Three reasons why Derby should be automatically promoted in 2017/18

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It was another season of missed opportunities for Derby County, but here’s why 2017/18 should finally be their year.

Derby County celebrate after Nottingham Forest’s Nicklas Bendtner scores an own goal and the first goal for Derby

It was another mixed bag of a season for Derby County, who had four managers in charge over the course of the campaign and eventually finished in ninth place and 13 points off the playoffs.

Even that was thanks to a late push of form under new boss Gary Rowett, but Rams fans should feel positive as there are three key reasons why they should be not only achieving a top six spot in 2017/18, but automatic promotion.

The manager

Rowett himself should give the Derby faithful confidence. Sacked unceremoniously by Birmingham City in December with the club seventh in the table (they would fall like a stone and only avoid relegation on the last day) he was given the Rams job in March following the dismissal of Steve McClaren.

Since then they’ve secured 15 points from nine games, but with a full summer of preparation ahead and his sterling work with Birmingham in the past, Rowett could well be the man to take the club back to the Premier League.

Sunderland manager David Moyes looks dejected

The sides coming down

In general there is danger posed by those clubs relegated from the top flight in the promotion push. This year Newcastle United went straight back up, while both Burnley and Hull City achieved an immediate return the season before.

However, already relegated Sunderland have big problems and it could take them a few years to recover. Middlesbrough also look ill-equipped under Steve Agnew and Hull City – the likeliest side to join them – are a club in financial strife that will probably take time to bounce back.

Derby County’s Will Hughes celebrates scoring their third goal

Impressive squad

The frustration that Derby have not performed better over the past few years is largely down to the fact that on the face of it they have one of the best squads in the division.

The likes of Will Hughes and Tom Ince are both talented and young, while Scott Carson and Darren Bent provide Premier League experience in goal and attack. If Rowett can get them organised then there are few in the second tier with a better starting XI.