Derby County: Aston Villa, Ipswich Town could save Paul Warne’s tenure | OneFootball

The Rams are reportedly interested in both young forwards, and they could make a huge difference to Warne's future.

Derby County's impressive start to the season has slowly fizzled out and a run of underwhelming performances has seen them drop towards the relegation zone.

The Rams are just three points above the bottom three currently and the chasing pack have made decent ground on them in recent weeks.

Paul Warne's side have won just one of their last five games in the Championship and they continued their barren spell on the road on Saturday against Bristol City, as they were beaten 1-0 at Ashton Gate.

It is clear that a lack of squad depth due to injuries is starting to catch up with the East Midlands outfit and Derby are in desperate need of bringing in fresh faces to help stop the rut that they find themselves in.

Furthermore, pressure is beginning to mount on Warne from supporters, but he will be hoping two potential additions could help ease any of the burden that has been put on him.

Ali Al-Hamadi and Louie Barry could change Derby's fortunes

The Rams need reinforcements in the forward positions this month, and they have already set about targeting two young stars from the Premier League to help drag them back towards the mid-table pack.

Aston Villa's Louie Barry is perhaps the most exciting talent to have been linked with a move to Pride Park, and TeamTalk's Frazer Fletcher has reported that they are working to get a deal done with Coventry City and Middlesbrough also keen.

Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, also revealed on Sunday that Derby were getting closer to completing a loan move for the 21-year-old after he was recalled from Stockport County following an excellent first half of the season in League One with the Hatters.

But, Barry is not the only attacker from the top flight that Warne is keeping tabs on, with Ipswich Town's Ali Al-Hamadi another potential signing.

Derbyshire Live stated in December that the Rams remain interested in the former AFC Wimbledon man after taking a look at him in the summer, and he could prove to be a tremendous addition after firing in four goals in the second tier in 2023/24 to help the Tractor Boys to promotion, despite starting just once in 14 appearances.

Both of these attacking starlets have the ability to help fire Derby back up the league table after a tough few months, and they will provide the goals needed to keep those in the bottom three away from Warne's team.

With loan moves surely the only way either attacker heads to Pride Park this month, the Rams boss will need to convince Aston Villa and Leicester that he is the right coach to trust with two of their brightest talents.

Paul Warne needs results to go his way more often

Although performances have not been the greatest as of late, Warne will be disappointed with how his players have performed when given the chance to find the back of the net, and more needs to be done to ensure that goals are scored.

Jerry Yates has been given plenty of opportunities to add to his goal tally of six in recent weeks, and it is clear that he needs support up front.

Al-Hamadi and Barry could help provide that for him, and in turn, ease some of the pressure on Derby's manager. Results need to improve, and they need to improve quickly, but Warne needs more players capable of playing at a high standard.

The Rams need things to start going their way before they find themselves in trouble, but it may just take the addition of the two forwards before that happens.

Indeed, getting the green light from Villa and the Foxes this month could end up saving Warne's tenure.