Liam Rosenior believes Derby County are well placed to build on the solid foundations laid on and off the pitch in the last year when the 2020/21 season kicks off next month.


Rosenior, 36, joined Phillip Cocu’s coaching staff last summer under the position of Specialist First Team Coach.

Cocu’s first year in charge of the Rams was a progressive one as they put an inconsistent first half of the campaign behind them to mount a challenge for the play-offs in the latter stages of the season.

The side finished the campaign in tenth place in the Sky Bet Championship table and they boasted one of the best home records in the division.

Derby’s performances progressed throughout the season and several youngsters, including Max Bird, Louie Sibley and Jason Knight, stepped up from the Academy to become first-team regulars.

The season produced several positives to build on and, after three weeks of pre-season training in the lead-up to the 2020/21 campaign getting started, Rosenior is of the opinion that there’s good reason to be upbeat about the future.


In an interview with RamsTV, Rosenior said: “From a football point of view, as coaches and of course from the manager’s perspective, what we have picked up is that the players now understand what we want to do here.

“When you are setting down a long-way term way of thinking and playing, the process takes time.

“What is exciting for us is seeing the benefits of the practices we are performing day-in, day-out on the training ground. The level from the players really increased over the course of last season and we are now in a place where we can build on the foundations that have been set.

“With process should come progress, in terms of our performances on the pitch. There is an element of calm around the place; relaxed in a good way.

“We are in a good phase and I am really looking forward to us kicking on this season; where we know where we need to improve and if we can do that, that I think we can have a good year.”

He added: “The players know what is expected of them in their behaviours on the pitch, the way to conduct themselves and the non-negotiables. With the young players we have here, they will help carry that culture forward alongside the senior players and professionals.”


Rosenior regards the Championship as the most unpredictable league not only in English football, but in the world.

The division is one which throws up many surprises and shocks on a regular basis and Rosenior is expecting more of that in 2020/21.

“The Championship is probably the most unpredictable league in world football,” he said.

“I hear people talking about their fixture list and how tough it is, but you just don’t know with this league and I think you don’t know until 10-12 games where clubs are at.

“Until then, it is a lottery. What we hope, is with players that understand how we want to play and work and a manager and staff that understand the players, it can give us a head-start going into the new season.”

He added: “If we do start well, it gives us a foundation to kick-on. At the same time, it is a 46-game season and if you don’t start as well as you’d like, there’s still a chance and we saw that last year ourselves.

“We were knocking on the door of the play-offs, even with the start that we had.”