Derby's Matt Oakley admits that his side's squad is still lacking in Premier League experience.
Midfielder recognises lack of experience
Derby's Matt Oakley admits that his side's squad is still lacking in Premier League experience, only one day ahead of Billy Davies' side's big kick-off against Portsmouth.
The Rams are the favourites for the drop this term, and the 29-year-old admits that despite Derby's five summer signings, the play-off winners need to make more additions before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August.
Oakley recognises the problems Davies has had in pre-season, and says that players are unlikely to want to join a club that so many have tipped for an instant return to the Championship.
He admitted: "We need strengthening in certain areas, players with experience of playing at this level.
Written off
"But it's going to be difficult attracting players when everybody has written us off.
"Players aren't going to leave clubs and sign for one they think is going to go down. They're going to wait a year and see how Derby fares.
"So we're going to have to go with the squad we've got, which is a fairly young squad, but with a lot of potential."
The Premier League new boys are evidently striving to strengthen, with Southampton's Kenwyne Jones one of the names to be on the receiving end of Davies' enquiries.
Fantastic athlete
Oakley says that the acquisition of Jones would contribute to making Derby a stronger side.
"He is obviously a fantastic athlete and he had quite a good season last season," he continued.
"He's certainly got potential, like a lot of players we have in the dressing room.
"The only way you can find out if they're good enough for the Premiership is by putting them in there and seeing if they sink or swim."
