Monday 8 September 2014 15:52, UK
Derby manager Steve McClaren has stressed the need for consistency ahead of Sunday's clash with local rivals and Championship leaders Nottingham Forest.
The Rams are in seventh place after losing just one of their first five league games this term, as well as progressing in the Capital One Cup with wins over Carlisle and Charlton.
Having just missed out on a place in the Premier League when edged out by QPR in the play-off final at Wembley last May, McClaren is determined to go one better this time.
"We've just asked for the team to find that consistency and find it quickly because that's what will get you up there and keep you challenging in the top six," he told the club website.
"Some teams get it straight away and some teams build towards it - I'd like us to have a bit more consistency, but that will come. We're just concentrating on each game and taking it one at a time rather than worrying about form or that sort of thing.
"We want to make sure we get a level of performance every week that we know will get us results in this very tough league. That means the players' attitude has got to be right every game and that they've got to be physically ready for every match."
