As the season nears we can all put aside our pitchforks, forget about the lack of investment from the board for just a moment and take stock of where we are and what we’ve got going into the Leeds game just two short weeks away.

Then again, maybe that’s a recipe for depression.

On paper, the Rams have an adequate squad - strength in depth at the back, talent in midfield and serious threats up front. Then the injuries reappear; it was said we couldn’t possibly be as unlucky as last season but don’t be too sure – Steven Davies is already out for six months and last night’s friendly saw Dean Moxey and Rob Hulse start the game at centre back.

Missing men Russell Anderson, Dean Leacock, Shaun Barker and Jake Buxton should all be available for roughly the beginning of the season but it doesn’t help the old heart rate when these players are suddenly missing during vitally important periods of pre-season training.

Hopefully we can avoid the problems of last year and if we can then a good season is possible; if the likes of Barker, Leacock, Commons et al miss any significant time then it’s going to be same old same old and you can’t really blame the manager for that.

What you can blame the manager for is treating certain players to a prominence they clearly don’t deserve. I’m talking of course about the decision to give Robbie Savage another go as captain this term instead of transferring the armband to Shaun Barker, which I think we all expecting and hoping for.

Whilst I don't put much stock in the importance of the captain I feel that Savage seems to hold too lofty a perch for no obvious reason - his media outbursts last season were embarrassing and should have resulted in a severe dressing down but the manager appears to make too many concessions for veteran players.

Even this 4-2-3-1 formation, whilst a progressive and interesting idea, is flawed, not because it can't work but because the reason for its birth is tied at least partially to Savage's inability to get about the pitch, necessitating the need for James Bailey to be there to cover the workload - a similar spectacle occurred at the start of last season when Savage played in a three with Stephen Pearson and Paul Green, who could do the running - it looked good in principle but the idea for its inception was based on the need to cover the captains significant shortcomings.

He seems far too interested in being the next Gary Lineker to be an effective leader for this football club as his teammates will surely look to his off-field interests and say his heart isn’t in playing anymore. Shaun Barker or Stephen Bywater should be the captain of Derby County - there can be no argument in my view.

Don’t get me wrong I was impressed with Savage’s contribution to the World Cup and feel he has an excellent career ahead of him but I think it’d be better for him to concentrate on that after he’s retired and focus a bit more on making sure he can keep up with the team this season.

He is clearly a good influence in the dressing room which is why he has kept the armband but on the pitch he will not be able to inspire – just playing in the games doesn’t mean he played well; he may have kept the ball better than most last season but that was mainly because there was no real invention in his play – a characteristic that will hold the team back if he is relied on for forty-six games once more.

For those looking for Savage to be marginalised this season the hope will be that since Clough has named two vice-captains instead of one, it is a sign that whilst Savage may be captain he will still not play all that much. I don’t know, perhaps Nigel is using this to pander to his most experienced and outspoken player, to placate him to the fact that he won’t play as much as the season goes on.

I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Photo: Action Images

colin added 19:30 - Jul 22 Excellent article totally agree, Robbie needs to focus on the field not off it , overpaid and under performs.His comments on Roger Davies last season should not be forgotten , keep him away from free kicks!!!!
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rammyramram added 21:52 - Jul 22 Not sure I agree that he gets carried - I certainly think he did more for our season than Green did. People also have a go at the fact he'll be pre-occupied with his media commitments - how is this different from any other commitments other players have? I know Dean Moxey is expecting to be a father - will this new commitment affect him? Of course not! Why? Because he's a professional. I'd expect the same level of professionalism from Robbie too. I do think he should be used less this season - would certainly like to see some more of Pringle after the Cardiff game as it was the only time I recall of last season where I saw a midfielder of ours be positive and look for goals.

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pkay_brum added 01:08 - Jul 23 Perhaps Savage made the captaincy a condition of stretching his vast salary over a longer period? I just can't figure that Clough is acting 'on merit'. Not that the club could admit to that; isn't there a danger of players like Barker and Bywater getting peeed off, if that were the reason that Savage (strangely) stays as captain? Losing those players would do far more damage to the team that simply taking the role off Lilly and giving the armband to a more deserving player like Barker. If Savage wasn't playing - so what? Lose the centre half and goalie and we would be as weak as a kitten with bird flu.

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ChesterDraws added 11:15 - Jul 24 The captain needs experience and Savage has got plenty of that. I like the way he stuck up for his colleagues against Radio Derby. OK, he did repeat himself numerous times but that was highly entertaining. Regarding his role as a player, well he was one of the best performers last season although the standard was not high. It all depends how he plays in the coming season. I don't see Bywater as a potential future captain although he is a fine goalkeeper and rarely makes an error. Shaun Barker, yes please. Intelligent and articulate which is unusual for a Forest fan.

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