Craig Bryson seems to be in new boss Gary Rowett’s plans, but he will need to rediscover his goal scoring touch for the Rams.
Craig Bryson has scored just one goal so far this season
The Scottish midfielder has started both of new boss Gary Rowett’s games in charge and he will be keen to cement his place in the side. He has formed a partnership with Bradley Johnson in a midfield two. He is starting to show the sort of form that has earned him the Derby County player of the year award twice in his six years at the club.
The 30-year-old is a popular figure amongst Rams supporters for his work rate and affiliation with the club, but they will be keen for him to add more goals to his game.
Bryson enjoyed his best spell in a Derby shirt in 2013/2014 campaign where his 16 goals and 14 assists from central midfield helped guide the Rams to the play-off final where they narrowly missed out on promotion. He has only been able to score eight goals in the league since.
Rowett has been impressed in the role he has deployed him in. Bryson is hoping that Rowett’s appointment will spark a new lease of life for him at the club after being in and out of the team in recent seasons.
“When a new manager comes in, it’s usually a clean slate for every player.
“Sometimes, with managers, it just doesn’t work out for you,” Bryson told the Derby Telegraph.
“But now there’s a new manager, a clean slate, and it’s up to me to try to get in the team.
“Obviously, I was in the team for the last game but you need to play well to stay in the team.”
Isaac Hayden of Newcastle United and Craig Bryson of Derby County in action
Bryson has scored only one goal for the Rams this season and despite his hard-working performances in the middle, Derby will need the Scotland international to start contributing to the team with goals.
With the presence of a holding midfielder, this gives Bryson a licence to push further up the pitch and he can utilise his high energy levels to make runs into the opposition area. Derby fans have seen him do it before and will be hoping that Rowett can get him back amongst the goals again.
Gary Rowett sees Bryson in his future plans at Derby
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