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Should Derby County make these three signings to push for promotion next season?
Despite having a squad brimming with both numbers and talent, Derby could still have an interesting summer of recruiting ahead of them. Recently appointed Manager Nigel Pearson seems to have agreed with Mel Morris that no huge recruitment or overhaul is necessary, with the experienced Nottingham born Manager reportedly happy with the playing squad as it is.
However, no team is perfect and there are three players that could take Derby over the line to the oasis of the Premier League. Do you agree with the choices laid out over the next few pages? Let us know your suggestions in the comments section below.
Steven Naismith – Norwich City
One thing Derby have lacked this season is a proper goal-scoring threat to back up their prolific striker Chris Martin. Darren Bent has remained on the bench and notched a couple of important goals in the league, but due to the system used by Derby – largely 4-3-3 with Martin as the only out and out striker – Bent rarely gets a sniff on the pitch any longer, and looks to be unfortunately past his best. No more can he be classed as the striker that scored 11 goals in two months on loan at the Rams in 2015.
Naismith may be the replacement for him and the back-up that Martin desperately needs. He only joined Norwich this year and has only scored one league goal in 11 appearances for the Canaries, but his ability to pop up at the right time to get a goal with a poacher’s instinct could prove deadly in the Championship.
It may be worth Derby’s effort to get him into the club, despite Norwich presumably reluctant to sell a player only recently arrived, particularly with boss Alex Neil insisting that there will be following their relegation.
For some, it many appear to be an unlikely one, but with Derby’s spending power and the attractive proposition of the fan-base, direction of the club and pedigree of manager, it could just be pulled off.