Lee Buchanan is quickly cementing himself as Derby’s left-back solution

After a season of mixed emotions, it appears as though the 19-year-old is starting to hold a tight grip on his place in the starting eleven.

Buchanan was one of six young talents handed their debut by Phillip Cocu last season in a ploy to embed more academy products into the first team picture. 

His first appearance certainly set the tone. The youngster played the full ninety minutes and scored the winner as Derby kept a clean sheet and progressed to the second round of the Carabao Cup, Scunthorpe United the defeated side on the day. 

The left-back then amassed only six further appearances during the rest of the season.

Amongst alleged rumours he may have played a part in the Rams’ infamous drink-driving fiasco, he also sustained an injury, meaning he was absent for the majority of the season. A behind the scenes punishment may perhaps have been in place which, combined with his injury struggles, would explain his lengthy absence from the first team picture.

A seemingly more mature Buchanan has turned up this season and it’s fair to say he’s probably raised a few eyebrows from those who doubted him in his inaugural season.

The departures of fellow left-backs Scott Malone and Max Lowe will have certainly aided his first team opportunities, with Craig Forsyth now his only competition for a place in the side.

He’s featured in each of Derby’s last five league fixtures as well as both of the Rams’ Carabao Cup matches this season, none of which have been ‘cameo’ appearances. Huddersfield away was his shortest spell on the pitch. It was the 79th minute when he was substituted as Phillip Cocu’s men fell to a 1-0 defeat.

Last night, Buchanan started again as the Rams drew 1-1 with fierce rivals Nottingham Forest. It’s safe to say the young man impressed yet again, providing both an attacking and defensive presence from the wing-back role.

It was the 9th minute when the England U20 international first showed an urge to attack, bombing down the left flank and fooling experienced right-back Cyrus Christie, on this occasion a slightly heavy touch was enough for Forest to clear the danger. 

Less than ten minutes later, Buchanan was the focal point of yet another attack, again finding space away from Christie before sending a tantalising delivery across the face of goal. Nathan Byrne couldn’t quite get a toe to it on this occasion. 

There might have been a few worried looks on the bench prior to the half an hour mark as the teenager dropped to the floor, holding his head following an unwanted collision. Luckily, sighs could be heard from the Derby bench as he returned to his feet and shrugged off attention from the Derby medical staff.

As Chris Hughton’s side pressed for an equaliser in the second half, it supplied Lee with ample opportunity to show off his defensive work, especially his aerial ability, which is somewhat impressive for a man of 5ft 8in. 

It was the 52nd minute when he rose highest from the centre spot to clear away a Forest corner, that was just one of seven aerial battles won by the youngster on the night.

Unfortunately a clean sheet was out of the equation last night, a less than pretty Lyle Taylor equaliser put an end to that goal for the evening.

Despite failure to win, there were positive signs for Derby supporters and Lee Buchanan alike.

Not only was he one of four options nominated by the club for man of the match, Rams supporters took to social media to applaud the defender’s current run of form;

There’s still a long way to go, but he’s showing positive signs to say the least. He’ll no doubt be aiming to follow in the footsteps of recently departed Jayden Bogle, who rapidly became a first team regular with the Rams just two season ago.

Buchanan is certainly one to keep tabs on.

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