DERBY COUNTY - COME ON DOWN!
Sunday 6th July 2008
by Simon Skinner

We continue to take a look at Rangers six new league opponents, today it's the turn of the worst ever Premier League side - Derby County.

Last season: By Billy Davies’ own admission The Rams were promoted two seasons ahead of schedule and by god did it show! I think that describing Derby County’s efforts last season in the Premier League as pathetic doesn’t really do it justice. Every week on Match of the Day you could guarantee defending that would make a Sunday league side wince combined with an almost total failure to threaten the opposition. They amassed a paltry 11 points all told with a solitary win against Newcastle United. They also managed to concede an incredible 89 goals in 38 games! The fact that the fans stuck with them in terms of numbers is a testament to them. 

Transfers: At the end of the season Paul Jewell said he would be making some changes to the squad and he hasn’t been mucking about! So far he has signed Martin Albrechtsen from West Brom, Kris Commons from Forest, Paul Connolly from Plymouth, Steve Davies from Tranmere, Liam Dickinson from Stockport, Nathan Ellington and Jordan Stewart from Watford, Paul Green from Doncaster Rovers and former R’s youth teamer Ruben Zadkovich from Sydney. Rob Earnshaw, Michael Johnson, Lee Holmes, Kenny Miller, David Jones, Craig Fagan and Darren Moore have all moved on as the planned transformation from wretched Premier League outfit to Championship challengers carries on apace.

The Manager: The hang dog look on Paul Jewells face became a familiar sight last season as he tried to explain away yet another defeat. Those explanations probably paled into insignificance when trying to explain to Mrs Jewell why he had some tart spread eagled over the bonnet of his Merc! If he can keep his mind on the job this season then he has a good chance of challenging this season as he has a proven track record at this level and his Wigan promotion side were one of the most resolute I can remember in this division.

The Ground: Pride Park was one of the first of the new breed of stadiums and last time we were there it was starting to look a bit dog eared. Mind you, it is a decade old now but it is still not bad. It’s easy enough to find, you can park the car pretty close and on the two occasions I have been there our keeper has played like Lev Yashin! 

Last Time We Met: In Derby’s promotion season Rangers looked all set to put a fly in the ointment as they held a 1-0 lead courtesy of Martin Rowlands at Pride Park for fully seventy minutes before the players slept in as a corner was returned back into the box and Darren Moore headed home three minutes from the end.

QPR Connections: The world’s slowest man and part time limo driver Warren Barton played for both sides as did Mikkel Beck, Lee Camp, John Gregory, Lewis Hamilton (not that one), Don Masson, Gary Micklewhite and Stevie Wicks.