Jim Smith Derby County: Last Season: 16th, 38pts W9 D11 L18 F44 A57 Stadium: Pride Park (115x75yds) Capacity: 33,000 Year Formed: 1884 Manager: Jim Smith Chairman: L. V. Pickering

Georgi Kinkladze

To say County were slow out of the blocks is an understatement. Losing three of their first four games had fans pulling their hair out, particularly as Smith's men seemed to regard Pride Park as an away ground - remember the 5-0 hammering from Sunderland? - and only hauled themselves out of the relegation mire right at the very end. And even that - the cynics argue - was only with 38 points, the sort of total that would have sent the club down in almost any other year.

No wonder they tipped by many for the drop. But don't be surprised if the opposite happens. Derby have a much stronger squad this year, and while they won't be challenging Manchester United for the title, they will surprise one or two people. Expect them to comfortably stay up - a top eight finish even.

Danny Higginbotham

That confidence is largely based on some astute transfer dealings from Smith. He's managed to sell Mikkel Beck to Lille for £500,000 and strengthened his defence with the signings of Danny Higginbotham (£2m from Manchester United), Bjorn Otto Bragstad (£1.5m from Rosenborg), Youl Mawene (£500,000 from Lens) and Con Blatsis (£150,000 from South Melbourne).

As a result Derby should be a lot tighter, whether they stick with 3-5-2, or switch to the four at the back Smith has been experimenting with during pre-season. Either way, don't be surprised if Higginbotham, a tall, skilful left-back, and Mawene, a classy-looking sweeper, are regarded as two of the finds of the season come next May. And Smith has also brought in Finnish international Simo Valakari (on a free transfer from Motherwell) to strengthen his midfield. Not that it really needs it - perm any four or five from Craig Burley, Darryl Powell Seth Johnson, Rory Delap, Stefano Eranio and Giorgi Kinkladze and you'll have a midfield that can give any side a game.

Bjorn Otto Bragstad

In fact the only real cause for concern is Derby's front line. Last year's tally of 44 goals in 38 League games was one of the worst in the Premiership, but the emergence of potentially brilliant Malcolm Christie last season, combined with Belguim's Branko Strupar should improve matters this season.

2000-2001 SQUAD NUMBERS

1 Mart Poom (G)
2 Horacio Carbonari (D)
3 Stefan Schnoor (D)
4 Darryl Powell (M)
5 Rory Delap (M)
6 Craig Burley (M)
7 Seth Johnson (M)
8 Dean Sturridge (F)
9 Deon Burton (F)
10 Georgi Kinkladze (M)
11 Lee Morris (F)
12 Malcolm Christie (F)
13
14 Lars Bohinen (M)
15 Danny Higginbotham (D)
16 Jacob Laursen (D)
17 Adam Bolder (M)
18 Richard Jackson (D)
19 Steve Elliott (D)
20 Stefano Eranio (M)
21 Chris Riggott (D)
22 Bjorn Otto Bragstad (D)
23 Paul Boertien (M)
24 Andy Oakes (G)
25 Branko Strupar (F)
26 Marvin Robinson (D)
27 Ian Evatt (D)
28 Simo Valakari (M)
29
30 Adam Murray (M)

Con Blatsis (D)
Gerry Doherty (G)
Youl Mawene (D)

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