Our Business Isn't Finished

[Day]

Nigel Clough has stated that allowing Rob Hulse to join Queens Park Rangers was the 'right thing to do' and that he has 'targets lined up' to join the Rams, when the emergency window re-opens.

The 30-year-old frontman joined the npower Championship leaders today after just over two years at Pride Park.

Hulse would have been free to walk away at the end of the season on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract.

"This is a good deal for Derby County and allowing Rob to leave is the right thing to do," Clough told dcfc.co.uk.

"Rob turns 31 in a few weeks and had just nine months to run on his current contract.

"It is highly unlikely that we would be able to reach an agreement with Rob to extend that deal, given the terms he was looking for.

"To let him walk away for nothing at the end of the season would have made no sense what so ever, therefore we have acted in what is in the best interests of the club."

After landing former Real Madrid youngster Alberto Bueno from Real Valladolid on a season-long loan earlier today, Clough insists the closure of the transfer window does not mean the end of Derby's transfer activity.

He said: "We have targets in the centre forward position we will be looking to bring in when the emergency window re-opens in a week's time.

"These are players we have highlighted and made approaches for, but have been asked to wait until the second window opens.

"If we get the targets we want they, will certainly improve us."

Clough insists the future looks bright for the Rams, as he continues to change the culture and mentality of the club.

He explained: "From a football perspective we are looking to change the culture completely and have made huge strides already in that direction.

"The players we have brought in are exciting, hungry lads who have a massive part to play in our future, such as players like John Brayford, James Bailey, Tomasz Cywka, Conor Doyle and Alberto Bueno.

"When married with the excellent players we have who are currently in their prime, such as Stephen Bywater, Dean Leacock, Shaun Barker, Paul Green, Stephen Pearson, Dean Moxey, Chris Porter and Kris Commons, we are extremely pleased with the shape of the squad for the present and the future.

"And that's not to mention Miles Addison and Steven Davies who will be back in our ranks in the New Year.

"There are plenty of positives from the start of the season, not least the quality of football we are playing.

"We have given the supporters a glimpse of the future and they are enjoying the positive attitude being shown on the pitch by our players."

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