Derby County Supporters Club, Norway Branch

GARETH Roberts believes there is much more to come from Derby County this season.

Roberts joined the Rams on a Bosman free transfer from Doncaster Rovers over the summer and has started all four of the club's Championship matches so far.

Those fixtures have yielded four points, which might have been more had it not been for a string of late goals conceded.

The most recent example of this saw Derby throw away a two-goal lead in stoppage time as they drew 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers at Pride Park Stadium.

The team's performances have deserved better and Nigel Clough's men have received credit for their passing style of play.

And Roberts is sure people have not yet seen the best of the Rams at this early stage of the campaign.

As well as allowing time for new additions to the squad to bed in, injuries have once again been a problem for Clough.

The likes of Rob Hulse, Chris Porter, Stephen Pearson and Russell Anderson are all currently sidelined, with Steve Davies and Miles Addison long-term absentees.

Jake Buxton is only fit enough for the bench at the moment, Tomasz Cywka is playing with a protective mask on after fracturing his cheekbone, and Kris Commons went off on the stroke of half-time against QPR with tight hamstrings.

Defender Shaun Barker, who missed the whole of pre-season while he recovered from an operation, has also been playing with a slight thigh strain.

"It's been OK so far but I think there is a lot more to come from us," said Roberts.

"I think there is a lot more we can give to the team.

"We've got quite a lot of injuries and there are people playing with injuries, so I think when we get everyone back and fit, we will see a different Derby County."

The Welsh defender added: "We lost Kris Commons just before half-time against QPR and he is a big player for us.

"He had started well and got us a goal, and it is difficult to keep losing key players."

Roberts is confident Derby will soon start picking up the results their performances have perhaps warranted.

"There are a good bunch of lads here and they all want to achieve something," he added.

"Training has been really good and I think that has been reflected in the performances.

"The manager will get us going again and we will all be right at it again for the next game."

Up next for Derby is Sheffield United, who visit Pride Park Stadium on Saturday (1pm).

"We're all disappointed with the way the QPR game ended but we'll pick ourselves up and be ready to go again for the Sheffield United game," said Roberts.

"We'll get our heads down and work hard to put the mistakes out of the way. That's all we can do.

"We're looking forward to the next game and, hopefully, this time, we can take the three points."

Derby have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, conceding seven goals in four outings and two in each of their last three games.

Roberts knows the Rams must make it harder for teams to score against them.

"The goals we are giving away are sloppy goals," he said. "Teams aren't having to score good goals against us.

"We're having to score goals but conceding poor goals.

"It's not just down to the defence, it's the whole team, because we defend as a team and attack as a team."

PAUL Green helped the Republic of Ireland get their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign off to a winning start in Armenia.

The Derby County midfielder was handed his first taste of competitive international action in Yerevan and he completed the 90 minutes as Giovanni Trapattoni's men claimed a 1-0 victory.

It was Green's fourth cap for Ireland and he once again proved his worth in a defensive midfield role.

Despite the Group B encounter kicking off at 8pm local time, it did so in sweltering temperatures, which had been close to 100 degrees Fahrenheit earlier in the day.

Armenia proved tricky opponents and they frustrated the visitors until the 76th minute when substitute Keith Fahey netted the only goal of the game.

Ireland are back in action on Tuesday evening when they take on minnows Andorra in Dublin.

Results: Page 47

YOUNG midfielder James Bailey believes he is capable of more goals after breaking his senior duck.

Bailey, who joined Derby County from Crewe Alexandra this summer as part of the deal that also brought John Brayford to Pride Park, scored his first goal for the Rams in last weekend's 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers.

The 21-year-old did not manage to find the net in 55 first-team appearances for Crewe.

In fact, when Derby signed him, they were told his last goal had come in an under-15 match for Crewe's Academy.

To be fair to the player, he was used in a defensive role by Crewe boss Dario Gradi, playing just in front of the back four.

Although Bailey now plays in the midfield two of Derby's 4-2-3-1 formation, the presence of captain Robbie Savage alongside him has given him more licence to push forward and join the attack.

He was on target in the pre-season friendly against Bournemouth and his precise curling finish against QPR belied his past history.

Rams boss Nigel Clough has challenged him to get more goals and Bailey feels he can do just that.

"I definitely feel like I've got more goals in me," said the youngster, who was named in the Championship team of the week for his most recent display.

"I need to work on my shooting but the role I am in now will give me more chance to do that.

"At Crewe, my role was more defensive, a bit like Robbie Savage does for us.

"Now, the gaffer wants me to get forward more and score goals, so it's up to me to produce that.

"I've always believed in myself but it is a role I'm not used to, so it's all new to me.

"I've got to get used to it soon and, hopefully, get some more goals."

Apart from his new-found eye for goal, Bailey's passing has also been impressive in the early stages of the 2010-11 Championship campaign.

This was a feature of his game that was honed within Crewe's renowned youth set-up.

"I haven't always wanted to pass the ball," said Bailey. "I used to want to be like (Cristiano) Ronaldo and take people on all the time but, somehow, I didn't end up with those sort of skills!

"But this is how Crewe have taught me to be – get the ball, try not to dwell on it too much and pass it about.

"It fits in with Derby's system perfectly but I still need to get on the ball more and start more plays off by getting the ball to Commo (Kris Commons) and Greenie (Paul Green), and then work off them."

ROB Hulse says the chance to play under manager Neil Warnock again was a major factor in his decision to leave Derby County for Queens Park Rangers.

Hulse's move to QPR – agreed shortly before the transfer window closed on Tuesday – was finally confirmed yesterday after the transfer was ratified by the Football League.

The striker has signed a three-year contract with the London club, who top the Championship four games into the new season.

QPR are believed to have paid £750,000, plus add-ons, which could take the eventual fee to more than £1m.

Hulse, who turns 31 next month, was in the final year of his contract at Pride Park and could have left the club for nothing at the end of this season.

He was Derby's leading scorer in the past two seasons and scored 31 goals in 96 appearances in total.

The target man joined the Rams two years ago for £1.75m from Sheffield United, where he first linked up with Warnock.

"Neil was a massive factor in my decision to move," said Hulse, who will wear the number 20 shirt for Rangers.

"I believe I played the best football of my career under his management and I'm looking forward to working with him again."

Hulse is excited at the prospect of joining QPR's push for promotion to the Premier League.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge," he added.

"I'm joining a club sitting top of the table after four games and while it's only early days, if we can continue in that vein, it promises to be an exciting chapter in my career."

Hulse could make his QPR debut against Middlesbrough at Loftus Road next Saturday.

Derby's new loan signing, Alberto Bueno, yesterday took part in his first training session since joining the club.

With the rest of the senior players given the day off, Bueno joined in with the Academy players at Moor Farm.

The Spaniard does not speak much English but said afterwards: "I am very happy to be here at Derby County. I hope I can help the team have a great season.

"I want to settle quickly and I look forward to being able to speak to the fans soon."

Bueno is due to train with the rest of the first team on Monday as they prepare for their home fixture against Sheffield United a week today.

ROB Hulse has finally completed his move from Derby County to Queens Park Rangers.

The transfer, which was agreed shortly before Tuesday's deadline, has now been ratified by the Football League.

Hulse has signed a three-year deal with QPR, who are believed to have paid Derby £750,000 for the striker, plus add-ons.

The 30-year-old was into the final 12 months of his contract at Pride Park, so manager Nigel Clough decided to accept the bid for him.

Hulse, who joined Derby for £1.75m from Sheffield United two years ago, scored 31 goals in 96 appearances for the Rams.

KRIS Commons believes he can break back into the Scotland squad – despite being overlooked for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifying openers.

Commons missed out on a place in Craig Levein's squad for the double header against Lithuania and Liechtenstein.

The Derby County forward has been capped six times for Scotland but the last of those came almost a year ago, in a World Cup qualifier against Holland in September 2009.

Since then, Commons has been plagued by injury problems but he has made an impressive start to the 2010-11 campaign.

He has scored twice in the Championship so far, although he limped out of the action with tight hamstrings shortly after giving the Rams the lead against Queens Park Rangers at Pride Park last weekend.

Commons, who hopes to be fit following the international break, admitted he was disappointed not to be called up to the latest Scotland squad.

"Looking at it, I was a bit disappointed not to be in the squad," he said.

"Of course, you always want to be involved in the international set-up.

"Right now, it's time for me to play well for my club, at home and away.

"I know there will probably be someone watching in the stands and I just need to put in good performances to get recognised again."

When Commons was last called up by Scotland, former Derby manager George Burley was the national boss.

So now the 26-year-old is hoping to impress Levein, who was appointed Scotland manager in December.

"The manager has a lot of experience in Scotland and no doubt he's got scouts watching players down here as well as up there," Commons added.

"I've been in touch with Scotland and they are aware I'm available.

"So now it's up to me to put in performances, stay fit and score goals. Hopefully, that will be enough to get me in."

After the current round of matches, Scotland's next two qualifiers are away to the Czech Republic and at home to World Cup winners Spain, on October 8 and 12 respectively.

"There are some massive games coming up and you only have to get involved once or twice and that can cement your place in the side for the next couple of matches," said Commons.

"So it would be nice to get involved in that but, first, I have to start playing better for Derby."

In the past, Commons, who played up front for Derby against QPR, has been used in midfield at international level.

The midfielders in the current squad include Charlie Adam (Blackpool), Scott Brown (Celtic), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), James Morrison (West Brom), Barry Robson (Middlesbrough) and Paul Hartley (Aberdeen).

"Scotland are a strong outfit," said Commons. "They have some good players who are playing in the Premier League or the SPL, so it's going to be tough for me to get back in there."

Commons' club future also needs to be sorted out as he enters the final season of his current contract with Derby.

The player stated his wish to remain at Pride Park in an interview with the Derby Telegraph in June and is set for talks about a new deal.

Rams chief executive Tom Glick said: "We had discussions with Kris and his agent in the summer and all parties agreed to leave it until after the transfer window closed.

"We are now at that point. We are conscious he is in his final year and we are delighted he says his future is at Derby County.

"I think we know if Kris can stay fit then he is a game-changer. He has shown a great willingness to help himself stay fit. We expect to be speaking to him about his future."

DERBY County midfielder Paul Green will get his first taste of competitive international action today.

Green has been named in the starting line-up for the Republic of Ireland in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Armenia in Yerevan.

The 27-year-old has three caps to his name so far after his debut in May, all of them in friendly matches.

Against Armenia, he is due to partner Stoke City's Glenn Whelan in central midfield.

National boss Giovanni Trapattoni said: "Paul is confident, he has good personality, he's quick and I like his mentality."

The Armenia match kicks off at 4pm BST and is being televised live on Sky Sports 1.

Ireland have another qualifier on Tuesday night, when they take on Andorra at the new Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

DERBY County say they have an agreement in place to sign West Bromwich Albion striker Chris Wood on loan.

The Rams were on the verge of landing the 18-year-old New Zealand international before the transfer window closed on Tuesday but injuries to other West Brom forwards held up the deal.

Roman Bednar and Ishmael Miller picked up injuries and Wood found himself on the bench for Sunday's Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield.

Wood could be available once the window for emergency loans opens next week, if West Brom's injuries have cleared up.

"We are looking to go straight back into the loan market when it opens again," said manager Nigel Clough.

"We were very close to getting somebody in on loan. We had agreed the move and we will revisit that one. We will also chase up a few other inquiries once the window opens.

"We got quite a way down the road with West Brom and with Chris (Wood) as well – and we hope that as soon as West Brom's injuries clear up, we will be able to get him in.

"I think he fits the mould of the younger players we have. He is inexperienced but he has played international football.

"It is a pattern we are trying to follow of young, hungrier players.

"We will get frustrating times like Saturday when we were two up against Queens Park Rangers and when more experienced players might have seen the game out but the only way to get that experience is by going through it."

Derby have brought in Spanish forward Alberto Bueno on a season-long loan from Real Valladolid, while Rob Hulse, who was in the final year of his contract at Pride Park, is set to complete a move to QPR.

Clough felt the Hulse deal was right for Derby.

"Rob has got us goals in the last 18 months, and some very important ones as well, we cannot deny that," said Clough. "But we have to look at the overall deal for the club and ask if it is the right deal – and we felt it was at this stage.

"We will only do deals we think are right for the club. Rob had nine months left on his contract and it was unlikely we would have been able to agree a new deal with him, hence the outcome."

Clough would like a new face in before the Rams return to action against Sheffield United on September 11.

"By adding Bueno and with Chris Porter getting fit now, the pressure is off a little bit but we just need may be another one in," said Clough.

"Ideally, we would like somebody else in before our next game but they have to be right and somebody we want to put in the team.

"They have to be better than what we have got. And this isn't a daft thing to say but they have to be better than Dean Moxey.

"His two performances up front – we wouldn't play him there for 40 games – have been exceptionally good.

"The last thing we want is to bring somebody in, maybe from the Premiership, who doesn't give it that because we would then be worse off.

"Dean has played one-and-a-half games up front, he has scored one goal and been an absolute nuisance.

"We will follow up on calls. We are a big club, getting 25,000 crowds and playing a type of football a lot of Premiership managers will want their young players to come into, which is important as well.

"Bueno, I would say, wasn't even 50-50 about signing before he came to the game Saturday. He just came over to have a look but he watched the second half and loved the atmosphere, loved the game, loved Pride Park and said: 'I want to play here'.

"It is that sort of character we want to bring in."