Derby County’s failure to score a ‘guaranteed 20-goal’ striker in the summer came as a surprise to EFL Pundit Sam Parkin.
The Rams have had a start that has so far been below expectations, as they are currently sat in ninth place in League One, two points off of the play-offs and ten points off of first place Portsmouth.
Last season’s Rams’ top scorer David McGoldrick departed the club in the summer for a move back to boyhood side Notts County. The Irishman scored 22 goals as Derby narrowly missed out on the play-offs.
Adding to fellow Irishman James Collins, Warne brought in Conor Washington, Tyreece John-Jules and Martyn Waghorn returned to the club. Waghorn so far has six goals, Collins has five, Washington has only scored once, however, and John-Jules has failed to score after having injury problems since his arrival at Pride Park.
Sam Parkin on Derby’s failure to sign a striker
Speaking on the What the EFL podcast, former Swindon Town striker Parkin expressed his surprise at the Rams not to get what he feels will ‘define his season’.
“I just could not believe they did not go in and get guaranteed 20 goals in the striking department, and I think that is going to be the thing that ultimately is going to define their season.
“If they can get that even spread and get people chipping in, they will be able to make it. But last year, they just fell short for the same reason.”
Is Sam Parkin right?
It certainly feels like Paul Warne may have to assess his striking options once again in the January window, but despite their lack of a goal scoring striker, they have scored joint fifth most goals in League One so far.
But if Waghorn and Collins can keep up their form, there is no reason why the Rams would need to bring another one in, with plenty of options in the striking department already.