Following their annual embarrassing defeat to a title chasing Leicester - today Derby will welcome Brighton to the iPro stadium. The game will be another stern test which will give us further indication of how far we have come in the past three months.
When compared to the negative era of Clough - are we now real play off contenders? At the moment no one really knows but this clash should act as a good measuring stick.
Last weekend Leicester were very good. They had pace, power and on another day, could easily have scored eight. Derby could simply not handle them. Coupled with that - basic mistakes like letting the ball bounce from goal kicks and long balls.
The Derby wide players were redundant, the midfield (maybe apart from Hughes) were anonymous and when we had a tiny sniff of getting back into the game, Forsyth lost his head and committed a silly sliding challenge just as I was screaming, stay on your feet!
On our great run before Christmas - the only team we played in the top 10 were Blackpool and they had injury and suspension issues. In contrast - the Brighton team Derby played at the start of the season is far removed from the one that will line up against us this afternoon.
After getting over the controversy of Poyet's departure - they are now in a great run of form and looking to at least match their achievements of last season by once again making the play offs.
They are now more organised, harder to beat and are able to create chances going forward, compared to the beginning of the season when we won 2-1.
Brighton midfielder Andrew Crofts will miss the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate knee injury while winger Will Buckley (hamstring) is out. Long-term absentees are Will Hoskins (knee) and Craig Mackail-Smith (Achilles).
Despite these major players missing, Brighton has only lost two of their previous fifteen games in all competitions which suggests this will be a tough game.
I will be surprised of Derby do not make at least one change. Yes, management sometimes like to give players the chance to rectify mistakes, but what message does it send if the same team is picked that lost so badly to Leicester. To me, it says play poorly, make mistakes, but still keep your place. In particular I think Forsyth, Keane and Buxton have been found out a little against better opposition.
I would at least bring Eustace back in for Hendrick. Jeff is a good player, but after being out for a number of months - I thought he found it very difficult to step up his performance against both Chelsea and Leicester. If fit, I would also be tempted to start with the more dominant and physical Whitbread. However, Brighton is not that sort of side. Keogh also has a chance after his medial knee ligament injury.
For me, Ward is also running a fine line with Bennett breathing down his neck for a starting place. I feel Ward it less effective on the right, but had been scoring goals there, so he kept his place. He seems a very frustrated player at the moment.
I believe it will be tight game that will either end in a draw or one goal will nick it for either side.
Let's just hope, unlike Wigan, that Derby come away with at least a point and maintain both our play off ambitions and credentials.
Derby (4th): W, D, W, L, L
Brighton (6th): D, L W, D, W
The Rams are proven quick starters this season with 24 of their goal tally coming in the first 45 minutes of matches.
Steve McClaren has collected 32 of a possible 42 points since taking over at Derby but with 0 from the last 2 matches — he will be keen to stop the rot.
The Rams have the highest goals ‘for’ in the Championship with 49, as well as the best conversion rate per shots on goal. The second best tally in the League is held by the team that put them to the sword last weekend, the Foxes have now managed 46.
Until their defeat at home on New Years Day - The Rams went 9 games unbeaten with 8 wins and 1 draw but have now lost 3 consecutive matches, 2 in the League and 1 in the Cup.
Derby were victorious against Brighton earlier this season when the won away at the Amex stadium 2-1.
Brighton has lost only 2 of their last 15 matches and has scored in all but 1 of their last 14 matches.
Brighton has won 4 of their last 7 away matches and lost only one.
Brighton 1 v 2 Derby - Opening Day Of The 2013/14 Season
Steve McClaren’s thoughts before the Brighton clash.