Football Season Guide

It has been a poor summer for Derby so far. The Rams were so close - again - to the Premier League, losing in the play-off final to Aston Villa after they had memorably beaten Leeds in the previous round. That Villa game proved to be Frank Lampard's last after one season as Derby boss as he could not turn down the lure of the club from his playing days Chelsea. Derby have replaced him with Phillip Cocu and it will be interesting to see how he does in English football. Derby and Cocu appear to be some way behind other clubs, especially in the transfer market. They have added just Everton midfielder Kieran Dowell so far and appear to be well short of quality to make a serious bid for the Premier League at this stage. The loss of Harry Wilson and Mason Mount, star men on loan last term, appears to be big and it is difficult to see them replicating last season unless Cocu can add some quality before the end of the transfer window.