Derby County boss Paul Warne has been sent a warning over his ‘biggest challenge’ in the Championship this season.
Paul Warne has divided opinion during his time at Derby. Despite winning promotion in his second season, some sections of the fanbase don’t believe he’s a Championship-level manager.
While manager of Rotherham United, the Millers failed to stay up on the three occasions they were promoted to the second tier.
So, many feel he has a lot to prove ahead of their return to the Championship and he’s assembled a squad he hopes is capable of finishing above the dotted line.
With six new players through the door and more to come before the window shuts, how his new signings settle could play a crucial role in their survival chances.
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Paul Warne must manage expectations at Derby in the Championship
Derby have mainly bolstered in midfield ahead of their trip to Blackburn, acquiring David Ozoh, Ebou Adams, Ben Osborn and Kenzo Goudmijn.
Meanwhile, the signings of Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates represent two new options in attack.
For some, it will take some convincing that those current additions will be enough to keep the Rams afloat, especially since neither Yates or Jackson are 15-goal-a-season Championship forwards.
That is a sentiment shared by journalist Dominic Dietrich, who believes Warne’s ‘biggest challenge’ in the second tier is managing expectation, as previously the Rams were a play-off battling side.
Speaking on the Football Daily podcast, Dietrich said: “I think the squad is ready but the supporters are still in a position at the moment where they’re not convinced, and it will take some convincing over the coming weeks and months.
“But I also think that’s the biggest challenge for the coaching staff because they’ve got to manage expectation. This is not the Derby of old in the Championship, we’re they’re throwing money at the situation to try to get themselves into the promised land.
“They are acting on a budget, they’re acting sustainably and I think if you asked about 75% of the fanbase, they would take 20th right now.
“I think they would absolutely bite your hand off because simply put, it’s not going to be easy and there is plenty of work to do.”
Paul Warne has massive chance to prove the doubters wrong
Under the ownership of David Clowes, Derby are a club that radiates positivity and there is a newfound belief around Pride Park that one day this fine institution will play Premier League football once more.
For now, though, the sole focus has to be surviving in the second tier and perhaps consolidating for a few seasons.
Having suffered three relegations with Rotherham, Warne’s sides have often struggled to stay up however, with the backing of Clowes, he has a massive opportunity to prove the doubters wrong.
The Rams have made some shrewd additions, namely Goudmijn and Osborn, while if they can get a proven goalscorer at this level, they could have every chance of staying up.
Ultimately, finishing anywhere above 22nd – as Dietrich said – would be classed as a good season for Derby and that is how Warne can keep the doubters quiet.