If you're a Derby County fan, it's safe to say this Championship season hasn't gotten off to the best of starts.

The Rams are languishing in the relegation zone and despite Nigel Pearson's appointment, they've struggled to get going on many occasions this term.

They've lost four of their opening eight fixtures and despite picking up a vital win against fellow strugglers Preston, they're looking nowhere near as good as they should be.

Star players aren't performing to a high enough standard and they're going to need to pick it up pretty quickly if they are to find any success this season.

Many of their stars have been brandished overrated by disgruntled supporters and it's brought back memories of past players who failed to make the grade, despite so much being expected.

So with that in mind, we want to open the vault and take a look at some past Derby players who failed to live up to expectations.

Here's THREE over-hyped players who never quite made it at Pride Park...

Nick Blackman

Reading cashed in on star-striker Nick Blackman back in January, when they sold him to Derby County for around £3 million and its safe to say, he's been poor since the move.

He's made just three appearances since joining the club and whilst many thought he would be the man to lead a promotion charge, it really hasn't been the case for the former Blackburn man.

He doesn't look like breaking into the first-team anytime soon and he's a player that never quite made it, despite still being with the club.

Lee Morris

We're really rolling back the years here, but many Derby County fans will remember Lee Morris for the wrong reasons, rather than the right.

He was a former club-record transfer, costing them around £3.5million back in 1999, and was also the fourth most expensive teenager in British footballing history.

He played 92 games for the Rams in a five year spell, but scored just 17 times.

He's often brandished as one of the most overrated players the club has ever owned and after his spell at County, his career consisted of a handful of lower league outings.

Mikkel Beck

When you're better remembered for your hairstyle rather than what you do on the pitch, you know something isn't right.

Mikkel Beck transferred to Derby in 1999 after some good performances for Middlesbrough but his move was fruitless. He struggled to make an impact at Pride Park and was often condemned to the bench before being sent out on a handful of loan deals.

The Danish international is often brandished as one of the worst strikers to ever pull on the White jersey and for that reason, he makes our list.