After a reasonably quiet spell before the Forest game — a lot seemed to happen in a day as we said Hello, Goodbye & Oh No!

Warnock Says Hello!

On Thursday the Rams completed the signing of Leeds United Captain Stephen Warnock on an 18-month contract with the option of another year.

Primarily playing as a Left Back, Stephen will give some serious competition to Craig Forsyth who has struggled to recapture his barnstorming form of last season.

Over the journey Warnock has found himself at Liverpool, Coventry City, Bradford City, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers & most recently the skipper at Leeds United.

Warnock has also played at the highest level, having been capped twice by England and was a part of the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking to the media - Steve McClaren gave a warm welcome to his new defender:

"We're very pleased to welcome Stephen Warnock to Derby County. He is a solid and experienced defender who certainly strengthens our defensive options for the remaining months of the season.

"The next few months are going to be extremely important for us and it is vital to have a strong squad to call upon. As well as being a very good player he has excellent leadership qualities.”

Welcome to Derby from the Damned side Stephen and good luck!

Stephen Warnock battling with Cyrus Christie for Leeds late last year.

Ibe Says Bye Bye!!

Jordan Ibe has shown much potential while on loan at the Rams but also frustrated many with inconsistent form and at times a lack of gut busting effort during a match.

Whatever your thoughts on the youngster — there is no doubt he added a genuine threat at times and more importantly precious goals to the Rams this season.

Despite having a season long loan set up at the Rams — Liverpool will recall Jordan on the completion of the match against Forest tomorrow.

But Jordan may not find himself back at Anfield for very long as rumours suggest he will be used as a carrot in a transfer involving another top flight club — and be loaned out to them until the end of the season as part of a package deal.

Ibe has made 24 appearances, scoring 5 goals, and if he can score a 6th in his farewell game against the Trees, he will leave a hero and no doubt remembered as being far more brilliant than he actually was.

Over to you Jordan!

We Say “Oh No!!!!” — Eustace Out Injured

It is great to see George Thorne back in training but just as it looked like Derby had their defensive midfield sorted — John Eustace has required knee surgery that will keep him sidelined for an unknown amount of time.

Requiring surgery to repair cartilage damage, The Rams will just have to play the waiting game and hope it is weeks, not months, that they will be without their influential midfielder.

Mascarell proved to be great at best but too often average when measured up against the physicality and consistency of Eustace in the defensive role.

After some bumpy results — Eustace returning to the starting line up helped Derby to 3 consecutive wins — and no one can deny he was not influential in each of them especially when you consider the team has only lost once when he has been in the team this campaign.

Steve McClaren was frustrated to lose Eustace when he has been in such good form:

“Eusty just felt it after half-time at Ipswich, it is a big blow for him and for us. Hopefully, we will get him back pretty quick and for the run-in. We are waiting to see how long he will be out.”

With Thorne needing at least 4 weeks of fitness work to get him back up to speed, it leaves McClaren with two obvious options — return to Mascarell who seems to perform well at home and when on song can cut teams to ribbons — and no better time to start that against the arch enemy this weekend.

The other option is to change to a 442 which McClaren has hinted at since Darren Bent arrived at the club — which would give the big fella a chance to stretch his legs and see if that formation could take Derby to the next level I think he hopes it will.

Plus it would be a good time to test it out against very average second rate opposition!

Smaller Bites Of Ram:

Some other Derby news not big enough to get their own news section but not small enough to ignore…

Conor Sammon has left Ipswich & signed with Rotherham United on loan till seasons end. Good luck Conor — hope you get some game time and some goals!

Nigel Clough is looking to add to his Blades team by signing Paul Coutts and Kieron Freeman. It would be sad to see Coutts go but if it helps Nigel out — then I could think of no better place!

That’s it — so bring on Saturday, the Trees and COYR!!

Photo: Action Images

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