Derby County’s promising start to the season has drastically faded in front of their dismayed fans with three consecutive losses in the Championship.
A 2-0 defeat to Sunderland marked their fourth loss on the road, continuing their disappointing streak both at home and away. The recent defeats to Sheffield United and Norwich City have left Paul Warne’s side searching for redemption as they face Queens Park Rangers this weekend at Pride Park.
Struggling away, Derby is enduring their worst away start since the 2007/08 season and haven’t faced such a dire away record outside the top flight since 1983/84. Despite this, fans are reminded that the challenging fixtures against top-tier teams have tested the Rams in the opening months.
As they gear up to face Queens Park Rangers, currently 22nd in the league, Derby must remain focused. Despite rocky away form, their home performances have been resilient, providing hope for the future matches. The changing dynamics of the Championship demand a different approach than Derby’s previous seasons.
While their target isn’t the top six this year, but league survival, matches against teams like QPR, Millwall, and Stoke City are crucial for garnering points. Despite the tough matchups so far, Derby has shown competitive spirit, refusing to be entirely overrun by any opponent.
In virtually all their away games, the outcomes have hinged on moments where rival teams displayed slightly better quality. Instances like Gustavo Hamer’s free kick, Jobe Bellingham’s remarkable 25-yard goal, and Vakoun Bayo’s volley exemplify how Warne’s squad was undone by such flashes of brilliance. Moving forward, they need to acknowledge their potential to compete, given their upcoming matches against weaker opposition after a challenging start. While adjustments may be necessary if poor results persist, they stand a good chance of securing victories, especially at home where their strength lies. Warne has every right to emphasize this perspective.
