Are Derby Destined for the Premier League?

After a shaky start to the season under new boss Paul Clement, Derby have recovered and now find themselves at the top of the Championship table. The Rams have won 13 of their 23 matches so far this season and are three points clear of third placed Hull City. Their biggest competition for the Championship crown seems likely to come from Middlesbrough, with the Teesside club a point behind them with a game in hand.

Since arriving from Spain, Clement has decided to make small changes to the Derby side which has been competing at the right end of the Championship table in recent years. Goalkeeper Scott Carson has looked like a shrewd piece of business, while converting the loan signings of Darren Bent and Thomas Ince into permanent deals has given the team further strength in depth.

Bradley Johnson’s big money move from Norwich has strengthened the midfield and having a player who experienced promotion to the Premier League last season will no doubt benefit the squad. Jason Shackell is another new addition who has enjoyed promotion success in the past and has formed a good partnership with Richard Keogh at the back.

In previous seasons Derby have been the nearly men. They had their hearts broken in 2014 by Bobby Zamora and QPR in the play-off final, before a disastrous run last season saw them go from top of the table to missing out on the play-offs altogether. Due to these events in the recent past, no Derby fan will be counting their chickens just yet, but if they continue playing in the same manner as they have in recent months they will no doubt find themselves near the top of the table come May.

And with the Premier League becoming more unpredictable each year, Derby fans will be dreaming that if they do reach the promised land they will be able to follow in Watford’s footsteps and set the league alight in their first season in the league. With funds available and an ambitious young manager at the helm, it looks like this sleeping giant could be about to wake up.