On Saturday it was announced that Dean Leacock, a player who has gone in and out of style at the Rams, is back in vogue and been signed to a new deal that keeps him at the club till 2012.
I have never hid the fact that Leacock has been a favourite of mine since his arrival at the club (especially when wearing my promotion season number 5 shirt). He has always been a player I enjoy watching and has the talent to make it at the highest level should he be able to put all the pieces of his game together on match day regularly.
His coolness on the ball, ability to play above his height and as an attacking force through the midfield, makes him a very useful player when on song. The main negative in his game is at times his coolness can be perceived as lazy defending, especially when it is just that. At times it looks like Dean has so much confidence in his ability that he has no back up plan should something go wrong. These lapses tend to be few in number but so glaringly obvious that they have led to most of the criticism that has been levelled at him by fans and pundits alike.
Personally I think the good has far exceeded the bad as he was fabulous in Derby’s promotion season and also performed well when given the chance during the disastrous premier league campaign. I always felt more than a bit sorry him and any Rams defender from that period, (except maybe Todd… what the heck was he thinking… if he was!!) any defence under as much pressure as the Rams would have leaked goals. Sure most were not up to the task but when a dam is facing a raging flood, something has got to give and in the Rams case it disintegrated.
Obviously Paul Jewell not only thinks Dean is capable of holding down a regular first team place but could finally reach the standard to take him to the heights that Fulham hoped he would when his Premier League career began. Either that or Jewell thinks we have no hope of being promoted before 2012 but I sincerely hope and am pretty sure that is not the case.
At the age of 24 there is definitely time for him to make the ground up to becoming a top flight player. Many of the greatest defenders played their best football on the way to 30 and beyond as they became wiser and more battle hardened which is an essential trait for any long term successful defender.
Perhaps the contract extension will also see the Rams merchandising arm finally take up the idea I have thrown up before in this column. A Leacock wig complete with headband would surely be a massive hit in the stands and not only come with a genuine Derby headband, it would also be a great way to warm your bonce on match day.
How good Leacock can become is something that only time will tell but one thing is for sure both he and the manager believes he can do it at Derby County. I for one hope they are both right. Just over a month ago the Rams had not won in nearly a year and he was told he could leave if the right offer materialised. Now the team is unbeaten in seven and he has another four years with the club. How things can change in a short period of time.
Before I toddle off I just wanted to mention my trip to see Socceroos in Brisbane that included the Rams own Mile Sterjovski. A great 4-0 win included a great second half performance from Mile. The team had gone flat after going 2-0 up before 20 minutes had passed and with Sterjovski brought on at half time he helped inspire a raise in tempo and was involved in the much of the best movement for the rest of the game. I only hope Paul Jewell was watching because the boy is ripe…. so pick him!! :0)
Also congratulations to the other Oz Ram, Ruben Zadkovich who was an unused substitute for Saturdays win. May it be the beginning of good things for a talented young player who has always shown great potential. Hopefully we will see it blossom at the Rams.
Oh…. and for anyone who read last week and cares (cue left click on the ‘home’ link) …. my trip to see my Aussie team ‘Adelaide United’ take on the local team ‘Queensland Roar’, ended in victory. A 1-0 score line was all the more sweet for me being one of only just over 100 away fans surrounded by 12,000 home fans. Nothing like being outnumbered in battle but winning the war.
Another Saturday, another Rams win. The times they are a changing!
C’mon Ewe Rams!!