I guess, Robbie, you've been one of the revelations of Son of Clough's reign at Derby so far?

"I didn't think I'd be playing at all, but since Nigel Clough has been in charge it's an extra special thing. My own aspirations are just to get in the team and then stay in there."

Let's see, you joined Derby from Blackburn Rovers for around £1.5m in January 2008, but couldn't stop the Rams being relegated to the Championship. Paul Jewell seemed to deliberately cut your first-team chances but under Clough, you starred in the Rams' FA Cup victory over Forest and helped us stay up. Now you're back to pre-season training last week with midfielder Lee Croft the only new face to join the club so far. What are our chances?

"We're looking forward to a season where we can finish first and foremost in the top ten, and hopefully a play-off spot. One thing you can promise here is that, if you work hard in training under the manager, you'll get a chance. We're all delighted and we're all enjoying pre-season training. It's been very hard but it's been great. The older you get the harder you have to work to keep up with the young lads."

Do you miss Blackburn?

"No comment."

Summer reading: William Congreve, in The mourning bride, 1697:

Musick has Charms to sooth a savage Breast,
To soften Rocks, or bend a knotted Oak.
I've read, that things inanimate have mov'd,
And, as with living Souls, have been inform'd,
By Magick Numbers and persuasive Sound.
What then am I? Am I more senseless grown
Than Trees, or Flint? O force of constant Woe!
'Tis not in Harmony to calm my Griefs.
Anselmo sleeps, and is at Peace; last Night
The silent Tomb receiv'd the good Old King;
He and his Sorrows now are safely lodg'd
Within its cold, but hospitable Bosom.
Why am not I at Peace?