A view on our prospects: Rams slow & steady

Browsing the web, I came across this article about DCFC & our prospects. I thought it quite fair, as it examines Clough's project, GSE ('occasionally-divisive'), the manager's relationship with the fans, the fans' patience but also the need for marked progress to be shown.

The views are not my my own, but appear to be written by someone who, I assume, isn't a Derby supporter and so is neither prejudiced one way or the other, but maybe tries to be even-handed.

http://bestofthebets.com/championship/features/rams-still-slow-and-steady

"Nigel Clough continues to slowly build at Pride Park but the Rams must prove they are heading in the right direction… "

DERBY

Stability ****/5 stars

Since ignominiously dropping out of the Premier League in 2008, Derby have been busy attempting to secure a stable platform for future success, at the expense of a bid for a top-tier return. It is an approach with plenty of positives but it risks being written off as stagnation. Finishing 18th, 14th, 19th and 12th in the last four campaigns hasn’t provided total reassurance but the improvement in 2011/12 has been enough to keep the wolves from the door.

Boss Nigel Clough has led this project since January 2009, making him the Championship’s second-longest serving manager, while the boardroom situation has remained broadly the same during his time at the helm, with the club still under the stewardship of occasionally-divisive American company General Sports and Entertainment (GSE). The base, if not the money, is in place for the Rams to continue to build but if progress isn’t forthcoming the current measure of stability will mean very little.

Control ***

When County lured Clough from Burton they knew they were getting neither a man who would change things overnight nor his father. But the appointment was met with a certain degree of interest, after his gradual success in non-league with the Brewers, not least the family connection. However, while the support were assured from day one that this project would take time, the speed of the progress has led many to question the manager’s capacity to guide County up the ladder.

Guarded and not in the least bit charismatic, when results are on the slide Clough is not always an easy man to warm to. And as he prepares the Rams for a fifth season back in the second tier, his transfer business has also been met with disapproval, particularly the sale of defender Jason Shackell to Burnley. Clough is broadly supported for the time being and it is understood that he is working with a reduced budget once more, but if his side start slowly, that goodwill may begin to run out.

Mood **

After watching Norwich and Southampton breeze straight through the Championship, there is a fear that County will again be left treading water while the likes of Charlton, Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield let momentum guide them to further success. Indeed, from a budgetary standpoint the Rams simply cannot compete, despite boasting one of the larger fanbases around. The purse strings continue to be tightened with the club bidding to generate income through player sales.

There is something to be said for a relatively stable, young squad but the support would welcome owners GSE investing more in the first team. Few are eyeing a promotion bid, with a survival struggle a greater concern. Rams fans have learned to cool their expectations in recent seasons – this summer they are positively tepid.

Development ***

If Clough can do enough with the present to keep the fans and board on side, the future at Pride Park does look bright. It is a young group, including 20-year-old midfielder Jeff Hendrick, precocious teenager Mason Bennett and new arrival Michael Jacobs, while the likes of John Brayford and Frank Fielding, both 24, now count as seasoned campaigners. The manager has always talked of taking time to build and having gradually cleared out the dead wood, he now has the chance. He has the support, if not the resources, from GSE, the mentality for developing a project and a significant potential fanbase. However, that narrative has a shelf life – at some stage you need to start moving.