Andy Todd is confident Derby County won't be relegation fodder this season.
Todd joined Derby from Blackburn Rovers last week and said yesterday: "From speaking to the manager he convinced me this club is going places, and I want to be part of it.
"We're not going into the season just to make up the numbers. We are going to have a good go.
"We have to take a leaf out of Reading's book, and I don't see why we can't do what they did last season.
"We have to aim as high as we can. We don't want to be scrapping down at the bottom, and I don't see why we should be."
After five years at Blackburn, the 32-year-old will next season wear the white shirt of Derby as proudly worn by his dad during the club's heyday.
Colin Todd made 371 appearances between 1971-78, and although Andy never saw his dad play at the old Baseball Ground, he is happy to have rediscovered his roots.
"I'm coming home," remarked Todd, who was born in Littleover on the outskirts of the city.
"It's also another chance to play in the Premier League, but Derby are a good club with a good tradition, and I didn't have to think twice about joining.
"It's special that I'm now playing for the club my dad played for.
"My dad was a good player, and if I can achieve half of what he did then I'll be happy."
