JUST over six weeks ago, Nigel Clough was sacked as manager of Derby County with the Rams languishing in 14th place, some seven points adrift of the play-offs.

Now, after a run of three wins, two draws, and one defeat, Derby County are a mere two points shy of the play-offs and are the Sky Bet Championship’s top scorers.

History books tell us that, more often than not, a change of manager throws up an improvement in performance and results.

This short-term upturn usually lasts a handful of games and when the team’s improvement falters, out comes the well worn cliché that “the honeymoon is over” for the new manager.

Although Steve McClaren could still be considered to be in that honeymoon period, the signs are that this upturn in performance and form won’t be short lived.

The first signs were there against Ipswich Town, with the Rams 4-1 down at half-time in a game McClaren was only going to watch.

He stepped in at half-time, made two substitutions, changed the formation and shape and sent the team out to attack with his words of wisdom still ringing in their ears.

The second half performance was a revelation and Derby went on to grab a thoroughly deserved 4-4 draw.

Since then, McClaren has stuck to that 4-1-2-3 formation and continues to send his side out to play free-flowing, attacking football.

It’s a shape and style which suits the Rams players and both performances and results have improved.

The entertainment factor has also gone through the roof and attendances at Pride Park Stadium are rising.

Particlularly impressive, for me, were the attacking substitutions in the away game at Watford.

With the score tied at 1-1, it would’ve been easy to make defensive substitutions in an attempt to hold on to a valuable away point — McClaren’s predecessor would have done — but brave attacking substitutions were rewarded when substitute Conor Sammon scored the winner.

Saturday’s game against Sheffield Wednesday was the best so far.

A 3-0 win and a consistent performance over 90 minutes, against an Owls team who had put five past highly fancied Reading the previous Saturday.

At times, in the second half, as the game opened up, Derby County’s attacking football took my breath away.

It’s early days and, to quote another cliché, may yet prove to be a “false dawn” but there are enough signs that suggest McClaren could prove to be the real deal.

Yes, he’s brought in three players, in Simon Dawkins, Andre Wisdom, and Kalifa Cisse but there’s no doubt he’s getting more out of the players he inherited than his predecessor did.

With injured players on the way back to strengthen the squad and Chris Evans on board to prepare for the January transfer window, exciting times could be on their way.

Time for optimism at Derby?

I hope so.

Photo: Action Images

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