Caution the wisest policy as transfer window approaches

Wednesday 12 November 2008

To the relief of my cats, the week around Bonfire Night was the quietest for years, with fewer people prepared to see their money streak into the sky.

Derby County supporters have already been warned that there may be a shortage of fireworks around Pride Park in January, when it again becomes possible to sign players.

In the programme for the Nottingham Forest game, chairman of football Adam Pearson spoke of patience and prudence, with an evolving side given an occasional tweak.

“The January transfer window policy risk of 2007 cannot be repeated,” he said. He could legitimately have added that the events of January, 2008, should not be imitated.

Pearson also pointed out that some of the higher fees from the summer of 2007 are yet to be completely cleared. That would be less alarming if the players were giving value on the field.

In other words, the Rams have too often bought unwisely in the last two years. Those who follow them at home and away cannot quibble with that assessment.

Cast your mind back to the beginning of 2007 when the Rams, under Billy Davies, were gunning for promotion. As the New Year was saluted, they were third in the Championship with 47 points from 26 games.

After a run of six consecutive victories in November, they embarked on a similar sequence by beating Plymouth Argyle in the last fixture of 2006.

It was a good time to strengthen the team, so David Jones’ loan from Manchester United became a permanent move and in came Craig Fagan, Jay McEveley, Jon Macken, Stephen Pearson and Gary Teale.

Tyrone Mears was signed on loan from West Ham United, with a fee agreed for the summer. Counting Mears in the expenditure, Derby spent just short of £5m. It was hardly lavish, especially with a Premiership place in sight.

In fairness, as Jim Smith used to say, the newcomers contributed to the ultimate promotion through the play-offs. But they neither effected an instant improvement, nor were they equipped for the Premiership.

Fagan has since returned to Hull City and Macken is with Barnsley. All the others have been out on loan at least once. The problem is not so much the fees as the fact that most were signed on three-and-a-half year contracts.

The situation was different at the beginning of this year. With only one victory to their credit, the Rams were clearly heading back to the Championship and, on reflection, would have been better advised to keep the money in their pockets.

Of course the team needed a lift but it was not forthcoming. They raised some money, with Steve Howard and Matt Oakley going to Leicester City, Andy Griffin, again playing in the Premiership, joining Stoke City and Macken signing for Barnsley.

The logic of selling Oakley for £500,000 and bringing in Robbie Savage for £1.5m escaped me at the time. Nothing since has shed any light.

Danny Mills, on loan, managed only three games before injury ruled him out. Alan Stubbs, a free transfer, was forced to retire early this season because of injuries and is now coaching with Everton.

Laurent Robert, predictably, hardly turned up, Hossam Ghali, another loan, played in fits and starts and Australian international Mile Sterjovski is currently struggling to win a place.

Only Argentine striker Emanuel Villa and goalkeeper Roy Carroll look like part of Derby’s future so, when January comes, it is more relevant to look for departures than spectacular signings.

There are those who think the American owners should throw money at the club. They bought in as a business opportunity, so balancing the books is important and the Rams are making progress under Paul Jewell. So no, Kaka is not coming.

Other stories on this day

• Rams boss Jewell launches twin loan bid
• Fifty up for Lewin in victory
• Take a tip from me to catch eye of scouts
• Glib thoughts no pointer to the outcome of ashes