This week it seemed as if everyone is in a hurry to see Robbie Savage leave Derby County, except the club itself.

Rumors abounded during the week that the player was going to either make a move to the U.S or have his contract paid out. Either of those options are ludicrous when the amount of money the Rams would lose would make it much easier to hang on and hope Robbie finds his groove again.

The groove I speak of is the same one he showed against Manchester United when he managed to out work some of the best in the game. The boy can still play when he wants to but it is now time he stood up and showed that week in, week out.

Last year after he was signed and quoted in articles about the Rams future he believed he could take Derby from the Championship back to the Premier league. He spoke as a leader and an experienced player who was making it his mission to do so.

Since then something has changed in the Rams camp as Paul Jewell has seemingly stripped him of the captaincy, starting place and now seems unwilling to vocally back him. At the same time he has not totally abandoned his midfield charger clearly stating at Rushden during the week that if Savage earns his spot he will regain it. A rift over personality and/or performance seems to have grown between them and it's anyones guess how wide that rift has become.

I for one liked his demeanour for most games last season. In a team that was being battered from pillar to post he ran all day and tried to make things happen. If he harnesses his natural aggression and genuine ball winning ability he could easily be a major player in the Championship this season. I would love to see him stand up and show his quality because it could be the difference between success and failure this campaign.

The main factor involved is whether his pride will allow him to face such a challenge when it must have already been significantly dented. There is no doubt he would have expected to be selected in the first team selection every single week. It seems that the gaffer may have different ideas.

I genuinely think that Robbie Savage will play a big part in this campaign and perhaps a wake up call has been sounded over the last few weeks for him. Plus with so many other first team players such as Sterjovski & Leacock noticeable by their absence recently, perhaps Jewell has something else up his sleeve.

If Savage lines up on opening day in the starting eleven then I will feel vindicated in that belief. If he does not, then Savage may have some serious work to do. With so many new faces it wont be easy to stake a claim in the squad, especially if it gets off to a successful start without him.

In the meantime…. bring on the Dutch…. C’mon Ewe Rams!! :0)

Photo: Action Images

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