The Rams began the match against Bolton with just one change from last week’s win at Cardiff with Ince in for Dawkins and what a change it turned out to be.

The score line doesn’t reflect the match as for a large part of the first-half, Bolton were in the match and not totally on the back foot. Derby’s first goal arrived just over five minutes before the break and after that the hosts seemed confident they could open up the away side again.

Tom Ince looked more than capable from the off. His movement off the ball and neat touches were helpful for Derby and that free-kick.. wow! His second goal polished off a lovely move, which epitomised the performance. Jordon Ibe, who’s that? Well, Ibe started for Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.

Another gem in the win was, of course, Will Hughes. In fact, the midfield three had a superb outing. Hughes is clearly a class above. It was always a worry that other sides would try and give him a rough time and that Hughes would struggle as a result but clearly he can cope with that now and is a very clever player.

I think it is most noticeable when he is not in the team — look at the second-half against Forest. He is the calming, intelligent footballer in the team.

Omar Mascarell put in a good shift. Since the New Year the loanee has grown into his role - meanwhile Jeff Hendrick certainly had one of his better games in a while and I have no doubt that his two goals will have done him the world of good.

A remarkable crowd of over 30,300 was at Pride Park for a game that certainly, on the face of it, wouldn’t be considered as a blockbuster but consistent victories and good team performances draw in the crowds regardless of the opposition.

After the two loan signings on Tuesday, Steve McClaren’s squad looks even stronger. Jesse Lingard didn’t emerge from the bench and with subs like Roos, Christie, Warnock, Dawkins, Bryson and Bent alongside him, the quality outside the starting eleven is there in abundance.

With George Thorne and Johnny Russell still to come back into the squad, there is no doubt that Rams have the quality, strength and depth to go up this season.

Elsewhere, Bournemouth won 3-1 at Wigan, setting up a real top of the table clash tonight. Both sides are level on points, can we nick a win? Would you take a draw?

The match won’t quite make or break the season for either of the clubs but a three point advantage at the top would be great to build on. Come on you Rams!

For more of Nathan's articles you can read his blog at www.derbycountyfan.com and follow him via @ramscorner on Twitter.

Photo: Action Images

Derby County Polls