"Really is an exception"- Derby County's "most underrated player" lauded | OneFootball

Football League World's Derby County fan pundit claims Craig Forsyth is underrated

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Derby County have been solid in the Championship this season following their relegation from League One last term and are looking to re-establish themselves as a strong second-tier outfit.

The Rams enjoyed a four-game unbeaten run in October but will have been disappointed by a 2-1 defeat at the hands of fellow mid-table side Stoke City in early November.

Since their defeat to the Potters, however, Paul Warne's men have subsequently enjoyed a three-game unbeaten streak, courtesy of a 2-1 win at Coventry City, and more recent 1-1 draws with Plymouth Argyle and Preston North End.

On Wednesday night, the Rams host Swansea City, prior to an Advent Sunday clash with Sheffield Wednesday, and will be looking for positive results ahead of tricky away trips to Leeds and Burnley which lie ahead.

Rams fan pundit makes Craig Forsyth claim

While the Rams look to solidify their Championship status, Football League World asked our Derby fan pundit, Shaun Woodward, who the club's most underrated player in recent times is and why.

Shaun said: "I would say, over the last decade our probably most underrated player is Craig Forsyth.

"He's probably had to compete against a dozen, probably more, left-backs in his time at the club, and every one has come and gone.

"Bigger names, younger players, more attacking players, they've all come in, and he's just bided his time, he's kept plugging away, and every time he's gone on to become the number one left-back again, or left-wing-back, or even centre-back at times.

"So his professionalism and consistency is up there with the very best Derby have had over the last couple of decades, and he deserves to go down as a real special player that Derby have had.

"There's not much loyalty in football anymore, and he really is an 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 not surprising that Shaun has singled out Forsyth as an exceptional Rams player, who is perhaps underrated due to the fact that he is not an overly adventurous player by the standards of a modern-day full-back.

However, his services for the Rams over the years are clearly nothing short of legendary, as he first moved to Pride Park on loan from Watford in 2013, before agreeing permanent terms later on in the same year.

Over a decade on from joining Derby, Forsyth is still a key player whose consistency and reliability is unmatched by any of his colleagues and is up there with the very best in the Championship.

He made 53 appearances across all competitions as the Rams reached the Championship play-off final at the end of the 2013/14 season, and also made 26 League One outings as his side earned promotion from the third tier last campaign, proving his longevity.

Including his loan spell from Watford in 2013, Forsyth has made over 350 appearances for his club, and will always be remembered by the Pride Park faithful.