Still a tall order for Rams but four points from two has given a lift
FANS WONDER IF THERE WILL BE BIDS FOR DERBY PLAYERS IN JANUARY
■■David Matthew Kane asks: On August 13, Wayne Rooney gave an interview saying that Liam Thompson and Eiran Cashin couldn’t be picked because of the embargo. So what’s changed and can he now pick Cashin and or others?
Derby were only allowed 23 players of professional standing in the squad at the time but that has been relaxed. I think it is now 25 and players who have not started three League games do not count, which rules out the likes of Jordan Brown, Louie Watson, Dylan Williams and Kornell McDonald.
Also, with Derby hoping to have new owners in place in January the issue of squad size was always likely to be addressed during that month.
■■Matthew Fowles asks: What are your thoughts on an end of 2021 year points target. I think they can achieve 15 points by December 30 (requiring 14 more points). This short-term goal will keep the door open for the rest of the season. What are your thoughts?
Four points from the last two games has given everyone a lift, Matthew, and manager Wayne Rooney, his staff and the players deserve immense credit for how they are reacting to a difficult situation.
As you say, Derby would need another 14 points from six matches if they are to reach 15 points by the turn of the year. That is a tall order.
The games are against QPR (h), Bristol City (a), Blackpool (h), Cardiff City (a), West Bromwich Albion (h) and Stoke City (a). They all look tough games in their own way.
My thinking is a bit more longterm. If Derby can cut the gap between themselves and safety to single points by the beginning of March then it could get very interesting.
■■David Thomas asks: Can Derby maintain their own form based on the last two games?
Performances in the last two games have been excellent given the standard of opposition and the situation at the club, David.
Can they maintain it? That is the challenge.
That has to be the aim but it is not always possible to reach such levels.
The key is to keep picking up points when the performance level dips and that is what remains so disappointing about the recent result against Barnsley.
■■Paul Cresswell: If and when the takeover is done can we bring in players as we can’t keep expecting the senior players to give 110% until the end of the season?
Yes, Paul, but Derby will have to work to an agreed business plan.
Administrators gave an update to
Derby supporters groups saying: “We are able to sign players within the restrictions, but we cannot pay transfer or loan fees this season.
“Discussions are taking place now with Wayne Rooney planning for January and decisions will be taken when required.”
■■Neal Harrison-Brown asks: Any idea when the takeover will be completed and will Wayne be bringing players during the next window?
The administrators told us on Sunday before the Bournemouth game that they hoped to land on a preferred bidder in the next two or three weeks, Neal.
They also suggested it might take until late January to wrap everything up.
The plan is to bring in players in January but as I answered in the previous question, the club will have to work to an agreed business plan.
So signings would have to be frees or have no loan fees involved.
They would be able to extend contracts, for Phil Jagielka, for example.
■■Tobe Kelsey asks: It has been reported that Derby have already received bids for some of our players. Who do you think those players are? Should we be confident that we won’t have to sell any of them, due to the ‘administration’ process.
I saw we reported that, Tobe, but I have not had chance to ask Wayne Rooney about it. I will.
Clubs will be aware of Derby’s
young players like Max Bird, who has been impressive this season, and Jason Knight.
A number of players are out of contract at the end of the season, including skipper Tom Lawrence.
Last weekend, Rooney said: “There is no pressure on any players leaving this football club in January.
“If players leave it will be because there is an opportunity for them, and they may come to me and say I want to leave – if I am being honest, I can’t see any players doing that – or it is because I have said to the players ‘thank you, it is probably better of you move on’.
“No player will leave this club without me giving it the go-ahead.
“With Tom Lawrence, he will be here until the end of the season.”
Derby’s joint administrator Carl
Jackson is keeping an open mind when it comes to the prospect of Rams players being sold in the January window.
Here’s what he told us at the weekend: “We will keep an open mind on that.
“We don’t see that as our priority at the moment.
“Our priority at the moment is to actually land on a preferred buyer, get our deals done, if I can call it that, with HMRC and others, and put a proposal together.
“We will see what the timing looks like on that and we will form a view on transfers.
“We will obviously want to engage with Wayne (Rooney) and he will be absolutely key that we don’t do anything, and that is our preference not to do anything.”