Some Derby County fans told they have 'short memories' amid Ebou Adams situation | OneFootball

FLW's Derby County Fan Pundit has weighed in on whether he sees Ebou Adams staying at the club.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It's been an interesting season for Derby County midfielder Ebou Adams, with the midfielder's game time becoming more limited than ever in his second full year at the club.

It's been two years since The Gambia international made his way to Pride Park, originally joining the club on loan from Cardiff City.

He helped the Rams to promotion to the Championship, with the 30-year-old then departing the Bluebirds for the East Midlands outfit on a permanent deal ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

However, the arrival of Lewis Travis in August 2025 has given Adams more competition than ever for his position, and his performances this season have not quite hit the heights of seasons gone by, leading to questions about his future at Derby.

Derby County supporter urges fans to get behind Ebou Adams

Adams has featured in all but three of the Rams' league fixtures in 2025/26, but he has started only 16 of those matches and the return of David Ozoh and Travis from injury will see his minutes dry up once again.

Nonetheless, when asked about the change in opinion of the midfielder in recent weeks and whether he has a future at the club, Football League World's Derby Fan Pundit, Shaun Woodward, said: "I'm struggling to come to terms with the stick that Adams is getting from a section of our fans. I think they've got short memories.

"It wasn't long ago that he almost single-handedly dragged us to promotion. He scored a really important goal against Blackpool, and he also was getting man of the match performances almost week after week. He's putting his body on the line, blocking, tackling, covering every blade of grass for the club. Last season he was our player of the year and scored half a dozen goals. Again, he was the heartbeat of the team.

"Yes, this season he hasn't had the same impact in our games. His levels probably have dropped off a little bit, and he's never been the most technically gifted on the ball. But if you get players around him that he can give the ball to, then I think he's a real asset to any team."

Shaun continued: "I think he led most of the stats last season for blocks, tackles, ground covered, which is what you want from a midfielder. If you've got players alongside him who can do the technical side of the passing and the goal scoring, then you make a great partnership. But for whatever reason, it hasn't worked out for him this season, and he's found himself on the bench, quite far down the pecking order.

"I could see him moving on, which would be a great shame, but I can understand it for his career because he needs to be playing games now. He doesn't need to be on the bench. He's not an impact type of player. So, he does need to be starting games for a club, and I'd wish him all the very best. He's been an absolute legend for this club for the last couple of years and I think they need to put a bit more respect on his name.

"It's not often you get a player that comes in and makes such an impact and an impression as he's done on and off the pitch. He's been an absolute credit to the club, a credit to himself, and you won't hear me say anything bad about him and I wish him all the very best."

Ebou Adams' time at Derby County may be coming to an end

With the addition of Oscar Fraulo, Derby have only added further quality to their midfield and there has been a step away from the more physical side of Adams to a controlled, ball-playing midfielder in the form of the Dane.

For the Rams' number 32, now may be the perfect time for him to look at a departure from Pride Park and other clubs in the Championship will certainly be taking interest in his situation.

Adams, while he has not found the same level of form this season as he has done previously, and a fresh start may be the perfect way for him to find his feet once again. Now 30, sitting on the bench will not be appealing, and now is perhaps the time to move on.