"He’s not prolific" - Pundit reacts as Derby County eye Luton Town attacker | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer tells FLW his verdict on Derby County's pursuit of Luton Town striker Cauley Woodrow

Carlton Palmer believes Derby County should be targeting someone with a better track record in front of goal than Luton Town’s Cauley Woodrow.

According to Alan Nixon, the Rams are eyeing a move for the striker this summer before the market closes at the end of the month.

Woodrow signed for Luton in 2022 from Barnsley, and has gone on to feature 51 times for the Hatters across two league seasons (all stats from Fbref).

However, only seven of those appearances have come as a start, contributing three goals and two assists in that period.

It is understood that Luton are hoping to sign a forward option before deciding to sell any of their current options.

Carlton Palmer gives Woodrow Derby verdict

Palmer has raised some doubts over Woodrow’s viability for Derby due to his poor goal return throughout his career.

He believes the Rams should be targeting someone capable of 17 to 20 goals, but claims that he could be a solid option for the right price, depending on their budget.

“It’s believed that Derby County are weighing up a move for Luton striker Cauley Woodrow,” Palmer told Football League World.

“Cauley is on the fringe of the team at Luton in the Championship.

“In 2022/23, he played 27 games, scoring two goals. 2023/24 he was involved in 24 goals and got one goal.

“It’s believed that any deal for Cauley, who is on the peripheral at Luton, to leave the club would be on the basis that they can bring somebody else in.

“Derby County, who were promoted to the Championship last season, had suffered an opening day defeat, 4-2 to Blackburn.

“Although they’ve signed two players already in Jerry Yates and Kayden Jackson, Paul Warne is very keen on bringing another striker to the club.

“He’s not prolific when you’re talking 20 goals a season, his best tally is 14 in the Championship with Barnsley in 2019/20.

“So, not overly impressive stats.

“You’re looking for somebody to get you between 17 and 20 goals, so not overly impressive stats.

“What he will do is bring competition to the squad, and obviously Paul Warne has to work within the restraints of the football club, and what he’s able to spend, and what he can’t go over the top.

“It would add competition to goals, and he has proven he can score in the Championship.

“It might be that 10 or 12 goals might be enough over the course of the season if everybody else chips in with goals to keep them in that division.

“For me, I would be looking for somebody to score more goals than that, but it’s what is available out there at the price Derby are able to pay.”

Woodrow’s Championship goal scoring record

Woodrow’s best seasons in the Championship came during his time at Barnsley, scoring 26 goals from 82 appearances from 2019 to 2021.

But his form dipped following the Tykes’ run to the play-off final, having scored just six from 55 games at that level since.

Woodrow played a small part in Luton’s promotion to the Premier League, which could be valuable experience to bring to the Derby dressing room.

Otherwise, it remains to be seen what kind of fee could convince the Hatters to cash in before the 30 August transfer deadline.

Derby have forward options

Derby have already added Kayden Jackson and Jerry Yates to their squad this summer, and have James Collins as an option as well.

Bringing Woodrow into their ranks would mean a lot of competition to play up front for Warne.

This doesn’t seem like the smartest use of their resources, especially with the issues that Palmer has highlighted with his goal scoring efforts.