Football Season Guide

Derby just avoided relegation last season after securing a dramatic draw against fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on the final day. They had lost their previous six matches. The close season has been a frustrating one for Rams manager Wayne Rooney. The club has been operating under a transfer embargo which has not yet allowed them to bring any players in. There has recently been a partial relaxation of the embargo which would permit them to sign some free agents but the situation is still uncertain. Their squad size is limited and there are also restrictions on contract length and wages. Currently there are only nine registered senior players, which includes two goalkeepers. At time of writing nine free agents are training with Derby including veteran centre-back Phil Jagielka and ex-Manchester United youngster Ravel Morrison. It remains to be seen if there are any additions to the squad before the first game. Nobody really was a standout performer for Derby last season. Most of the players that made the most appearances are still at the club apart from ever-present centre-back Clarke and forward Waghorn. The trials and tribulations of last season and the fact that they came through a real battle should have toughened up the players and given vital experience to rookie boss Rooney. With the current problems at the club and the current state of the squad it looks like it will be another struggle this time around.