It's fair to say Derby County's start to the season has been well and truly abysmal.

The Rams have struggled for league results, struggled to hit the back of the net and off the pitch issues.

The Rams currently lie 20th in the Sky Bet Championship table with just two victories so far.

That coincides with their lack of ability to score goals with just six to their name despite signing two strikers during the summer; Matěj Vydra for £8 million from Watford and Manchester United's James Wilson on loan.

Derby's problems continue off the pitch. Manager Nigel Pearson, who was appointed in the summer, has been suspended by the club after rowing with the owners in regards to them flying a drone to film training, which didn't please Pearson.

Perhaps the club should have brought in more fresh talent in the transfer window and gotten rid of some 'deadwood', but their disastrous form may continue.

Here are my THRE players which Derby County should have sold by now......

 

Darren Bent

benty

Darren Bent needs no introduction. His previous clubs include Charlton Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Aston Villa - playing at the top-level of football in this country for the majority of his career.

Although Bent moved to the iPro Stadium, intially on a loan deal in January 2015 until the end of the season from Villa. He scored 12 goals in 17 appearances during that period but Derby narrowly missed out on a Play-off spot as they finished 8th.

Manager Steve McClaren signed the former England international on a free transfer after being released by the Midlands club during the summer. He signed a two-year contract with an additional year as an option.

He struggled last season for the Rams, scoring just three times in 25 games, and once in twelve so far this campaign.

For me, Darren Bent is definitely past his best and Derby County should definitely have sold him during the summer to get as large a fee as possible.

Will Hughes

Will Hughesmnf

This one is a bit odd, after all he probably has the most potential within the squad at Derby County and is one of their best players overall.

However, Will Hughes deserves a move to the top-flight or a club who will challenge for promotion out of the Sky Bet Championship.

The young midfielder made his debut for the Rams at the age of 17 against Peterborough United and has been an ever-present in the midfield since.

Despite an anterior cruciate ligaments injury last season, which kept him out of action for six months, Hughes still has a bright future and I think Derby are keeping him back from his dreams and ambitions of playing at the very top - playing in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old is one of the top players for Derby County and could follow Jeff Hendrick by moving to the top-flight next summer if he continues to impress.

Chris Baird

baird2

Chris Baird joined Derby County at the end of the 2014/15 season after being released by West Bromwich Albion.

He was given the captain's armband upon his arrival by manager Paul Clement.

Following a number of injuries and setbacks, the defender was dropped to the bench last season and made just six appearances between October and December.

The sacking of Clement meant Baird was removed of his captaincy and struggled to play many more minutes for the Rams after February.

The 34-year-old was sent out on loan to fellow Championship side Fulham until the end of the season.

Chris Baird wanted to join the London club on a permanent basis but Derby recalled the former Northern Ireland international.

Baird has made five appearances for the iPro Stadiun club this season but is yet to win a game in any of those. At his age I think the versatile defender needs as much game time as possible before he decides to hang up his boots, and he clearly isn't getting that at Derby.

So in my opinion, the club should have sold Baird already for the good of both parties.