Derby look set to give their youngsters a chance despite on-field problems.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Derby County. As a team fighting for promotion, many Rams fans have been disappointed to see the club struggle to get going, and after the suspension of Nigel Pearson, it looks like Derby will be looking for their fourth manager in the last three years.
However, counter-intuitively, things are starting to look up. After picking up their second win of the season against Cardiff City, the Rams look to have turned a corner under the reins of Pearson’s assistant, Chris Powell.
Along with the resurgence of players like Tom Ince and Bradley Johnson, Derby have also benefited from turning to some of their academy players as they search for an injection of passion and commitment.
Max Lowe, who recently received a call-up to the England Under-20 squad, made his debut for the club against Cardiff last week, and received many plaudits for his excellent performance. For such a young player, Lowe gave the type of performance you would expect from an experienced left-back.
Combining his ability to double up as a winger, Lowe looks like a defender who could offer Derby something going forward as well as defensively, and it was no surprise to see the young England international rewarded with a new four-year-deal earlier in the week.
Along with Lowe, Derby also have a number of other youth players who could soon break on to the scene. Goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell, who made his debut for the club against Liverpool in the EFL Cup, looks like an excellent young prospect and has managed to force his way into the number two spot behind experienced keeper Scott Carson.
Meanwhile, central defender Farrend Rawson, who impressed many during his loan spell at Rotherham United, and Jamie Hanson, nicknamed “bruiser”, also look like they could come in and do a job for Derby if required.
As a club, Derby have a successful track record with their youth academy. Jeff Hendrick, who made his debut for the club under Nigel Clough, recently brought in a huge profit, believed to be around the sum of £10m, with his transfer to Burnley, and Will Hughes is widely considered one of the best midfielders in the championship.
With this promising group of young talent, the future looks bright for Derby County, and perhaps an injection of youth could offer the fight, passion and determination that has been lacking in the Rams side of recent weeks.
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