Derby County fan Joe Lightfoot has given his views ahead of The Rams visit to the Madejski Stadium.

What have you made of Phillip Cocu’s reign so far and is it too early to be calling for a change?

Rather uninspiring. However, the fans could and ought to have expected that. Cocu has endured a tough start as Derby manager but this should not result in another premature sacking. After the Lampard saga ate up most of his pre-season, Cocu had no real time to stamp his authority and deliver his philosophy.

The football at Pride Park hasn’t been exciting this season but Cocu needs time. The players have let the fans down more than he has.

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Are you disappointed in your current league position or is it a fair reflection of Derby’s season so far?

It is a completely fair reflection of where the team is at. In fact, the reality that we are just nine points from the play-offs is bizarre.

We have enjoyed just one win away from home this season and suffered four 3-0 defeats already this season. As fans, we can’t be expected to be any higher than 16th after seeing how we’ve been playing on the road. Honestly, some of the worst performances I’ve seen in 10 years.

How excited are you about Wayne Rooney beginning his Derby career?

His name rings around Pride Park already. His introduction on the pitch could not be timelier. No one in this Derby team seems confident enough to shoot on sight; Wayne Rooney will do exactly that.

Some will say he is past it, but the fact of the matter is he knows where to be and where the goal is. Derby are getting England’s all-time leading goal scorer… Why on earth shouldn’t we be excited?

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Who is your key man to keep an eye out for on Saturday?

A key man? It’s like a lucky dip. Derby fans have no idea which player is going to perform on any given day. We simply don’t have a consistent performer. Tom Lawrence – on his day – can be unplayable, but unfortunately his day doesn’t tend to come on game day.

If I had to pick one out, Chris Martin: danger in the air and has unbelievable hold-up play. He is our only real link from midfield to attack.

What have you made of Reading under Mark Bowen?

I might be very wrong, but I haven’t seen much change since Bowen took charge. I still see the same Reading side that have the ability to blow teams out of the water on one day and then turn to relegation candidates in the following match.

In fact, I think our two sides are very similar in respect of how frustratingly inconsistent they are. Bowen seems to understand his players a little more than previous managers did.

Score Prediction

Reading 2-2 Derby County