The Derby County squad took off to Holland on Tuesday to continue their pre-season preparation.

Although the Rams’ American owners had wanted the team to travel to the States for a pre-season training camp they rightly conceded that Paul Jewell’s preference for a pragmatic European preparation should take priority.

Several first-teamers, including Andy Todd, Benny Feilhaber, Mo Camara, Lewis Price and Giles Barnes were left at home; Ruben Zadkovich is in international duty.

Media chief Matt McCann said that the squad had  ‘a fantastic week’ at Moor Farm after reporting for pre-season and are working hard. He said that he fully expected Derby to have secured 12 new signings by the time the new season arrives.

Derby were based at Mierlo, close to Eindhoven, these facilities having been used by Paul Jewell in pre-season at other clubs. The manager took 21 players with him, including Stephen Bywater and Claude Davis, the latter being promptly sidelined with another injury almost upon arrival.

Several newcomers, plus Stubbs and Claude Davis, had minor injuries and sat out the Rams’ first friendly game against Dutch 2nd Division side TOP Oss in Nistelrode last Friday evening, which Derby lost 0-2. Sixteen Derby players had a run out in the game including newcomers Martin Albrechsten, Paul Connolly, Jordan Stewart, Steve Davies, Nathan Ellington and Liam Dickinson.

The workout was more important than the result of course, but Derby haven’t shaken off that losing habit; the team has changed, but the results haven’t! “It is disappointing to lose because we are trying to get rid of that mentality,” said Paul Jewell.

Some of the DET report comments read like last season’s match reports: “Derby, flat in the first half and slightly better after the break, never really threatened to chalk up a victory…” and “While the Rams gave the ball away cheaply, TOP Oss took greater care with it and produced the more constructive football in the opening 45 minutes".

Defender Martin Albrechsten impressed and he and Nyatanga were the only Rams’ players to complete the full 90 minutes. The Rams have now returned home and play at Burton Albion on Wednesday.

The weekly Ferrie Bodde update: it emerged that he did not travel to Holland with Swansea for their pre-season stint; his participation was initially delayed by “family business” The plot then thickened, as he did not join up with the Swans as expected on Tuesday.

The player stated that he wanted to join Derby and hoped the move could be completed soon, with Derby suggesting their attention must move to other targets.

So much for their chairman’s declaration that Bodde would have to knuckle down and get on with Swansea’s pre-season! Bodde’s in limbo, having helped Swansea to promotion, reiterating his affection and gratitude towards his current club, and merely wanting to advance himself.

Another Rams transfer target, Kevin Phillips, has followed Lee Carsley to Birmingham City. The West Bromwich Albion striker rejected a conditional two-year contract with the promoted Baggies to move to Brum; Paul Jewell had no doubt turned his attentions elsewhere to reinforce Derby’s strike-power.

Adam Pearson dismissed speculation that Scottish midfielder Stephen Pearson could join Nothingham F*rest. No bid has been received, he said - but he does want to move another six players out of the club. Pearson may join Birmingham City for £1m according to reports but no bid has yet been received by Derby.

The Scot was on loan at Stoke City for the latter half of last season but the promoted Potters have not sought to sign him on a permanent basis.

I’m not sure that Pearson would find St Andrews to be a better platform to advance his career as opposed to Pride Park but he’s not consistent enough to be a big loss to Derby County in my view.

On the evidence of his performances for Derby last season he’s just another high-earner / low achiever. In the final analysis, after his Wembley moment of glory, he provided the Rams with precious little end product.

Ten players have already left Pride Park since the end of last season - Lee Holmes, Marc Edworthy, Michael Johnson, Ben Hinchliffe, Rob Earnshaw, Kenny Miller, David Jones, Craig Fagan, Darren Moore and Jason Beardsley who has joined Notts County on loan.

The transfer chase continued as Adam Pearson, Jewell and scouts were still liaising with other clubs. Jewell still wants a central midfielder, a centre forward and a wide right player. “We would like to add the icing on the cake with three quality signings if we can,” the DET was again told this week. “The next couple of deals will take patience but they are crucial to our squad-building plans”, said Jewell.

After the friendly defeat in Holland, Jewell reflected that he still wants to improve the squad. “We have got loads to work on, that is for sure, and if we can get a few players back and add one or two more to the squad, we will be OK.”

So the Rams are “Livin’ In The Future”, to steal a Bruce Springsteen title! They are hoping to sign yet more players, get rid of some others from last year’s moribund squad; they want to break their losing streak as soon as possible and gain a winning mentality by at least notching up some “friendly” victories.

The pre-season schedule is tough as Jewell strives to ensure that the stamina and preparedness of his players are optimised; there are further deals being done for players to both arrive and depart; the coming weeks will see manager and supporters anticipating some goals, victories and good performances from Derby’s new-look squad.

Everything will hopefully fall into place in the next three weeks, even if, as “The Boss” says in his lyric:”We’re livin’ in the future - none of this has happened yet!”

Matchday ticket prices @ DCFC have been reduced for 2008-09, (for advance purchase), even if English football is still ridiculously high-priced in comparison with other European leagues. The Rams’ ticket prices are competitive in the context of our League and start at £8.00 (juveniles) £13.00 (senior & young adult) and £22.00 (adults). See details on the official site.

Tom Glick declared that the pricing structure was another reward for fans’ loyalty, though you can’t charge Premier prices for second-league games and expect capacity crowds! The club has also introduced a £1.00 ticket-booking fee for postal, telephone and online booking. Cheers for that...

The club also announced two split-season half season ticket packages, one labelled ‘Black’, the other ‘White’. The home fixtures are split into two packages – not the first and second half of the season but each is a grab bag of 12 home games spanning across the whole season.

The package prices are graded by seat and by customer age categories so that (for example) adult C & D seat ‘packs’ cost £240 (or £20 per game) and a similar young adult/senior 12-game pack costs £144 or £12 per match.

I’m not sure that the declaration: “Each game plan includes Nottingham F*rest” is a particularly riveting tag line but it’s a new way of offering lower-priced access to fans.

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It was also ‘down to business’ in RamsWeek 28 last year, as Billy Davies’ troops underwent their first full week of pre-season.

Defender Andy Todd signed a 2-year deal and David ‘Ned’ Kelly was finally unveiled as Billy Davies assistant manager. If I’m not mistaken, both of them now have of gardening time just a year later!

What with Stoke’s Andy Griffin also set to sign for Derby and other targets like Diomansy Camara, Jason Koumas and David Nugent opting to go elsewhere, the die was cast for the Rams’ long struggle ahead.

Derby played friendlies against Ilkeston Town, winning 5-1, and Stafford Rangers, which ended 1-1. You’ll be delighted to recall that stars such as Jon Macken, Bob Malcolm and Gary Teale were on the mark for the Rams in these opening friendlies!

Photo: Action Images

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