Derby fans in despair

Todd's appointment did not please most fans

Long-suffering Derby supporter Struan Whitbread is desperately hoping for the gloom to lift from around Pride Park.

Few Derby fans will have been surprised at Colin Todd's sacking following his three unspectacular months as manager.

His appointment to succeed Jim Smith was greeted with emotions ranging from apathy to apoplexy.

Not because many thought that the Bald Eagle had many more air miles in those tiring wings of his, but because Todd as assistant manager was tainted with the failings of the Smith regime too.

Some did welcome his elevation, but mostly they were enthused by the former England international's glorious playing career at Derby.

Rioch is in the frame fro a return to Derby

His mediocre management track record was rather less inspiring.

Keith Loring, Derby's chief executive, said: "Colin was made assistant manager in October 2000.

"When Jim Smith left a year later, it was felt he should be given a chance as manager. However, since then we have lost 11 games of the 17 played.

"We are second-to-bottom in the league and a week ago were knocked out of the FA Cup by a struggling Third Division team. Clearly things have not improved."

It's all very well giving him a chance, but what about giving us, the Derby fans, a chance of having a season where we can dream of Europe?

Instead we have nightmares about the Nationwide.

From a position of weakness under Smith, a period of recovery was needed - and quickly.

Horribly predictable

Todd could not deliver, even though the board sanctioned a flurry of transfer comings and goings within days of his appointment.

And now he's paid the price.

For many fans, the low point of the season - which has been spent mostly plumbing the depths - was the FA Cup defeat by lowly Bristol Rovers.

I was not even surprised by the result and I did not share the thousand yard stares of fans departing Pride Park on 6 January.

I felt it was horribly predictable after two seasons of serious under-achievement.

But the truly depressing performances have been in losing to Leicester City, being hammered by Chelsea at home and against Middlesbrough away.

Apart from anything else, we've never been much of a Cup side since the mid 1940s.

Derby's third disappointing season is a source of great irritation - I hate having to wish ill on clubs like Bradford and Watford.

Wright may be tempted to take the reins at Pride Park

Or Ipswich Town - a club that is deserving of respect in so many ways, and whose players and fans grace the Premiership.

I want to be able to support the underdog again - from the safety of the top half of the table. Is that really so much to ask?

As for who might succeed Colin Todd, early front-runner Fabrizio Ravanelli has ruled himself out, saying he just wants to play.

Members of the Derby board have denied he was on their list anyway.

The spotlight is bound to fall on obvious former Rams players though - expect to hear speculation about the likes of Bruce Rioch and Mark Wright.

Even Nigel Clough - who never played for Derby but does have a name that Rams' fans might recognise is a possible candidate.

Also there is a rumour that John Gregory might soon be looking for new employment.