Derby County boss Gary Rowett has come under fire from supporters.
Despite still being in with a chance of reaching the playoffs, Derby County boss Gary Rowett has come in for extensive criticism from a section of the club’s supporters following an awful run of form.
Just three wins in their last 16 games has seen the Rams drop from second in the table to outside the playoffs altogether, and their recent 2-1 home defeat to fellow challengers Middlesbrough has tipped some over the edge.
The biggest complains about Rowett’s tenure in charge is the dull, negative style of football, the poor recruitment policy which has seen the average age of the squad increase, and the lack of youth coming through.
While Derby were winning games, the above was somewhat bearable, but now the team’s fortunes have turned for the worse, some supporters are seeing little reason for Rowett to continue beyond this season.
Supporters can accept defeat if the so-called ‘Derby Way’ is in place – a phrase coined by owner Mel Morris which seemingly means an attractive playing style associated with the club and the use of its academy. But steering away from that coupled with losing matches, brings disillusionment among supporters.
Here we look at three managers who might be a better Derby fit:
Dean Smith
The Brentford boss has the Bees playing one of the most attractive styles of football in the Championship, and with two games to go they look a solid bet to beat both Derby and Millwall to a spot in the playoffs.
Brentford work with a strict recruitment policy where they identify specific players with certain attributes for each position, assuring they are comfortable on the ball and look to play in an attacking manner.
No team has had more shots on goal than Brentford this season, while their average possession stats of 55.3% per game is the second highest in the league behind fellow London rivals Fulham.
Smith would be the ideal man for Rowett, but it would surely only be feasible if Brentford miss out on promotion this season.
Mark Warburton
Some could argue Mark Warburton would be a controversial choice considering his most recent spell at Nottingham Forest, but his values in the game are evident for all to see.
He loves working with youth players and gives them a chance in the first-team, while he also adopts a possession-based style of play which is very easy on the eye.
Warburton was harshly dismissed by Forest, and his previous achievement of taking Brentford to the Championship playoffs a few seasons ago shouldn’t be forgotten in a hurry.
Nathan Jones
Nathan Jones would be a gamble for Derby, but he is one of those managers that could soon be coveted by a number of Championship clubs after his sterling work at Luton Town.
The 44-year-old epitomises the ‘young, hungry and with a point to prove’ manager tag, and the former Brighton and Hove Albion coach loves to see his side play attacking football.
After losing in the playoff semi-finals last season, in his second full season at the club, Jones has secured automatic promotion to League One while the Hatters top the scoring charts with an incredible 91 goals in 44 games.
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