Derby County have picked up just five points from their opening six matches in the Championship.
Derby County manager Nigel Pearson
Former player Danny Higginbotham told Sky Sports on Saturday, as reported by the Derby Telegraph, that Derby County’s biggest problem is their struggles to adapt to newly-appointed boss Nigel Pearson’s different way of playing.
Pearson took charge of the Rams in the summer and most supporters were excited ahead of the new season, considering the job the former defender did while managing East Midlands rivals Leicester City.
However, thus far, it has been nothing short of poor for the Rams, as five points and only one goal scored from six Championship matches is a long way short of supporter expectations.
Co-commentating for Sky Sports during Derby’s latest 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle United, as reported by The Derby Telegraph, Higginbotham said that the the Rams’ struggles is due to a completely different playing style to what the players are used to.
Derby’s Will Hughes
“I think the problem he (Pearson) has got, in my honest opinion, is that he’s changing the way that Derby play,” Higginbotham told Sky Sports, quoted by the Derby Telegraph.
“If I look at Derby over the past two-and-a-half seasons, it’s been slow build-up, pass sideways, pass backwards, whereas we’ve seen that Nigel Pearson wants his team to be in the opposition’s faces – and that’s going to take a little bit of time.
“There are players there that are still relating to the so-called old regime and he wants to completely change it around.”
After successive seasons of midtabe football under Nigel Clough, Derby then had three campaigns battling for promotion under former managers Steve McClaren, Paul Clement and (academy boss) Darren Wassall.
Derby County’s Darren Wassall (R) before the match
Despite disappointingly falling short on all three occasions, the football in general was the most exciting Derby have seen for a number of years as they lined up in a 4-3-3 system.
Pearson, however, has always favoured 4-4-2 and more importantly he likes his teams to play quick, direct football with two mobile strikers and pacy wingers who can hit the byline.
It is a completely contrasting style to what Derby have played over the past few seasons, and with so few changes to the playing squad in the summer, it’s going to take a while for some to adapt.
Derby County manager Nigel Pearson
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