Derby County have been solid in the Championship this season after being relegated from League One last season, and they are seeking to reestablish themselves as a quality second-tier team.
The Rams went four games unbeaten in October, but will be frustrated by a 2-1 loss to fellow mid-table side Stoke City in early November.
Since their defeat to the Potters, Paul Warne’s side has gone three games unbeaten, thanks to a 2-1 triumph at Coventry City and recent 1-1 draws with Plymouth Argyle and Preston North End.
The Rams visit Swansea City on Wednesday night, followed by an Advent Sunday showdown with Sheffield Wednesday, and will be hoping for a positive outcome ahead of challenging away trips to Leeds and Burnley.
Rams fan pundit makes Craig Forsyth claim
While the Rams strive to maintain their Championship position, Football League World asked our Derby fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, who the club’s most underappreciated player in recent years is and why.
Shaun said: “Over the last decade, Craig Forsyth has definitely been our most undervalued player.
“He’s probably had to compete against a dozen or more left-backs throughout his time at the club, and each one has come and gone.
“Bigger names, younger players, more attacking players have all come in, and he’s just bided his time, kept grinding away, and every time he’s gone on to become the number one left-back, or left-wing-back, or even centre-back at times.
“So his professionalism and consistency rank among Derby’s greatest in recent decades, and he deserves to be remembered as a truly exceptional player.
“There isn’t much loyalty in football today, and he is the exception.
“So I would definitely say Craig Forsyth is definitely one of the most underrated players we’ve had, and he fully deserves to be remembered fondly by everyone at the club.”
Forsyth is a modern day Rams legend
It is unsurprising that Shaun has singled out Forsyth as an excellent Rams player, who may be underappreciated because he is not an extremely adventurous player by modern-day fullback standards.
However, his contributions to the Rams over the years have been nothing short of legendary, as he arrived to Pride Park on loan from Watford in 2013, before signing a permanent contract later that year.
Over a decade after joining Derby, Forsyth remains a key player whose consistency and dependability are unparalleled by any of his teammates and rank among the best in the Championship.
He made 53 games in all competitions as the Rams advanced to the Championship play-off final at the end of the 2013/14 season, as well as 26 League One appearances as his side was promoted from the third tier last season, demonstrating his longevity.
Forsyth has made over 350 appearances for his club, including a loan spell from Watford in 2013, and will be remembered by Pride Park fans.
