An Important Summer

At four years and 146 days, Nigel Clough is the fifth longest serving manager in English football. Tasked with overhauling Derby County it has been a long and, at times, tedious four and half years at the club his father once lead to the summit of the English game but there is a sense that success isn’t too far away.

 

The previous two seasons have seen consecutive top half finishes for the first time since the 1997/98 and 1998/99 Premier League campaigns and despite not achieving the same points total (64 points in 2011/12 to 61 in 2012/13) the level of performance was significantly higher during the past campaign.

 

One of the main problems for Clough has been the depth of the squad. The side struggled with the demanding Championship season, picking up an average of 1 point per game when playing after a few days rest compared to 1.65 points per game when playing Saturday to Saturday.

 

It is clear that one of the main issues is the depth of squad available to Clough. His Derby side used the least amount of players in the division last season and the points per game stat indicates that if more players were available to him then the club would have won more points.

 

If Derby had maintained the 1.65 points per game average then they would have finished on 75 points which would have placed them comfortably in the division’s Play-Off zone and only four points away from an automatic spot.

 

It’s paramount that Derby doesn’t lose key players during this summer’s transfer window. It’s acceptable for one player to leave, providing the correct fee is received but the club risks taking several steps backwards if a handful are allowed to depart.

 

Providing that the depth of the squad is improved with players of the right character and ability, there is no reason why the club can’t push for promotion.

 

Signings aside, the club had almost completely opposite home and away records last season. With the fifth best record home and the third worst away. Winning 12, drawing seven and losing four at home compared to winning four, drawing six and losing 12 away.

 

It’s safe to say that the club’s away form is a serious cause for concern and it has been said that Derby remain too open when playing away from home.

 

One of the main points that I have noticed is that the central midfield duo, often push up field together, leaving a large gap between midfield and defence, causing space to open, which often leads to a defender having to fill this gap which in turn throws the team out of shape.

 

A consideration for Clough would be to adopt a more conservative approach away from home, playing with three (or five) in midfield to give the defence extra protection.

 

It was only last summer that Clough had targeted John Eustace from Watford to play a similar role and in my opinion this role still needs to be filled.

 

Previous season’s shortcomings have been tolerated, with fans aware of the situation inherited however, the club is in a good position now and this is a key season for Clough. A Play-Off push is an absolute must otherwise Clough could find himself towards the bottom of that longest serving list.