The Rams travel to Bramall Lane tomorrow seeking the three points that would kick start their season and propel them towards a playoff spot.
For although the side has only suffered one defeat in the league so far this season they have become Championship draw specialists with 4 in their last 5 outings with defeat at home to Watford the only break in the sequence.
Pundits have suggested a number of possible reasons why a team that won 50% of its away fixtures last term cannot buy a win at home or away this time out. Amongst the suggestions are change to the playing system and changes to the personnel with both Tom Huddlestone and Grzegorz Rasiak playing their trade at Tottenham rather than Pride Park.
Derby captain Jeff Kenna is not totally convinced by either possibility, “You could argue either way. Obviously we have got a new manager who has come in. Players take a bit of time to get used to that. I’m not using that as an excuse now. We are 10 games into the season everyone should be aware of what is expected of them individually and collectively as a team.”
“We are just very unlucky that every mistake we make is ending up with a goal which is costing us a win.”
“Although Greg is obviously a big loss I genuinely believe that now we have a stronger squad than we did last year.
At whatever level you play you are going to concede at least one chance in the 90 minutes. Now if them taking one of those opportunities is enough to get them a result then you have to start looking at your attacking options and ask yourself why we are not scoring more goals. But it’s a collective thing and we are all in it together. Last season the goals were going in freely. This season they are not. We are hitting the post, the bar, or they are getting bodies on the line. So we have just got to accept that and keep doing the right things.”
“As far as I am concerned we are far fitter and better organised than last term. I’m sure that the draws will turn into wins very soon.