Football Season Guide

Derby will be very content with life at the moment and they are a club that has made steady progress over the last few years. The mood in the camp is very good and they have not had to sell anyone this summer, only players they wanted to release. And manager Nigel Clough, now the longest serving boss in the Championship, has certainly bought well too. Lee Grant has been identified as the man to take the goalkeeper's role while Craig Forsyth and Chris Martin have made permanent moves. John Eustace has also signed to give further in the way of options in midfield. But most significant of all could be the arrival of Johnny Russell from Dundee United. The striker has impressed in pre-season and suddenly Clough has an abundance of options in every department. The Rams have also held on to Will Hughes as well. Derby can aim high and they enter the season in very confident mood despite not having the funds of the big boys.