What were you doing on the 17th September 2007? I know what Derby County was doing. Winning a Premier League match against a struggling, Keegan-less Newcastle United side. I hope the Derby fans had a helluva day out, because that win directly preceded their streak of 36 consecutive league matches without a win (353 days).
Since that win, Kevin Keegan has been hired and sacked (or forced to resign) from the Toon, England-striker Fraizer Campbell has been at three different clubs and Manchester United have recorded 26 Premier League victories.
Over the past eighteen months, Derby County has shown an intent to make history. They equalled now-defunct Loughbourough’s 108 year-old record of having only one win in a season. They also smashed Sunderland’s record of 15 for lowest points ever in the Premier League by tallying a dismal 11.
It seemed as if things could not get worse for the pathetic Rams, but they now stare a new milestone in the eye. If they do not win either of their next two matches (home to Sheffield United, away to Swansea City), they will go a full year without tallying a win in league play.
After losing at dismal Barnsley, who hadn’t scored a point in their first three games, things are looking bleak for Paul Jewell’s men. They have managed one goal in their four league games, while conceding five. Last weekend, they loaned one of their only useful (read: not horribly atrocious) players, Tyrone Mears, to Olympique de Marseille.
Making matters worse, they first must host Sheffield United. They are in fifth and have enjoyed a hot start, including a 3-0 drubbing of popular pick for promotion, Queens Park Rangers. After that, they must travel to Wales to face Swansea City, in their last chance to get a victory before they are even further shamed. The Swans sit seventh, tied with Sheffield United on seven points. They have been in good form, recently knocking footballing giants, Hull City, out of the Carling Cup.
While they may shock the world, if I was a betting man (which I am), I wouldn’t be taking a punt on the Rams against either of these clubs, because, frankly, I don’t like throwing away hard-earned cash.
What do you think? Will Derby pull off the treble (lowest points ever, only one win, 365 days without a win)? Or can they gain back a (tiny) bit of what dignity they have left? Is this treble the worst achievement in football history? What is next for the Rams? Will Abu Dhabi United take pity on them a throw them some millions?!?!?