"Work to be done" - Don Goodman drops Derby County transfer prediction ahead of Championship return | OneFootball

The Rams have added just three fresh faces to their squad so far this summer

Highlights

EFL pundit Don Goodman has predicted that Derby County will do "an awful lot more business" in what is left of the summer transfer window.

The Rams have already brought striking duo Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates to the club in their preparations for the upcoming campaign, as well as former Sheffield United midfielder Ben Osborn.

County boss has Paul Warne offloaded a number of the old guard that helped his side to League One promotion in the following campaign, with the likes of Conor Hourihane, Dwight Gayle and Martyn Waghorn all moving on.

Goalkeeper Joe Wildsmith also parted ways with the club upon the expiration of his contract, with the League One Golden Glove winner expected to join second tier rivals West Bromwich Albion.

Don Goodman expresses Derby County concern after early summer transfer business

The signings of Jackson and Yates have shown the early intent from Warne to bring physical strikers to the club, although neither have been overly prolific in their careers to date.

Jackson arrives at Pride Park having netted just 24 times in 172 league games during his time with Ipswich Town, with last season seeing him score just three times in his 33 appearances in all competitions.

It was a similar story for Yates at both Blackpool and Swansea City in recent times, with the frontman scoring just eight goals in the previous campaign, as he struggled to adapt to the Swans’ playing style after his reported £2.5 million move from Bloomfield Road.

Those figures are ones that worry Goodman ahead of the Rams’ return to the Championship next month, with a reliable goalscorer needed if they are going to compete at the level.

Via OLBG, Goodman said: “The attackers Derby County have signed, both Jerry Yates and Kayden Jackson, will be desperate to prove themselves at Championship level.

“Kayden Jackson never let Ipswich Town down when he featured last season and Jerry Yates was okay at Swansea City, but it concerns me that they have allowed him to go on loan to a Championship rival.

“I’ve got no doubts that if chances are provided, they'll both be able to stick the ball in the back of the net. The worry is whether Derby will be on the front foot often enough at Championship level to create such a volume of chances.”

Don Goodman makes Derby County defence claim ahead of Championship return

It isn’t just in the final third that Goodman has fears for County in the upcoming campaign, with the pundit also claiming that defensive reinforcements will also be needed.

With elder statesman Curtis Nelson and Sonny Bradley partnering shining light Eiran Cashin [pictured] at the back, Goodman believes County could do with an extra body or two to give them some extra solidity when they come up against the best talent that the EFL has to offer.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers man continued: “At the minute, unless Derby's defence is strengthened, I would also envisage them struggling to deal with Championship attackers, especially those at the top end of the league.

"There's work to be done but Paul Warne is seasoned and is another person who will be wanting to dispel the myth that he's a brilliant League One manager but can't do it at Championship level. Derby County is a different kettle of fish compared to Rotherham in terms of size and expectation, though.