Meet the Opposition: Derby County
We fared very badly because of the incompetent directors who took over the club three years ago. They systematically bled the club of what little cash it had to offer.
They then set about selling the best players, including Raziak, a Polish International, Tom Huddlestone, a very promising England U21 International and anyone else that would bring in the cash to pay the repayments on the huge loan they took out to secure the club from some obscure Panamanian company who only they and the FA knew the true identity of.
The appointment of Phil Brown as manager was a total disaster as the man only had coaching experience and not managerial experience.
(On the Cross - Boy, does that sound familiar)
How do you expect you'll do this season?
With debts now paid off or restructured, the club now has room to manouver in the transfer market, as shown by the aquisition of Luton striker Steve Howard for £1m. With more Premiership talent rumoured to be on its way, as I write, the season is looking a lot rosier than it did some three months ago. I would like to see us push for a play-off place but realistically a top-half finish would be seen as progress.
What have you done on the transfer market this summer?
Up to writing this we have only secured one signing. Striker Steve Howard. He was a prime objective and the new directors showed their commitment by paying £1m for him. Arsenal Youngster Ryan Smith is also thought to be our next signing and the midfielder/winger should compliment Howard in a much improved attacking lineup.
Which of your new signings are you expecting most from?
Hopefully it will be striker Steve Howard. He has promised 20 goals next season and the striking department is something Derby County was short of last season ending up with veteran Paul Peshcisoledo as the only recognised striker.
Where do you think you'll need to strengthen in the January transfer window?
Don't know as yet but hopefully a commanding central defender who can marshall the defence.
Have you any promising youngsters breaking into the team?
Lewin Niatanga and Giles Barnes are very good youngsters who have come through the Derby County Academy and have attracted the likes of Manchester United, etc. Billy Davies hopes to hold on to the talented youngsters and bring them into a strong squad during the season.
Have you got the right man in charge of the team? Will he still be there at the end of the season?
As Billy Davies is new to Derby County we will have to wait and see. If he makes the team competetive once again I don't see why he shouldn't be here for quite some time.
Is the club being run well? Are you likely to be singing 'Sack the board' any time soon?
There was quite a lot of that song being sung at matches and outside the ground for much of last season. Now that board have been removed through sustained fan power and protest things are now being run properly and I would be very surprised if there was any singing of that particular song this season.
(On the Cross - are you Saints in disguise?)
Which team do you most want to beat and why?
In the absence of Nottingham Forest in the league it would either be Leicester City for the east Midlands rivalry or Leeds United because lets face it everyone does.
Who do you think's going up?
Automatic:
Leeds and Southampton
(On the Cross - now you're talking...)
Play Offs:
Derby, Leicester,Crystal Palace, Birmingham
Play Offs:
Derby, Leicester,Crystal Palace, Birmingham
Going down?:
Preston, Luton, Southend
Score prediction for Sunday?
With the current rise in player attitude and a brand new manager, back-room staff and Directorship, not to mention the reduction in our debt and the £1million acquisition of striker Steve Howard (and hopefully a few more before Sunday), I can see the Rams sneaking a 1-0 win.
I know that is probably not what you want to hear but we are undefeated in pre-season, beating Premiership Bolton 2-0 along the way last Saturday. So we have to be confident.
(On the Cross - I wouldn't expect anything less from you, given the mood of optimism. Likewise I'll go for a 2-1 to Saints!)
How do you think Saints will do this season?
Pretty well, although it is going to be a super tough league this time around. I would certainly have you in the play-off places or above at the end of the season. George is a superb manager, as he proved when taking us to the play-offs in the 2004-05 season.
Any Saints players you''d like on your team?
The only person I am sure most Rams fans would want would be Rasiak. He was on fire when he played for us. Not sure what reaction he will get on his return, as there was rumours that he wanted to leave Pride Park just before his move to Spurts. Personally I hope he does very well, but not on Sunday