The Derby County players on notice as masterminds plot crucial January transfers
After a summer in which they made 11 signings, Derby County enjoyed a productive transfer window in which they ticked many boxes.
But as head coach Paul Warne will testify there will be plenty of thought as to what lies ahead this month as he prepares to reshape his squad for the final time this season.
Succession planning in football is imperative if you want to progress, but unless you have unlimited finance, it is nigh on impossible to have perfect solutions in one window. As Manchester United's former Sporting Director Dan Ashworth pointed out, he has overseen 25, but even one of the shrewdest operators in the game admitted not one of them was perfect.
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In the summer, the best you can hope for is that you address as many priorities as you can and in January atone for any mistakes that you may have made. Derby's chief concerns this summer were to rebuild their midfield, find a goalkeeper, find defensive cover and secure another number nine that could have perhaps eased some of the burden on Jerry Yates following his arrival from Swansea.
They were tantalisingly close to achieving all of their objectives, with the exception of the absence of a striker, although it was not for lack of trying. Ultimately, a mixture of finances and timing meant they had to go without. But now the dust has settled they can look back and be relatively happy with what they did do. Jacob Widell Zetterstrom has pretty much hit the ground running and is a long-term solution as goalkeeper.
The midfield has been completely rebuilt after Conor Hourihane, Max Bird and Korey Smith all departed after the glory of promotion last season to be replaced by the energy, tenacity and athleticism of Kenzo Goudmijn, David Ozoh, Ben Osborn and Ebou Adams.
The wide areas were strengthened with the addition of Marcus Harness and Kayden Jackson, while Nat Phillips arrived from Liverpool on deadline with the centre-back's arrival being greeted to much acclaim. The big question then is what happens this month, a question that will no doubt be occupying the minds of the recruitment team and the Sporting Intelligence unit being led by Mo Bobat and Ed Smith.
Sometimes, the list of out-of-contract players can tell us a great deal, and there are eight players whose deals are set to expire next summer, but it is the forward areas that you sense will be under review. Warne has already admitted that he wants to add goals to his team be it through a striker, a winger or a midfielder.
Derby will have to let players go in order to bring them in and that process has already started with Sonny Bradley being allowed to join Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.
Conor Washington and James Collins are both in the last year of their contracts and the former is expected to leave having not kicked a ball all season. Derby have long been aiming to sign a striker that can help them achieve this season's objective of surviving their first season back in the second tier. Strikers both domestic and European under review. The club is also keen to do a deal for Louie Barry but Middlesbrough are considered favourites particularly if Liverpool decide to recall Ben Doak. Another of Boro's wide players, Isiah Jones, also looks like he is heading to Luton in a deal worth up to £5m. You sense that Boro would certainly want to replace him this month.
Of the players who are out of contract Kane Wilson and Craig Forsyth are in the last year of their current deals while Liam Thompson, Tom Barkhuizen and Rohan Luthra will also be out of contract. Moving forward, Derby have plenty to think about when it comes to the evolution of a squad that needs a sprinkling of magic this month, particularly up front and in the wide areas. It will be fascinating to see the next phase of its development.
In contract: Jacob Widell-Zetterstrom, Kenzo Goudmijn, Ebou Adams, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, Josh Vickers, Eiran Cashin, Callum Elder, Ryan Nyambe, Ben Osborn, Joe Ward, Corey Blackett-Taylor, Kayden Jackson, Jake Rooney, Dajaune Brown, Darren Robinson
Out of contract: Tom Barkhuizen, Conor Washington, James Collins, Rohan Luthra, Sonny Bradley, Craig Forsyth, Kane Wilson, Liam Thompson
Loans expiring: Tawanda Chirewa, Jerry Yates, David Ozoh, Nat Phillips, Marcus Harness
