DIRECTOR of Football is not a title that sits well at Pride Park.

The last incumbent, Murdo Mackay, later served time at Her Majesty's pleasure for his part in fraudulent activities at Derby County.

He also cost the Rams the services of one of their best recent managers, George Burley, who resented his interference.

Come to that, he was not much help to Phil Brown either. Mackay, a Scottish opportunist, was originally hired as a private detective by Lionel Pickering to find something that would discredit John Gregory.

In pursuing those activities, Mackay identified a club in disarray, opening the way for the Three Amigos, as they became known.

A five-minute receivership wiped out the shareholders, so it was an expensive appointment for Pickering.

The current owners have been talking about a similar appointment for nine months and the topic popped up again last week.

There already is a Director of Football – the manager Nigel Clough. That is obviously his function and while Sir Alex Ferguson may be the last to have total domination in all areas, managers resent dabblers.

So the Rams need to be very careful about the title they pick and the duties that are defined.

After a season dominated by budgets and cutting the players' wage bill, it seems odd to be adding another salary.

Supporters may find it irritating after gearing themselves for slow development. Much had to be sorted out when Clough took over following Paul Jewell's catastrophic spell but now is the time to think about adding some quality.

Even while saying that a striker is a priority for next season, chief executive Tom Glick implied there was little money for a transfer fee or high wages.

So what kind of centre-forward does that produce? We don't expect Fernando Torres if Chelsea should tire of his lack of goals but the Rams should not be trawling through car-boot sales.

Whatever the price, it would be a welcome development if there was a man in attack who can stay on his feet for 46 games.

In the first five seasons they played together, Kevin Hector and John O'Hare missed seven games between them. And yes, it was different in those days. Defenders had far more license to steam in from behind.

Current forwards at Derby are afflicted by groin and hamstring strains, while the unfortunate Steve Davies has broken so many parts of his body that he is liable to bring airports to a halt when he passes the metal detector.

The trouble with the Director of Football (possibly) appointment is that it has hung around for so long that it is liable to become an Issue, with a capital I.

In other words, it is something for national newspapers to grab, not that they pay much attention to the Championship.

The same applied over Clough's new contract. It could and should have been sorted out long before it happened because there were no genuine snags.

The running Issue is a fresh contract for Paul Green. During the January transfer window, the Rams seemed to be drumming up interest in Green, whose contract expires in summer.

No other club bit in terms of a firm offer so, happily, Green remains. That is just as well as he is the only logical alternative when John Brayford is injured.

When a player becomes an Issue, there is a danger of overstating his capabilities.

Although a Republic of Ireland international, Green is not a great player: there are none of those at Derby just now.

But he is a competent and reliable Championship player who has served the Rams well since he was signed from Doncaster Rovers by Jewell. Even the worst managers usually leave at least one gem.

The more important point is that Green is adaptable. He can play at right-back, wide on the right of midfield or in the centre and will do whatever is required with a willing smile.

It is necessary to read between the lines. Green is probably comfortably, if not spectacularly, paid as Jewell was good at spending other people's money.

I suspect we are in the field of budgets and wage bills. In which case, the Rams should ask one question. Where can we find better for less?

The market does not work like that. The owners and investors (all great guys, it will be recalled) have to spend money to raise the quality of the team, especially in the front half.

Which brings us to the proposed appointment. If he is to take work off Glick in dealing with agents – a full-time occupation – and seeing through the mechanics of deals, that's fine.

Just don't call him Director of Football. We want no echoes of Murdo around Pride Park.