EFL Championship: Analysing the hunt for promotion

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Derby County

After a hugely disappointing start to the season under Nigel Pearson, Derby have steadied the ship since the appointment of former manager Steve McClaren, and go into the New Years Eve fixture unbeaten in nine. The last few seasons have been disappointing for the club, losing twice in the play-offs in three years. The 2014 final was undoubtedly the toughest to take, after Bobby Zamora’s late winner for Queens Park Rangers.

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Last season the standard in the Championship was high. Derby were knocked out the play-offs by Hull, 2-3 on aggregate after the club almost pulled back a three goal deficit from the first leg at The iPro. Nonetheless, McClaren’s return has seen the Rams playing the winning football we have seen in recent years, again.

Tom Ince is showing what he can do, he has eight goals this season so far, with three in his last four. If Derby can keep their key players fit and carry on how they have been playing since McClaren’s appointment, they have every chance. The Championship is a marathon not a sprint, and there poor start will be forgotten if Derby can mount a promotion challenge in the second half of the season.

Darren Bent also knows where the back of the net is, and if Derby can supply him with chances, more often than not, he will finish them. The 32-year-old will be instrumental in how their season goes. The stadium name has reverted back to Pride Park, and Derby fans will be hoping that they can look back on this season with a feeling of pride come May.

Best Moment – Derby 3-0 Nottingham Forest

Prediction – 4th