Derby County have moved to strengthen their coaching staff ahead of the new season, after confirming the arrival of Liam Rosenior as a Specialist First Team Coach at Pride Park.

Rosenior becomes the latest member of newly appointed Rams manager Phillip Cocu's backroom staff, as the club look to build on their run to the Championship play-off final last season.

This feels like an interesting move for Derby as they look to build on that huge promise shown under Frank Lampard over the course of the last campaign, and we've taken an in-depth look at it here, in our latest six-point opinion piece.

Firstly, what's Rosenior's background in coaching?

"Having ended his playing career at Brighton at the end of the 2017/18 campaign, Rosenior then moved into a behind the scenes role at the club.

"The former defender took up a role as an assistant coach at the club's Under 23s side, helping them to a third-place finish in last season's Premier League 2 youth division.

"As well as that, Rosenior spent much of last season working as a pundit for Sky Sports on their coverage of the English Football League."

So what does Derby's backroom team look like now?

"Things appear to be taking place behind the scenes at Derby now.

"As well as Cocu, Chris van der Weeden and Twan Scheepers have been brought in to assist Cocu as Assistant Manager and Specialist First Team Coach respectively.

"Shay Given meanwhile remains at the club as Head Goalkeeping Coach, having originally joined as part of Frank Lampard's backroom staff this time last summer."

Is this a good appointment then?

"It seems to be.

"Rosenior has appears to have enjoyed an impressive start to his coaching career, so he should be able to slot in well at Pride Park.

"Derby look to be finding the right sort of balance within their coaching staff right now, with van der Weeden and Scheepers bringing an understanding of Cocu's approach with them, while Rosenior and Given will be able to give a first-hand insight into English football for those coming in from the outside who may be less familiar with the league they are about to take on."

So what will Rosenior bring to the role?

"As well as a familiarity with English football, Rosenior should be able to establish a good connection with the Derby squad.

"Having only recently retired from playing, Rosenior will likely have a similar mindset to some of that Derby squad, giving him the opportunity to establish a rapport with members of the playing staff.

"It is worth noting that he may already have that link with some of the Rams squad, having already played alongside club captain Curtis Davies at Hull just a few years ago."

How should Derby fans feel about this appointment?

"I think they'll be encouraged by this.

"As has already been mentioned, this appears to be a smart appointment by Derby, and that is something that the fans too are likely to recognise.

"That Derby are making these sorts of appointments that give them that balance behind the scenes reflects well on the club's hierarchy, and it will only increase confidence in them when it comes to the decisions that they will have to make in the future."

Finally, what next for Derby?

"Signings on the pitch has to be the next target now.

"The uncertainty over the future of Lampard's future earlier in the summer put the brakes on Derby's summer recruitment somewhat, and so far only Graeme Shinnie has been brought in.

"With the likes of Harry Wilson, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount among those to leave the club, there are plenty of gaps in the starting XI to fill before the start of the season in less than a month's time, meaning the pressure in on the Rams to bring in some new faces now."