It's been another difficult season for Derby supporters, expecting a promotion push in August to knowing that wouldn't happen by March once again.

Nigel Pearson's time at Derby was an absolute car crash, whilst Steve McClaren originally picked up the pieces before the side fell apart in the new year, left chasing a play-off place they were unlikely to obtain.

It's clear that boss Gary Rowett needs to make changes this summer and most Derby fans are hoping for a cull on the squad of overpaid underachievers that big spending has left this with.

Rowett needs to lower the wage bill, but also bring in signings because improvements are needed.

A major rebuild isn't perhaps the right term for what's needed at Derby, but players wise several changes are required.

The squad Derby have now simply isn't good enough, failing to be consistent or have the mental capacity to perform on a weekly basis.

Gary Rowett must offload players this summer and here's THREE players that realistically could be shown the door...

 

Cyrus Christie

Cyrus Christie joined Derby in 2014 and has had both good and bad spells in a Rams shirt.

The inconsistency from the Irish international has led to mixed opinions on Christie from Derby fans.

At times he has looked a good player, beating players on the right hand side with his pace, but at other times he's been poor and has provided nothing going forward or at the back.

Christie, along with Darren Bent and Chris Baird were into their final season of their contracts at Pride Park, but Bent and Baird's new contracts were announced on the same day, whereas Christie hasn't agreed a new deal yet.

This could suggest that Rowett doesn't plan on giving the right back a new contract and therefore allowing him to leave on a free over the summer.

Nick Blackman

Nick Blackman's time at Derby hasn't been great.

The wide man has made just seven starts for the Rams, scoring one goal since arriving from Reading in 2016.

Blackman has suffered injuries which has cost him game time but on the pitch he hasn't been that good for Derby.

The 27-year-old hasn't played a single minute of football since Gary Rowett's appointment, which is mainly due to injury, but under all Derby managers he's not been the preferred option, even Paul Clement who bought him.

Blackman never hit it off at Derby and at the end of the day, he's surplus to requirements and if a club does come in for him in the summer, it wouldn't be surprising to see him go.

 

Marcus Olsson

Marcus Olsson joined the club in January of 2016, and despite a good end to last season, he's not been great in 2016/17.

The 28-year-old has made 50 outings in a Derby shirt, and scored the winner against rivals Nottingham Forest as the Rams beat their A52 rivals 1-0 in March 2016.

Olsson has been turned inside out by opposition wingers too many times this season and this has led to Derby fans wanting a replacement, or for him to be dropped at least.

If an offer comes in for the Swede this summer, he could be moved on as he's not been very good this season and left back Max Lowe is more than capable of taking his position in the Rams XI.

Derby fans... Do you think these three players will leave in the summer? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!