Derby County have remained in the mix for the play-off spots so far this season which could be their ticket to the Premier League. Currently placed just a position below Sheffield Wednesday (who sit sixth, the last spot to get into the playoffs), Steve McClaren and his men are very likely to go toe-to-toe against the other contenders for the playoff spots, though how they use this transfer window will have a notable say as to where they eventually find themselves at the end of the season.
To remain as bona fide challengers, the Rams still need a serial goal scorer, and reportedly, it is believed that they are queuing up a bid to sign Aston Villa’s apparent bad boy, Ross McCormack. The 30-year-old had given a bizarre explanation for not attending the training session lately with Steve Bruce’s men, stating that his gates were stuck, which prevented him from being present. In an uncomfortable scenario like this, suitable parties like Derby County are bound to make the most of it.
McClaren’s men have bagged merely 27 goals in as many league outings and are in desperately need to rope in a decent striker who can prevent this ongoing attacking bluntness. The former Fulham striker has a knack of scoring a lot of goals in the Championship but has failed to replicate his flamboyance in front of the goal ever since his move to the Villa Park.
McCormack has had 20 appearances so far this campaign, scoring twice and assisting once. Most notably, the 30-year-old has created as many as 42 chances, so would he bring a certain degree of grandiosity up front for the Rams who are in dire need of the same?
Standing at around six feet with a more than a decent stature, McCormack has a touch of aura up front. To say that he is a conventional no. 9 would not be accurate, for he is a modern day nine and a half. He has the poacher instincts and the traits of linking up the offensive movements of his side. He also moves the ball intelligently and possesses the ability to drop.
Frankly speaking, he can definitely come handy to McClaren whilst making a charge to the top six berths. It is important for Derby County to have some like McCormack’s pedigree in their ranks to bolster their chances of scoring and damaging the opponents on a consistent basis. A move away from Aston Villa is likely to elevate his performance to the next level and undoubtedly, he himself wants a change.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
