Football Season Guide

Derby failed to bounce back to the Championship the first year they got relegated. Despite some decent results they lacked consistency when it mattered most. A run of poor form in late February and March meant that Derby missed out on the play-offs on the final day of the season after losing away against Sheffield Wednesday. The 35-year-old veteran McGoldrick carried the burden of the attack on his shoulders all of last season. He scored 17 goals but despite that his age meant that he was released in the summer. It seems Derby are ready to trust James Collins as their new main striker and he’s been having a great pre-season, 4 goals in 3 friendlies. The only other major departure was that of playmaker Knight. He will be missed, but even without him the Rams have good depth in this area of the pitch. Derby also released several veterans, instead they added depth in defence by signing a nice mixture of experienced players and some talented youngsters. Coach Paul Warne is threading on thin ice after the missed opportunity last season. He’s staying on the job for now but he will need a strong start to the season, or his job will be under threat. In Joe Wildsmith Derby have arguably the best goalkeeper in this division. This should bring plenty of clean sheets. The big question will be if Collins and the newcomer Washington will be prolific enough at the other end of the pitch.