Derby County head into the final game of the league season knowing a single point will be enough to secure a return to the Championship.
This 2023/24 season turned out to be very successful for the club, as midway through it looked very sour, as fans were calling for manager Paul Warne to be sacked.
But the Rams stuck with the former Rotherham United manager, and they are now benefiting from that, as they sit in second place on 89 points, three clear of third place Bolton Wanderers with one game left.
| League One table (As it stands on 24th of April) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teams | PL | PTS | GD | |
| 1 | Portsmouth | 45 | 94 | 35 |
| 2 | Derby County | 45 | 89 | 39 |
| 3 | Bolton Wanderers | 45 | 86 | 35 |
| 4 | Peterborough United | 45 | 83 | 28 |
| 5 | Barnsley | 45 | 75 | 18 |
| 6 | Lincoln City | 45 | 74 | 27 |
| 7 | Oxford United | 45 | 74 | 22 |
| 8 | Blackpool | 45 | 73 | 28 |
So, it seems certain that Derby are going to end up in the second tier, as they face bottom side Carlisle United at home on Saturday, knowing a point is enough for promotion. Leading up to this game, the club has held their annual awards evening, which is an opportunity to look back on the season and reward individuals who have been outstanding.
There were probably a number of players that could have been in line to win the fans’ Player of the Season award, but it was defender Curtis Nelson who ran out the winner after having an excellent campaign.
Curtis Nelson wins Derby County Supporters Player of the Season award
It has been an excellent first season at Derby County for Curtis Nelson, as he only joined the club last summer on a free transfer from Blackpool.
The centre-back has been vital for the Rams, as he’s played in all 45 league games, starting every single one.
In that time, Nelson has also chipped in with two goals, one in the draw with Cheltenham Town earlier in the season and then a winner in the 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic.
Overall, the 30-year-old has played 50 games for Derby in all competitions, and his availability plus his assured performances saw him not only pick up the club’s Jack Stamps Player of the Season award, but the defender also claimed the Players’ Player of the Season award as well.
Nelson has had an excellent campaign with Derby, and he will be looking to round that up with promotion on the weekend, but one Derby player could feel a little unlucky not to win the Supporters Player of the Season, and that is Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing can feel unlucky he didn’t win Derby supporters’ Player of the Season award
Curtis Nelson has had an outstanding season, deserving every bit of praise and recognition for his achievements. However, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing of Derby County, though a deserving winner, might feel a tad unlucky.
The 32-year-old has been an integral part of the Rams for two seasons since joining from Sheffield Wednesday in 2022 on a free transfer. His impact was evident last season with seven goals and eight assists in 44 League One games.
This campaign, Mendez-Laing has elevated his performance, becoming a linchpin in Derby’s attacking strategy. With nine goals and an impressive 15 assists in 45 league games, he’s been a constant presence and a significant contributor.
While he had a slower start, midway through the season, Mendez-Laing found his rhythm, showcasing why he’s arguably above League One standards. His resurgence in the new year propelled Derby’s attack towards the top two spots, not only scoring but also creating numerous opportunities for his teammates, resulting in multiple assists.
His all-around attacking prowess makes him one of the standout performers in the league, averaging two shots per game and demonstrating exceptional creativity with 19 big chances created for his teammates and two key passes per game. Additionally, his defensive contributions, recovering the ball 4.2 times per game, further underline his value to the team.
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