Derby County manager Steve McClaren has stated that it is an unbelievable achievement by the players to seal a play-off spot with several matches left in the campaign. McLaren came to the club back in October when they were down 14th in the table.
He replaced Nigel Clough as the manager of the club. Since then, he has overseen an impressive turnaround of results. Five consecutive victories in the league have enabled Derby to finish in the play-off place with several matches still left in the season. They will be coming up against either Reading, Wigan, or Blackburn in the semifinals of the competition.
Many have said that Derby would have easily gone through the automatic promotion spots had McClaren came to the club a little earlier. McLaren has stated that it is a great achievement by the club given that their budget is miniscule compared with the likes of QPR and Wigan athletic.
Despite this, they have been able to finish above both of these teams. Promotion to the Premier league is expected to be worth around £ 120 million, which is significantly greater than the amount of Derby received for their promotion a few years ago according to the nederland chili odds statistics website.
It is estimated that back then Derby got only around £ 60 million.
“Look at the squads of the likes of Wigan, Reading and Queen’s Park Rangers, clubs with bigger budgets than us. To finish third is a great achievement. I did not think it was possible looking at the teams and the squads above us, and where we were when we came in but we have achieved it. Credit to the players, and I am also delighted for the fans. What they are seeing at the moment is good quality football. They are appreciating it and the players are enjoying it,” said McLaren.