Derby County have got off to a largely inconsistent start to the season under Phillip Cocu, with the Rams so far struggling to find their best form on their travels leaving them in 16th place in the Championship heading into the weekend.

One of the main reasons for the Rams' inconsistent start to the campaign has been their lack of end product in the final third, with Derby scoring just 18 goals in their opening 16 Championship matches, with Cocu's side especially struggling for goals away from home having failed to score in any of their last three matches on their travels.

Given Derby's poor form in front of goal it is no surprise to see them being linked with a January move Blackpool forward Armand Gnanduillet, with Cocu looking to add to his options in the final third to help get his side winning matches on a more regular basis.

Here then we take a look at TWO reasons why Derby should make the move for Gnanduillet and TWO reasons why they should perhaps hold off on a January move for the striker...

Gnanduillet's form so far this season

Gnanduillet has been an impressive performer for Blackpool so far this season in League One, with the striker registering ten goals in 16 appearances in the league for Simon Grayson's side so far this campaign, which sees him currently as the league's joint second top scorer.

The 27-year-old is starting to fulfil his full potential so far this season, having only scored ten goals in 43 games last campaign, and he is full of confidence at the moment meaning he would be able to arrive at Derby with the confidence needed to hit the ground running in front of goal.

The striker has shown a real ability to lead the line for Blackpool so far this season and link up with the players around him in the attacking third, making him an ideal signing to play the lone forward role in Cocu's system and he would provide real competition with both Chris Martin and Jack Marritott.

Derby's need for a more mobile presence up front

Derby have so far struggled to really stretch opposing defences in behind so far this season, with the likes of Martin more comfortable holding the ball and bringing other players into the game, while Marriott's strengths rely on him being given the right type of services in the final third.

Gnanduillet offers more mobility than both players and has the willingness to run the channels and push opponents back on the counter-attack, which could be a real asset for the Rams especially away from home providing the option of going long to stretch opponents rather than having to always play through the thirds.

Gnanduillet not proven at Championship level

However, one reason why Derby should perhaps be cautious about bringing Gnanduillet to the club is that he would be somewhat of gamble given he is unproven at Championship level, having spent most of his career in League One and Two at times struggling to make an impact for sides in those leagues.

Gnanduillet has only reached double figures for goals in a league season in spells with Tranmere Rovers, Oxford United, Chesterfield and Leyton Orient, suggesting that although he is in form at the moment he might well struggle to adapt to life in the Championship.

The 27-year-old is at times unreliable in his finishing and that is something that Derby can not afford if they are going to be able to put a run together to mount a promotion challenge in the second half of the campaign.

Competition up front

Given Derby already have both Martin and Marriott, Gnanduillet could well find himself struggling to get into Cocu's side were he to make the move to Derby in January, and he might be forced to wait his time to get entrusted from the start which could see him lose his confidence in front of goal.

Derby are in need of a player who is perhaps more suited to operating alongside one of Martin and Marriott to give Cocu another tactical option in certain games, with Gnanduillet more used to being the focal point of his side rather than linking up with another forward.