Derby County slumped to a disappointing 4-0 defeat at Cardiff City on Tuesday and one player who stood out for the Bluebirds was former Derby transfer target Kieffer Moore.
The Wales international was one of the most sought-after players last summer.
Wigan Athletic’s point deduction and subsequent relegation prompted a host of departures from the DW Stadium last summer which left the Latics threadbare.
Swansea City signed Jamal Lowe. Talented youngster Joe Gelhardt was snapped up by Leeds United. Even Derby got in on the act, bringing in David Marshall and Nathan Byrne.
But one player the Rams missed out on was leading striker Kieffer Moore.
According to Wales Online, Derby, Stoke City and Millwall all wanted the towering centre-forward but it was Cardiff who won the race for his signature.
Moore has since proven to be a bargain £2 million buy for Cardiff.
The 28-year-old leads the way as Whoscored’s best Championship player this season with an average 7.71 ranking, while scoring 16 goals in 28 league starts.
Moore continued his scoring record against Derby, netting in Cardiff’s second with a header from a corner. In truth, he could have scored at least two more.
The 6ft 5inch striker totalled five shots against the Rams. Moreover, he posted four aerial winners and an 81% pass accuracy rate as he ran Derby’s defence ragged.
Derby look a completely different and more effective side when Colin Kazim-Richards leads the line. Moore has been even better, illustrating his worth to Cardiff in their playoff push.
Former Derby manager Phillip Cocu was sacked earlier in the season. But there is no doubt his side fell on the wrong side of tight games where a lack of threat in the final third was evident.
Arguably, had Cocu got his wish and signed Moore, then it’s quite possible the Dutchman would still be in the job at Pride Park such is the impact he could have made.
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