Derby County returned to the second tier last weekend and Curtis Davies has now fired credit towards Paul Warne.
A 2-0 victory over Carlisle United on Saturday saw Derby return to the Championship after several years of hurt.
The Rams previously won promotion in 2007 and had several near misses in the years that preceded, finally breaking their hoodoo last weekend.
David Clowes deserves huge credit after saving the club from going out of business altogether, claiming he came to Derby’s aid so he could celebrate moments like this.
His appointment of Paul Warne in September 2022 was a major factor behind their promotion, with the former Rotherham United boss arriving with three promotions on his CV.
Derby narrowly missed out on the playoffs in his first season, but after using the transfer market to bring in the players he wanted, automatic promotion was achieved in his second.
Curtis Davies issues Paul Warne verdict
Curtis Davies rose to cult hero status during his time at Derby and although he suffered relegation to League Two with Cheltenham, the 39-year-old has still kept a close eye on his former club.
Davies believes the key factor behind Warne winning promotion is allowing him free reign in the transfer market. The 50-year-old is used to working on a shoestring budget, doing so at the Millers, so bringing in players on a free transfer was right up his street.
The additions of Joe Ward and Curtis Nelson, in particular, showed he could sign top-end League One players to supplement the quality already in his squad.
Speaking to the EFL All Access podcast, Davies said: “I think at the back end of last season, the manager always said he was trying to build a team under his own identity.
“And when he had that at Rotherham, he got promoted three times. So, I think it’s no coincidence that after having a window where he was able to get players more suited to him and the way he wants to do things. He had the full pre-season to get them fit; it was tough for the lads I know that for a fact.
“Sprinkling a few in January as well that helped the group; Ebou Adams was fantastic for the cause towards the end of the season.
“He got the right people, as in, actual personalities and people as players as well. I’m delighted for him as a man and as a person, first and foremost, but I’m obviously delighted for Derby County as a football club.”
January signing of Ebou Adams was pivotal
Davies touched on Ebou Adams being a ‘fantastic’ addition and the 28-year-old arriving on loan from Cardiff City was pivotal in their promotion push.
The Rams conceded just seven of their 37 goals once he joined the squad, as his combative, energetic and tough-tackling performances elevated him towards the realms of stardom.
Adams slotted perfectly into their midfield and his presence physically allowed the likes of Conor Hourihane, Max Bird and most recently, Korey Smith to flourish in the engine room.
Derby had a strong backline and match-winners in attack but they lacked bite and authority in midfield, which Adams provided.
Warne is keen on bringing the Gambian to Derbyshire permanently, though their £250,000 bid fell well short of Cardiff’s £500,000 valuation.
Nonetheless, signing Adams could be what kickstarts a successful summer of spending.
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