For Derby fans it has been an incredible week – first the appointment of Old Big Head's son to the manager's post, and secondly the humbling of Man Utd in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final.

The resultant worldwide media-fest was breathtaking – whether discussing Nigel's elevation from Burton to Derby and the links with our fabulous past or reporting on the match itself.

For me what was nothing short of astonishing was the Derby team I watched in my local on Sky TV playing slick passes to each other and defending properly, Nyatanga in particular attacked the ball and won so many headers that I had to check with Sky's caption of his name to be sure that it was indeed him. Andy Todd played as if he had been an ever-present and so it went on, player after player giving their all and passing as if this was always what they did. And this against the so-called World Champions!

Naturally in common with many fans, questions started to arise in my head – if this is what they are capable of, why couldn't they do this before? Where were the long hoofs into the box from Connolly? I nearly fell off my chair when twice in quick succession Carroll threw the ball out of the box instead of punting it upfield. Truly the whole match was a magical transformation. Was this all down to David Lowe? Or was it because the players were free from the sheer poor management on the part of the previous incumbent? Or did the players get together and say – "look, he's gone, why don't we play like we play on the training ground and give them a good run for their money?”

We shall never know the whole truth. But what is likely to happen before the return leg on 20th January is that Sir Alex Ferguson will come out and make some comment – probably about his players needing some protection from the referee. MUFC will almost certainly have a game plan to choke the midfield to deny us any space and someone will likely stand in front of Hulse (or Ellington) so he cannot receive the ball to lay off to Commons. I would also expect Addison, Commons and Green in particular to come in for some rough treatment as was dished out to Arsenal a few seasons ago.

Once they have nullified us, they will then knock it about and ensure their forwards see plenty of the ball and with Sir AF's words ringing in his ears plus Old Trafford roaring at him, it's going to take a brave referee not to give a free-kick every time they fall down near the penalty area – or a penalty. As Sam Wallace, Football Correspondent of The Times, commented last week: “Ferguson is a bully. In fact he's brilliant at it. After the FA Cup third round tie against Southampton, the manager Jan Poortvliet said, as respectfully as possible, that Ferguson stood up once in the whole game and after that every decision went for him.” And this is against Southampton, a team four places below us!

So we can expect underhand tactics to be employed against us to ensure that they win. It is what they have always done, and would be extremely puzzled if you as much suggested that there is a more honourable way of competing. It is what sticks in the throat of many neutrals – the fact that the top teams, not content with their already massive advantage, attempt to cheat to gain even more advantage.

So it's going to be a bit of a baptism of fire for young Clough. But having played at the very highest levels of the game he will be aware of the tactics used by unscrupulous managers who perpetually bully referees. And I suspect that having survived successfully 10 years at Burton, he is not as nice as his public persona appears to be.

There is undoubtedly a steely determination beneath that calm and pleasant exterior. And he will need it - for the task he faces is a big one. Not only does he need to get the players playing like they did against MUFC on a more regular basis, he needs to make sure that some are shipped out – as he put it diplomatically – players need to play and if not at Derby, then elsewhere.

The squad is unbalanced – there are too many players for certain positions but not enough for others. Some players for the same position are too similar – particularly left back – which means that you cannot pick teams to suit the occasion.

My expectation is that he will be looking to calm the dressing room down, to sort the wheat from the chaff, and then make his moves. This may take the rest of the season and maybe even the next season after which will feel like a snail's pace after the last two frenzied seasons of “geddim, geddim, geddim”. And that will be difficult for some Rams fans accustomed to seeing instant movement, changes and incomings.

I suspect that NHC will ship out a maximum of 3 players by the end of the transfer window and thereafter more will be going out on loan for the rest of the season as he attempts to cull his squad to a more manageable number. Certainly I very much doubt he will be asking internationals to train with Academy players.

Even after that marvellous evening against Sir AF's boys, there will certainly be a struggle to play the same kind of football – the Championship is all about closing people down and preventing time and space. There may be uncomfortable matches where hoofball wins out and inevitably, the boo-boys will come out at some point to moan about his preferences or the speed at which he has carried out his decision-making, whether this be too slow or too fast. But if he can gather another 24 points from the next 20 games, most people will be happy as this is probably enough to secure survival (2006 – 50 pts, 2007 – 49 pts, 2008 – 53 pts).

And at the same time, he will need to expand his knowledge of the international market, something he probably didn't need at Burton, but will almost certainly be a prime requisite for laying the ground for the future. And of course, ensuring that he has the right sort of backroom staff around him to fill in any gaps. (Psycho - if you do come, welcome…)

It is most definitely a time of patience and most likely calmness, but certainly for many people – hope as well.

Photo: Action Images

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