MOORE EXPECTS BETTER FROM BAGGIES

Moore - expects West Brom to do well.

Derby defender Darren Moore expects his former club West Brom to make a better fist of life in the top flight than his current employers.

It was the Rams who pipped Albion in last season's play-off final but the sides will swap divisions next season after enjoying very different campaigns.

While County, who conclude their campaign against Reading on Sunday, went on to become officially the worst team in Premier League history, the Baggies claimed the Championship title and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

And Moore, who swapped The Hawthorns for Pride Park in January 2006, is confident Tony Mowbray's men are capable of more than simply surviving.

He said: "They've proven this season what a great team they are and I envisage them holding their own in the Premier League with that team.

"The simple fact is they have been together for nearly three seasons so they have got a bond and unity there, and the structure of the club is good.

"I see nothing but another season there of continued success for West Brom."

He added: "On a personal level I'm really pleased for some of the guys there that they are back in the Premier League.

"They will go and do themselves justice."

That is certainly something Moore feels County failed to do when handed their opportunity this term, and he admits there will be a sense of relief when the campaign draws to a close on Sunday.

"It is a matter of getting away in the summer and then regrouping, coming back and having a fresh start because it has been intense," he added.

"It's been week after week. In this division there is no hiding place and it's been quite clear for all to see.

"So I think personally, for everyone at Derby County, it will be a welcome break.

"My words to everyone would be to put a line through the season. Once we come back at the start of the season everything will be forgotten about.

"The press will be talking about the new players, the new season ahead and everything else.

"That's why if it's still harbouring on our minds next season it isn't going to do us any good, it will just hold us back."

The season certainly makes grim reading for Rams fans.

Their side has won just once in the league all campaign - conceding 85 goals - and suffered the earliest relegation in Premier League history.

And a further unwanted record - lowest number of goals ever scored by a Premier League side - will be theirs on Sunday if they fail to net against the Royals.

"A lot has gone wrong," the centre-back conceded. "From the top of the football club right the way through.

"There have been a lot of mistakes, I am sure we can all hold our hands up.

"When a club is successful, it is successful together. And when it's not, you're not successful together."

Nonetheless, Moore has still found reason for optimism.

"Even though it has been a negative season, I still see that there has been some sort of gain from it even though we might not see it on a short-term basis," he said.

"I feel Derby as a football club will have benefited from this season in the Premier League, whether it be financial, experience for the chairman, manager, players, staff or supporters.

"I really feel that even in defeat we certainly can have taken something from this season."