Philip Cocu has endured a tough start to life as manager of Derby County on the whole, winning just three of 11 league games this season.

Alongside the worrying Championship form, they were battered 3-0 by their East Midland’s rivals Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, crashing out of the League Cup in only the second round.

All this – combined with a few easily avoidable off-field mistakes - none of which can Cocu take blame for, made it a pretty miserable first few months for Derby as they looked to put their exciting season under Frank Lampard behind them.

Paradoxically, Derby have now gone five games unbeaten, winning two and drawing three of their latest Championship matchups. The real turning point came at Elland Road when the Rams rescued the most unlikely of points in a 1-1 draw with Leeds United thanks to Chris Martin

That proved to be the catalyst for an impressive recent run and here we look at the TWO changes that have helped along the way...

A rejig in attack

It would be rude to talk about Derby’s recent turn in form without mentioning the resurgence of Martin.

The move from Cocu was a bold one. To deploy a 30-year-old striker who has had two unsuccessful loan spells away from the club and replace him for a fan favourite in Jack Marriott at Elland Road was definitely a risk. But it worked and has worked ever since. Martin’s introduction back into the first team has brought Derby’s attacking threat back.

The Scotland international has started the last three matches in which Derby have score seven goals. The Rams actually managed to score the same number of goals with Martin - in those three games - as they managed in the eight games prior to his introduction.

That isn’t the only rejig Cocu should be given credit for. He also introduced Jamie Paterson – who started the season poorly on the wing – into the central attacking midfield role.

Like Martin, that little change happened three games ago in which Derby have arguably been at their best. Paterson has been excellent ever since and scored the winner against Birmingham City in Derby's first win since Huddersfield Town on the opening day.

Change in formation

Being of a Dutch heritage, and managing in the Eredivisie, Cocu had been used to playing a 4-3-3 formation for much of his coaching career. He came to Pride Park with the same mindset and played that formation in every game up until he hosted Cardiff City.

At times in the Stoke City and Bristol City matches, the 4-3-3 adapted into a 4-2-3-1 but now, for sure, Cocu as switched to a more solid and strict 4-2-3-1. Particularly in their most recent win against Luton Town, two natural holding midfielders in the form of Graeme Shinnie and Krystian Bielik were deployed.

This made Derby look more comfortable in and out of possession and has helped Cocu record some of his side’s best performances in the division so far.

 

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