Shaun Derry believes Derby manager Steve McClaren’s knowledge of QPR could make all the difference in Saturday’s play-off final.
Former Rangers midfielder Derry, now manager of Notts County, saw McClaren in action during the ex-England boss’ short spell as a coach at Loftus Road last year.
Derry was hugely impressed – and feels McClaren’s time in west London will give the Rams an advantage.
“It think that will be an advantage. QPR have not brought that many players into the building since Steve left,” he said.
“The spine of the team are still there. He spent a lot of time with them so knows the players.
“I think it will be a really close encounter. The way that QPR have been throughout the season, they can turn on the style. They have real ability – maybe more individual ability than Derby have.
“But Derby are a group of boys who have made strides since McClaren took over – and they are in form and have been for a long time now. I would probably edge for Derby.”
Derby finished third in the table and have been transformed since McClaren left the R’s to take over at Pride Park, while Harry Redknapp’s side were top of the table before falling away in the race for automatic promotion.
And Derry believes McClaren’s input played a major role in Rangers’ excellent start to the campaign.
He said: “I quickly went on loan to Millwall but I can definitely see how Steve affected players – without a doubt.
“They started the season very well and for me that was no coincidence that happened when Steve was there.
“Harry didn’t really get involved in the coaching aspects. That’s not to say he did not watch absolutely every single minute of the session, because he did.
“He scrutinises everything and makes his judgements on how people are training. He puts his trust into the coaches he has and I like that way as well.
“He was very much a man manager. He made his decisions on what he saw. Steve makes his decisions on how he sees the lads adapting to the sessions he’s putting on.”
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This post was last modified on 24/05/2014