Matt back but who will be his partner?
DERBY County have made their worst start to a League season in 28 years.
The last time the Rams lost their first three League fixtures was in 1992-93.
They head to Carrow Road today to face Norwich City (12.30pm) looking to erase some of the memory of last Saturday’s painful 4-0 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers.
Something has to change, manager Phillip Cocu has said, but what team will he select?
Will he turn to a more experienced line-up, given Derby’s need to put a point or three on the board going into the international break?
Cocu could turn to the know-how of Graeme Shinnie, Craig Forsyth and Matt Clarke, who despite being 24 has more than 200 senior games under his belt and played 35 Championship matches for Derby last season.
None of those three started against Blackburn, nor did Duane Holmes. He came off the bench for the final 20 minutes in his return from injury
and will be itching to start.
The energy and snap of Shinnie and Holmes, along with that of Jason Knight, could help prevent Norwich from settling into their rhythm and could also provide the legs in and around Wayne Rooney, allowing the skipper to influence with his quality on the ball.
A lot was asked of youngsters Max Bird, Louie Sibley and Lee Buchanan, in a busy and tough September for the team, results-wise.
The youngsters have had quite a year and they have done well but is it time to give them a breather? Being handed a breather is a natural part of a young player’s development and not a criticism.
Cocu also has a decision to make at centre-back over who to partner Clarke, who is expected to start after being surprisingly left out against Rovers.
The performances of new signing Mike te Wierik suggest he is finding his way in his first taste of the Championship, understandably, while Andre Wisdom is finding his way back after his lay-off.
The know-how of Curtis Davies is an option, as is the calmness and ability to play from the back of George Evans, who could also play in central midfield. Going with three centre-backs is another option.
What about this 11? An energetic screen in front of the back four, with Rooney in a floating ‘10’ role.
I know the role is not where we have seen Knight previously and he would not necessarily be in there to shape the play and to control the tempo in possession but he has displayed a level of consistency, and the combination of him and Shinnie could put out fires. Another option would be to switch Knight and Holmes.
The shape is flexible. It easily slips into a 4-4-1-1 without the ball or Rooney could drop between Shinnie and Knight, and it becomes a 4-3-3.
The many different permutations, selections, possible systems and opinions highlight how unsettled Derby’s team is right now.