Derby's plans for this season would definitely have been to challenge for promotion, but even with the managerial change, the Rams look to have fallen short of their goals.

A wretched start to the season left them loitering dangerously close to the drop zone and pressure was heaped onto then manager, Nigel Pearson, and when results didn't take a turn, he was sacked.

Steve McClaren was the man tasked with the job of replacing Pearson, in the hope he could rediscover the form of 2013/14, where Derby came so close to a top flight return; falling in the Play-Off final.

The former England manager's return originally look to be paying off as Derby rocketed up the table, but a poor run has effectively ruled them out of the run-in.

McClaren arguably has one of the league's strongest squads, so the fact they are struggling to match the top sides in the division is a bit of a surprise.

Derby's squad is quite large too, meaning several players will be left on the fringes of the squad.

Here, I will look at TWO Derby fringe players who should be utilised more often...

Ikechi Anya

Anya was a summer arrival from Watford, but since he signed on the dotted line at Pride Park, he has struggled to establish himself as a first team regular.

McClaren's 4-3-3 system leaves two wide positions up for grabs and with Tom Ince a nailed on starter, three or four players are competing for one other spot.

Anya offers hard work defensively, which McClaren will like, but he also offers some attacking impetus, that is so crucial for any winger to have.

Matej Vydra

Like Anya, Vydra was a summer arrival at Pride Park who has never established himself in the starting eleven, but he should be given more of a chance.

Vydra is quite versatile in the fact he can play on the wing or up front.

Out wide he is more likely to get a game with McClaren seemingly favouring Darren Bent up front.

Vydra should probably be utilised more up front as he has proved in seasons gone by that he scores goals, and that could be the difference between Derby staying down or going up