[bosman]

Cheers Keemanan, I'm anyway on Derby, could be one more time lucky late 1:0, doesn't matter.
Interesting opinion about the Rams:

Michael Johnson feels the current Derby County squad is stronger than the one that reached the Championship play-offs two seasons ago.


Grzegorz Rasiak's goals fired George Burley's team to fourth place in 2004-05 before promotion dreams were shattered by Preston North End, then managed by Billy Davies.

Now Davies is building a new squad at Derby. He has already bolstered the group by bringing in David Jones, Craig Fagan, Gary Teale and Stephen Pearson in the early part of the transfer window.

And more new faces are a possibility. The Rams are being strongly linked with a loan move for West Ham United's Tyrone Mears.

The full-back played under Davies at Preston. Departures from Pride Park are also expected but club captain Johnson is impressed by the strength of the squad.

"This is the strongest squad since I have been at Derby," said the central defender, who signed from Birmingham City in August 2003.

"The gaffer has brought in some good players and there is a good mixture.

"We've got players who have played at the top level, like Matt Oakley, Seth Johnson, Darren Moore and Marc Edworthy, and also the strength and experience of Steve Howard up front and Bob Malcolm in midfield.

"We've also got youth and flair, with the likes of Arturo Lupoli, David Jones (pictured), Giles Barnes and Ryan Smith.

"Now Gary Teale, Stephen Pearson and Craig Fagan have been added to the mix. We are capable of playing some good football and also of digging in and grinding out results.

"Nothing has been achieved yet but nobody can say we don't deserve to be joint top at this stage."

Fourteen players were used in Saturday's victory over Sheffield Wednesday and the strength of the squad at Davies's disposal can be seen by the names who did not figure against the Owls.

Johnson and Malcolm were unused substitutes and skipper Oakley was laid low by a virus, as was Smith.

There was no place for Adam Bolder, Richard Jackson, Paul Peschisolido, Lewin Nyatanga, Lee Grant, Lee Camp and the injured Paul Boertien.

Johnson says one of the squad's strengths is its togetherness.

"The team spirit running through the group from the goalkeepers to the 19th man sat in the stand is phenomenal," he added.

"Such a spirit is crucial and we are buzzing at the moment."

Crewe boss Dario Gradi has knocked down reports linking Derby with Billy Jones, saying he does not expect the player to leave during the window.

The versatile teenager is out of contract at the end of the season but Gradi says he has yet to receive any offers for the youngster, who can play in both full-back positions.

"I've said before that I don't expect anyone to leave during the January transfer window," said Gradi.

"I would like to keep Billy because he has made a difference to our defending."

Strike duo Luke Varney and Nicky Maynard have also been linked with moves away from Gresty Road but Gradi is not looking to sell.

He added: "I am certainly in no rush for the strikers to leave. They are both still learning and people tend to forget that this is their first full season in the team."