Derby County’s season began in disappointing fashion, but performances improved through the autumn, suggesting the Rams had turned a corner. However, a recent dip in form has seen them slide back into the bottom half of the Championship table. Despite that, they remain within touching distance of the play-off places.
A 1–1 draw with promotion-chasing Millwall at Pride Park in midweek left Derby 15th, just four points adrift of sixth-placed Hull City. That result also underlined a worrying trend, with the Rams managing only one win from their last five matches.
One player who survived the squad overhaul earlier in the season and was handed a rare start against Millwall was midfielder Liam Thompson. However, that appearance may not signal a sustained run in the side for the 23-year-old.
Thompson started Derby’s first three league games as the team struggled for form, but his involvement since then has been sporadic. Injuries, omissions from the matchday squad, unused substitute roles and brief late cameos have limited his minutes. He did feature more recently, coming on for Ebou Adams at half-time in the 3–1 defeat to Leicester City, before completing 85 minutes in the draw with Millwall, where he delivered a composed and disciplined display in midfield.
Speaking to Football League World, Derby fan pundit Shaun praised Thompson’s work rate and reliability but questioned his long-term prospects at the club.
“Thompson did well. He’s busy, keeps things simple and knows his strengths,” Shaun said. “He’s not a dominant midfielder physically, but he always gives 100 per cent and is neat on the ball.”
Shaun believes Thompson has reached a stage in his career where regular football is essential.
“He needs to be playing week in, week out. Sitting on the bench or in the reserves at a Championship club doesn’t help him. A move down a level where he can play 40 to 45 games a season might be best, with the aim of moving back up later.”
He added that Thompson currently fits the profile of a strong League One or lower-end Championship player and has only moved up the pecking order due to injuries to Lewis Travis and David Ozoh, along with Ebou Adams’ inconsistent form.
“Long-term, he’s not going to be a regular starter at Derby. With Travis signed for a fee and Ozoh likely to play when fit, Thompson will probably be fourth or fifth choice. It would be best for his career to move on at the end of the season, and I don’t think Derby fans would begrudge him that.”
Overall, while Thompson remains a dependable option when called upon, a change of scenery may be the right step to secure the regular football his development now requires.
