Since this season has been one of major changes for the Rams, in seemingly every aspect of the club’s on the pitch activities, I decided to take a look at where we were this time last year and see how much things have really changed.
After thirty-six matches last season, the Rams were in second place with sixty-six points, behind Bournemouth on goal difference. There were plenty of clubs breathing down our necks; fifth placed Norwich had sixty-five points, so the top five were separated by only one point.
This season looks completely different at the top. The Rams are currently in fifth place, eleven points behind top club Burnley. We are seven points behind second placed Middlesbrough, though they have a game in hand over us. Brighton and Hull in third and fourth places are better placed than the Rams to take advantage of any slip by one or other of the top two.
Realistically, the Rams’ chances of automatic promotion this season are gone but despite dismal form since the start of 2016, The Rams are well placed for a playoff spot. Currently they sit four points ahead of sixth placed Sheffield Wednesday, five points ahead of seventh placed Cardiff and five points ahead of eighth placed Ipswich; though Ipswich do have a game in hand.
The clubs below us also seem to be very considerate in dropping points when the Rams do; while the Rams were losing at QPR on Tuesday, Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff and Ipswich all dropped points to leave us in fifth place and not needing to be too nervous about it.
Whether the Rams reach the playoffs depends largely on how they continue to perform for caretaker manager Darren Wassall. The Rams have won three and lost three of Wassall’s six games in charge; all against modest opposition. This is an improvement over Paul Clement’s last few games in charge, but it really is not good enough.
As I said, it might well be good enough for the Rams to make the playoffs, but can fans look forward to the playoffs without a dramatic improvement in the team’s form?
Are the playoffs likely to bring success and what on earth should we expect should promotion be the outcome?
The possibilities are almost too horrible to contemplate!
I cannot understand why those in charge at the iPro seem to be so unconcerned about appointing a new manager. We are at a critical point in the club’s fortunes, and they seem somewhat content to drift. If Wassall is to be the long term manager, he should be announced as such; if not, a permanent appointment should be made while the season can still be saved.
Whatever the outcome of this season, one thing is crystal clear: the Rams need to take a hard look at the club’s process for identifying the need for players and scouting those to be signed.
The last year has seen a procession of those who have not worked out; Albentosa, Baird, Pearce, Weimann, Camara, Bent and Blackman, while Ince, Johnson and Butterfield have shone only sporadically. The unquestioned successes we can point to out of the new signings are Carson and Shackell.
The failures are not all down to the players themselves; some would justifiably say they have not been given a chance, while others have undoubtedly been played out of their best position. Despite the huge number of expensive signings the club has made since his departure, Nigel Clough’s signings will once again be prominent in the Player of the Year candidates.
There remain serious problems at the club which must be successfully addressed before we can think about promotion with any degree of confidence.
Meanwhile, the Rams’ run of matches against teams that should provide us with some joy continues with a game at Rotherham on Saturday. This is potentially a much tougher opponent than would have been the case a month ago. Rotherham have won their last three matches, with victory at Sheffield Wednesday and at home to Middlesbrough in their last two.
Rotherham’s appointment of the massively experienced manager Neil Warnock seems to be giving them a shot at avoiding the drop. They still look to be light on genuine goal threat and the Rams really should accept nothing less than three points from this one.
There is still a chance to end this season of continual disappointments on a bright note.
Perhaps Saturday will be the start of that…