So, it's official at last and what we have all suspected has been born out by the stats irrespective of what happens on the last day of the season - Derby are the worst team to have graced the Premier League with their presence.

With just one win all season, you'd have thought their supporters would be hanging their heads in shame - yet, Pride Park has remained amazingly upbeat.

Perhaps there comes a point where results just don't matter any more. You know you're going to get beaten, so you may as well just enjoy yourself anyway. And, if you're going to have an appalling season you may as well do it against the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool!

'Perhaps there comes a point where results just don't matter any more'


Playing in the Premier League remains the aim of every club outside of it, even if most of those promoted know that they are likely to find it a struggle. West Brom and Stoke will be hoping to acquit themselves with dignity next season, but once the elation of promotion has quietened down they will know that they will be facing an uphill battle.

The fact that neither of them managed to pull away from the rest of pack this season suggests that they are some way short of possessing squads capable of really making an impact in the higher division, and their chances are going to depend largely on who they can both afford and attract to sign for them this summer. But it's a double edged sword - Premier League players expect Premier League wages.

Do you gamble and spend big and hope that you survive, or do you try to be more prudent and place your trust in cheaper options? There is no easy answer, and with Premier League teams spending more than ever survival for promoted teams gets harder.

Ultimately, though, the shine of promotion takes a while to dull, and that can keep you going through a difficult season as Derby have proved.

The bookmakers will no doubt be making them favourites for the drop, but their supporters won't care - next season Stoke and West Brom will be playing in the biggest league in the world and have earned the right to stand alongside some of the biggest names in world football, and what supporter wouldn't wish that their club could change places with them?

And who knows what will happen - every team starts the season on zero points, so for a few weeks the supporters of all the teams involved can dream a little!