For the second time this season we welcome Joe from @DerbyCountyTalk to LFW for an extended insight into the Rams.
At the end of last season (2012/13) how did you feel about the way Derby were progressing under Nigel Clough? How had they done that season, were you optimistic going into 2013/14?
We finished tenth last season, the highest position achieved under Clough. It was an up and down kind of season, with some brilliant football being played at home, totally blitzing teams when we were on it. The inconsistent away form was our downfall; we looked like a completely different side when playing away from home, which ultimately held us back from mounting that serious challenge for the play-offs.
There was always a sense going into the new season that this would be Clough's make or break season. If we were going to have a real go at challenging for promotion, it would have to be now.
What signings did you make last summer? Come the start of the season, how did you think the Rams would do this season?
The club made five permanent signings last summer in the form of Chris Martin from Norwich, our leading scorer with 25 goals this season; Craig Forsyth from Watford, who's been involved in every game this season and been one of our most consistent performers; Johnny Russell from Dundee United, who despite a couple of injury setbacks has had an impressive first season in English football with nine goals to his name; and Lee Grant from Burnley, who entered his second spell with the Rams after winning Burnley's Player of the Year award the previous season; and finally the vastly experienced John Eustace on a free transfer from Watford. All of them cost a combined total of roughly £900,000.
Every single name has played a part in an exceptional season, and a lot of credit must go to Nigel Clough for bringing them in, as well as Steve McClaren who even admitted that he was lucky to inherit such a talented and tight knit group of players.
How did I think we'd do this season? I was hoping for an improvement on our tenth place finish in the previous campaign. This was Nigel Clough's best squad during his reign at the club, and there was a feel that a top six place was finally achievable after years of trimming the wage bill and getting a positive ethos back at the club after that depressing Premier League season.
Talk to us about the start of the season - results initially seemed good, particularly away from home...
The first two, and ultimately the last two, months of Clough's career at Derby ended with a record of three wins, two draws and four defeats. In many ways, it was a complete reverse of the previous season - we struggled at home with no wins in the league in four attempts, but were unbeaten in the first four away games.
With this inconsistent form in mind, the club made the huge decision to dismiss Clough, only hours after our 1-0 defeat at rivals Nottingham Forest. HGere we are now, and the rest is history as they say..
but then three defeats and Clough was gone. Was that the right decision? Did you think it harsh at the time? Why was he sacked?
Looking back on the decision, it couldn't have worked any better than it has for all parties involved. When I first heard the news, I couldn't get my head round the decision so early into the season. I felt he deserved until Christmas at least after a facing some tough sides so early on.
I thought it was harsh and the whole situation could have been dealt with better, but these calls can never easy to make in football, the whole Clough/Derby romance was over and the happy ending that everyone was hoping for never materialised.
How will history look back on Nigel Clough's time with the club? What did he do well, what could he have done better, what are your thoughts and memories of him? How have you rated the job he's done at Sheffield United?
I believe we owe a huge amount to Nigel. He arrived in difficult circumstances in January 2009. He came into a club with an ageing and overpaid squad, a ridiculous wage bill and a hangover from a Premier League relegation still lingering.
Nigel is an old school manager, he's honest enough and speaks the truth, and whether that's a good or bad thing I don't know. His good doings, and the most important in my opinion, include putting the foundations in place again, such as rebuilding a non-existent academy with the help of head of youth development coach and ex-player Darren Wassall. This has shown with the emergence of the likes of Will Hughes, Jeff Hendrick and Mason Bennett all featuring and playing their part in the great season we've had.
Sheffield United was the perfect job for him. They seemed to be in a similar scenario to what we was in when he arrived at Bramall Lane. You can't argue with the job he's done there, taking the club from the relegation zone to within touching distance of the play-offs in months, not to forget adding an FA Cup semi-final to that too. I'm sure he'll be looking at promotion next season, and I wish him all the best. He's a top guy and like I said, his sacking seems to have worked out for the best for everyone involved.
Who were the leading candidates for the job? Who did you want? What did you make of the Steve McClaren choice at the time?
Well, shortly after it was confirmed Clough had been sacked, pictures were shown on social media of our Chief Executive Officer Sam Rush with then free agent Tony Pulis at the game against Forest, but it turned out it was pure coincidence and he hadn't been contacted about the job.
Other names included Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, then Croatia manger and ex-Ram Igor Stimac, Gus Poyet and Paolo Di Canio.
I wasn't convinced at first when I heard McClaren's name mentioned, but when it was announced and it came to fruit that Paul Simpson and Eric Steele would be joining him on the coaching staff, there was a real sense of excitement about the place again. Top class coaches, and all ex-Derby. The connection between the fans was there from day one.
What did McClaren change from Clough? How does he set his team up? What's the style of play like?
Steve has been on record to say numerous times that major changes didn't need to be made. The squad was in place, the team spirit was there, he tinkered with a few things such as tightening up defensively, but which would still allow the players to express themselves in their free flowing style. This has shown why he's so highly regarded as a coach.
We currently set up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, with a holding midfielder sitting just in front of the back four in the form of either John Eustace or loan man George Thorne. The two just ahead have mainly been Will Hughes and Craig Bryson, with Jeff Hendrick coming in for Hughes recently after picking up an injury. That leaves us with the front three, arguably the most important part of the 'Derby way': goals. Patrick Bamford, Chris Martin, Johnny Russell, Jamie Ward, Simon Dawkins and Conor Sammon have accumulated 57 goals between the six of them.
Talk us through the second half of the season, what have been the highlights?
Where to start…
The first memorable moment of the season was without doubt the 4-4 draw against Ipswich, only three days after Clough was sacked. As McClaren, Simpson and Steele watched on from the stands, Derby found themselves going into the break 4-1 down at home. A chorus of boos and discontent could be heard and it felt like we had hit rock bottom. The players’ confidence was shot to pieces, it was clear to see on their faces as they entered the tunnel at half-time. Out they came in the second half, scoring three goals to level up. The noise when the equaliser went in was incredible.
After the game stand in manager Darren Wassall revealed in his post-match interview that Steve had been into the dressing room and gave the half time team talk and made the substitutions. Every single emotion possible was felt in that game.
Derby County 5-0 Nottingham Forest. The best game I've experienced watching the Rams at Pride Park. We were always going to win that game, no doubt about it. From the first minute to the last, Derby were just simply brilliant. One of those complete performances that come round every while or so - what a day for it to be too.
Let's hope there's another to add to the list (for us anyway!) come 17.00 Saturday evening…
Who were the leading candidates for the club's Player of the Year award? Who actually got it? Who would you have given it to?
It's so difficult to pick a stand out performer this season. If I could, I'd give it to the squad as a whole in a heartbeat.
Craig Bryson won fans’ Player of the Season, with the midfielder notching 16 goals and adding 13 assists. It's almost become expected of him, another incredible season from the Scotsman.
Jake Buxton won players’ Player of the Year — a special feat for a defender who originally arrived at the club four years ago as sixth choice centre half from Burton Albion. He’s now a first team regular and helping the club to a play-off final at Wembley. "Not bad for a free transfer from Burton,” was what he said after winning the award. You won't find a more honest professional in the English game than Bucko - a top guy who deserves a shot at the Premier League. A real cult hero.
Both players deserve the awards and recognition they've received, they've been an integral part to how we've performed this year.
What are your thoughts on the final? Are you confident? Can we press you for a prediction?
My thoughts on the final? If I could sum it up in words they'd probably include gut wrenchingly nervous, stupidly excited and, whatever happens on the day, proud.
The first goal is going to be huge, and will set the tone of the afternoon for me. If we go ahead, I expect us to go for another and not sit back like you would expect some sides to do in a game of such magnitude.
I don't think you can ever be that confident or complacent in finals, anything can happen on the day in a one off games like these. It's important to play the game and not the occasion, and I'm sure Steve will drill that into them all week during preparation.
I just hope that the 11 that start on Saturday leave that pitch without any regrets, I hope they play to their full ability and give everything they've got. Whatever happens, it's been one of the more enjoyable seasons, something we're not used to. We're either usually very poor or very good, very rarely anything in the middle!
Prediction: Derby 3-1 QPR.
If Derby do go up, is there any indication that they are better equipped to cope than last time? Any signings being mentioned? How will they approach it this time?
There was always a feeling that we were massively unprepared last time, the plan was originally to get promoted in three years, we did it in the first year and the manager at the time knew we were never going to be ready. There was unrest between management and board level, and it was only going to ever end one way, as shown. A complete disaster.
Fast forward seven years and we now have a squad full of young vibrant English talent, a top class coach who's respected by many at the top level and finally a structure and foundations in place which will allow the club to grow and push on to the levels that a club of our size should be at. I think you've just got to look at the likes of Southampton and Swansea as the kind of models to ourselves on. With a bit of luck, I fully believe we'll get there in the not so distant future. The club, and more importantly fans deserve it after a difficult and frustrating few years.
No signings have been mentioned as such, I don't think ridiculous money will need to be spent in order to survive, I certainly can't see us panicking like Crystal Palace did last August bringing in ten or 11 players if we were to gain promotion this year.
If they don't go up, is there a danger talented players will be lost? Thinking particularly Will Hughes. Will you be well placed to press for automatic again next season if it goes wrong on Saturday?
There's bound to be interest in our top performers, it wouldn't surprise me if a few clubs looked at McClaren either, it can only be a good thing as it shows what a great season we've had.
Will Hughes is at the best possible place at this stage of his career, I have no doubt that if he continues to develop and express himself the way he does he'll be a brilliant player one day, but he's still young and has a lot still to learn. I think he knows this too, he's a switched on lad and doesn't seem to come across as your average 'modern day footballer'.
I truly think we'll be up there again competing if it ends in disappointment this weekend, if we can keep the nucleus of this side and add a few enforcements in the summer, there's no reason why we can't. The good times are back at Derby.
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