If there’s one subject that can easily start an argument among Rams fans, it’s the one about who should be playing the holding midfield role for the Rams in the absence of George Thorne.

This has been especially true recently with Omar Mascarell being given the chance to demonstrate his Real Madrid pedigree, in place of the more rustic skills of John Eustace.

You don’t have to go far to learn what fans don’t like about Eustace: he lacks mobility and is unimaginative in his use of the ball. This may well be true, but what about results? Would it matter how a player is perceived to play if the team wins when he plays?

If we take a look at the Rams’ Championship results this season in matches where Eustace has started, the record is:

P10 W5 D4 L1 F20 A9 - Pts19

When Eustace doesn’t start, the record is:

P6 W3 D1 L2 F8 A7 - Pts10

The 1.90 points per game when Eustace plays, compared to the 1.67 points per game when he doesn’t works out to almost 11 points over a 46 match season.

Incidentally, the 1.9 points per match for the Rams when Eustace plays is essentially identical to last season’s number; there has been no change in his statistical effectiveness.

The difference is that last season the results were almost as good when Eustace didn’t play, because of the presence of Thorne for some of those matches.

This season there is no Thorne, and when Eustace doesn’t play it is starting to show. That said, Mascarell is growing into the job: the team has won two of the last three matches he has started. But I would still like to see Eustace back on Saturday for the Wolves match.

Another Rams player who provides interesting comparisons is Jake Buxton. Jake has been with the Rams for over five years now, and has never been part of a team with a cast-iron defence.

This season, the Rams’ record in the Championship with Jake in the team is:

P7 W2 D3 L2 F11 A8 — Pts 9

This compares with a Championship record when Jake doesn’t play of:

P9 W6 D2 L1 F17 A8 — Pts 20

In short, the record this season so far is dramatically better when Jake is not in the team. Whether Whitbread or Shotton is the better bet is not yet clear, but they certainly deserve an extended chance.

Last season, the Rams’ Championship results were - perhaps surprisingly - much better when Jeff Hendrick didn’t start. With Jeff starting, the record was:

P18 W8 D4 L6 F27 A18 — Pts 28

When Jeff didn’t start, the record was:

P28 W17 D6 L5 F57 A34 — Pts 57

Now that’s promotion form.

This season, the record is much more even when Jeff plays and when he doesn’t, but how about this: the Rams’ record in the Championship this season if Eustace starts and neither Buxton nor Hendrick starts is:

P7 W4 D2 L1 F13 A6 - Pts14

This run of results covers much of the period between the Blackburn and Reading away matches which brought the Rams’ their best returns of this season.

So why change a winning team?

The Rams are in a bit of a state of flux just now, with Steve M seeming to chop and change quite a bit to try and find his best eleven.

I know that reading numbers is not everybody’s favourite way of enjoying football, but I think some clear conclusions can be reached from the above statistics.

They point to some decisions that might need to be made in both defence and midfield; especially since the Rams have a tough match this weekend.

Eustace on for the Wolves!

Photo: Action Images

nightjar added 07:57 - Nov 7 Interesting thoughts and I tended to agree until I looked at Wolves' records for this season. They are the only team with better average possession, pass success and total pass per game numbers than Derby - in other words, they try to play our way. So, do we want Eustace sitting in there, or do we want Mascarell to help us impose ourselves on them? it's also worth pointing out that their first choice striker Dicko and the 'number ten', Dave Edwards, are both out injured - possible replacements include Leon Clarke and Michael Jacobs. I say fight fire with fire, personally - let's get at them and find out who the better footballing side is. Omar for me.

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