Former Derby County hero Craig Bryson says Rams boss Wayne Rooney worked wonders at the club this season, and their relegation from the Championship was harsh.
County fell to the third tier of English football for the first time since 1986 on April 18 when Queen's Park Rangers ran out 1-0 winners.
A 12-point deduction for entering administration, caused by historical mismanagement that occurred under former owner Mel Morris, followed by a nine-point penalty on November 16 for breaking EFL accounting rules, meant the Rams were docked 21 points in total, which they were fighting a losing battle to overcome.
Without that, with their results this term, Derby would have been 17th and safe from the drop.
Looking on from afar, St Johnstone midfielder Bryson reckons the whole thing could have been avoided, but now just hopes that preferred bidder Chris Kirchener succeeds, and Derby County survives for next season.
Bryson, from East Kilbride, said: "It is harsh, on the fans, the playing squad and the staff, because they've been relegated, because of something outwith their control.
"The club has obviously been mismanaged from the top, but I'm not here to start name-calling or whatever. It is what it is, but like any club to survive after getting deducted 21 points would be unbelievable.
"For them to take that to... I think it was the 43rd game of the season, is an incredible achievement in itself.
"I think most clubs would probably have been relegated by Christmas if that had happened.
"I think it's all credit to Wayne, the players and the staff.
"When I watch Derby now, and compare them to my time when I was down there, I don't think the fans and the players have ever been as close.;
"I think it has brought everybody at the club closer together. They're going to Blackpool tomorrow, they've sold out and had to get extra tickets.
"That's a team that's been relegated, but they're taking about 4000 fans to Blackpool."
Bryson added: "It's a massive club, the fans have been incredible. They'll still have that support in League One, but the most important thing is that there is a Derby County to support - I don't think it matters what division they're in.
"It's near enough unthinkable that Derby as a place won't have Derby County. so hopefully this preferred bidder gets it over the line and the club can finally get a bit of stability back and go in the right direction.
"In my opinion it's a Premiership club. We failed in my time to get there, and through mismanagement they've found themselves in League One, but hopefully they can get themselves on the straight and narrow again, soon."
Bryson had nothing but praise for former England and Manchester United hero Wayne Rooney, and reckons they'd have enjoyed a brilliant season but for the points deduction.
He said: "He has been incredible. For some of their young players it would have been a baptism of fire, but when you look at some of those players now, their development from the start of the season to now has been incredible.
"I think that's testament to Wayne and his staff, the job they've done behind the scenes to make the team competitive when all of this has been going on in the background has been remarkable."
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