After bringing the curtain down on a dismal season with a 2-0 home win over a Cardiff side which named 9 changes to their starting line-up, Nigel Clough insisted this season has been a success for The Rams.

So how can 14th place for a side with £12million extra from Sky payments, with a squad void of real quality, debt-ridden with owners who have no affinity to Derby or DCFC whatsoever prove to have been a successful season??

Well, Clough explains, "We've ended the season with more points than last, finished higher, trimmed the wage bill, gave young players a chance and laid foundations for a better future. The reserves also won the Pontins League..."

To be fair, Clough is correct, not one of his critics can deny him that. 2 points more than last term, 4 places higher up in the league into a lofty 14th, a handful of young players have had a stab in the 1st team, some of which have already been released from next seasons playing staff, then theres the Pontins League...

Needing a victory against mighty Shrewsbury Town in the last game to secure some silverware, Clough decided to field what even the DCFC official website described as "A very strong and experienced Derby side", Hunt, Moxey, Savage, Teale, Commons, Tonge were all in the starting 11, and thanks to goals from the former Forest fatty and Nicky Hunt, the Rams stormed to an emphatic 2-1 win and got their hands on silverware.

Midfield dynamo Robbie Savage was named as the Clubs Player Of The Year. Just how poor must the side be? If they need to raise some money before next season, who on earth would they sell? Injury-prone Hulse? Or injury-prone Commons? Both would command a fee, but what good would that do to the playing squad?

Clough also heaped praise on former Ilkeston youngster Ben Pringle. "He'll learn from playing alongside Robbie Savage." Clough, you may aswell keep your mouth shut.

"It was great to see over 30,000 fans at Pride Park" added Clough Junior, "I hope to see many of them back next season." Just a hint there from the boss to the American owners. Keep handing out those freebies Yanks.

And finally a point to ponder. After having to re-finance their debts several times already, owners who are not prepared to put in any money at all and the small matter of £24million which they won't be getting for the next 2 years from Sky parachute payments, and what future have Derby County Football Club really got? £12 million less on next seasons budget before they've even kicked a ball.

Yet Clough and Rams fans continue to talk off the same script. Get real Rammies.

Odds for Rams relegation 2010/11? Administration anyone??