HITC Sport speaks to Derby County fan Brian McAllister, who has been a supporter for 25 years.
General view of Derby County fans
Q: What have you made of your team’s start to the season?
A: It’s been an awful season all in all. We’ve underachieved again and the fact that we’ve changed managers three times is testament to that. Considering the money we’ve spent we should be doing better, and this will probably end up being the worst season of the last three years.
Q: What are your opinions on your manager?
A: I thought Gary Rowett was the perfect appointment, and I actually wanted him to come in the summer instead of Nigel Pearson. I think if he gets given time, he’ll be the man to get us to the Premier League.
Derby County Manager Gary Rowett
Q: What are your views on the board?
A: Mel Morris needs to stick with a manager and give him time. All the hiring and firing of the last few years has completely destabilised. Personally I think we need to get a few more “football people” in at board level to guide Mel Morris and Co because at the end of the day, he’s just a fan with a lot of money and no real football knowledge.
Q: Who is your favourite current player?
A: Johnny Russell. One of the most passionate players to wear a Derby shirt and always give 110%.
Derby’s Johnny Russell celebrates
Q: Who is your favourite ever player?
A: Stefano Eranio.
Q: What has been your best memory of the club?
A: Winning the play-off final against West Bromwich Albion. Will never forget the celebration afterwards.
Q: What has been your most disappointing moment?
A: Losing the play-off final against Queens Park Rangers. Last minute Bobby Zamora goal. Broke hearts!
Q: What has been your most shocking moment?
A: Sacking Paul Clement. We were fifth. Still don’t understand it really. The football was a bit boring and we were having a bad run but Mel Morris had previously said Clement could be “our Sir Alex Ferguson.”
Former Derby County manager Paul Clement
Q: Describe the best goal you ever saw at your club’s home ground
A: George Thorne’s volley in the second league against Brighton in the play-offs. Total bedlam after it went in!
Q: Which ground is your favourite away day?
A: Deepdale (Preston North End).
Q: Who do you consider to be the club’s biggest rival and why?
A: Nottingham Forest – absolutely no doubt about it.
Q: Who do you feel has been the club’s best and worst summer signing?
A: Best for me has been David Nugent. He seems like the right type of character we need in our dressing room. Worst would be Ikechi Anya. Not sure what he brings to the side as we have better left-backs than him and better left-wingers than him.
Derby’s David Nugent applauds fans
Q: Who is your one player to watch out for this season?
A: Max Lowe. Exciting young player who will be our first choice left back in the future, for sure.
Q: Is there a particular youth player that excites you, and why?
A: Timi Max Elsnik looks excellent. Saw him play for the U23’s recently against Everton and he was excellent on the ball and had a great passing range.
Q: Where do you think the club will look to strengthen in the summer?
A: I think we need a new winger, a new central midfielder and maybe a new defender. So a new spine!
Q: Finally, what are your aims for this season, and where do you think your club will finish?
A: Finish the season strong. Rebuild over the summer and hopefully push for promotion next season, be that through the play-offs or the automatics.
Derby’s Timi Max Elsnik
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