Forwards, replacements and width - What Derby County still need to do in the transfer window

Sign a striker

The story of Derby’s transfer window still hasn’t been resolved in full effect. The Rams lost talisman David McGoldrick as he left to join his boyhood club Notts County.

As he scored over 20 goals last season, Paul Warne could do with a worthy replacement. At the moment, Derby have James Collins and Conor Washnigton; two very similar players that aren’t the sort of striker that could go on the sort of scoring run that McGoldrick did last season.

There have been rumours that Warne has shown interest in a number of strikers, Jordan Rhodes, Freddie Ladapo and Alfie May. the latter has signed for Charlton and as for Ladapo and Rhodes, no move has been made as of yet.

The League One striker market is very dry this summer and so the Rams should act soon if they want to sign another. Ladapo would seem to be the best option left, unless Warne decides on bringing in a loanee striker for the season, such as Blackburn Rovers’ Jack Vale (another player that Derby have been rumoured to show interest in).

Either way, the Rams need a striker and it feels like only a matter of time until another one joins the group at Pride Park.

Replace Jason Knight

Rams star midfielder Jason Knight left the club to join Championship outfit Bristol City over a week ago now, yet there’s still no sign of Derby signing a replacement.

As things stand, Warne has been starting Max Bird and Conor Hourihane, but in many cases he likes to play three midfielders and as of yet there is no clear replacement.

Louie Sibley would seem like the natural option to play in Knight’s position, but recent inconsistency would jeaopordise whether Sibley is able to fill such big shoes.

To avoid the risk, Paul Warne should sign another creative attacking midfielder that could battle for first team football with Sibley. This could motivate both players to maximum effort, thus giving the Rams two solid Knight replacements.

As of yet, Derby have not shown interest in anyone for this position, however there are plenty of ideal candidates out there, such as Colchester United’s Noah Chilvers and free agents Tom Rogic and Lewis Wing to name a few.

To read more on these players, click here.

Add depth on the wing

If these first two positions are adressed then the Rams would be in a strong position heading into the season. However, with the brand of football that Paul Warne wants to play, a little more depth on the wings could be useful.

Warne’s style involves wing-backs bombing up and down the pitch all game long, which predictably can be very tiring. If the Rams are to have a proper go at promotion back to the Championship, then Warne won’t want his wing backs running out of energy as we get to the back end if the season.

The ideal way to combat this is simply to add one or two more wide players that can come off the bench and provide back up to whoever Warne decides to start.

This would ensure that the high energy brand of football that the Derby boss wants to play can be sustained all season long, rather than just the first half of the season.

The back end of the season is always crucial and if the Rams are to challenge for promotion, squad depth could be pivotal to their season.