Every season seems to bring the same for Derby County, they just fail to earn promotion and look to tinker with the squad and fine a magic formula.

This time around it has been no different. All the early season promise died away and they've been left with an uphill struggle to get into the top six. If they do manage it they've then got to negotiate a play off campaign packed with in form teams, when they've won just one in twelve themselves.

It seems as though they'll be in the same position in June they always find themselves in, scouring the available players and looking for the components that will finally help them build a team capable of finishing not just top six, but maybe even top two.

With that in mind, we've come up with three summer gambles that might just be strokes of genius that help them finally make that last step. Be warned though, these are not the conventional signings you'd expect to see, but there might just be what the Rams need.

Before you say no thanks, put aside his Sunderland spell. Jack Rodwell was on the cusp on the England set up and seemingly had the world at his feet. He's been trapped on Wearside, comfortable on huge amounts of money but unable to negotiate a satisfactory release.

This summer that will surely all change and Jack Rodwell will be looking for redemption. It might not be about the money, it might all be about the football. If it is, why wouldn't he be a great fit at Derby? He's still young enough to compete at the highest level and he a talented boy.

The fact he is currently at Forest should not dissuade you from this signing, not one bit. Jack Colback is Premier League quality, but he looks to be on a collision course with the second tier.

If Derby don't want to take the Rodwell risk, why not Colback? Forget the Forest link, he's a good midfield player with the know how to get out of this division.

Eisa is strong and quick, acutely aware of defender's positions and has a real knack of finishing from tight angles.

So what if he's currently at Cheltenham? So what if twelve months ago he was playing at Greenwich? A journey is about where you're going, not where you've been.

By putting their faith in Mo Eisa, they'd be openly promoting the English footballer's dream, the journey from bottom to top in double quick time. He might cost a six-figure sum, but what is that to Derby County? It's a gamble but experience isn't everything.