Today my beloved Rams replaced Nigel Clough with a former first team coach who left Derby because he was headhunted by Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson. Under Sir Alex and Steve McClaren Manchester United won the elusive treble.
He then took on probably the most poisonous chalice in football..the manager of the England team. He was dubbed the 'Wally with the Brolly' after one wet night in which England lost a crucial game.
The press turned on him so he lost the England job and departed for Holland where he won the Eredivisie with FC Twente for the first time in that club's history.
He then had time with Wolfsburg in Germany and Nottingham Forest, which frankly was a disaster. I do not know what happened 16 miles down Brian Clough Way but he has surfaced as a first team coach with QPR. When Harry Rednapp insists that Steve McClaren is a brilliant coach and that is endorsed by his players we must sit up and take notice.
It is impossible to compare Nigel Clough (lower league experience) with Steve McClaren (experience with top level international football) but I personally think that the Rams have taken a positive step into the future. It is close to my heart (even at my age) because one thing that Nigel has done is develop the academy. He has done a good job and has assembled a very good squad.
Unfortunately he is now unable to go forward because now he needs man management skills and tactical acumen that he does not possess. Someone on the Rams Board has realised this. The lack of home results indicated that Nigel was flawed. It has happened all too often in the past. The team is talented but anxious. Time after time they outplay the opposition and then withdraw into a defensive posture which they are unable to maintain.
This team now needs a positive attitude because when they get one they will destroy teams. Steve McClaren must be rubbing his hands because Nigel has left him with one helluva squad. We now need an 'Igor Stimac'. We had one in Jason Shackell but we need a really dominant centre back. Jake Buxton is punching above his level.
Richard Keogh is OK but he needs help. I doubt if Sean Barker will ever get back to his former self but if he does then WOW! I await with interest the first steps of the new regime. At last we are in the news which for a club which has such a huge fan base is a step forward!
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