Derby County’s season looks to finally be up and running under new boss, Paul Clement, after the Rams went into the second international break on the back of a comfortable 2-0 win over Brentford at the iPro Stadium.
It was the Rams’ first win at home this season, which further extended their unbeaten run to five games since the end of the first two-week international break. This capped off a notable turnaround in fortunes for Paul Clement’s men, who had failed to pick up a victory in their opening five league fixtures.
After falling to Chris Woods’ late strike at the end of August against Leeds, the Rams have picked up maximum points from four of their five games.
More impressively, Derby now holds the joint best away record in the league after snatching three of their victories on the road.
A lot can change in a month in the Championship season; the Rams’ set of results in this time period underlines this.
Their promising run of form has lifted the team to seventh, one spot and a mere point outside the play-offs, and just three points away from an automatic promotion place.
For many sides, a menacing away record and just one defeat in 10 games would be enough to really encourage supporters. However, for anybody associated with Derby County, it will be their defensive record that will be the bright spark so far this season. The Rams also boast the joint best defence in England’s second tier after only conceding seven goals so far. Even at this season’s early stages, this marks a milestone for a side that conceded 10 goals in their final three matches, ending their quest for promotion in the most dramatic fashion.
It is without question that injuries played a part in Derby’s demise in the final stages of the 2014-2015 campaign; however, the tactical approach in the previous regime under Steve McClaren was alarming and always likely to backfire. It was not until the final whistle was sounded in the 3-0 home defeat to a depleted bottom-half-of-the-table Reading side that reality hit home.
A side with such obvious defensive frailties and inability to do the basics at the back was unlikely to succeed in the Championship. This proved to be the case as the Rams finished outside the play-off positions in a league that they had previously been sitting top of just two months previously.
As McClaren departed, Clement was charged with the task of guiding Derby County back to the Premier League for the first time in eight seasons. The former Real Madrid assistant made it clear from day one that his task would be to improve upon a tactical front and make his side hard to beat.
So far, it is mission accomplished for Clement as he has guided his side well within touching distance of the top two automatic promotion places.
The form of Richard Keogh will be a particular highlight of the season so far. The Republic of Ireland international came in for a tough time at the back end of last season and was arguably used as a scapegoat, as supporters looked to point the finger at why their side crumbled so emphatically. After being dropped as captain, the 29-year-old has looked a player reborn alongside new signing Jason Shackell, who has so far justified his hefty £3 million price tag in what is his second spell at the club.
Compatriot and right-back, Cyrus Christie, has found himself back in the first team in recent weeks after it looked like his future at the club was in doubt at the start of the season. He has put in highly encouraging performances and caused problems for opposing defenders when attacking, but has also looked more steady and decisive in defensive areas in contrast to last campaign.
What will be even more encouraging for Rams fans is that Derby are still going through an adjustment period and are far from hitting their peak. However, in recent weeks, the club’s big game players such as Tom Ince and Chris Martin have started to find their form in the Paul Clement era. This can only be a good thing and will excite both supporters and interested onlookers. With a team that boasts such attacking talent, a Derby side in full flow and on form will be formidable rivals for any side in this league.
Successful teams are built on solid foundations, and establishing a strong defensive unit is winning half of the battle. It seems obvious, but, if a team is not conceding goals, they will not lose games; with Derby’s exposable talent and strength in numbers in attack, they will always be in with a chance of winning games.
It has taken time for this new look Derby County side to gel, but it seems as if the Rams are more than capable of meeting their expectations as the bookies’ early season promotion favourites.
Clement and his side will not be getting ahead of themselves, but fans will be forgiven for starting to believe that their long wait for Premier League football could be about to come to an end.
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