Derby County full season player ratings as three score 9/10, one 10 and two 4s

The Rams’ season ended in disappointment as they missed out on the playoff places on the last day of the season. However, we saw some brilliant football along the way, DerbyWorld rates how each player has performed for the Rams.

Joe Wildsmith – Goalkeeper – 9/10

A strong contender for player of the season, Wildsmith has been fantastic in his first season at Pride Park. A number of strong performances kept the Rams in the playoff fight right up to the last day of the season.

He made 46 appearances this season, averaging one goal conceded a game and keeping 17 clean sheets along the way. Wildsmith will likely start every game again next season, something that Rams fans wouldn’t be able to question at all.

Eiran Cashin – Defender – 9/10

Another 9/10 here for the Rams, Eiran Cashin really stepped up this season. Winning the young player of the season award for the Rams, the 21 year-old played 43 games this season and became a consistent part of Paul Warne’s starting eleven. Look for Cashin to start the majority of games again next season, the sky's the limit for Derby’s young star.

Haydon Roberts – Defender – 8/10

On loan from Brighton, Haydon Roberts played his way into the starting lineup as the season progressed. He fit well into Paul Warne’s preferred back three system and ended up making 37 league appearances.

The highlight of his season was an incredible goal that he scored at Pride Park against Shrewsbury in March. His contract at Brighton is ending this summer and Paul Warne has been very vocal in his plans to sign Roberts to a permanent deal at Pride Park.

James Chester – Defender - 4/10

A season riddled by injury really hampered Chester in his first season as a Ram. He only made seven appearances and put in some very average performances. The 34 year-old leaves the club in summer alongside Curtis Davies and Richard Stearman.

Jake Rooney – Defender - 7/10

The Rooney name lives on at Pride Park. The 19 year-old defender showed real signs of promise this season in his nine league appearances. A solid player who has the ability to drive the ball up the field, much like Craig Forsyth in his prime.

Rooney should continue to develop and make more and more team sheets in Paul Warne’s side, especially playing three at the back which suits Rooney to a tee. Exciting times for the youngster.

Curtis Davies – Defender – 6/10

Unfortunately, Davies’ last season as a Ram will be remembered for what happened on the last day when he gave away a penalty and was controversially sent off which damaged Derby’s chance of making the playoffs.

Davies did take a step back this season, age has clearly begun to hit the 38 year-old. But nobody can question his dedication to the club. With some decent performances in 22 appearances this season, many Derby fans will be sad to see him leave Pride Park after six years at the club.  

Richard Stearman – Defender – 5/10

A fairly quiet season for Stearman who took a step back from playing regular football. The 35-year-old only made ten appearances for the Rams one of which was in the starting eleven.

Stearman began to play more of a mentor and coaching role for the team as the season progressed. Leaving Pride Park this season, he certainly won’t be the biggest of losses for the Rams.

Craig Forsyth – Defender – 7/10

Forsyth’s tenth season in a Derby shirt was overall a successful one. The veteran made 41 appearances in Paul Warne’s team putting in some good performances along the way. He was one of the Rams’ best players during their 15-game unbeaten run earlier in the year. After that, his form (like the whole team’s) began to suffer, but overall a great season for the longstanding Ram.

Forsyth signed a one-year deal as soon as the season finished and the club announced that he will get a testimonial after eleven seasons at Pride Park. Next year could well be his last.

Max Bird – Midfielder – 8/10

Bird has been a vital part of the Rams starting eleven this season. Making 38 appearances including 5 assists and a goal, he’s put in some great performances. On many occasions he helped to create chances for the likes of David McGoldrick and James Collins up front and is undeniably one of Derby’s best players.

Bird ended the season with a couple of poor performances but overall it was a very good season from the 22-year-old. It may be difficult for the Rams to hold onto him in the summer however.

Harvey White – Midfielder – 5/10

The Spurs loanee made 15 appearances after joining in the January transfer window. Not the most notable of players in the squad, he helped provide depth but not much else. White has the potential to develop into a good player, but his impact this season was very limited.

Jason Knight – Midfielder – 7/10

A very solid season for the Irish international this year. Knight made 38 appearances in a number of positions on the field. His work rate is unmatched in this team as he just runs and runs.

A key part of the spine of Paul Warne’s side, it may be difficult to retain Knight as this season and in years past, he has attracted attention from other clubs. Many Rams fans would be sad to see him leave because it is very clear that this season among others, he has been one of Derby’s better players.

Louis Sibley – Midfielder – 6/10

Sibley has been one of Derby’s most promising players for a number of years now. The 21-year-old showed flashes of what he can be again this year including a two goal game at Oxford United in March.

It’s hard to criticise a player who spent most of the season playing out of his natural position. His best games came later in the year when he played in his attacking midfielder role. Expect him to step up next season if played in the correct role, but as for this year he was okay but didn’t live up to the expectations that many Derby fans place on him.

Conor Hourihane – Midfielder – 9/10

The only Ram to make the League One team of the season, Hourihane had some impressive games for Derby this season. His creativity and playmaking ability led to a lot of goals. The Irishman’s quality on set pieces is also unmatched in the squad and in the whole of League One.

Hourihane made 44 appearances, scoring seven goals and making ten assists. A talented midfielder, if he stays at Derby, he could be vital to a promotion challenge next season.

Korey Smith – Midfielder – 7/10

Smith was a very solid option for Paul Warne as he could play in midfield or at full back. The 32-year-old made 40 appearances for the Rams in which he played well overall. Very comfortable on the ball, he helped to control possession and manage games. He may not be at Pride Park next season, however most fans would be happy if he did return.

Lewis Dobbin  - Attacker – 6/10

The Everton loanee was a good option for Paul Warne this year. He made 43 appearances most of which were off the bench. He had the quality in the build up play, but lacked in the final third only scoring three goals for the team. Expect him to develop into a very solid player, but he couldn’t manage to consistently break into the starting eleven for the Rams.

Tom Barkhuizen – Attacker – 6/10

Barkhuizen came with high expectations as he is renowned for quality attacking play and goalscoring prowess. He by no means played badly, but four goals in 41 appearances was slightly disappointing.

Like Louis Sibley, in many cases he ended up playing out of his natural position, but when the 29-year-old did play as an attacker, he still never lit up Pride Park like many expected him to.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – Attacker – 8/10

Mendez-Laing played his way into the hearts of many Derby fans early on this season. His blend of speed and strength on the wing enabled him to help create countless goalscoring chances for the Rams. With 44 appearances that included seven goals and eight assists, he was one of Derby’s bright sparks.

However, towards the end of the season, he put in some very poor performances which capped his rating slightly. He could’ve easily scored the goal to send the Rams into the playoffs against Portsmouth at Pride Park, a massive opportunity missed.

Tony Springett – Attacker – 4/10

Very little of note from the Norwich loanee. Springett joined the Rams in January and made just ten appearances, one of which was a start. Purely a squad depth piece, his games weren’t the most impressive, but some valuable game experience for the 20 year-old.

James Collins – Attacker – 7/10

Collins was a good option for Paul Warne up front this season. Derby’s number nine played in 42 games this year scoring 11 goals.

He contributed well, especially towards the end of the season with a couple of crucial goals which kept Derby well in the playoff picture. The only drawback was he frequently lost the ball in good positions and struggled to find space going forward. Overall, a good season from the second highest scoring Ram.

David McGoldrick – Attacker – 10/10

The only 10/10 in our list, McGoldrick excelled this year and was Derby’s best player by a mile. He recorded 22 goals in 39 league games including three hat-tricks, pretty impressive for a 35 year-old who had never scored three in a game before.

The third top scorer in League One was Derby’s talisman, there’s no wonder why you could hear chants of 'Oh David McGoldrick' echoing round Pride Park. He won the Player of the season award and for good reason, an incredible season from the Irishman.