One Derby County signing has certainly not lived up to lofty expectations so far.
The Rams recorded a second successive draw as their clash with Preston North End on the road ended 1-1.
As a whole, it is a point that Paul Warne will see as justified after a Jerry Yates equaliser got themselves back on level terms, and he is one man who has really turned his Rams career around.
Several of the signings made this summer have really lived up to expectations, particularly in the centre-of-the-park, with Ebou Adams being one who once again made a significant difference for the side, whilst Ben Osborn has been solid in the team, putting on several top performances as well.
However, there is one man still yet to show that he can make a significant and positive contribution to the Derby County side after a somewhat shaky performance yesterday in regards to playmaking, and it is something that Warne must look to solve instantly.
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Derby County signing Nat Phillips struggles in draw vs Preston
Derby County looked somewhat tight at the back, with Warne opting for a back-three consisting of Eiran Cashin, Curtis Nelson, and Nat Phillips, with the latter not being as ever-present in the back-line, and that is something that was clear.
When it came to playing out-from-the-back, Liverpool loanee Phillips really struggled, and there was no doubt that this showed to be a clear ‘unsure’ part of his game, per Derbyshire Live.
The stats also show that Phillips struggled with the ball at his feet as, per SofaScore, he lost possession a total of 17 times, whilst also misplacing 10 passes.
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Liverpool expectations could prove to be achilles heel for Nat Phillips
There was plenty of anticipation in waiting for Phillips to play for Derby County after he signed for the club in a shock Deadline Day move. However, it could be argued that he hasn’t quite lived up to the lofty heights set upon him so far.
Phillips hasn’t necessarily disappointed so far in a Rams shirt, but many will have expected him to go above and beyond purely down to the fact that he has arrived from English giants Liverpool.
If you look into his career, the mass majority of appearances have come in the Championship, barring a short spell four years ago in which he was called upon by Liverpool, and if expectations are eased of the centre-back, he could eventually unravel as a decent signing for Warne’s side.