It’s Academic surely…

Some things seem to be inevitable, death, taxes and Derby County being unable to progress in cup competitions.

That was going to be the nub of this blog. How a club that attracts good support, has great facilities and can point to being a founder member of the Football League yet be so uninspiring in cup competitions and broadly unsuccessful in collecting silverware. One domestic cup semi final in 50 years. Woeful. I’d so many tales lined up of missed opportunities over the years, frustration at manager after manager treating cups with disdain and topped off by John Eustace not even seeing the game against Lincoln as a chance to throw in Eames and Allen.

Then enter Turki Alsheikh, Saudi (alleged) billionaire and his proposed takeover.

The maelstrom online that has followed his sudden withdrawal at the last minute goes to show just how much Derby fans have been counting on this investment. For what it’s worth, with the financial fair play (or whatever it’s called this week) restrictions in place, I don’t think we were going to see vast amounts of money spent. I just think that now the investment isn’t happening, it’ll be down to David Clowes and his team to finalise deals using resources that probably rely on his pocket. Not ideal. But you can understand why he hasn’t splashed out so far (save for Bobby Clark); who would if there was someone supposedly in the wings ready to shell out their money?

I fully expect to see some modest permanent signings and we’ll get loans from Premier League clubs when they’ve finalised their squads. It’ll happen, but it’ll all be commensurate with our level.

What is our level? Well, with the teams coming down from the Prem last season looking stronger than the previous year and already spending big, Boro getting circa £20m as sell on for Rodgers to Chelsea and Wrexham buying a goalie for £8m I think we know where we stand. Not to mention Wolves, Southampton etc.

Stoke and Bristol City have shown their ambition (or massive gamble) and I fully expect the likes of Millwall to be irritatingly in the mix, so it may well be that we compete for the ‘Upper mid table’ league with the usual suspects such as Preston and then hope that a few fancied teams ‘do a Leicester’ and we can have a nibble at the 8th place option. Then, as Hull showed last season, it’s anyone’s to take.

I’m afraid to say that (probably as a symptom of age) I’m still in the ‘glad we’ve got a club to support’ camp, but do understand frustration from supporters who want to see big money signings. The truth is we are so far behind in terms of revenue. Derby have spent longer outside the top flight now than at any time in their history, at a point in time when the world has transformed digitally and the game has never been as global (or financial) as it is now. We are very much in a backwater, we are famous in the East Midlands and that’s about it- living overseas makes me see that more than most. No one beyond the region really cares if truth be known, and it’ll take a huge amount of good fortune (see Hull above) for us to have a stab at the top flight again.

I was in the UAE a couple of weeks ago. A bridge over the main motorway had a massive Notts Forest LCD advert, shitty flag, players the lot. But now a global brand. That wouldn’t have been the case 4 years ago, so it shows it can be done.

What needs to change- what can we see happen? What’s within our control? Firstly, I think John Eustace now needs to show he’s more than a firefighter who turns teams around. Through no fault of his own (well, Blackburn fans may disagree) he’s not had chance to finish off a job, and for that to happen at Derby he needs lots of luck with injuries and shrewd signings, but I also think his best chance may be right under his nose. The Academy.

The Academy costs millions a year to maintain Cat A status and I’ve become more irritated as time has gone on with managers being reluctant to use the youngsters. Rooney had to turn to Cashin, Thompson, Bird and Knight; Ebosele and Ebowie put themselves in the shop window and somehow that period convinced Palace to part with a million quid for Luke Plange. That showed, certainly in the cases of Bird, Knight and most valuably Cashin, that a leap of faith in youth can bring gems to the surface and the club can get some sort of return for investing in the Academy. What’s the worst that can happen? The kids don’t quite reach the level (see Jack Stretton) and they rebuild their careers lower down the pyramid at a level to suit them.

So who can step up? Eames and Allen appear to be the next cabs off the rank. I watch a fair amount of the U21’s and U18’s and they are the pick. The talent is there. Some youngsters will rise and shine (older readers will recall Steve Powell) and we’ll never know if they aren’t given a chance. The club is now in a position where they have to take that leap of faith- expectancy in this season has already dropped after the collapse of the investment and the youngsters should be encouraged to grab that chance. Additionally, it sends a message to prospective talent that Derby will give you that chance if you’re good enough. Has Eustace got the courage to do it? I’m not sure. He promotes himself as a coach who will bring young players through, but my mind harks back to him playing 4 left footed defenders against Hull, bemoaning the lack of another right back and Isaac Gordon was standing about 10 feet away from him. Why have him on the bench? Why take him at all? Are we creating an Academy that’s in effect a baby sitting service or a finishing school for kids who are good at football but need somewhere to go between the ages of 16-19? That’s what it feels like. Eustace needs to practice what he preaches. Now is the time; investment isn’t happening, expectations are low, no one wants to see Clowes gamble his or the clubs future and the talent is there!!

Now, when is the FA cup 3rd round……