Tomorrow is the beginning of what I see as The Rams run home to the Play- offs. In the final 8 fixtures, none of their opponents currently reside higher than 12th. It should be a case of consolidation not capitulation but whatever the stats, success is not guaranteed.

As the table stands we will come up against Charlton (21st), Boro (15th), Blackpool (18th), Huddersfield (16th), Doncaster (20th), Barnsley (23rd), Watford (12th) and Leeds (14th).

All of these teams will meet The Rams as they either looking at mid-table obscurity or the lower reaches of the table come the end of the season. A few of them are in or within reach of the bottom three which means they may be the more dangerous opponents, as with time ticking away, they may be the more desperate to get the 3 points.

Whether or not their opposition will have a reason to dig deep, The Rams themselves have as good a reason as any to step up and should be looking to collect a bumper crop of points in the run home.

In my humble opinion, anything less than 17 points from the available 24, would be a disappointment. A Derby firing on most or all cylinders should be capable of subduing and defeating most of these sides that have been average or worse for most of the season.

Much will come down to the issues the team has struggled with of late such as; are they capable of breaking down teams that try and strangle them and more importantly can they consistently find that killer instinct in front of goal?

The rise and rise of The Rams earlier in the season was partially due to their goal radar being finely tuned and at times ridiculously accurate. Since January it has been a different story as besides the slaughter of Forest, Derby has struggled to find the back of the net consistently.

Less talented opposition nearly ensures that there will be chances to open them up and put goals away, but if we do not re-discover that ruthlessness in front of goal which was on display last weekend, then the end result may end up more like the Bolton match than the Forest.

Injuries are also a concern as our attacking stocks suddenly seem a little light on with Ward and Dawkins out for another couple of weeks. With Hughes obviously carrying a niggling injury as well, suddenly the players who were our burst of energy from the bench, players like Russell and Bamford, are now required in the starting line-up.

The first eleven still looks more than capable but the depth is not there to step it up and add extra pressure as we had been doing under McClaren. Against Ipswich it was Sammon as usual, followed by Naylor…, not exactly the throw caution to the wind, attack at all costs substitutions we have got used to.

The likes of Russell, Ward, Dawkins and Bamford bursting off the bench to add pace, energy while creating havoc and chances, has been a big part of the teams ability to hang in there till the very end.

I was a little disappointed that McClaren didn’t dabble in the loan market for at least one attack minded player or perhaps even consider recalling Mason Bennett, who would fill the hole perfectly. Who knows we may still see that one happen, especially if any more troops go down.

But Steve has shown that he seems to know what he is doing up till now — so I will give them the benefit of the doubt and have faith The Rams have the depth to make the most of what is a favourable fixture list.

There is no doubt the run home will be rocky at times but you couldn’t ask for a better line up of opposition as you attempt to consolidate your play-off position.

Here’s hoping that we take full advantage of the final 8 weeks and have Burnley looking over their shoulder, rather than The Rams looking over theirs.

Photo: Action Images

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