Derby County full season player ratings to date as 3 score 9/10, one 10 and three players below 6

Goalkeeper

Joe Wildsmith – 9/10

Wildsmith has produced a very impressive year in his first season at Pride Park after joining for free from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer.

He’s appeared in every League One game this season, averaging one goal conceded per game and also providing Paul Warne’s side with 17 clean sheets. With a good few penalty saves on the way, he has played a massive part in Derby’s playoff push.

Defenders

Eiran Cashin – 8/10

Derby’s 21 year-old superstar has not disappointed. Cashin has produced some very solid defending and has been an ever present in Paul Warne’s back line all season.

His development on the ball has been most evident this year as he’s improved massively at helping the Rams transition from defence to attack. The only way is up for Cashin.

Haydon Roberts – 7/10

Only a loan player for now, Roberts has worked his way into the starting line-up whilst really impressing along the way. He has proven to play well in a back three which is what Paul Warne prefers to play and has also shown himself to be a mature defender at the young age of 20.

Let’s not forget his goal of the season contender against Shrewsbury in March too!

James Chester – 4/10

There’s not too much to say about James Chester. The experienced centre back came from Stoke City promising a lot for Derby, however a calf injury against Exeter in October all but ended his season.

Having just come back to fitness now at the end of the season, he could provide experience in the playoffs, but other than that, very limited production from Chester this year.

Jake Rooney – 7/10

Everyone will recognise the name, the cousin of former manager Wayne Rooney, Jake has been making a name for himself this year.

He’s only made nine appearances in the league but is a player that Paul Warne has been able to trust. His ability to charge down the wing with the ball at his feet when Derby transition from defence to attack has really impressed.

The 19-year-old has not hit his peak by any means, he could develop into a real star for the Rams.

Curtis Davies – 6/10

Davies’ role as club captain is undeniably important. He’s made 20 appearances for the Rams this season, the 38 year-old has stepped back from the first team more this year, but he’s provided a solid

option at the back when Warne has needed it.

Richard Stearman – 5/10

Like Curtis Davies, Stearman has taken a step back from the first team as well. He’s been taking on more of a coaching role, where he has been watching games from the stands and helping Warne on tactical decisions.

However, his performances on the pitch have been fairly uneventful. A good player to have for depth at centre back, but nothing more.

Craig Forsyth – 7/10

A very up and down season for the longstanding Ram, Forsyth was arguably one of Derby’s best performing players during the unbeaten run they produced earlier in the season. However, his form seemed to falter beyond January.

Forsyth’s place in the first team has fallen off slightly since that good form, but overall, yet another strong contribution from Forsyth for Derby.

Midfielders

Max Bird – 9/10

One of Derby’s most important players this season, Bird has been superb. He has been an ever present in the starting line-up making 36 appearances.

His injury against West Ham in January set him back a few games and unsurprisingly, the Rams struggled without Bird who controls the midfield with composed passing and hard tackling. A star for years to come.

Harvey White – 6/10

White joined the Rams from Spurs in January on loan to add some depth to the midfield. He hasn’t quite made the impact that Rams fans were maybe hoping for but hasn’t been bad by any means.

In 11 appearances, he’s been solid in keeping the ball and progressing Derby forward, but is certainly yet to hit his stride. A decent option to bring on from the bench.

Jason Knight – 8/10

The Irish international has yet again put in a good season for the Rams. Making 36 appearances and contributing with a couple of goals and assists, he’s a strong starter for Paul Warne’s side.

Possibly the biggest runner in the squad, Knight covers a lot of distance in games and puts in maximum effort for the Rams. Still only 22, his partnership with Max Bird has grown even more this season which proves very exciting for the future.

Louis Sibley – 7/10

It’s hard to criticise Sibley this season who has played most of his games out of his preferred position, yet when he has played in his preferred attacking midfield role, he has excelled.

His best performance came at Oxford in March where he dominated the opponent’s defence and scored twice. Hopefully, he can play in this role more, but overall, a decent season considering he’s been playing all over the pitch.

Conor Hourihane – 8/10

Hourihane arrived with so much expectation in the summer. In a league where many expected him to be the best player, he put in some good performances.

His quality when taking set pieces is unmatched. He’s also provided seven goals and ten assists.

The former Aston Villa man has not been as dominant as many expected but has still been a real creative flair for the Rams.

The only Derby player to make the League One team of the season, his promotion experience could come in handy if Derby make the playoffs too.

Korey Smith – 8/10

An addition that went under the radar at the start of the season, Smith has played well in a few different positions this year, including centre midfield, full back and wing back.

He puts in 100% every game and on the ball has been very calm and assured in helping the Rams to attack. Smith has been in and out of the starting eleven throughout the season, but Rams fans would agree that he’s impressed when on the pitch.

Attackers

Lewis Dobbin – 6/10

The Everton loanee has been a good addition to the Derby squad this season, coming off the bench a lot and also starting a fair few games.

Dobbin has pace and great build up play but has struggled to produce an end product on many occasions only scoring three goals from 41 league appearances. He’s been a very good option late in games to spark some energy into the team but could’ve been so much more.

Tom Barkhuizen – 6/10

Another Championship calibre player that many fans felt very optimistic about at the start of the season, Barkhuizen has slightly underwhelmed.

With four goals and five assists in 39 games, his contribution has been okay, but for someone of his quality, Paul Warne may have expected more. Not bad, but could have been better.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing – 9/10

So close to our first 10/10 here, Mendez-Laing has become a fan favourite this season putting in some brilliant performances.

With a mix of blistering pace and strength, he’s been a crucial part of Derby’s attack, providing seven goals and eight assists.

The only disappointment from him is a slight lack of consistency, but overall a star player for the Rams this season, let’s hope he can help take the Rams all the way.

Tony Springett – 3/10

A loan signing in January from Norwich, little was expected from Springett and little has been produced. He’s made 10 appearances this season with just one in the starting line-up.

A squad depth piece and that is really it.

James Collins – 7/10

A very divisive player amongst Derby fans, Collins has scored 10 goals in 40 league appearances this season. He’s Derby’s second top scorer yet it still feels that there is more for him to give.

A target man-style of player, Collins often struggles to find space to shoot in and around the box, but a solid goalscoring option behind McGoldrick nonetheless.

David McGoldrick – 10/10

Anyone involved with Derby this season would give McGoldrick 11/10 if they could. His goalscoring and attacking flair has been a joy to watch.

22 goals and six assists in League One, he’s been Derby’s talisman and has played his way into the fans’ hearts.

The Rams would not be in playoff contention without McGoldrick, it’s that simple. Derby’s best player and one of the best in the league, not to mention three hat tricks along the way (the most in the entire EFL).