The Rams may have got back on track against Brighton but it still does not erase the drubbing at Leicester City. Derby was awful to watch but let’s not forget the resources available to the Foxes in comparison to the young Derby County side currently on show.

During the season the Rams have struggled at the hands of the league’s very top teams; Leicester, Burnley and Reading out-muscled Derby in the early stages of the campaign. Although their league position still looks healthy, that form must improve — you won’t face a mediocre side in the play-offs.

Recently the DET reported that Steve McClaren currently has no plans to add to the squad during the January transfer window, with loans if anything, being more likely. I firmly believe that the current squad is perfectly adequate, has more depth than recent years and contains spades of quality; however I think a new face or two would be more than ideal for a genuine promotion push.

Fourth in the league is where the club currently sits. I don’t think chances like this come around too often, so that’s why an extra face or two could be necessary, perhaps a midfielder.

John Eustace has played his role marvellously but he is prone to picking up bookings here and there. Will there ever be a reasonable balance between Craig Bryson, Jeff Hendrick and Will Hughes? The trio are great individually, yet shuffling them up together hasn’t always worked effectively. On the other hand, James Bailey is back in the side and shouldn’t be discounted. A competitive edge was missing against the Foxes in that area and balls weren’t won.

The other day I noticed that Kevin Phillips has made his way to Leicester City. Now there’s a guy that would’ve been good. Looking beyond his age and in the more immediate future, his experience and nous inside the penalty area will be of huge value to the Foxes.

I know it’s easy of me to say ‘someone like that would be good’ but there may be someone available out there to aid this push. I just believe that getting into this position at this stage and not making a big go of it would be a travesty.

If you’ve made it to this point near the top, it’s clear that you’re serious contenders and not on an early season bout of form. Five of the top six in the Championship table at this point last year got a spot in the top six.

An extra face would strengthen Derby’s current chances, whether that comes in this window or another quality loan signing.

Now all we can do is wait and see what, if anything, happens.

For more of Nathan's articles you can read his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him @NathansRamsBlog on Twitter.

Photo: Action Images

Rabbram10 added 14:22 - Jan 22 I thiink with a couple of quality loan signings we can push on for a top two spot rather than a playoff spot, top two is promised land stuff, playoff is a lottery? We r only 5 points from a top 2 finish that should be our goal IMO!
0

sideshowbob added 16:46 - Jan 22 I agree Rabbram10- We should make the most of this opportunity but I fear we will not make a move until it is too late. Maybe Macca has his hands tied until we have outgoing movement but surely we should have greater ambition than to just wait and see? A positive move for an experienced playmaker would lift the whole place. We have plenty of youth and commitment - what we need is a steady head with experience of the top flight.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Stoke City Polls