So the waiting is almost over as this Saturday, Derby County entertain newly promoted Peterborough United to kick-off their 2009/10 Coca-Cola Championship season.Last season Derby also kicked off their league campaign at home to newly promoted Doncaster Rovers. Paul Jewell's Rams looked nervy and lost 1-0. Obviously I'm hoping for a much better performance and result from Nigel Clough's Rams this time round.
The Posh shouldn't be underestimated though. Under Darren Ferguson, Peterborough have won back-to-back promotions to take them from the football league basement, to the dizzy heights of the Championship, just one promotion away from the pent house that is the Premier League. Peterborough will be full of confidence, riding a wave of momentum from their promotions, and I'm sure the Posh fans will be at Pride Park Stadium in force to add to what promises to be a fantastic atmosphere.
It's one of those games where Peterborough have nothing to lose. The pressure of expectation will all be on Derby because the Rams are expected to win this one. If Derby win, the pundits will all say we should've won it; and if we lose, those same pundits will be calling it a surprise result.
I'm sure that Nigel Clough and his management team will have the Rams well prepared and focussed. If the second-half of last season is anything to go by, there will be a game plan, and the players will understand their roles, something that was sadly missing under Jewell and glaringly obvious when Doncaster took all three points on the opening day of last season.
So am I confident? Normally I'm full of confidence and optimism ahead of a new season but I have to admit to being worried by the pre-season injury list, particularly up front. With Giles Barnes (achilles) and Chris Porter (hip) needing operations, both look like being out for some months. Also doubtful for the season's opener are Rob Hulse (groin), Dean Leacock (groin) and Shaun Barker (thigh). Additionally, Lee Croft (knee) and Kris Commons (hamstring) are unlikely to be fully fit yet after their injuries and Luke Varney is recovering from illness.
That said, the pre-season friendly games have gone well albeit that the majority were against lower league and non-league teams, but the performance and result against Stoke City at Pride Park last Saturday was particularly pleasing and encouraging. To come from behind and equalise twice against a full-strength Premier League side shows there is a good team spirit and confidence in the squad.
Clough has strengthened the squad in the summer, with further signings (probably on loan) expected before the transfer window closes. As we saw last season, Derby's strongest eleven was a match for anyone in the Championship, but overall the squad wasn't strong enough, especially in defence. This lack of quality throughout the squad really came home to roost when the injuries to key players started to pile up and turned a mid-table push into a nail biting relegation dog fight. It is for this reason, more than anything else, that the current injury situation concerns me.Expectations from Tom Glick, Adam Pearson, and Clough himself are sensible. To build a sustainable model for success, no timetable for achievement other than to improve season by season, to bring an end to "boom and bust" by building a club that will develop and grow incrementaly whilst governing the club responsibly.
I take from that, that Derby County Football Club would be happy with a mid-table season but would prefer a play-off push that falls back to mid-table than a season in the bottom half striving to climb up to mid-table.
That would suit me too, but for that to happen a good start to the campaign is imperative. We know from experience that the Championship is very competitive, and I expect the league to be even more competitive this season, so once you start to lose ground it is very difficult to catch-up again.
When I took my seat for the Stoke City game I was asked by a familiar face from last season if I was ready. You bet I am.
I'm ready, I just hope the players are!..