Meet the opposition | Derby County
As Swansea City get set to face Derby County at Pride Park, we take a closer look at the Rams.
What’s their story?
Initially founded in 1884 as an offshoot of the Derbyshire County Cricket Club, the club is one of 12 founder members of the Football League and one of just 10 clubs who have never been relegated out of the Football League system.
The 1970s provided something of a heyday for the club. They won the top-flight title twice in that decade and reached the European Cup semi-finals. Their sole FA Cup win came in 1946.
In the entirety of their 140-year history, they have only been outside of the top two flights for six seasons in total, and they returned to the second tier by securing promotion from League One earlier this year.
How’s their form?
Solid. Derby have made a good start to life back in the Championship, and have lost just one of their last eight league games, winning two and drawing five.
Their home form has been strong; they have suffered just one defeat at Pride Park so far this term.
Who’s the gaffer?
Paul Warne. The former Rotherham boss took charge of the Rams in September 2022 following the departure of interim boss Liam Rosenior.
They missed out on promotion that season, but Warne guided them back to the second tier as they claimed one of the automatic promotion spots behind champions Portsmouth.
As a player, Warne racked up nearly 500 league appearances with the likes of Wigan Athletic, Rotherham United, Oldham and Yeovil Town.
He moved into coaching with the Millers, and replaced Kenny Jackett as head coach in 2016.
Three promotion to the Championship followed in 2018, 2020 and 2022, with the first two of those being followed by an immediate return to the third tier.
Warne then left south Yorkshire for Pride Park in the wake of the last of those promotions.
Who’s the captain?
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. The winger has been handed the armband by Paul Warne after his impressive performances since joining the club in 2022.
The 32-year-old came through the Wolves academy system and had loan spells with Peterborough United and Sheffield United, before joining Posh on a permanent deal.
While at London Road he had temporary spells with Portsmouth, Shrewsbury Town and Cambridge United before a switch to Rochdale in 2015.
He caught the eye during his two years there and went on to join Cardiff City, helping them secure promotion to the Premier League and then featuring regularly in the top-flight, including scoring a brace in victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, his contract was terminated in 2020 after the player tested positive for cocaine in two separate samples provided to doping officials.
After serving two three-month bans, he returned to the game with Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday, and then made the move to Derby.
He has 19 goals in 129 appearances for the Rams.
Who are the key men?
Defender Eiran Cashin continues to mature into a proven Championship performer and has been among those to stand-out on the Rams return to the second tier.
The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international initially joined the east Midlands club as a midfielder, but over time dropped into the centre-half position.
He made his senior bow in December 2021 against Blackpool and stayed with the club following their relegation at the end of that season.
Cashin was named Young Player of the Season the following campaign, and was linked with a move to Premier League Brighton.
He has skippered the side on occasions this term.
Gambia international Ebou Adams has enjoyed an impressive season to date, having made a permanent move to Derby following a successful loan spell last term.
The Greenwich-born defender had a spell with Dartford before being snapped up by Norwich City. He did not make a senior appearance for the Canaries, having stints on loan with Braintree, Shrewsbury and Leyton Orient before moving to Ebbsfleet.
He made his breakthrough with Forest Green Rovers, being a regular over three seasons in Nailsworth and helping them reach the heights of League One by winning the League Two title.
Adams joined Cardiff in 2022, but injuries meant he did not make a single first-team appearance during his first campaign, but he returned to fitness the following season and his loan move to Pride Park saw him help the Rams secure promotion.
Kayden Jackson has been one of the key attacking threats for Derby, with two goals and two assists to his name.
The 30-year-old forward joined from Ipswich Town in the summer, bringing to an end a six-year stint with the Tractor Boys.
Jackson previously had spells with Swindon Town, Tamworth, Wrexham, Barnsley, Grimsby and Accrington before moving to Portman Road.