Football Season Guide

Another start to the season where Derby will hope this can finally be their year. It has certainly been a frustrating last five years for the Rams who are geared for the Premier League. But now there is a quiet air of optimism. In Gary Rowett they have a figure who genuinely cares about the club and a man who has shown he can get the best out of his teams. Last year was a bit of a mess with Rowett following disappointing jobs by Nigel Pearson and Steve McClaren. It is his own side now and he has brought in Tom Huddlestone, Andre Wisdom and Curtis Davies, adding real experience to particularly the defensive areas of the pitch. Will Hughes and Tom Ince have both been sold and they are significant departures. But with Derby's previously strong, in terms of numbers, squad there should be enough to cover. Derby though appear a quality player or two short of a real push for promotion but there are still a few more weeks of the window yet for Rowett to get his man or men, helped very much by the revenue from Hughes and Ince. Rowett also has Chris Martin at his disposal again, a player who wanted to return midway through his surprise loan switch to Fulham last season but a move turned down by his loan club. With a passionate home crowd, Derby have had a good home record in previous seasons and will expect that to continue. Scott Carson had an impressive campaign in goal last term and Derby will hope he will not be needed as much this time around.