Derby County's squad has been littered with players that were brought in by different managers at different times, which has contributed to the club's failure to reach the top flight.

Since 2015, Paul Clement, Nigel Pearson, Steve McClaren and now Gary Rowett have been permanent manager of the Rams and have had to try and shape a squad to suit them and win promotion.

None of the previous managers could get Derby's squad consistently performing and were consequently axed by chairman and owner Mel Morris, without being given a chance to build.

Gary Rowett is now at the helm and is tasked with cutting the squad size and lowering the wage bill ahead of next season.

Derby have spent too much money on players over the last couple of years and it's done them no favours as they have ended up with a squad of average players on big money, who haven't been consistent enough to win promotion.

Gary Rowett has a tough job to re-shape the Derby squad, but here are TWO players who he should show the door...

 

Nick Blackman

A signing made based on the decent form he'd been in during the first half of the season with Reading, Nick Blackman joined Derby back in January of 2016.

Blackman has gone on to make just 7 Championship starts since arriving from the Madejski, appearing in 22 league games overall.

The forward, who has been deployed as a wide man in his time in Derbyshire has scored just 1 goal for the Rams, a penalty in a 2-0 win over Cardiff earlier this season.

Nick Blackman has underperformed since joining Derby, but ultimately he's surplus to requirements at Pride Park, due to the number of wingers that have been preferred to him.

Darren Bent

Darren Bent's time with Derby looks as if it is coming to an end as he has fallen out of favour since Gary Rowett's appointment.

Bent has scored 21 league goals for Derby since his Rams debut in 2015 back when he was still on loan from Aston Villa.

The 33-year-old's contract expires in the summer and there's no guaranteed renewal for Bent as David Nugent has been the preferred frontman for Rowett since his arrival in the dugout.

Darren Bent could well leave Derby this summer as he is closing in on the end of his career, and he is not definitely going to get minutes on the pitch for the Rams next season.

Derby fans... Would you like to see the back of Blackman or Bent? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!