Royle still waiting

THE wait goes on for Joe Royle as he desperately waits to bring in new blood, writes Derek Davis.

The need for beefing up the squad was made even more apparent at Derby as Town struggled in every department.

The Blues boss has made no secret that he has tried to bring in a Premiership defender but has not yet been successful.

That could change at any moment, although realistically not until the end of August when the transfer window closes for Premiership clubs, although they would still be able to loan out players to Football League clubs.

Royle said: "I know who we want and we are waiting.

"I can't make it any more urgent than it already is and it will happen when it happens."

Even getting skipper Jim Magilton back from a thigh injury would help. The Irishman has a scan today to see if the tear has healed.

Royle said: "Jim would make a difference because he would give us another strong man on the pitch."

Royle was brutally honest as he admitted Town got what they deserved out of the game – absolutely nothing.

The Blues boss admitted: "I think that is the poorest we have played for a long time. We were fortunate to be in front at half-time and I warned the players there had to be a vast improvement but, if anything, we got worse.

"We were second best in every department. We played four different strikers and were gifted two goals but apart from that their keeper has not had a save to make in the second half.

"Derby were more competitive than us in midfield and we looked lost at the back. We let them get too many crosses in too freely and I cannot complain at the result. We got what we deserved, which was absolutely nothing."

Royle refused to make excuses for his players.

He added: "At times, it wasn't so much a case of giving the ball away, it was a question of not getting the ball.

"We were just poor all over and there are no excuses.

"I cannot disagree that overall Derby deserved to win the game and we were just not good enough."