A lesson for Stoke and Hull

A few of the teams Derby have signed players from since January: Blackburn, Rangers, Man City, Tottenham, Everton. A few of the teams that players have left The Rams first team to join: Plymouth, Leicester, Stoke, Ipswich, Barnsley. When Craig Fagan left his right wing slot to become Hull's fourth choice striker it said everything, although I'd started to get the hint when our captain and centre forward both made a smooth transition to a club 5 places from League 1.

With due respect to the Championship, there is an obvious point about quality here but I don't think that needs pointing out to anyone reading this. However, aside from quality, what Jewell has brought in is some experience of playing at the top level. In this parallel universe of Derby County where progress can only be charted by the manner and severity of defeat, the past month (with the exception of Chelsea away) hasn't been at all bad.

When we got promoted last May, it was clear Derby weren't world beaters but we had a clutch of players at a good age: Bywater, Mears, McEveley, Leacock, Jones, Barnes, Pearson, Nyatanga (some would even add Fagan) who all had the potential to establish themselves as Premier League players. Without discussing case by case, its fair to say that the group has gone collectively backwards, some literally in the football pyramid. Players drained of confidence in a team drained of confidence with nowhere to look for guidance or leadership.

You only have to see the resurgent David Jones, now alongside Savage and Ghaly, to wonder how different the season could have been with a different approach to the transfer market. In a team with shattered confidence, no one wanted the ball from him and when they did, the hot potato was soon surrendered. Now, Jones can pass and move, play a one-two and has now started shooting with confidence. The contrast between Stubbs' presence (2 draws in 3) and Stubbs' absence (3 single goal defeats in 4 games and a draw with a pair of soft goals) is also telling.

Well, no point crying over spilt milk but if you happen to be the manager of Stoke, Bristol City or Hull, you may want to take note: don't do your shopping in the Championship. We have learnt the hard way, Sunderland have learnt the expensive way. Now the best the Rams can hope for a few more spirited performances and a revived Mears, McEveley and Leacock. If Jones' comeback is anything to go by, we could have half a team in no time.

S Spaceram

www.ramspace.co.uk