Focus on Derby County

IF you want a yardstick by which to judge the strength of Derby County's renaissance, then look no further than last summer's World Cup finals.

For France 98 was a five-star show for the Rams, who have continued to prosper under the astute management of former Ewood boss Jim Smith.

With five men appearing in the finals - most familiarly Christian Dailly with Scotland and most notably bronze medallist Igor Stimac, of Croatia - Derby set a club record and beat Blackburn Rovers' representation of four.

Jacob Laursen (Denmark) and Darryl Powell and Deon Burton (both Jamica) completed the Pride Park quintet.

Yet such is the growing stature of Derby these days that none are actually guaranteed a place in Smith's starting line-up when the new Premiership campaign kicks off at Ewood tomorrow.

In all probability, four of the five - striker Burton might be the odd one out - will be involved.

But Smith has put together such a competent, comprehensive and competitive squad that Derby believe they have what it takes to build on the platform of the last two seasons and reach Europe.

Signings have been made in Argentinian defender Horacio Carbonari, for a club record £2.7 million fee from Rosario Central, and Hamburg's Stefan Schnoor on a free. And Dailly, who answered Craig Brown's call to turn out at wing back for Scotland, acknowledges he faces a fight for a regular place at Derby.

The utility man was stung by some of the criticism he received after Norway scored against Scotland but is hoping the good things in his game will be remembered as he returns to the daily grind of the Premiership.

"When Norway scored I was in the vicinity but I had already run back 50 yards and there was no way I could get in front of him," he said.

"The next thing I have to concentrate on now is getting a place in Derby's defence. The competition is hotting up and nobody can take anything for granted."

While Dailly ponders his chances, Darryl Powell must also have had mixed feelings this summer. Being sent off against Argentina was a low point - "As England found, Argentina like to have maximum value for fouls against them," he said - then his Pride Park future seemed in doubt when Barnsley and Sheffield United both hunted him.

But Powell too is desperate for a role - "I want to play for Derby in the Premiership and until anything happens, I regard myself as a Derby player.

"There might come a time when they decide they don't want me. If that was the case I would have to listen to what other clubs are offering.

"But it's all a bit unsettling because people are asking me what's going on and I can't give them an answer."

There are a lot of other questions to be answered this season. Starting tomorrow, Smith, like Roy Hodgson, will be hoping he has found most of the answers.

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