In the 10th of a series of pre-season reports, HarryfromBath looks at how last year’s beaten play-off semi-finalists have fared this summer under new manager Nigel Pearson by delving into their forums. Reports on Burton Albion and Aston Villa will follow later today with the rest of the teams in the division covered between now and the start of the season.
"We have the best squad since I can remember and we invested a hell of a lot of money last year on players who we have yet to see the best from. Relax and trust the club. There is one thing we have learned from this regime and that is that they won’t see us go short.”
"It is refreshing that we are at the right end of the table after eight or so years of rubbish.” While the Rams may not have signed any players so far this summer, the arrival of former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson has been welcomed. There is optimism that he can get the best out of their talented squad.
"This squad of players is crying out for a Pearson”, "He will find out if they are good enough or if they simply flatter to deceive”, "Pearson’s experience in getting promotion will be massive for us. He comes across as a good man manager and knows how to get his players playing with confidence.”
"Nigel Pearson will make a positive impact because of his style of management. He doesn’t need to make wholesale changes to find a winning team. It’s about making the team believe in themselves”, "He also has the skills and experience to get the selection, formation and tactics right in a game.”
One Ram flagged up some concerns. "There is a question mark over how he handles public pressure. It is possible he could do something in the heat of the moment to make his position untenable, but our biggest potential issue is that he has fallen out with every owner he has worked for.”
"I hope Pearson manages to address the mentality of the squad more than anything else. A pattern has started to emerge from the start of the year. We suddenly collapse or can’t keep the momentum going when it matters. They are more than good enough to get automatic promotion but bottle it.”
There is widespread agreement that this is the key area to address. "One thing Pearson will bring us is consistency”, "With his experience in the side we will see a more even level of performance. You might not see ‘wow’ performances as often but you won’t see many hopeless efforts either.”
"We failed last season and something has to change. Losing at home to Hull 3-0 in a play-off semi-final is not acceptable, and missing out on the play-offs the previous season losing 3-0 at home to Reading when we only needed to draw to finish in the top six was also not acceptable.”
"Last summer was pretty crazy and the less said about January the better. Four to six players out and one or two in would be good. Trim the squad and get a couple of players in who will improve us.” Four fringe players have left and none have arrived in what has been a summer of minor alterations.
"This squad has been too large, but the pool of players within it with a chance of making the first team has been too small. We need a smaller overall squad, but one where every player believe that they will get a chance if they perform well while also keeping the shirt if they play at the right level.”
"We have a talented squad, a jigsaw of capable players.” While some Rams would welcome a mobile striker or a pacey winger, the majority are happy with the lack of any new signings. They believe that the main priority for the coming season is getting the best out of what they already have at the club.
"Let’s see what Pearson does with the squad and only buy if it is quality. We don’t need squad players. We’re OK. Teams buying five to eight players already just shows that they are not happy with what they have got at the minute”, "It’s not a lack of ambition. It’s careful intelligent planning.”
"There has been quite a bit of tidying up.” Two defenders, Stephen Warnock and Jake Buxton, have departed to newly-promoted Wigan, Spanish defender Raul Albentosa has joined Deportivo La Coruna and one-time Town loan striker Conor Sammon has now moved to Hearts.
"Interesting to see how the diamond will work”, "It has the capability to switch to a flat 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1, but that would weaken Tom Ince’s game”, I don’t think that the front six are cemented yet”, "This is not too far from the line-up we will see in the opening game at home to Brighton.”
Pearson set the starting XI (above) in a diamond formation for their pre-season friendly against the Blades, with Bradley Johnson playing the holding role vacated by the injured George Thorne. Rams aren’t convinced by Chris Martin in a strike pairing, but Ince has blossomed in a playmaking role.
"Much as I like Johnson’s presence and power, you need a good footballer in that sitting position and he isn’t that gifted technically”, "He looked forward more often than not and I saw him telling Hughes and Butterfield to get further up the field when they were dropping back to pick up the ball.”
There was a change of formation for Saturday’s 2-0 win at German side Karlsruher. Pearson switched to a counter-attacking 4-4-1-1 shape with Ince again in behind the frontman. Andreas Weimann opened the scoring after the break but was chided by fans for a poor overall contribution out wide.
"We have arguably been the biggest club in the Championship for the last couple of seasons and that has always brought media pressure on us. I wonder if having Newcastle and Villa in the division will take us out of the spotlight and take the pressure off us.” "Everyone loved to beat us last season.”
"We have a tough start. We need to hit the ground running.” In one discussion looking at who would finish in the top six, an overwhelming majority of Rams had their side in the play-off places but very few forecast a top-two finish. After a series of recent near misses, they are not tempting fate.
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