Derby County Football Club. Remember them? They were the team that accepted relegation from the Premier League as a given by November. They were the team who conceded six goals at home. Twice.

Well it seems that Derby County don’t really have any intention of playing with the big boys any time soon. Well, thats the theme they seem to give off with the latest transfers and rumours flying in and around Pride Park.

First of all, the move to sign Nottingham Forest’s midfielder Kris Commons. A player who was playing League One football last season. Then they bid £2m for Swansea’s Dutch midfielder Ferrie Bodde. Another player who played in League One last season, and only scored 3 times. Then the BBC link Derby to Stockport’s Liam Dickinson, who scored 21 goals last season…. in League Two (he was even playing in the Unibond First Division 3 years ago!)

Now, finally, Derby annouce they’ve signed winger Steve Davies from Tranmere. Another one from a League One club.

With this influx of interest in lower league footballers, are Derby County quite happy to “slum it” in the Championship for the next few years? They certainly don’t really seem to be trying to bring in top class talent that will get them promoted. Granted, Bristol City got to the Play-Off final and 90 minutes away from the Premiership while spending £1m on a fresh-from-League-One Lee Trundle, but its not exactly a blueprint for success.

Does anyone else think Derby want to get back into the top league? Or are they embarrassed to show their faces up there again?