.
The Rams’ interim boss completed his 11th signing of the summer when former Swansea City and Bristol City midfielder Korey Smith, who was a free agent, became the latest addition.
The 31-year-old was in the stands at Pride Park Stadium on Saturday, watching the Rams secure a second successive pre-season win and clean sheet, this time against Hertha Berlin.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing scored late in the first half to secure a 1-0 victory.
After a frenetic period of transfer activity, the Rams are still not finished in the market.
Rosenior says he is looking to add more experience but is also eager to develop the next crop of talent coming through.
“There are many areas where you are always looking to improve and I don’t think it’s fair to really nail down positions,” said Rosenior. “But we are light in areas in terms of numbers of experienced players. I want to give youth a chance but in order for us to be successful, you need to have the right blend.
“We are just continuing to work in the background. We have our targets ready and you’ll know when they are done.
“What we have are really honest players. There were eight academy players on the pitch at the end seeing out a game against a Bundesliga team.
“It was an unbelievable experience for them.
“We’ve got a lot of games and I still want to help develop players as that was a huge part of what we did last year.
“Everyone is going to get their chance and it’s about the whole squad being ready for a long and, hopefully, successful season.”