Derby County: Sensational Middlesbrough display gives Paul Warne decision - View | OneFootball

Josh Vickers was mighty in last Saturday's 1-0 win over Boro, but the Rams now have Jacob Widell Zetterström at the club.

Highlights

Paul Warne has had an extremely busy summer in charge of Derby County, getting the club ready for the Championship season, a feat that is yet to be complete with the transfer window still open until August 30.

Despite the fact that Derby do need a few more additions to get their squad up to the level that will be required over the course of the campaign, it has been a successful couple of months for the club, who have made seven permanent and one loan signing so far.

One of the most exciting players to make the switch to Pride Park so far, moved last Friday ahead of Derby's second league game of the season against Middlesbrough.

Swedish goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström, 26, had been a target for Warne after the Rams' first pre-season game against Matlock Town, and finally joined the club after several delays due to his previous team, Djurgårdens' progression in the UEFA Europa League qualifying stages.

But, what seemed like a simple straight swap between his two senior goalkeepers for Warne in their next game against Watford has been made a lot harder by Josh Vickers' impressive performance against Boro.

Vickers was sensational against Middlesbrough

Vickers played second fiddle to Joe Wildsmith last season at Derby but after the former Rams number one left the club following the expiration of his contract in June, the 28-year-old has been the first-choice throughout pre-season.

The Rams had been chasing Daniel Iversen before Zetterström caught the attention of management but it took longer than expected for the Swede to arrive and although he was signed in time for the Middlesbrough game, he watched on from the bench.

Vickers, who has started all three of Derby's opening games in both the league and Carabao Cup, produced a masterclass at Pride Park on Saturday, stopping Michael Carrick's side at every opportunity.

The former Rotherham United shot-stopper made four saves, preventing an xG of 0.83 from a possession-dominant Middlesbrough.

The pick of the saves came in the second half with his team already 1-0 up thanks to Kayden Jackson, with Vickers denying Hayden Hackney with an outstretched right-hand from a long-distance strike that moved in the air.

Warne must decide who is given the gloves against Watford

Before the game on Saturday, most supporters expected it to be Vickers' last in the league for a while, however, his spectacular performance has given Warne a selection headache ahead of their trip to Vicarage Road.

While Derby's number 31 was impressive at Pride Park, he is not the number one and has not cost David Clowes, the owner of the club, £1.4 million.

Warne was admittedly happy with the goalkeeper that he signed last summer, and when speaking to the media after the game, he said:

However, with Zetterström readily available against Watford after a week of full training, he should make his debut and stamp his authority as the out-and-out number one, with Vickers waiting in the wings when needed.