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Jimmy's Journal: Sometimes Change Can Be Good For Everyone
Tuesday, 22nd Oct 2013 07:42 by Jimmy Caleb

Does change always have to be a bad thing? Is there room for sentiment in football if you want success? Is it only money that can get Derby into a play-off spot? With McClaren hitting the ground running, Clough Jnr. reportedly about to become manager at Sheffield United and fans more positive than ever — sometimes change can be a good thing for everyone.

What could someone else do that Nigel can’t? It was a question that myself and a large amount of Rams fans were asking over the last few weeks. Since that fateful day at F****t, it really was an emotional rollercoaster. In my last article I was backing Clough, and thought he was doing a good job, steady and within constraints, that hasn’t changed.

I still feel that given another season and more investment - next summer derby would have been play off contenders. The way in which he left, has been debated and analysed in depth, as was the fact that the club swiftly appointed Steve McClaren and whether his return to Pride Park could spark a top six tilt.

So having always been a Clough fan, and gutted at the way he left, why do I, and it seems most Rams fans, now feel so optimistic? Well the way in which the team are playing and of course that one important word, ‘winning’, may have something to do with it but there is more.

Much of my new found positivity in relation to the change, is down to the three new management personal that have come in. All affiliated with Derby, all ex players, all been elsewhere and gained impressive pedigree. I’m not saying they are all successful, world beaters or going to improve derby over night but here is my take on ‘The Three Ramigo’s’:


Steve McClaren:

Managed internationally, at club level, brains behind the operation with Jim Smith and Sir Alex’s greatest triumphs. Had a disastrous time at Forest but they were in turmoil behind the scenes, other managers also came and went in that time. Recently been at QPR, Harry Redknapp wanted him to stay, Joey Barton tweeted he was sad that he left QPR, so there is a skill and quality there to be tapped.

Paul Simpson:

A player at Derby before I was born but from what I have been told was a fans favourite. He has his own managerial experience having managed clubs such as Carlisle, Preston & Shrewsbury, now these may not have worked out but he has the experience, and coming in as a number two could be the ‘managerial experience’ that people are saying McClaren lacks. And after Macca’s admission that it was Simpson who said they should ‘go for it’ on Saturday and put on Sammon, the mixture of the two may be another successful double act in the making.

Eric Steele:

Nobody gets on the coaching staff at Man United without being good at their job. He helped De Gea through his introduction to the English game, another ex-player who after seeing his interview on the BBC, I feel is going to add some real quality to training, as well as experience and passion. Lee Grant will only benefit from his knowledge after a somewhat shaky start to his Rams return.


This international break came at the perfect time for Derby. The new management team has come in, turned around a 4-1 deficit against Ipswich and continued that excellent second half performance, into two full game efforts against Leeds and Watford that reaped all 6 points.

Fitness was never an issue for Clough’s team, it was more about structure, staying switched on and not making mistakes. This can be worked on, this can be drilled into the team mixed with new ideas — something that people could say was lacking under the previous management team.

Throw in a couple of inter-squad practice matches, set piece drills, and most of all ensuring the morale was kept high in the camp after a couple of turbulent weeks.

After the win at Watford — you can only deduce that whatever the ‘Three Ramigo’s’ did in that time — it definitely worked.

So what does the future hold, the next five game can define our season. They aren’t easy, but this is the championship, there are teams with money and some in form; however there is no reason Derby can’t be the new form team, after victories in the last two.

3 of the games are away from home, this means the pressure is off somewhat as on the road is where we seem to excel. We will meet QPR, Bournemouth and Wigan on our travels, with the 2 at home against Birmingham and Wednesday.

This is where Stevie Mac will either build on a great start to his reign and turn the season around with a charge for the top 6, that or we will realise, as we have had to for a few seasons now, we are in for another mid-table finish at best.

Let's hope that the charge has just begun!




Photo: Action Images



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