As the Rams face the final curtain - the questions we have all had over the last months are largely resolved, except for a couple of biggies.

As nobody needs reminding, the Rams' last regular match of the 2013/2014 season is at Leeds on Saturday, with a 12:15 kick off. With the play-offs looming it is a good time for some reflection.

First, let's give some credit where it is due; to Nigel Clough.

Looking at a list I made last summer of the Rams' close-season signings; Lee Grant, Craig Forsyth, Chris Martin, Johnny Russell, John Eustace and Adam Smith, all brought in for less than a million.

Clough made some good signings and some that did not work out, but this is one area where he was on form last summer. Toss in previous captures Craig Bryson, Jamie Ward, Richard Keogh and Jake Buxton, and Clough signed the basis of a decent team. Well done, and thank you Nigel.

I recall that in a couple of my early columns this season, I asked whether the Rams could defend well enough to go up, and whether we could score enough goals.

After 45 games, the Rams have scored 83 goals, most in the division. The 51 we have so far conceded is more than most in the top six, but I think we have most satisfactory answers now to those questions.

Regardless of Saturday's result, the Rams will finish a comfortable third, with nobody close above us, and nobody close behind; almost in a league of our own in the end. Those of us - and it was most of us - who questioned whether the Rams could make the nosebleed heights of the top six have had this question answered in style.

In the playoff semi-final, of course, the Rams will play the team which finishes sixth; and we don't know yet who that will be. Lately it has seemed like teams are fighting harder to avoid sixth place than they are to avoid the relegation places; but we will soon have our answer.

Reading is currently sixth with 70 points, and have a difficult game against Burnley, at home. Brighton has 69 points, and play at Forest. Blackburn has 67, but goal difference will prevent them reaching the top six, so it’s Reading or Brighton.

Both contenders currently have identical goal differences, but Reading score a lot more and concede a lot more. Brighton looks slightly better on current form, and look to have the easier game on Saturday. I fancy Brighton to squeak it, and I rather hope they do.

I see Reading as being a somewhat tougher team to face in the playoffs; certainly their results against the Rams this season have been better than Brighton's.

Looking down the list of player appearances for Reading and Brighton this season, you see one key to the Rams' success: we seem to have used far fewer players than either, with many more of ours having appeared in most of the matches.

As to the Rams match at Leeds, here is a puzzler: how can Leeds be in 15th place when Ross McCormack has scored 28 goals? How does a team manage that?

The answer is, of course, that they are a very poor team. McCormack has scored almost as many as the rest of the squad put together. It serves to remind us of the importance of balance.

I don't see Steve Mac making a lot of changes to save players for the playoffs. The Rams' current form is excellent, and I think Steve will want to preserve the momentum.

If things are going well after an hour or so, I could see Craig Bryson, Chris Martin and Jamie Ward being given the rest of the day off.

A win for the Rams - and at Leeds is any other result is possible?

Plus as an added bonus - we could stretch the lead over Forest to a paper-thin 22 points.

After Saturday, there will be nothing more to look forward to but the playoffs.

Photo: Action Images

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