This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Derby County made the decision to offload striker Jack Marriott on loan to Championship rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Deadline Day last Friday, a move that has been questioned my some.

The major reason why this is being talked about is because of the lack of striker options that the Rams currently have at their disposal, with Wayne Rooney being utilised as the main centre-forward in recent games.

So, would you say Derby have made a mistake in letting Marriott leave?

The team here at FLW discuss....

George Harbey

Right now, you have to say yes.

It has been a poor start to the season for Derby, and against Watford in particular, they lacked any real attacking impetus and threat up top, with Wayne Rooney struggling to adapt after playing up top on his own.

Cocu obviously has something against Marriott, and the striker has been unable to make an impression under the Dutchman since the latter's arrival at Pride Park last term. He only made 10 league starts last season, and he's failed to hit the ground running under Cocu this season.

Of course, they still have Martyn Waghorn to come back from injury and Colin Kazim-Richards is still yet to feature for the Rams, but I don't believe they have enough quality in depth in the final third to ignite a real push for promotion, which is obviously the aim for the fans.

Marriott is a good player who was excellent under Frank Lampard, and if he goes to Wednesday and hits the ground running, Cocu will be left with egg on his face.

 

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George Dagless

Without doubt.

It would have made sense had they got in a new forward but clearly there was nothing in an advanced stage and the lack of planning here is what will really grate on Derby fans.

Why let Marriott go if you don't have a back-up lined-up? It's a move that makes little sense and Derby now look very understaffed for forwards heading into a congested period of the season.

Cocu evidently doesn't fancy Marriott which is fair enough, that happens, but to not have an alternative plan is very poor indeed.

Ned Holmes

Looking at the options they've got available to them at the moment, it does seem like a poor decision.

Rooney doesn't look to be at his best when played as a striker, which leaves just Martyn Waghorn, Colin Kazim-Richards, and Jahmal Hector-Ingram as their options.

I'm not convinced those three are prolific enough for the Rams to be successful, which makes letting Marriott go without a proper replacement a questionable move.

That said, I do like the fact that Hector-Ingram is set to get some more minutes because from what I've seen of the 21-year-old he looks a very impressive young forward.