Ramming home the disadvantage

As we all know, the last time Derby County picked up a league win was so long ago that Freddie Ljungberg had hair. Well, it was September 17 (1-0 over Newcastle United).

The Rams have been bottom since October 28 and something tells us they will still be bottom on May 11 when the season ends. The question is, after their brave but predictably futile effort against Manchester United on Saturday, will Derby be crowned the doyens of dire - the worst Premier League team of them all?

What Derby must beat is the record low of 15 points set in 2005-06 by Sunderland, whose tally of three wins is also a Premier League all-time worst mark.

As it stands, Derby have played 30 games, won 1, drawn  7, lost 22. Scored 14, conceded 64, points 10.

The record-breaking Sunderland side of 2005-06 after 30 fixtures? Won 2, drawn 4, lost 24. Scored 19, conceded 54, points 10. So, better goal difference, won twice as many games (!) but level on points and all to play for.

Sunderland's late-season surge of five points from their final eight matches came in a 2-2 draw at Goodison, an amazing 0-0 draw at Old Trafford and a 2-1 win over Fulham.

Can Derby find six points from their concluding eight fixtures? Paul Jewell's men are away to Middlesbrough at the weekend, then at home to Fulham. Promising. But they've also got to play Everton, Aston Villa, West Ham, Arsenal, Blackburn and Reading. On balance, you would have to say they are favourites to supersede Sunderland as the worst team in Premier League history.

And if they haven't won by the time they host Reading on the season's final day, there is extra pressure: taking less than three points there would entail a 32-game winless streak, beating Cambridge United's record for the longest sequence without a victory, set back in 1983-84, when Freddie Ljungberg definitely did have hair, though probably not his famous Mohican.

Comments

[James]

Derby didn't finish 6th last season, they finished 3rd and just two points short of second place. We never looked completely assured all season but we were top or second for most of 2007 so pipe down Marco.

[James]

Derby didn't finish 6th last season they finished two points off automatic promotion and were in the top two of the table for most of 2007. I would agree that we were fortuitous to go up in the play offs, and we never really gave anyone a real hammering, but over the season we probably deserved to go up. Marco, i agree that we don't stand a chance but i would argue with anyone that we deserved to go up.

[Mr D G Roberts]

We will pick up a few more points from the likes of Middlesbrough and Fulham plus we might be able to get a couple of draws as well.We have shown that we can put in a good performance but it needs to be week in and week out on a regular basis. Why should we not beat Sunderland's total of 15 points this season?

[Marco]

Derby were 6th last year in the Championship. It was obvious they didn't stand a chance. Still can't believe how they beat WBA last year.

Derby will not even get mid-table next year in the Championship.

[George Pye]

As a lifetime (telly watching only these days) Derby fan, it's dispiriting in the least to see and hear the dismal displays of my team. As a worshipper of Brian Clough, we need another person to create a silk purse from a sow's ear next season. Lets hope that Mr Jewell is that man!