In an article on the Npower Championship website Rams boss Nigel Clough admits to looking nervously over his shoulder at the relegation places. The Rams are now on a run of eight games without a win and now see themselves just six points from the drop zone.
Clough has said Derby only need three more wins or equivalent points to be safe, but with only nine games left of yet another uninspiring season it is hard to see where those points will come from. As Derby prepare to take on the free spending Leicester City, live on TV this Saturday and have tough games against Leeds United away, will they be able to find the points for safety?
Injury in the heart of the defence for the Rams has seen the squad stretched to the limit and with further financial constraints almost inevitable it is again hard to see just how the Rams will ever progress under this ownership and managerial partnership.
Is it now time to say enough is enough and move for a more qualified or successful manager, or will the present stagnation continue with ever dwindling attendances and further financial constraints for the management team. After five years, it was envisaged that Derby County would be financially stable and ready to take their place in the Premiership once more, but has anything really changed in that time?